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Espinoza F, Carrazana R, Retamal-Fredes E, Ávila D, Papes F, Muotri AR, Ávila A. Tcf4 dysfunction alters dorsal and ventral cortical neurogenesis in Pitt-Hopkins syndrome mouse model showing sexual dimorphism. Biochim Biophys Acta Mol Basis Dis 2024; 1870:167178. [PMID: 38636614 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbadis.2024.167178] [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: 11/15/2023] [Revised: 03/28/2024] [Accepted: 04/14/2024] [Indexed: 04/20/2024]
Abstract
Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by haploinsufficiency of transcription factor 4 (TCF4). In this work, we focused on the cerebral cortex and investigated in detail the progenitor cell dynamics and the outcome of neurogenesis in a PTHS mouse model. Labeling and quantification of progenitors and newly generated neurons at various time points during embryonic development revealed alterations affecting the dynamic of cortical progenitors since the earliest stages of cortex formation in PTHS mice. Consequently, establishment of neuronal populations and layering of the cortex were found to be altered in heterozygotes subjects at birth. Interestingly, defective layering process of pyramidal neurons was partially rescued by reintroducing TCF4 expression using focal in utero electroporation in the cerebral cortex. Coincidentally with a defective dorsal neurogenesis, we found that ventral generation of interneurons was also defective in this model, which may lead to an excitation/inhibition imbalance in PTHS. Overall, sex-dependent differences were detected with more marked effects evidenced in males compared with females. All of this contributes to expand our understanding of PTHS, paralleling the advances of research in autism spectrum disorder and further validating the PTHS mouse model as an important tool to advance preclinical studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Francisca Espinoza
- Neurodevelopmental Biology Unit, Biomedical Sciences Research Laboratory, Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción (UCSC), Concepción, Chile
| | - Ramón Carrazana
- Neurodevelopmental Biology Unit, Biomedical Sciences Research Laboratory, Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción (UCSC), Concepción, Chile
| | - Eduardo Retamal-Fredes
- Neurodevelopmental Biology Unit, Biomedical Sciences Research Laboratory, Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción (UCSC), Concepción, Chile
| | - Denisse Ávila
- Department of Biochemical Engineering, University College of London (UCL), London, UK
| | - Fabio Papes
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Alysson R Muotri
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA 92093, USA
| | - Ariel Ávila
- Neurodevelopmental Biology Unit, Biomedical Sciences Research Laboratory, Basic Sciences Department, Faculty of Medicine, Universidad Católica de la Santísima Concepción (UCSC), Concepción, Chile.
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2
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Shinsato RN, Correa CG, Herai RH. Genetic network analysis indicate that individuals affected by neurodevelopmental conditions have genetic variations associated with ophthalmologic alterations: A critical review of literature. Gene 2024; 908:148246. [PMID: 38325665 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2024.148246] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 01/19/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
Changes in the nervous system are related to a wide range of mental disorders, which include neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD) that are characterized by early onset mental conditions, such as schizophrenia and autism spectrum disorders and correlated conditions (ASD). Previous studies have shown distinct genetic components associated with diverse schizophrenia and ASD phenotypes, with mostly focused on rescuing neural phenotypes and brain activity, but alterations related to vision are overlooked. Thus, as the vision is composed by the eyes that itself represents a part of the brain, with the retina being formed by neurons and cells originating from the glia, genetic variations affecting the brain can also affect the vision. Here, we performed a critical systematic literature review to screen for all genetic variations in individuals presenting NDD with reported alterations in vision. Using these restricting criteria, we found 20 genes with distinct types of genetic variations, inherited or de novo, that includes SNP, SNV, deletion, insertion, duplication or indel. The variations occurring within protein coding regions have different impact on protein formation, such as missense, nonsense or frameshift. Moreover, a molecular analysis of the 20 genes found revealed that 17 shared a common protein-protein or genetic interaction network. Moreover, gene expression analysis in samples from the brain and other tissues indicates that 18 of the genes found are highly expressed in the brain and retina, indicating their potential role in adult vision phenotype. Finally, we only found 3 genes from our study described in standard public databanks of ophthalmogenetics, suggesting that the other 17 genes could be novel target for vision diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rogério N Shinsato
- Unisalesiano, Araçatuba, São Paulo, Brazil; Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Neurogenetics (LaBiN/LEM), Graduate Program in Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Paraná, 80215-901, Brazil.
| | - Camila Graczyk Correa
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Neurogenetics (LaBiN/LEM), Graduate Program in Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Paraná, 80215-901, Brazil
| | - Roberto H Herai
- Laboratory of Bioinformatics and Neurogenetics (LaBiN/LEM), Graduate Program in Health Sciences, School of Medicine and Life Sciences, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Paraná (PUCPR), Curitiba, Paraná, 80215-901, Brazil; Research Division, Buko Kaesemodel Institute (IBK), Curitiba, Paraná 80240-000, Brazil; Research Division, 9p Brazil Association (A9pB), Santa Maria, Rio Grande do Sul 97060-580, Brazil.
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3
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Hassona Y, Alqaisi D, Alkilani A, AbuHijleh I. Expanding the phenotype in Pitt-Hopkins syndrome; description of new oral finding and dental management considerations. BMC Oral Health 2024; 24:597. [PMID: 38778377 PMCID: PMC11112874 DOI: 10.1186/s12903-024-04296-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2024] [Accepted: 04/25/2024] [Indexed: 05/25/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder with physical, cognitive, and behavioral characteristics that is caused by heterozygous mutations in the TCF4 gene. Patients with PTHS might present a unique challenge for oral healthcare professionals because of the associated comorbidities. CASE REPORT Here we describe a new case of PTHS in a 13-year-old girl with particular emphasis on oro-dental findings and oral healthcare management. Observed oro-dental findings in our case included shallow palate, absence of lingual frenum, gingival enlargement, thick lips and relative microdontia. The patient was unable to tolerate dental care under local anesthesia. Therefore, comprehensive dental treatment was performed under general anesthesia after a careful pre-anesthetic cardio-respiratory, neurological, and hematological evaluation. The patient was closely monitored intra-operatively for breathing rhythm, O2 saturation, and signs of respiratory distress. The patient was observed for 24 h post-op for respiratory distress and was discharged then uneventfully. CONCLUSION Dental treatment under general anesthesia in these patients might be complicated by the abnormal breathing rhythm, and close monitoring and follow up for signs of respiratory distress after general anesthesia is necessary. Recognition of oral and dental findings might help to expand the phenotype and better characterize rare syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yazan Hassona
- Faculty of Dentistry, Centre for Oral Diseases Studies, Al-Ahliyya Amman University, As-Salt, Jordan.
- School of Dentistry, The University of Jordan, As-Salt, Jordan.
| | - Dua'a Alqaisi
- School of Dentistry, The University of Jordan, As-Salt, Jordan
| | - Asma Alkilani
- School of Medicine, The University of Jordan, As-Salt, Jordan
| | - Iyas AbuHijleh
- School of Dentistry, The University of Jordan, As-Salt, Jordan
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Zhao T, Wu S, Shen Y, Leng J, Genchev GZ, Lu H, Feng J. Clinical and genetic characterization of 47 Chinese pediatric patients with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome: a retrospective study. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2024; 19:51. [PMID: 38331897 PMCID: PMC10851572 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-024-03055-7] [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: 07/13/2023] [Accepted: 01/25/2024] [Indexed: 02/10/2024] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder that remains underdiagnosed and its clinical presentations and mutation profiles in a diverse population are yet to be evaluated. This retrospective study aims to investigate the clinical and genetic characteristics of Chinese patients with PTHS. METHODS The clinical, biochemical, genetic, therapeutic, and follow-up data of 47 pediatric patients diagnosed with PTHS between 2018 and 2021 were retrospectively analyzed. RESULTS The Chinese PTHS patients presented with specific facial features and exhibited global developmental delay of wide severity range. The locus heterogeneity of the TCF4 gene in the patients was highlighted, emphasizing the significance of genetic studies for accurate diagnosis, albeit no significant correlations between genotype and phenotype were observed in this cohort. The study also reports the outcomes of patients who underwent therapeutic interventions, such as ketogenic diets and biomedical interventions. CONCLUSIONS The findings of this retrospective analysis expand the phenotypic and molecular spectra of PTHS patients. The study underscores the need for a long-term prospective follow-up study to assess potential therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Zhao
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Big Data in Pediatric Precision Medicine, Center for Biomedical Informatics, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Shengnan Wu
- Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yiping Shen
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA
| | - Jing Leng
- Wellness Center, 16 Philadelphia Ave, Shillington, PA, 19607, USA
| | - Georgi Z Genchev
- Center of Excellence in Computational Molecular Biology, Faculty of Medicine, Chulalongkorn University, Bangkok, Thailand
| | - Hui Lu
- Shanghai Engineering Research Center for Big Data in Pediatric Precision Medicine, Center for Biomedical Informatics, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China
| | - Jincai Feng
- Department of Rehabilitation, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
- Diagnosis and Treatment Center of Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome, Shanghai Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai, China.
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Talley MJ, Nardini D, Ehrman LA, Lu QR, Waclaw RR. Distinct requirements for Tcf3 and Tcf12 during oligodendrocyte development in the mouse telencephalon. Neural Dev 2023; 18:5. [PMID: 37684687 PMCID: PMC10485956 DOI: 10.1186/s13064-023-00173-z] [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: 04/14/2023] [Accepted: 07/31/2023] [Indexed: 09/10/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND E-proteins encoded by Tcf3, Tcf4, and Tcf12 are class I basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factors (TFs) that are thought to be widely expressed during development. However, their function in the developing brain, specifically in the telencephalon remains an active area of research. Our study examines for the first time if combined loss of two E-proteins (Tcf3 and Tcf12) influence distinct cell fates and oligodendrocyte development in the mouse telencephalon. METHODS We generated Tcf3/12 double conditional knockouts (dcKOs) using Olig2Cre/+ or Olig1Cre/+ to overcome compensatory mechanisms between E-proteins and to understand the specific requirement for Tcf3 and Tcf12 in the ventral telencephalon and during oligodendrogenesis. We utilized a combination of in situ hybridization, immunohistochemistry, and immunofluorescence to address development of the telencephalon and oligodendrogenesis at embryonic and postnatal stages in Tcf3/12 dcKOs. RESULTS We show that the E-proteins Tcf3 and Tcf12 are expressed in progenitors of the embryonic telencephalon and throughout the oligodendrocyte lineage in the postnatal brain. Tcf3/12 dcKOs showed transient defects in progenitor cells with an enlarged medial ganglionic eminence (MGE) region which correlated with reduced generation of embryonic oligodendrocyte progenitor cells (OPCs) and increased expression of MGE interneuron genes. Postnatal Tcf3/12 dcKOs showed a recovery of OPCs but displayed a sustained reduction in mature oligodendrocytes (OLs). Interestingly, Tcf4 remained expressed in the dcKOs suggesting that it cannot compensate for the loss of Tcf3 and Tcf12. Generation of Tcf3/12 dcKOs with Olig1Cre/+ avoided the MGE morphology defect caused by Olig2Cre/+ but dcKOs still exhibited reduced embryonic OPCs and subsequent reduction in postnatal OLs. CONCLUSION Our data reveal that Tcf3 and Tcf12 play a role in controlling OPC versus cortical interneuron cell fate decisions in MGE progenitors in addition to playing roles in the generation of embryonic OPCs and differentiation of postnatal OLs in the oligodendrocyte lineage.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mary Jo Talley
- Graduate Program in Molecular and Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Research Foundation, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Diana Nardini
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Lisa A Ehrman
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Q Richard Lu
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA
| | - Ronald R Waclaw
- Division of Experimental Hematology and Cancer Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
- Division of Developmental Biology, Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, 3333 Burnet Avenue, Cincinnati, OH, 45229, USA.
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Birkhoff JC, Korporaal AL, Brouwer RWW, Nowosad K, Milazzo C, Mouratidou L, van den Hout MCGN, van IJcken WFJ, Huylebroeck D, Conidi A. Zeb2 DNA-Binding Sites in Neuroprogenitor Cells Reveal Autoregulation and Affirm Neurodevelopmental Defects, Including in Mowat-Wilson Syndrome. Genes (Basel) 2023; 14:genes14030629. [PMID: 36980900 PMCID: PMC10048071 DOI: 10.3390/genes14030629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/20/2023] [Revised: 02/16/2023] [Accepted: 02/27/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Functional perturbation and action mechanism studies have shown that the transcription factor Zeb2 controls cell fate decisions, differentiation, and/or maturation in multiple cell lineages in embryos and after birth. In cultured embryonic stem cells (ESCs), Zeb2’s mRNA/protein upregulation is necessary for the exit from primed pluripotency and for entering general and neural differentiation. We edited mouse ESCs to produce Flag-V5 epitope-tagged Zeb2 protein from one endogenous allele. Using chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with sequencing (ChIP-seq), we mapped 2432 DNA-binding sites for this tagged Zeb2 in ESC-derived neuroprogenitor cells (NPCs). A new, major binding site maps promoter-proximal to Zeb2 itself. The homozygous deletion of this site demonstrates that autoregulation of Zeb2 is necessary to elicit the appropriate Zeb2-dependent effects in ESC-to-NPC differentiation. We have also cross-referenced all the mapped Zeb2 binding sites with previously obtained transcriptome data from Zeb2 perturbations in ESC-derived NPCs, GABAergic interneurons from the ventral forebrain of mouse embryos, and stem/progenitor cells from the post-natal ventricular-subventricular zone (V-SVZ) in mouse forebrain, respectively. Despite the different characteristics of each of these neurogenic systems, we found interesting target gene overlaps. In addition, our study also contributes to explaining developmental disorders, including Mowat-Wilson syndrome caused by ZEB2 deficiency, and also other monogenic syndromes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Judith C. Birkhoff
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Anne L. Korporaal
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Rutger W. W. Brouwer
- Center for Biomics-Genomics, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Karol Nowosad
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Medical University of Lublin, 20-093 Lublin, Poland
- The Postgraduate School of Molecular Medicine, Medical University of Warsaw, 02-091 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Claudia Milazzo
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Lidia Mouratidou
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Wilfred F. J. van IJcken
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Center for Biomics-Genomics, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Danny Huylebroeck
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Department of Development and Regeneration, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium
| | - Andrea Conidi
- Department of Cell Biology, Erasmus University Medical Center, 3015 Rotterdam, The Netherlands
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +31-10-7043169
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Differential Regulation of the BDNF Gene in Cortical and Hippocampal Neurons. J Neurosci 2022; 42:9110-9128. [PMID: 36316156 PMCID: PMC9761680 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2535-21.2022] [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: 12/27/2021] [Revised: 09/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/05/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is a widely expressed neurotrophin that supports the survival, differentiation, and signaling of various neuronal populations. Although it has been well described that expression of BDNF is strongly regulated by neuronal activity, little is known whether regulation of BDNF expression is similar in different brain regions. Here, we focused on this fundamental question using neuronal populations obtained from rat cerebral cortices and hippocampi of both sexes. First, we thoroughly characterized the role of the best-described regulators of BDNF gene - cAMP response element binding protein (CREB) family transcription factors, and show that activity-dependent BDNF expression depends more on CREB and the coactivators CREB binding protein (CBP) and CREB-regulated transcriptional coactivator 1 (CRTC1) in cortical than in hippocampal neurons. Our data also reveal an important role of CREB in the early induction of BDNF mRNA expression after neuronal activity and only modest contribution after prolonged neuronal activity. We further corroborated our findings at BDNF protein level. To determine the transcription factors regulating BDNF expression in these rat brain regions in addition to CREB family, we used in vitro DNA pulldown assay coupled with mass spectrometry, chromatin immunoprecipitation (ChIP), and bioinformatics, and propose a number of neurodevelopmentally important transcription factors, such as FOXP1, SATB2, RAI1, BCL11A, and TCF4 as brain region-specific regulators of BDNF expression. Together, our data reveal complicated brain region-specific fine-tuning of BDNF expression.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT To date, majority of the research has focused on the regulation of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) in the brain but much less is known whether the regulation of BDNF expression is universal in different brain regions and neuronal populations. Here, we report that the best described regulators of BDNF gene from the cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) transcription factor family have a more profound role in the activity-dependent regulation of BDNF in cortex than in hippocampus. Our results indicate a brain region-specific fine tuning of BDNF expression. Moreover, we have used unbiased determination of novel regulators of the BDNF gene and report a number of neurodevelopmentally important transcription factors as novel potential regulators of the BDNF expression.
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Azmerin M, Hussain MS, Aziz MA, Barek MA, Begum M, Sen N, Rahman MA, Shahriar M, Baeesa SS, Ashraf GM, Islam MS. TF and TCF4 gene polymorphisms are linked to autism spectrum disorder: a case-control study. J Int Med Res 2022; 50:3000605221138492. [PMID: 36448207 PMCID: PMC9716618 DOI: 10.1177/03000605221138492] [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: 12/05/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE Although the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasing, appropriate diagnosis and prevention strategies are still lacking. This case-control study was designed to explore the association between ASD and the rs1867503 and rs9951150 polymorphisms of the TF and TCF4 genes, respectively. METHODS Ninety-six children with ASD and 118 healthy children were recruited and polymerase chain reaction-restriction fragment length polymorphism technique was applied for genotyping. RESULTS The frequencies of the mutant allele G were 48% and 44% for the rs1867503 and rs9951150 polymorphisms, respectively. In our analysis, both TF and TCF4 polymorphisms were associated with an increased risk of developing ASD. AG heterozygotes (OR = 3.18), GG mutant homozygotes (OR = 2.62), AG + GG combined genotypes (OR = 2.98), and G mutant alleles of TF rs1867503 (OR = 1.94) were associated with a significantly elevated risk of ASD. Likewise, AG heterozygotes (OR = 2.92), GG mutant homozygotes (OR = 2.36), AG + GG combined genotypes (OR = 2.72), and G minor alleles of TCF4 rs9951150 (OR = 1.92) were associated with a significantly elevated risk of ASD. CONCLUSIONS Our results indicate that TF rs1867503 and TCF4 rs9951150 polymorphisms may be strongly associated with the development of ASD in Bangladeshi children.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Azmerin
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Saddam Hussain
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur-3814, Noakhali, Bangladesh,Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Molecular Biology, Department of Pharmacy, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur-3814, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Abdul Aziz
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur-3814, Noakhali, Bangladesh,Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Molecular Biology, Department of Pharmacy, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur-3814, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Abdul Barek
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur-3814, Noakhali, Bangladesh,Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Molecular Biology, Department of Pharmacy, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur-3814, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Mobashera Begum
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur-3814, Noakhali, Bangladesh,Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Molecular Biology, Department of Pharmacy, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur-3814, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Niloy Sen
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur-3814, Noakhali, Bangladesh,Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Molecular Biology, Department of Pharmacy, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur-3814, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Md. Abdur Rahman
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur-3814, Noakhali, Bangladesh
| | - Mohammad Shahriar
- Department of Pharmacy, University of Asia Pacific, Dhaka, Bangladesh
| | - Saleh Salem Baeesa
- Division of Neurosurgery, College of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Ghulam Md Ashraf
- Department of Medical Laboratory Sciences, College of Health Sciences, University of Sharjah, University City, United Arab Emirates
| | - Mohammad Safiqul Islam
- Department of Pharmacy, Faculty of Science, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur-3814, Noakhali, Bangladesh,Laboratory of Pharmacogenomics and Molecular Biology, Department of Pharmacy, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur-3814, Noakhali, Bangladesh,Mohammad Safiqul Islam, Department of Pharmacy, Noakhali Science and Technology University, Sonapur-3814, Noakhali, Bangladesh.
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9
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Sirp A, Shubina A, Tuvikene J, Tamberg L, Kiir CS, Kranich L, Timmusk T. Expression of alternative transcription factor 4 mRNAs and protein isoforms in the developing and adult rodent and human tissues. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1033224. [PMID: 36407762 PMCID: PMC9666405 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1033224] [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: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 10/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor 4 (TCF4) belongs to the class I basic helix-loop-helix family of transcription factors (also known as E-proteins) and is vital for the development of the nervous system. Aberrations in the TCF4 gene are associated with several neurocognitive disorders such as schizophrenia, intellectual disability, post-traumatic stress disorder, depression, and Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome, a rare but severe autism spectrum disorder. Expression of the human TCF4 gene can produce at least 18 N-terminally distinct protein isoforms, which activate transcription with different activities and thus may vary in their function during development. We used long-read RNA-sequencing and western blot analysis combined with the analysis of publicly available short-read RNA-sequencing data to describe both the mRNA and protein expression of the many distinct TCF4 isoforms in rodent and human neural and nonneural tissues. We show that TCF4 mRNA and protein expression is much higher in the rodent brain compared to nonneural tissues. TCF4 protein expression is highest in the rodent cerebral cortex and hippocampus, where expression peaks around birth, and in the rodent cerebellum, where expression peaks about a week after birth. In human, highest TCF4 expression levels were seen in the developing brain, although some nonneural tissues displayed comparable expression levels to adult brain. In addition, we show for the first time that out of the many possible TCF4 isoforms, the main TCF4 isoforms expressed in the rodent and human brain and other tissues are TCF4-B, -C, -D, -A, and-I. Taken together, our isoform specific analysis of TCF4 expression in different tissues could be used for the generation of gene therapy applications for patients with TCF4-associated diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Sirp
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Anastassia Shubina
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Jürgen Tuvikene
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia,Protobios LLC, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Laura Tamberg
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Carl Sander Kiir
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Laura Kranich
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Tõnis Timmusk
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia,Protobios LLC, Tallinn, Estonia,*Correspondence: Tõnis Timmusk,
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10
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Molecular Organization and Patterning of the Medulla Oblongata in Health and Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:ijms23169260. [PMID: 36012524 PMCID: PMC9409237 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23169260] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/29/2022] [Revised: 08/15/2022] [Accepted: 08/16/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The medulla oblongata, located in the hindbrain between the pons and the spinal cord, is an important relay center for critical sensory, proprioceptive, and motoric information. It is an evolutionarily highly conserved brain region, both structural and functional, and consists of a multitude of nuclei all involved in different aspects of basic but vital functions. Understanding the functional anatomy and developmental program of this structure can help elucidate potential role(s) of the medulla in neurological disorders. Here, we have described the early molecular patterning of the medulla during murine development, from the fundamental units that structure the very early medullary region into 5 rhombomeres (r7–r11) and 13 different longitudinal progenitor domains, to the neuronal clusters derived from these progenitors that ultimately make-up the different medullary nuclei. By doing so, we developed a schematic overview that can be used to predict the cell-fate of a progenitor group, or pinpoint the progenitor domain of origin of medullary nuclei. This schematic overview can further be used to help in the explanation of medulla-related symptoms of neurodevelopmental disorders, e.g., congenital central hypoventilation syndrome, Wold–Hirschhorn syndrome, Rett syndrome, and Pitt–Hopkins syndrome. Based on the genetic defects seen in these syndromes, we can use our model to predict which medullary nuclei might be affected, which can be used to quickly direct the research into these diseases to the likely affected nuclei.
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11
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Feng YCA, Stanaway IB, Connolly JJ, Denny JC, Luo Y, Weng C, Wei WQ, Weiss ST, Karlson EW, Smoller JW. Psychiatric manifestations of rare variation in medically actionable genes: a PheWAS approach. BMC Genomics 2022; 23:385. [PMID: 35590255 PMCID: PMC9121574 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-022-08600-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Accepted: 04/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND As genomic sequencing moves closer to clinical implementation, there has been an increasing acceptance of returning incidental findings to research participants and patients for mutations in highly penetrant, medically actionable genes. A curated list of genes has been recommended by the American College of Medical Genetics and Genomics (ACMG) for return of incidental findings. However, the pleiotropic effects of these genes are not fully known. Such effects could complicate genetic counseling when returning incidental findings. In particular, there has been no systematic evaluation of psychiatric manifestations associated with rare variation in these genes. RESULTS Here, we leveraged a targeted sequence panel and real-world electronic health records from the eMERGE network to assess the burden of rare variation in the ACMG-56 genes and two psychiatric-associated genes (CACNA1C and TCF4) across common mental health conditions in 15,181 individuals of European descent. As a positive control, we showed that this approach replicated the established association between rare mutations in LDLR and hypercholesterolemia with no visible inflation from population stratification. However, we did not identify any genes significantly enriched with rare deleterious variants that confer risk for common psychiatric disorders after correction for multiple testing. Suggestive associations were observed between depression and rare coding variation in PTEN (P = 1.5 × 10-4), LDLR (P = 3.6 × 10-4), and CACNA1S (P = 5.8 × 10-4). We also observed nominal associations between rare variants in KCNQ1 and substance use disorders (P = 2.4 × 10-4), and APOB and tobacco use disorder (P = 1.1 × 10-3). CONCLUSIONS Our results do not support an association between psychiatric disorders and incidental findings in medically actionable gene mutations, but power was limited with the available sample sizes. Given the phenotypic and genetic complexity of psychiatric phenotypes, future work will require a much larger sequencing dataset to determine whether incidental findings in these genes have implications for risk of psychopathology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen-Chen A Feng
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. .,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Master of Public Health Program, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
| | - Ian B Stanaway
- Division of Nephrology, School of Medicine, Kidney Research Institute, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - John J Connolly
- Center for Applied Genomics, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Joshua C Denny
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,Department of Medicine, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA.,All of Us Research Program, National Institutes of Health, Besthesda, MD, USA
| | - Yuan Luo
- Department of Preventive Medicine, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Chunhua Weng
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Wei-Qi Wei
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN, USA
| | - Scott T Weiss
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Channing Division of Network Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Elizabeth W Karlson
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.,Division of Rheumatology, Inflammation and Immunity, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jordan W Smoller
- Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA. .,Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main Street, Cambridge, MA, USA. .,Center for Precision Psychiatry, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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12
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Papes F, Camargo AP, de Souza JS, Carvalho VMA, Szeto RA, LaMontagne E, Teixeira JR, Avansini SH, Sánchez-Sánchez SM, Nakahara TS, Santo CN, Wu W, Yao H, Araújo BMP, Velho PENF, Haddad GG, Muotri AR. Transcription Factor 4 loss-of-function is associated with deficits in progenitor proliferation and cortical neuron content. Nat Commun 2022; 13:2387. [PMID: 35501322 PMCID: PMC9061776 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-29942-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription Factor 4 (TCF4) has been associated with autism, schizophrenia, and other neuropsychiatric disorders. However, how pathological TCF4 mutations affect the human neural tissue is poorly understood. Here, we derive neural progenitor cells, neurons, and brain organoids from skin fibroblasts obtained from children with Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome carrying clinically relevant mutations in TCF4. We show that neural progenitors bearing these mutations have reduced proliferation and impaired capacity to differentiate into neurons. We identify a mechanism through which TCF4 loss-of-function leads to decreased Wnt signaling and then to diminished expression of SOX genes, culminating in reduced progenitor proliferation in vitro. Moreover, we show reduced cortical neuron content and impaired electrical activity in the patient-derived organoids, phenotypes that were rescued after correction of TCF4 expression or by pharmacological modulation of Wnt signaling. This work delineates pathological mechanisms in neural cells harboring TCF4 mutations and provides a potential target for therapeutic strategies for genetic disorders associated with this gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabio Papes
- Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, 13083-862, Brazil.
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Center for Medicinal Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, 13083-886, Brazil.
| | - Antonio P Camargo
- Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, 13083-862, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, 13083-862, Brazil
- Lawrence Berkeley National Laboratory, Berkeley, CA, 94720, USA
| | - Janaina S de Souza
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Vinicius M A Carvalho
- Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, 13083-862, Brazil
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Ryan A Szeto
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Erin LaMontagne
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - José R Teixeira
- Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, 13083-862, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Simoni H Avansini
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, 13083-887, Brazil
| | - Sandra M Sánchez-Sánchez
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Thiago S Nakahara
- Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, 13083-862, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Carolina N Santo
- Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, 13083-862, Brazil
- Center for Medicinal Chemistry, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, 13083-886, Brazil
- Graduate Program in Genetics and Molecular Biology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Wei Wu
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Hang Yao
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
| | - Barbara M P Araújo
- Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, 13083-862, Brazil
| | - Paulo E N F Velho
- School of Medical Sciences, University of Campinas, Campinas, Sao Paulo, 13083-887, Brazil
| | - Gabriel G Haddad
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Department of Neurosciences, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA
| | - Alysson R Muotri
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Rady Children's Hospital, San Diego, CA, 92123, USA.
- Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
- Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA) and Archealization (ArchC), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, 92093, USA.
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13
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Papale LA, Madrid A, Zhang Q, Chen K, Sak L, Keleş S, Alisch RS. Gene by environment interaction mouse model reveals a functional role for 5-hydroxymethylcytosine in neurodevelopmental disorders. Genome Res 2022; 32:266-279. [PMID: 34949667 PMCID: PMC8805724 DOI: 10.1101/gr.276137.121] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/23/2021] [Accepted: 12/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Mouse knockouts of Cntnap2 show altered neurodevelopmental behavior, deficits in striatal GABAergic signaling, and a genome-wide disruption of an environmentally sensitive DNA methylation modification (5-hydroxymethylcytosine [5hmC]) in the orthologs of a significant number of genes implicated in human neurodevelopmental disorders. We tested adult Cntnap2 heterozygous mice (Cntnap2 +/-; lacking behavioral or neuropathological abnormalities) subjected to a prenatal stress and found that prenatally stressed Cntnap2 +/- female mice show repetitive behaviors and altered sociability, similar to the homozygote phenotype. Genomic profiling revealed disruptions in hippocampal and striatal 5hmC levels that are correlated to altered transcript levels of genes linked to these phenotypes (e.g., Reln, Dst, Trio, and Epha5). Chromatin immunoprecipitation coupled with high-throughput sequencing and hippocampal nuclear lysate pull-down data indicated that 5hmC abundance alters the binding of the transcription factor CLOCK near the promoters of these genes (e.g., Palld, Gigyf1, and Fry), providing a mechanistic role for 5hmC in gene regulation. Together, these data support gene-by-environment hypotheses for the origins of mental illness and provide a means to identify the elusive factors contributing to complex human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ligia A Papale
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53719, USA
| | - Andy Madrid
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53719, USA
- Neuroscience Training Program, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53719, USA
| | - Qi Zhang
- Department Mathematics and Statistics, University of New Hampshire, Durham, New Hampshire 03824, USA
| | - Kailei Chen
- Department of Statistics, Biostatistics, and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53719, USA
| | - Lara Sak
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53719, USA
| | - Sündüz Keleş
- Department of Statistics, Biostatistics, and Medical Informatics, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53719, USA
| | - Reid S Alisch
- Department of Neurological Surgery, University of Wisconsin, Madison, Wisconsin 53719, USA
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14
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Abstract
Alterations to the gut microbiome have been reported between children with autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) and typically developing (TD) children. Characterizing these differences has led to the proposal of new treatments for ASD, such as probiotic interventions and fecal matter transplants. However, no study to date has characterized the gut microbiome or metabolome in Pitt Hopkins syndrome (PTHS), a severe ASD with a high incidence of gastrointestinal (GI) disturbances such as constipation. Here, we surveyed the gut microbiome and metabolome in a cohort of PTHS individuals and their unaffected parents. We focused our analysis on Clostridium bolteae, a microbe previously associated with ASD known to chemically modify bile acids in the gut. PTHS individuals carry a higher load of C. bolteae than their parents as well as both ASD and non-ASD individuals from the American Gut Project cohort. Specific metabolites were associated with PTHS, including bile acids and sphingosines. With a metadata reanalysis tool, we found that PTHS-associated metabolites have previously been identified in inflammatory bowel disease and obesity patients. These results suggest microbial involvement in PTHS, but further research must be performed to clarify the exact mechanisms through which microbes may act. Furthermore, new associations between PTHS-specific metabolites and other conditions may lead to additional therapeutic options for PTHS individuals. IMPORTANCE GI disturbances in ASD such as severe constipation can be medically significant and often require medication. This is especially true for individuals with PTHS, suggesting that the gut microbiome may be involved in PTHS’s pathology. Revealing associations between specific gut microbes and PTHS may allow the development of new therapeutics or the application of existing therapeutics to ease day-to-day challenges encountered by PTHS individuals. In this study, we characterized an association between C. bolteae and PTHS, in addition to metabolites linked to both PTHS and C. bolteae. We also identified other microbiome-involved medical conditions where PTHS-associated metabolites have been isolated. Utilizing common metabolites to identify conditions with similar phenotypes may suggest new therapeutic options for GI-related symptoms.
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15
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Sirp A, Roots K, Nurm K, Tuvikene J, Sepp M, Timmusk T. Functional consequences of TCF4 missense substitutions associated with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, mild intellectual disability, and schizophrenia. J Biol Chem 2021; 297:101381. [PMID: 34748727 PMCID: PMC8648840 DOI: 10.1016/j.jbc.2021.101381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2021] [Revised: 10/28/2021] [Accepted: 10/30/2021] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor 4 (TCF4) is a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor essential for neurocognitive development. The aberrations in TCF4 are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders including schizophrenia, intellectual disability, and Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, an autism-spectrum disorder characterized by developmental delay. Several disease-associated missense mutations in TCF4 have been shown to interfere with TCF4 function, but for many mutations, the impact remains undefined. Here, we tested the effects of 12 functionally uncharacterized disease-associated missense mutations and variations in TCF4 using transient expression in mammalian cells, confocal imaging, in vitro DNA-binding assays, and reporter assays. We show that Pitt-Hopkins syndrome-associated missense mutations within the basic helix-loop-helix domain of TCF4 and a Rett-like syndrome-associated mutation in a transcription activation domain result in altered DNA-binding and transcriptional activity of the protein. Some of the missense variations found in schizophrenia patients slightly increase TCF4 transcriptional activity, whereas no effects were detected for missense mutations linked to mild intellectual disability. We in addition find that the outcomes of several disease-related mutations are affected by cell type, TCF4 isoform, and dimerization partner, suggesting that the effects of TCF4 mutations are context-dependent. Together with previous work, this study provides a basis for the interpretation of the functional consequences of TCF4 missense variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alex Sirp
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Kaisa Roots
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Kaja Nurm
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Jürgen Tuvikene
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia; Protobios LLC, Tallinn, Estonia
| | - Mari Sepp
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia.
| | - Tõnis Timmusk
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Tallinn, Estonia; Protobios LLC, Tallinn, Estonia.
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16
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Sarkar D, Shariq M, Dwivedi D, Krishnan N, Naumann R, Bhalla US, Ghosh HS. Adult brain neurons require continual expression of the schizophrenia-risk gene Tcf4 for structural and functional integrity. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:494. [PMID: 34564703 PMCID: PMC8464606 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01618-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2021] [Revised: 08/18/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
The schizophrenia-risk gene Tcf4 has been widely studied in the context of brain development using mouse models of haploinsufficiency, in utero knockdown and embryonic deletion. However, Tcf4 continues to be abundantly expressed in adult brain neurons where its functions remain unknown. Given the importance of Tcf4 in psychiatric diseases, we investigated its role in adult neurons using cell-specific deletion and genetic tracing in adult animals. Acute loss of Tcf4 in adult excitatory neurons in vivo caused hyperexcitability and increased dendritic complexity of neurons, effects that were distinct from previously observed effects in embryonic-deficiency models. Interestingly, transcriptomic analysis of genetically traced adult-deleted FACS-sorted Tcf4-knockout neurons revealed that Tcf4 targets in adult neurons are distinct from those in the embryonic brain. Meta-analysis of the adult-deleted neuronal transcriptome from our study with the existing datasets of embryonic Tcf4 deficiencies revealed plasma membrane and ciliary genes to underlie Tcf4-mediated structure-function regulation specifically in adult neurons. The profound changes both in the structure and excitability of adult neurons upon acute loss of Tcf4 indicates that proactive regulation of membrane-related processes underlies the functional and structural integrity of adult neurons. These findings not only provide insights for the functional relevance of continual expression of a psychiatric disease-risk gene in the adult brain but also identify previously unappreciated gene networks underpinning mature neuronal regulation during the adult lifespan.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dipannita Sarkar
- grid.22401.350000 0004 0502 9283National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, 560065 India ,grid.502290.cThe University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bangalore, 560064 India
| | - Mohammad Shariq
- grid.22401.350000 0004 0502 9283National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, 560065 India ,grid.502290.cThe University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology, Bangalore, 560064 India
| | - Deepanjali Dwivedi
- grid.22401.350000 0004 0502 9283National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, 560065 India
| | - Nirmal Krishnan
- grid.22401.350000 0004 0502 9283National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, 560065 India
| | - Ronald Naumann
- grid.419537.d0000 0001 2113 4567MPI of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, 01307 Germany
| | - Upinder Singh Bhalla
- grid.22401.350000 0004 0502 9283National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, 560065 India
| | - Hiyaa Singhee Ghosh
- National Center for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, 560065, India.
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17
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Santos-Terra J, Deckmann I, Fontes-Dutra M, Schwingel GB, Bambini-Junior V, Gottfried C. Transcription factors in neurodevelopmental and associated psychiatric disorders: A potential convergence for genetic and environmental risk factors. Int J Dev Neurosci 2021; 81:545-578. [PMID: 34240460 DOI: 10.1002/jdn.10141] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/26/2021] [Revised: 06/23/2021] [Accepted: 07/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) are a heterogeneous and highly prevalent group of psychiatric conditions marked by impairments in the nervous system. Their onset occurs during gestation, and the alterations are observed throughout the postnatal life. Although many genetic and environmental risk factors have been described in this context, the interactions between them challenge the understanding of the pathways associated with NDDs. Transcription factors (TFs)-a group of over 1,600 proteins that can interact with DNA, regulating gene expression through modulation of RNA synthesis-represent a point of convergence for different risk factors. In addition, TFs organize critical processes like angiogenesis, blood-brain barrier formation, myelination, neuronal migration, immune activation, and many others in a time and location-dependent way. In this review, we summarize important TF alterations in NDD and associated disorders, along with specific impairments observed in animal models, and, finally, establish hypotheses to explain how these proteins may be critical mediators in the context of genome-environment interactions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Júlio Santos-Terra
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,School of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Preston, UK
| | - Iohanna Deckmann
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,School of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Preston, UK
| | - Mellanie Fontes-Dutra
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,School of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Preston, UK
| | - Gustavo Brum Schwingel
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,School of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Preston, UK
| | - Victorio Bambini-Junior
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,School of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Preston, UK.,School of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Preston, UK
| | - Carmem Gottfried
- Translational Research Group in Autism Spectrum Disorders (GETTEA), Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,Department of Biochemistry, Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul (UFRGS), Porto Alegre, Brazil.,National Institute of Science and Technology on Neuroimmunomodulation (INCT-NIM), Oswaldo Cruz Institute, Oswaldo Cruz Foundation, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.,School of Pharmacology and Biomedical Sciences, University of Central Lancashire, Autism Wellbeing And Research Development (AWARD) Institute, BR-UK-CA, Preston, UK
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18
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Pearson E, Watkins A, Oliver C, Karim A, Clayton-Smith J, Welham A. The adaptive functioning profile of Pitt-Hopkins syndrome. Eur J Med Genet 2021; 64:104279. [PMID: 34174467 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2021.104279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2020] [Revised: 06/14/2021] [Accepted: 06/22/2021] [Indexed: 10/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND There are few cohort studies describing the adaptive functioning profile for Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS). In this study we examine the adaptive functioning profile for PTHS and compare it to Angelman syndrome (AS). METHOD Caregivers of 14 individuals with PTHS, 33 with deletion AS and 23 with non-deletion AS, completed the Vineland Adaptive Behavior Scales-II. RESULTS The profile of adaptive functioning in PTHS was characterised by strengths in socialisation, followed by motor skills, communication then daily living skills. The PTHS group scored significantly lower than the non-deletion AS group on all domains except socialisation and significantly lower than the deletion AS group, for motor skills only. CONCLUSIONS An uneven adaptive behavior profile for individuals with PTHS mirrors that of AS, with implications for assessment and intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Effie Pearson
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; School of Psychology, College of Health & Life Sciences, Aston University, Birmingham, UK.
| | - Alice Watkins
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; UCL Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Chris Oliver
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Amna Karim
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jill Clayton-Smith
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, Central Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester Academic Health Sciences Centre, Manchester, UK
| | - Alice Welham
- School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK; Department of Neuroscience, Psychology and Behaviour, University of Leicester, UK
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19
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Bohîlţea RE, Cîrstoiu MM, Nedelea FM, Turcan N, Georgescu TA, Munteanu O, Baroş A, Istrate-Ofiţeru AM, Berceanu C. Case report of a novel phenotype in 18q deletion syndrome. ROMANIAN JOURNAL OF MORPHOLOGY AND EMBRYOLOGY 2021; 61:905-910. [PMID: 33817732 PMCID: PMC8112787 DOI: 10.47162/rjme.61.3.29] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
Abstract
The latest decades are characterized by an enormous progression in the field of human genetics. In consequences, for various phenotypic manifestations, genetic testing could identify a specific underlying cause. An estimated incidence for all types of 18q deletions is one in 55 000 births predominant on females. About 94% of cases with 18q deletion syndrome appearance are de novo, and the remaining 6% are the inherited from a parent carrying a balanced chromosomal translocation. We present the case of a 35-year-old female who was admitted in our Unit for a second ultrasound opinion after being diagnosed at the second trimester scan at gestational age of 21 weeks of pregnancy with multiple brain and heart malformations, having the recommendation for fetal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI). Further investigations included genetic analysis and pathological examination. Major malformations diagnosed and confirmed were agenesis of the corpus callosum, ventriculomegaly with dilated fourth ventricle, partial agenesis of vermis, bilateral anophthalmia with wide nasal base and left cleft lip. Additional, cardiac malformation, with an important ventricular septal defect and overriding aorta were noted. The results of the microarray analysis showed an abnormal fetal karyotype with a loss of 30.5 basis identified in the long arm of chromosome 18. Although most of the cases of 18q deletion are sporadically or de novo, could be cases where the possible existing syndromes can be inherited from a healthy or mild affected parent. Therefore, in order to establish the recurrence risk, parental karyotypes are recommended.
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Affiliation(s)
- Roxana Elena Bohîlţea
- Department of Anatomy, Department of Pathology, Carol Davila University of Medicine and Pharmacy, Bucharest, Romania; ,
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20
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Integrative analysis identifies bHLH transcription factors as contributors to Parkinson's disease risk mechanisms. Sci Rep 2021; 11:3502. [PMID: 33568722 PMCID: PMC7875985 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-021-83087-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/06/2019] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Genome-wide association studies (GWAS) have identified multiple genetic risk signals for Parkinson’s disease (PD), however translation into underlying biological mechanisms remains scarce. Genomic functional annotations of neurons provide new resources that may be integrated into analyses of GWAS findings. Altered transcription factor binding plays an important role in human diseases. Insight into transcriptional networks involved in PD risk mechanisms may thus improve our understanding of pathogenesis. We analysed overlap between genome-wide association signals in PD and open chromatin in neurons across multiple brain regions, finding a significant enrichment in the superior temporal cortex. The involvement of transcriptional networks was explored in neurons of the superior temporal cortex based on the location of candidate transcription factor motifs identified by two de novo motif discovery methods. Analyses were performed in parallel, both finding that PD risk variants significantly overlap with open chromatin regions harboring motifs of basic Helix-Loop-Helix (bHLH) transcription factors. Our findings show that cortical neurons are likely mediators of genetic risk for PD. The concentration of PD risk variants at sites of open chromatin targeted by members of the bHLH transcription factor family points to an involvement of these transcriptional networks in PD risk mechanisms.
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21
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Teixeira JR, Szeto RA, Carvalho VMA, Muotri AR, Papes F. Transcription factor 4 and its association with psychiatric disorders. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:19. [PMID: 33414364 PMCID: PMC7791034 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01138-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2020] [Revised: 11/28/2020] [Accepted: 12/03/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The human transcription factor 4 gene (TCF4) encodes a helix-loop-helix transcription factor widely expressed throughout the body and during neural development. Mutations in TCF4 cause a devastating autism spectrum disorder known as Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, characterized by a range of aberrant phenotypes including severe intellectual disability, absence of speech, delayed cognitive and motor development, and dysmorphic features. Moreover, polymorphisms in TCF4 have been associated with schizophrenia and other psychiatric and neurological conditions. Details about how TCF4 genetic variants are linked to these diseases and the role of TCF4 during neural development are only now beginning to emerge. Here, we provide a comprehensive review of the functions of TCF4 and its protein products at both the cellular and organismic levels, as well as a description of pathophysiological mechanisms associated with this gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- José R. Teixeira
- grid.411087.b0000 0001 0723 2494Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo Brazil
| | - Ryan A. Szeto
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Vinicius M. A. Carvalho
- grid.411087.b0000 0001 0723 2494Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo Brazil ,grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Alysson R. Muotri
- grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children’s Hospital, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA ,grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Department of Cellular & Molecular Medicine, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA ,grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA ,grid.266100.30000 0001 2107 4242Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA USA
| | - Fabio Papes
- Department of Genetics, Evolution, Microbiology and Immunology, Institute of Biology, University of Campinas, Campinas, São Paulo, Brazil. .,Department of Pediatrics/Rady Children's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA.
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22
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Braun K, Häberle BM, Wittmann MT, Lie DC. Enriched environment ameliorates adult hippocampal neurogenesis deficits in Tcf4 haploinsufficient mice. BMC Neurosci 2020; 21:50. [PMID: 33228529 PMCID: PMC7684915 DOI: 10.1186/s12868-020-00602-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/16/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Transcription factor 4 (TCF4) has been linked to human neurodevelopmental disorders such as intellectual disability, Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome (PTHS), autism, and schizophrenia. Recent work demonstrated that TCF4 participates in the control of a wide range of neurodevelopmental processes in mammalian nervous system development including neural precursor proliferation, timing of differentiation, migration, dendritogenesis and synapse formation. TCF4 is highly expressed in the adult hippocampal dentate gyrus – one of the few brain regions where neural stem / progenitor cells generate new functional neurons throughout life. Results We here investigated whether TCF4 haploinsufficiency, which in humans causes non-syndromic forms of intellectual disability and PTHS, affects adult hippocampal neurogenesis, a process that is essential for hippocampal plasticity in rodents and potentially in humans. Young adult Tcf4 heterozygote knockout mice showed a major reduction in the level of adult hippocampal neurogenesis, which was at least in part caused by lower stem/progenitor cell numbers and impaired maturation and survival of adult-generated neurons. Interestingly, housing in an enriched environment was sufficient to enhance maturation and survival of new neurons and to substantially augment neurogenesis levels in Tcf4 heterozygote knockout mice. Conclusion The present findings indicate that haploinsufficiency for the intellectual disability- and PTHS-linked transcription factor TCF4 not only affects embryonic neurodevelopment but impedes neurogenesis in the hippocampus of adult mice. These findings suggest that TCF4 haploinsufficiency may have a negative impact on hippocampal function throughout adulthood by impeding hippocampal neurogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katharina Braun
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil Fischer Center, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Benjamin M Häberle
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil Fischer Center, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Marie-Theres Wittmann
- Institute of Human Genetics, Universitätsklinikum Erlangen, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
| | - D Chichung Lie
- Institute of Biochemistry, Emil Fischer Center, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054, Erlangen, Germany.
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23
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Currò A, Doddato G, Bruttini M, Zollino M, Marangi G, Zappella M, Renieri A, Pinto AM. CDKL5 mutations may mimic Pitt-Hopkins syndrome phenotype. Eur J Med Genet 2020; 64:104102. [PMID: 33220470 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2020.104102] [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: 06/19/2020] [Revised: 10/30/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Genetic conditions comprise a wide spectrum of different phenotypes, rapidly expanding due to new diagnostic methodologies. Patients' facial features and clinical history represent the key elements leading clinicians to the right diagnosis. CDKL5-early onset epilepsy and Pitt-Hopkins syndrome are two well-known genetic conditions, with a defined phenotype sharing some common characteristics like early-onset epilepsy and hyperventilation episodes. Whilst facial features represent a diagnostic handle in patients with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, clinical history is crucial in patients carrying a mutation in CDKL5. Here we present the clinical case of a girl evaluated for the first time when she was 24-years old, with a clinical phenotype mimicking Pitt-Hopkins syndrome. Her facial features have become coarser while she was growing up, leading geneticists to raise different clinical hypotheses and to perform several molecular tests before getting the diagnosis of CDKL5-early-epileptic encephalopathy. This finding highlights that although typical facial gestalt has not so far extensively been described in CDKL5 mutated adult patients, peculiar facial features could be present later in life and may let CDKL5-related disorder mimic Pitt Hopkins. Thus, considering atypical Rett syndrome in the differential diagnosis of Pitt Hopkins syndrome could be important to solve complex clinical cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aurora Currò
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | - Gabriella Doddato
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | - Mirella Bruttini
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
| | - Marcella Zollino
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Dipartimento Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologico, Unità di Genetica Medica, Roma, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Marangi
- Università Cattolica del Sacro Cuore, Facoltà di Medicina e Chirurgia, Dipartimento Scienze della Vita e Sanità Pubblica, Sezione di Medicina Genomica, Roma, Italy; Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A. Gemelli IRCCS, Dipartimento di Scienze di Laboratorio e Infettivologico, Unità di Genetica Medica, Roma, Italy
| | | | - Alessandra Renieri
- Medical Genetics, University of Siena, Siena, Italy; Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy.
| | - Anna Maria Pinto
- Genetica Medica, Azienda Ospedaliera Universitaria Senese, Siena, Italy
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24
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Tamberg L, Jaago M, Säälik K, Sirp A, Tuvikene J, Shubina A, Kiir CS, Nurm K, Sepp M, Timmusk T, Palgi M. Daughterless, the Drosophila orthologue of TCF4, is required for associative learning and maintenance of the synaptic proteome. Dis Model Mech 2020; 13:dmm042747. [PMID: 32641419 PMCID: PMC7406316 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.042747] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2019] [Accepted: 06/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Mammalian transcription factor 4 (TCF4) has been linked to schizophrenia and intellectual disabilities, such as Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS). Here, we show that similarly to mammalian TCF4, fruit fly orthologue Daughterless (Da) is expressed widely in the Drosophila brain. Furthermore, silencing of da, using several central nervous system-specific Gal4 driver lines, impairs appetitive associative learning of the larvae and leads to decreased levels of the synaptic proteins Synapsin (Syn) and Discs large 1 (Dlg1), suggesting the involvement of Da in memory formation. Here, we demonstrate that Syn and dlg1 are direct target genes of Da in adult Drosophila heads, as Da binds to the regulatory regions of these genes and the modulation of Da levels alter the levels of Syn and dlg1 mRNA. Silencing of da also affects negative geotaxis of the adult flies, suggesting the impairment of locomotor function. Overall, our findings suggest that Da regulates Drosophila larval memory and adult negative geotaxis, possibly via its synaptic target genes Syn and dlg1 These behavioural phenotypes can be further used as a PTHS model to screen for therapeutics.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Laura Tamberg
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, Tallinn 12618, Estonia
| | - Mariliis Jaago
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, Tallinn 12618, Estonia
- Protobios LLC, Mäealuse 4, Tallinn 12618, Estonia
| | - Kristi Säälik
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, Tallinn 12618, Estonia
| | - Alex Sirp
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, Tallinn 12618, Estonia
| | - Jürgen Tuvikene
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, Tallinn 12618, Estonia
- Protobios LLC, Mäealuse 4, Tallinn 12618, Estonia
| | - Anastassia Shubina
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, Tallinn 12618, Estonia
| | - Carl Sander Kiir
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, Tallinn 12618, Estonia
| | - Kaja Nurm
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, Tallinn 12618, Estonia
| | - Mari Sepp
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, Tallinn 12618, Estonia
| | - Tõnis Timmusk
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, Tallinn 12618, Estonia
- Protobios LLC, Mäealuse 4, Tallinn 12618, Estonia
| | - Mari Palgi
- Department of Chemistry and Biotechnology, Tallinn University of Technology, Akadeemia tee 15, Tallinn 12618, Estonia
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25
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Fautsch MP, Wieben ED, Baratz KH, Bhattacharyya N, Sadan AN, Hafford-Tear NJ, Tuft SJ, Davidson AE. TCF4-mediated Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy: Insights into a common trinucleotide repeat-associated disease. Prog Retin Eye Res 2020; 81:100883. [PMID: 32735996 PMCID: PMC7988464 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2020.100883] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2020] [Revised: 06/24/2020] [Accepted: 07/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Fuchs endothelial corneal dystrophy (FECD) is a common cause for heritable visual loss in the elderly. Since the first description of an association between FECD and common polymorphisms situated within the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) gene, genetic and molecular studies have implicated an intronic CTG trinucleotide repeat (CTG18.1) expansion as a causal variant in the majority of FECD patients. To date, several non-mutually exclusive mechanisms have been proposed that drive and/or exacerbate the onset of disease. These mechanisms include (i) TCF4 dysregulation; (ii) toxic gain-of-function from TCF4 repeat-containing RNA; (iii) toxic gain-of-function from repeat-associated non-AUG dependent (RAN) translation; and (iv) somatic instability of CTG18.1. However, the relative contribution of these proposed mechanisms in disease pathogenesis is currently unknown. In this review, we summarise research implicating the repeat expansion in disease pathogenesis, define the phenotype-genotype correlations between FECD and CTG18.1 expansion, and provide an update on research tools that are available to study FECD as a trinucleotide repeat expansion disease. Furthermore, ongoing international research efforts to develop novel CTG18.1 expansion-mediated FECD therapeutics are highlighted and we provide a forward-thinking perspective on key unanswered questions that remain in the field. FECD is a common, age-related corneal dystrophy. The majority of cases are associated with expansion of a CTG repeat (CTG18.1). FECD is the most common trinucleotide repeat expansion disease in humans. Evidence supports multiple molecular mechanisms underlying the pathophysiology. Novel CTG18.1-targeted therapeutics are in development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael P Fautsch
- Department of Ophthalmology, 200 1st St SW, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
| | - Eric D Wieben
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, 200 1st St SW, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, USA.
| | - Keith H Baratz
- Department of Ophthalmology, 200 1st St SW, Mayo Clinic, Rochester, MN, 55905, USA.
| | | | - Amanda N Sadan
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, ECIV 9EL, UK.
| | | | - Stephen J Tuft
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, ECIV 9EL, UK; Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, EC1V 2PD, UK.
| | - Alice E Davidson
- University College London Institute of Ophthalmology, London, ECIV 9EL, UK.
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26
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Niu X, Subramanian A, Hwang TH, Schilling TF, Galloway JL. Tendon Cell Regeneration Is Mediated by Attachment Site-Resident Progenitors and BMP Signaling. Curr Biol 2020; 30:3277-3292.e5. [PMID: 32649909 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2020.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2020] [Accepted: 06/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
The musculoskeletal system is a striking example of how cell identity and position is coordinated across multiple tissues to ensure function. However, it is unclear upon tissue loss, such as complete loss of cells of a central musculoskeletal connecting tendon, whether neighboring tissues harbor progenitors capable of mediating regeneration. Here, using a zebrafish model, we genetically ablate all embryonic tendon cells and find complete regeneration of tendon structure and pattern. We identify two regenerative progenitor populations, sox10+ perichondrial cells surrounding cartilage and nkx2.5+ cells surrounding muscle. Surprisingly, laser ablation of sox10+ cells, but not nkx2.5+ cells, increases tendon progenitor number in the perichondrium, suggesting a mechanism to regulate attachment location. We find BMP signaling is active in regenerating progenitor cells and is necessary and sufficient for generating new scxa+ cells. Our work shows that muscle and cartilage connective tissues harbor progenitor cells capable of fully regenerating tendons, and this process is regulated by BMP signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xubo Niu
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Arul Subramanian
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Tyler H Hwang
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA
| | - Thomas F Schilling
- Department of Developmental and Cell Biology, University of California, Irvine, Irvine, CA 92697, USA
| | - Jenna L Galloway
- Center for Regenerative Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02114, USA; Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA.
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27
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Repurposing the Dihydropyridine Calcium Channel Inhibitor Nicardipine as a Na v1.8 Inhibitor In Vivo for Pitt Hopkins Syndrome. Pharm Res 2020; 37:127. [PMID: 32529312 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-020-02853-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2019] [Accepted: 06/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Individuals with the rare genetic disorder Pitt Hopkins Syndrome (PTHS) do not have sufficient expression of the transcription factor 4 (TCF4) which is located on chromosome 18. TCF4 is a basic helix-loop-helix E protein that is critical for the normal development of the nervous system and the brain in humans. PTHS patients lacking sufficient TCF4 frequently display gastrointestinal issues, intellectual disability and breathing problems. PTHS patients also commonly do not speak and display distinctive facial features and seizures. Recent research has proposed that decreased TCF4 expression can lead to the increased translation of the sodium channel Nav1.8. This in turn results in increased after-hyperpolarization as well as altered firing properties. We have recently identified through a drug repurposing screen an FDA approved dihydropyridine calcium antagonist nicardipine used to treat angina, which inhibited Nav1.8. METHODS We have now performed behavioral testing in groups of 10 male Tcf4(± ) PTHS mice dosing by oral gavage at 3 mg/kg once a day for 3 weeks using standard methods to assess sociability, nesting, fear conditioning, self-grooming, open field and test of force. RESULTS Nicardipine returned this spectrum of behavioral deficits in the Tcf4(± ) PTHS mouse model to WT levels and resulted in statistically significant results. CONCLUSIONS These in vivo results in the well characterized Tcf4(± ) PTHS mice may suggest the potential to test this already approved drug further in a clinical study with PTHS patients or suggest the potential for use off label under compassionate use with their physician.
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28
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Mesman S, Bakker R, Smidt MP. Tcf4 is required for correct brain development during embryogenesis. Mol Cell Neurosci 2020; 106:103502. [PMID: 32474139 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2020.103502] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2019] [Revised: 04/28/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Tcf4 has been linked to autism, schizophrenia, and Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome (PTHS) in humans, suggesting a role for Tcf4 in brain development and importantly cortical development. However, the mechanisms behind its role in disease and brain development are still elusive. We provide evidence that Tcf4 has a critical function in the differentiation of cortical regions, corpus callosum and anterior commissure formation, and development of the hippocampus during murine embryonic development. In the present study, we show that Tcf4 is expressed throughout the developing brain at the peak of neurogenesis. Deletion of Tcf4 results in mis-specification of the cortical neurons, malformation of the corpus callosum and anterior commissure, and hypoplasia of the hippocampus. Furthermore, the Tcf4 mutant shows an absence of midline remodeling, underlined by the loss of GFAP-expressing midline glia in the indusium griseum and callosal wedge and midline zipper glia in the telencephalic midline. RNA-sequencing on E14.5 cortex material shows that Tcf4 functions as a transcriptional activator and loss of Tcf4 results in downregulation of genes linked to neurogenesis and neuronal maturation. Furthermore, many genes that are differentially expressed after Tcf4 ablation are linked to other neurodevelopmental disorders. Taken together, we show that correct brain development and neuronal differentiation are severely affected in Tcf4 mutants, phenocopying morphological brain defects detected in PTHS patients. The presented data identifies new leads to understand the mechanisms behind brain and specifically cortical development and can provide novel insights in developmental mechanisms underlying human brain defects.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Mesman
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, FNWI University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Reinier Bakker
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, FNWI University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marten P Smidt
- Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, FNWI University of Amsterdam, Science Park 904, 1098XH Amsterdam, the Netherlands.
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29
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Schoof M, Hellwig M, Harrison L, Holdhof D, Lauffer MC, Niesen J, Virdi S, Indenbirken D, Schüller U. The basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor TCF4 impacts brain architecture as well as neuronal morphology and differentiation. Eur J Neurosci 2020; 51:2219-2235. [PMID: 31919899 DOI: 10.1111/ejn.14674] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2019] [Revised: 01/03/2020] [Accepted: 01/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
Germline mutations in the basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor 4 (TCF4) cause the Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS), a developmental disorder with severe intellectual disability. Here, we report findings from a new mouse model with a central nervous system-specific truncation of Tcf4 leading to severe phenotypic abnormalities. Furthermore, it allows the study of a complete TCF4 knockout in adult mice, circumventing early postnatal lethality of previously published mouse models. Our data suggest that a TCF4 truncation results in an impaired hippocampal architecture affecting both the dentate gyrus as well as the cornu ammonis. In the cerebral cortex, loss of TCF4 generates a severe differentiation delay of neural precursors. Furthermore, neuronal morphology was critically affected with shortened apical dendrites and significantly increased branching of dendrites. Our data provide novel information about the role of Tcf4 in brain development and may help to understand the mechanisms leading to intellectual deficits observed in patients suffering from PTHS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Melanie Schoof
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Research Institute, Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Malte Hellwig
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Research Institute, Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Luke Harrison
- Center for Neuropathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Dörthe Holdhof
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Research Institute, Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Marlen C Lauffer
- Center for Neuropathology, Ludwig-Maximilians-University, Munich, Germany
| | - Judith Niesen
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Research Institute, Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Sanamjeet Virdi
- Heinrich-Pette-Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniela Indenbirken
- Heinrich-Pette-Institute, Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Ulrich Schüller
- Department of Pediatric Hematology and Oncology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany.,Research Institute, Children's Cancer Center Hamburg, Hamburg, Germany.,Institute of Neuropathology, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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30
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Yang J, Horton JR, Li J, Huang Y, Zhang X, Blumenthal RM, Cheng X. Structural basis for preferential binding of human TCF4 to DNA containing 5-carboxylcytosine. Nucleic Acids Res 2019; 47:8375-8387. [PMID: 31081034 PMCID: PMC6895265 DOI: 10.1093/nar/gkz381] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2019] [Revised: 04/27/2019] [Accepted: 04/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The psychiatric risk-associated transcription factor 4 (TCF4) is linked to schizophrenia. Rare TCF4 coding variants are found in individuals with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome-an intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. TCF4 contains a C-terminal basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) DNA binding domain which recognizes the enhancer-box (E-box) element 5'-CANNTG-3' (where N = any nucleotide). A subset of the TCF4-occupancy sites have the expanded consensus binding specificity 5'-C(A/G)-CANNTG-3', with an added outer Cp(A/G) dinucleotide; for example in the promoter for CNIH3, a gene involved in opioid dependence. In mammalian genomes, particularly brain, the CpG and CpA dinucleotides can be methylated at the 5-position of cytosine (5mC), and then may undergo successive oxidations to the 5-hydroxymethyl (5hmC), 5-formyl (5fC), and 5-carboxyl (5caC) forms. We find that, in the context of 5'-0CG-1CA-2CG-3TG-3'(where the numbers indicate successive dinucleotides), modification of the central E-box 2CG has very little effect on TCF4 binding, E-box 1CA modification has a negative influence on binding, while modification of the flanking 0CG, particularly carboxylation, has a strong positive impact on TCF4 binding to DNA. Crystallization of TCF4 in complex with unmodified or 5caC-modified oligonucleotides revealed that the basic region of bHLH domain adopts multiple conformations, including an extended loop going through the DNA minor groove, or the N-terminal portion of a long helix binding in the DNA major groove. The different protein conformations enable arginine 576 (R576) to interact, respectively, with a thymine in the minor groove, a phosphate group of DNA backbone, or 5caC in the major groove. The Pitt-Hopkins syndrome mutations affect five arginine residues in the basic region, two of them (R569 and R576) involved in 5caC recognition. Our analyses indicate, and suggest a structural basis for, the preferential recognition of 5caC by a transcription factor centrally important in brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Yang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - John R Horton
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Jia Li
- Center for Epigenetics & Disease Prevention, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Yun Huang
- Center for Epigenetics & Disease Prevention, Institute of Biosciences and Technology, Texas A&M University, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Xing Zhang
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
| | - Robert M Blumenthal
- Department of Medical Microbiology and Immunology, and Program in Bioinformatics, The University of Toledo College of Medicine and Life Sciences, Toledo, OH 43614, USA
| | - Xiaodong Cheng
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Oncology, The University of Texas MD Anderson Cancer Center, Houston, TX 77030, USA
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31
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The subcellular localization of bHLH transcription factor TCF4 is mediated by multiple nuclear localization and nuclear export signals. Sci Rep 2019; 9:15629. [PMID: 31666615 PMCID: PMC6821749 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-52239-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 10/11/2019] [Indexed: 01/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Transcription factor 4 (TCF4) is a class I basic helix-loop-helix (bHLH) transcription factor which regulates the neurogenesis and specialization of cells. TCF4 also plays an important role in the development and functioning of the immune system. Additionally, TCF4 regulates the development of Sertoli cells and pontine nucleus neurons, myogenesis, melanogenesis and epithelial-mesenchymal transition. The ability of transcription factors to fulfil their function often depends on their intracellular trafficking between the nucleus and cytoplasm of the cell. The trafficking is regulated by specific sequences, i.e. the nuclear localization signal (NLS) and the nuclear export signal (NES). We performed research on the TCF4 trafficking regulating sequences by mapping and detailed characterization of motifs potentially acting as the NLS or NES. We demonstrate that the bHLH domain of TCF4 contains an NLS that overlaps two NESs. The results of in silico analyses show high conservation of the sequences, especially in the area of the NLS and NESs. This high conservation is not only between mouse and human TCF4, but also between TCF4 and other mammalian E proteins, indicating the importance of these sequences for the functioning of bHLH class I transcription factors.
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32
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Watkins A, Bissell S, Moss J, Oliver C, Clayton-Smith J, Haye L, Heald M, Welham A. Behavioural and psychological characteristics in Pitt-Hopkins syndrome: a comparison with Angelman and Cornelia de Lange syndromes. J Neurodev Disord 2019; 11:24. [PMID: 31586495 PMCID: PMC6778364 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-019-9282-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/01/2019] [Accepted: 08/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder associated with intellectual disability. Although the genetic mechanisms underlying the disorder have been identified, description of its behavioural phenotype is in its infancy. In this study, reported behavioural and psychological characteristics of individuals with PTHS were investigated in comparison with the reported behaviour of age-matched individuals with Angelman syndrome (AS) and Cornelia de Lange syndrome (CdLS). Methods Questionnaire data were collected from parents/caregivers of individuals with PTHS (n = 24), assessing behaviours associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), sociability, mood, repetitive behaviour, sensory processing, challenging behaviours and overactivity and impulsivity. For most measures, data were compared to data for people with AS (n = 24) and CdLS (n = 24) individually matched by adaptive ability, age and sex. Results Individuals with PTHS evidenced significantly higher levels of difficulties with social communication and reciprocal social interaction than individuals with AS, with 21 of 22 participants with PTHS meeting criteria indicative of ASD on a screening instrument. Individuals with PTHS were reported to be less sociable with familiar and unfamiliar people than individuals with AS, but more sociable with unfamiliar people than individuals with CdLS. Data also suggested areas of atypicality in sensory experiences. Challenging behaviours were reported frequently in PTHS, with self-injury (70.8%) occurring at significantly higher rates than in AS (41.7%) and aggression (54.2%) occurring at significantly higher rates than in CdLS (25%). Individuals with PTHS also evidenced lower reported mood than individuals with AS. Conclusions Behaviours which may be characteristic of PTHS include those associated with ASD, including deficits in social communication and reciprocal social interaction. High rates of aggression and self-injurious behaviour compared to other genetic syndrome groups are of potential clinical significance and warrant further investigation. An atypical sensory profile may also be evident in PTHS. The specific aetiology of and relationships between different behavioural and psychological atypicalities in PTHS, and effective clinical management of these, present potential topics for future research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Watkins
- Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK. .,Great Ormond Street Institute of Child Health, University College London, London, UK.
| | - Stacey Bissell
- Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jo Moss
- Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,Institute of Cognitive Neuroscience, University College London, London, UK
| | - Chris Oliver
- Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Jill Clayton-Smith
- Division of Evolution & Genomic Sciences, St Mary's Hospital, Manchester, UK
| | - Lorraine Haye
- Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Mary Heald
- Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK
| | - Alice Welham
- Cerebra Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, School of Psychology, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, UK.,Department of Psychology, University of Leicester, Leicester, UK
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Li H, Zhu Y, Morozov YM, Chen X, Page SC, Rannals MD, Maher BJ, Rakic P. Disruption of TCF4 regulatory networks leads to abnormal cortical development and mental disabilities. Mol Psychiatry 2019; 24:1235-1246. [PMID: 30705426 PMCID: PMC11019556 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-019-0353-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 51] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Revised: 11/13/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
The TCF4 gene is the subject of numerous and varied investigations of it's role in the genesis of neuropsychiatric disease. The gene has been identified as the cause of Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) and it has been implicated in various other neuropsychiatric diseases, including schizophrenia, depression, and autism. However, the precise molecular mechanisms of the gene's involvement in neurogenesis, particularly, corticogenesis, are not well understood. Here, we present data showing that TCF4 is expressed in a region-specific manner in the radial glia and stem cells of transient embryonic zones at early gestational ages in both humans and mice. TCF4 haploinsufficiency mice exhibit a delay in neuronal migration, and a significant increase in the number of upper-layer cortical neurons, as well as abnormal dendrite and synapse formation. Our research also reveals that TCF3 up-regulates Tcf4 by binding to the specific "E-box" and its flank sequence in intron 2 of the Tcf4 gene. Additionally, our transcriptome study substantiates that Tcf4 transcriptional function is essential for locomotion, cognition, and learning. By activating expression of TCF4 in the regulation of neuronal proliferation and migration to the overlaying neocortex and subsequent differentiation leading to laminar formation TCF4 fulfills its normal function, but if not, abnormalities such as those reported here result. These findings provide new insight into the specific roles of Tcf4 molecular pathway in neocortical development and their relevance in the pathogenesis of neuropsychiatric diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
- School of Basic Medical Sciences, Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
- Biopharmaceutical Institute, Anhui Medical University, Anhui, China
| | - Ying Zhu
- Department of Biostatistics, School of Public Health, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Yury M Morozov
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA
| | - Xiaoli Chen
- Department of Medical Genetics, Capital Institute of Pediatrics, 100020, Beijing, China
| | - Stephanie Cerceo Page
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Matthew D Rannals
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Brady J Maher
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
- Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, 21205, USA
| | - Pasko Rakic
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
- Kavli Institute for Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
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34
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Ekins S, Gerlach J, Zorn KM, Antonio BM, Lin Z, Gerlach A. Repurposing Approved Drugs as Inhibitors of K v7.1 and Na v1.8 to Treat Pitt Hopkins Syndrome. Pharm Res 2019; 36:137. [PMID: 31332533 DOI: 10.1007/s11095-019-2671-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2018] [Accepted: 07/10/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Pitt Hopkins Syndrome (PTHS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by mutations of a specific gene, transcription factor 4 (TCF4), located on chromosome 18. PTHS results in individuals that have moderate to severe intellectual disability, with most exhibiting psychomotor delay. PTHS also exhibits features of autistic spectrum disorders, which are characterized by the impaired ability to communicate and socialize. PTHS is comorbid with a higher prevalence of epileptic seizures which can be present from birth or which commonly develop in childhood. Attenuated or absent TCF4 expression results in increased translation of peripheral ion channels Kv7.1 and Nav1.8 which triggers an increase in after-hyperpolarization and altered firing properties. METHODS We now describe a high throughput screen (HTS) of 1280 approved drugs and machine learning models developed from this data. The ion channels were expressed in either CHO (KV7.1) or HEK293 (Nav1.8) cells and the HTS used either 86Rb+ efflux (KV7.1) or a FLIPR assay (Nav1.8). RESULTS The HTS delivered 55 inhibitors of Kv7.1 (4.2% hit rate) and 93 inhibitors of Nav1.8 (7.2% hit rate) at a screening concentration of 10 μM. These datasets also enabled us to generate and validate Bayesian machine learning models for these ion channels. We also describe a structure activity relationship for several dihydropyridine compounds as inhibitors of Nav1.8. CONCLUSIONS This work could lead to the potential repurposing of nicardipine or other dihydropyridine calcium channel antagonists as potential treatments for PTHS acting via Nav1.8, as there are currently no approved treatments for this rare disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sean Ekins
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27606, USA.
| | - Jacob Gerlach
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27606, USA
| | - Kimberley M Zorn
- Collaborations Pharmaceuticals, Inc., 840 Main Campus Drive, Lab 3510, Raleigh, North Carolina, 27606, USA
| | - Brett M Antonio
- Icagen, Inc., 4222 Emperor Blvd, Durham, North Carolina, 27703, USA
| | - Zhixin Lin
- Icagen, Inc., 4222 Emperor Blvd, Durham, North Carolina, 27703, USA
| | - Aaron Gerlach
- Icagen, Inc., 4222 Emperor Blvd, Durham, North Carolina, 27703, USA
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35
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Wahl L, Dupont G, Tubbs RS. The simian crease: Relationship to various genetic disorders. Clin Anat 2019; 32:1042-1047. [PMID: 31301248 DOI: 10.1002/ca.23432] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 06/26/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
Abstract
The creases of the palm have been of interest for clinicians, anthropologists, and palmists for hundreds of years, but the variations in them have only been studied during the past 50 years. The simian crease, aptly named for its resemblance to the palmar creases of nonhuman simian primates, has received recognition clinically and anthropologically owing to its abnormal appearance and confounding cytogenetic etiology. Given the rarity of these palmar creases but also their usefulness in diagnosing congenital disorders, discussion of cases of those disorders could provide clinicians with further helpful diagnostic knowledge. This review of the literature focuses on the history, embryology, genetic and hereditary origins, and clinical significance of simian creases for the benefit of the diagnosing clinician. Clin. Anat. 32:1042-1047, 2019. © 2019 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lauren Wahl
- Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, Washington
| | | | - R Shane Tubbs
- Seattle Science Foundation, Seattle, Washington.,Department of Anatomical Sciences, St. George's University, St. George's, Grenada, West Indies
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36
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Prata DP, Costa-Neves B, Cosme G, Vassos E. Unravelling the genetic basis of schizophrenia and bipolar disorder with GWAS: A systematic review. J Psychiatr Res 2019; 114:178-207. [PMID: 31096178 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2019.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 49] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/20/2018] [Revised: 04/08/2019] [Accepted: 04/10/2019] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To systematically review findings of GWAS in schizophrenia (SZ) and in bipolar disorder (BD); and to interpret findings, with a focus on identifying independent replications. METHOD PubMed search, selection and review of all independent GWAS in SZ or BD, published since March 2011, i.e. studies using non-overlapping samples within each article, between articles, and with those of the previous review (Li et al., 2012). RESULTS From the 22 GWAS included in this review, the genetic associations surviving standard GWAS-significance were for genetic markers in the regions of ACSL3/KCNE4, ADCY2, AMBRA1, ANK3, BRP44, DTL, FBLN1, HHAT, INTS7, LOC392301, LOC645434/NMBR, LOC729457, LRRFIP1, LSM1, MDM1, MHC, MIR2113/POU3F2, NDST3, NKAPL, ODZ4, PGBD1, RENBP, TRANK1, TSPAN18, TWIST2, UGT1A1/HJURP, WHSC1L1/FGFR1 and ZKSCAN4. All genes implicated across both reviews are discussed in terms of their function and implication in neuropsychiatry. CONCLUSION Taking all GWAS to date into account, AMBRA1, ANK3, ARNTL, CDH13, EFHD1 (albeit with different alleles), MHC, PLXNA2 and UGT1A1 have been implicated in either disorder in at least two reportedly non-overlapping samples. Additionally, evidence for a SZ/BD common genetic basis is most strongly supported by the implication of ANK3, NDST3, and PLXNA2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Diana P Prata
- Instituto de Biofísica e Engenharia Biomédica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal; Centre for Neuroimaging Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology & Neuroscience, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, SE5 8AF, UK; Instituto Universitário de Lisboa (ISCTE-IUL), Centro de Investigação e Intervenção Social, Lisboa, Portugal.
| | - Bernardo Costa-Neves
- Lisbon Medical School, University of Lisbon, Av. Professor Egas Moniz, 1649-028, Lisbon, Portugal; Centro Hospitalar Psiquiátrico de Lisboa, Av. do Brasil, 53 1749-002, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Gonçalo Cosme
- Instituto de Biofísica e Engenharia Biomédica, Faculdade de Ciências, Universidade de Lisboa, Portugal
| | - Evangelos Vassos
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, King's College London, 16 De Crespigny Park, SE5 8AF, UK
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37
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Xia H, Jahr FM, Kim NK, Xie L, Shabalin AA, Bryois J, Sweet DH, Kronfol MM, Palasuberniam P, McRae M, Riley BP, Sullivan PF, van den Oord EJ, McClay JL. Building a schizophrenia genetic network: transcription factor 4 regulates genes involved in neuronal development and schizophrenia risk. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:3246-3256. [PMID: 29905862 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy222] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2018] [Accepted: 06/04/2018] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor 4 (TCF4) locus is a robust association finding with schizophrenia (SCZ), but little is known about the genes regulated by the encoded transcription factor. Therefore, we conducted chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing (ChIP-seq) of TCF4 in neural-derived (SH-SY5Y) cells to identify genome-wide TCF4 binding sites, followed by data integration with SCZ association findings. We identified 11 322 TCF4 binding sites overlapping in two ChIP-seq experiments. These sites are significantly enriched for the TCF4 Ebox binding motif (>85% having ≥1 Ebox) and implicate a gene set enriched for genes downregulated in TCF4 small-interfering RNA (siRNA) knockdown experiments, indicating the validity of our findings. The TCF4 gene set was also enriched among (1) gene ontology categories such as axon/neuronal development, (2) genes preferentially expressed in brain, in particular pyramidal neurons of the somatosensory cortex and (3) genes downregulated in postmortem brain tissue from SCZ patients (odds ratio, OR = 2.8, permutation P < 4x10-5). Considering genomic alignments, TCF4 binding sites significantly overlapped those for neural DNA-binding proteins such as FOXP2 and the SCZ-associated EP300. TCF4 binding sites were modestly enriched among SCZ risk loci from the Psychiatric Genomic Consortium (OR = 1.56, P = 0.03). In total, 130 TCF4 binding sites occurred in 39 of the 108 regions published in 2014. Thirteen genes within the 108 loci had both a TCF4 binding site ±10kb and were differentially expressed in siRNA knockdown experiments of TCF4, suggesting direct TCF4 regulation. These findings confirm TCF4 as an important regulator of neural genes and point toward functional interactions with potential relevance for SCZ.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hanzhang Xia
- Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine
| | - Fay M Jahr
- Department of Pharmacotherapy and Outcomes Science
| | - Nak-Kyeong Kim
- Department of Biostatistics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Linying Xie
- Center for Biomarker Research and Precision Medicine
| | - Andrey A Shabalin
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Utah, Salt Lake City, UT, USA
| | - Julien Bryois
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Douglas H Sweet
- Department of Pharmaceutics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | | | | | | | - Brien P Riley
- Virginia Institute for Psychiatric and Behavioral Genetics, Virginia Commonwealth University, Richmond, VA, USA
| | - Patrick F Sullivan
- Department of Medical Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Karolinska Institute, Stockholm, Sweden.,Departments of Genetics and Psychiatry, University of North Carolina School of Medicine, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
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Zollino M, Zweier C, Van Balkom ID, Sweetser DA, Alaimo J, Bijlsma EK, Cody J, Elsea SH, Giurgea I, Macchiaiolo M, Smigiel R, Thibert RL, Benoist I, Clayton-Smith J, De Winter CF, Deckers S, Gandhi A, Huisman S, Kempink D, Kruisinga F, Lamacchia V, Marangi G, Menke L, Mulder P, Nordgren A, Renieri A, Routledge S, Saunders CJ, Stembalska A, Van Balkom H, Whalen S, Hennekam RC. Diagnosis and management in Pitt-Hopkins syndrome: First international consensus statement. Clin Genet 2019; 95:462-478. [PMID: 30677142 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 46] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2018] [Revised: 12/20/2018] [Accepted: 01/09/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability, specific facial features, and marked autonomic nervous system dysfunction, especially with disturbances of regulating respiration and intestinal mobility. It is caused by variants in the transcription factor TCF4. Heterogeneity in the clinical and molecular diagnostic criteria and care practices has prompted a group of international experts to establish guidelines for diagnostics and care. For issues, for which there was limited information available in international literature, we collaborated with national support groups and the participants of a syndrome specific international conference to obtain further information. Here, we discuss the resultant consensus, including the clinical definition of PTHS and a molecular diagnostic pathway. Recommendations for managing particular health problems such as dysregulated respiration are provided. We emphasize the need for integration of care for physical and behavioral issues. The recommendations as presented here will need to be evaluated for improvements to allow for continued optimization of diagnostics and care.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marcella Zollino
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A.Gemelli, IRCCS, UOC Genetica.,Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Roma, Italy
| | - Christiane Zweier
- Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
| | - Ingrid D Van Balkom
- Jonx Department of (Youth) Mental Health and Autism, Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Rob Giel Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - David A Sweetser
- Division of Medical Genetics and Metabolism, Massachusetts General Hospital for Children, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Joseph Alaimo
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Emilia K Bijlsma
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Jannine Cody
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Texas Health Science Center at San Antonio, San Antonio, Texas
| | - Sarah H Elsea
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Irina Giurgea
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, UMR_S 933, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Département de Génétique Médicale, Hôpital Trousseau, Paris, France
| | - Marina Macchiaiolo
- Rare and Genetic Diseases Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, Rome, Italy
| | - Robert Smigiel
- Department of Pediatrics, Division of Pediatrics and Rare Disorders, Wroclaw Medical University, Wroclaw, Poland
| | - Ronald L Thibert
- Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Ingrid Benoist
- Dutch Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome Foundation, Vlaggeschip, Oosterhout, The Netherlands
| | - Jill Clayton-Smith
- Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, St Mary's Hospital, and Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences School of Biological Sciences, University of Manchester, Manchester, UK
| | - Channa F De Winter
- Organisation for Individuals with Intellectual Disabilities, Trajectum, Zwolle, The Netherlands
| | - Stijn Deckers
- Department of Pedagogical Sciences, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anusha Gandhi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Sylvia Huisman
- Department of Pediatrics, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Dagmar Kempink
- Department of Orthopedic Surgery, Sophia Children's Hospital, UMCR, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Frea Kruisinga
- Department of Pediatrics, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Giuseppe Marangi
- Fondazione Policlinico Universitario A.Gemelli, IRCCS, UOC Genetica.,Università Cattolica Sacro Cuore, Istituto di Medicina Genomica, Roma, Italy
| | - Leonie Menke
- Department of Pediatrics, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Paul Mulder
- Jonx Department of (Youth) Mental Health and Autism, Lentis Psychiatric Institute, Groningen, The Netherlands.,Rob Giel Research Centre, Department of Psychiatry, University Medical Center Groningen, Groningen, The Netherlands
| | - Ann Nordgren
- Karolinska Center for Rare Diseases, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | | | | | - Carol J Saunders
- Center for Pediatric Genomic Medicine, Children's Mercy Hospital, Kansas City, Missouri
| | | | - Hans Van Balkom
- Behavioral Science Institute, Radboud University Nijmegen, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Sandra Whalen
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, UMR_S 933, Assistance Publique Hôpitaux de Paris, Département de Génétique Médicale, Hôpital Trousseau, Paris, France
| | - Raoul C Hennekam
- Department of Pediatrics, Academic Medical Centre, Amsterdam UMC, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
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39
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Kousoulidou L, Alexandrou A, Papaevripidou I, Evangelidou P, Tanteles G, Anastasiadou VC, Sismani C. Two unrelated individuals carrying rare mosaic deletions in TCF4 gene. Am J Med Genet A 2018; 179:134-138. [PMID: 30450687 PMCID: PMC6587998 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.60692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2018] [Revised: 10/15/2018] [Accepted: 10/22/2018] [Indexed: 11/07/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Ludmila Kousoulidou
- Department of Cytogenetics and Genomics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Angelos Alexandrou
- Department of Cytogenetics and Genomics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Ioannis Papaevripidou
- Department of Cytogenetics and Genomics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Paola Evangelidou
- Department of Cytogenetics and Genomics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - George Tanteles
- Department of Clinical Genetics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Violetta C Anastasiadou
- Department of Clinical Genetics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.,Department of Clinical Genetics, Archbishop Makarios III Medical Centre, Nicosia, Cyprus
| | - Carolina Sismani
- Department of Cytogenetics and Genomics, The Cyprus Institute of Neurology and Genetics, Nicosia, Cyprus.,The Cyprus School of Molecular Medicine, Nicosia, Cyprus
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Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a rare genetic disorder caused by insufficient expression of the TCF4 gene. Most cases are characterized by severe intellectual disability, absent speech, motor delays, and autism spectrum disorder. Many have abnormal brain imaging, dysmorphic facial features, and medical comorbidities: myopia, constipation, epilepsy, and apneic spells. The present case study expands existing understanding of this disorder by presenting a unique phenotype with higher cognitive abilities and fewer medical comorbidities. METHODS The present case study reports on a 13-year-old, Caucasian male with a recent diagnosis of PTHS following genetic testing (i.e., whole exome sequencing). He was referred for a neuropsychological evaluation to document his neurocognitive functioning to assist with intervention planning. RESULTS Evaluation of intellectual, attention/executive, memory, visual-motor/fine-motor, academic, adaptive, and emotional/behavioral functioning revealed global impairment across all areas of functioning. However, he demonstrated abilities beyond what has been detailed in the literature, including use of full sentences, capacity to learn and solve novel problems, basic academic functioning, and independent ambulation. CONCLUSIONS Children with PTHS may demonstrate a spectrum of abilities beyond what has been documented in the literature thus far. Failure to recognize this spectrum can result in late identification of an accurate diagnosis. (JINS, 2018, 24, 995-1002).
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Forrest MP, Hill MJ, Kavanagh DH, Tansey KE, Waite AJ, Blake DJ. The Psychiatric Risk Gene Transcription Factor 4 (TCF4) Regulates Neurodevelopmental Pathways Associated With Schizophrenia, Autism, and Intellectual Disability. Schizophr Bull 2018; 44:1100-1110. [PMID: 29228394 PMCID: PMC6101561 DOI: 10.1093/schbul/sbx164] [Citation(s) in RCA: 58] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Common genetic variants in and around the gene encoding transcription factor 4 (TCF4) are associated with an increased risk of schizophrenia. Conversely, rare damaging TCF4 mutations cause Pitt-Hopkins syndrome and have also been found in individuals with intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD). METHODS Chromatin immunoprecipitation and next generation sequencing were used to identify the genomic targets of TCF4. These data were integrated with expression, epigenetic and disease gene sets using a range of computational tools. RESULTS We identify 10604 TCF4 binding sites in the genome that were assigned to 5437 genes. De novo motif enrichment found that most TCF4 binding sites contained at least one E-box (5'-CAtcTG). Approximately 77% of TCF4 binding sites overlapped with the H3K27ac histone modification for active enhancers. Enrichment analysis on the set of TCF4 targets identified numerous, highly significant functional clusters for pathways including nervous system development, ion transport and signal transduction, and co-expression modules for genes associated with synaptic function and brain development. Importantly, we found that genes harboring de novo mutations in schizophrenia (P = 5.3 × 10-7), ASD (P = 2.5 × 10-4), and ID (P = 7.6 × 10-3) were also enriched among TCF4 targets. TCF4 binding sites were also found at other schizophrenia risk loci including the nicotinic acetylcholine receptor cluster, CHRNA5/CHRNA3/CHRNB4 and SETD1A. CONCLUSIONS These data demonstrate that TCF4 binding sites are found in a large number of neuronal genes that include many genetic risk factors for common neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marc P Forrest
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Matthew J Hill
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK
| | - David H Kavanagh
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Katherine E Tansey
- College of Biomedical and Life Sciences, Cardiff University, Cardiff, UK
| | - Adrian J Waite
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK
| | - Derek J Blake
- Division of Psychological Medicine and Clinical Neurosciences, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics and Genomics, School of Medicine, Cardiff University, UK,To whom correspondence should be addressed; tel: +44(0)29 2068 8468, fax: +44(0)29 2068 7068, e-mail:
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Disease-causing variants in TCF4 are a frequent cause of intellectual disability: lessons from large-scale sequencing approaches in diagnosis. Eur J Hum Genet 2018; 26:996-1006. [PMID: 29695756 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-018-0096-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/08/2017] [Revised: 12/11/2017] [Accepted: 12/23/2017] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
High-throughput sequencing (HTS) of human genome coding regions allows the simultaneous screen of a large number of genes, significantly improving the diagnosis of non-syndromic intellectual disabilities (ID). HTS studies permit the redefinition of the phenotypical spectrum of known disease-causing genes, escaping the clinical inclusion bias of gene-by-gene Sanger sequencing. We studied a cohort of 903 patients with ID not reminiscent of a well-known syndrome, using an ID-targeted HTS of several hundred genes and found de novo heterozygous variants in TCF4 (transcription factor 4) in eight novel patients. Piecing together the patients from this study and those from previous large-scale unbiased HTS studies, we estimated the rate of individuals with ID carrying a disease-causing TCF4 mutation to 0.7%. So far, TCF4 molecular abnormalities were known to cause a syndromic form of ID, Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS), which combines severe ID, developmental delay, absence of speech, behavioral and ventilation disorders, and a distinctive facial gestalt. Therefore, we reevaluated ten patients carrying a pathogenic or likely pathogenic variant in TCF4 (eight patients included in this study and two from our previous ID-HTS study) for PTHS criteria defined by Whalen and Marangi. A posteriori, five patients had a score highly evocative of PTHS, three were possibly consistent with this diagnosis, and two had a score below the defined PTHS threshold. In conclusion, these results highlight TCF4 as a frequent cause of moderate to profound ID and broaden the clinical spectrum associated to TCF4 mutations to nonspecific ID.
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43
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Goodspeed K, Newsom C, Morris MA, Powell C, Evans P, Golla S. Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome: A Review of Current Literature, Clinical Approach, and 23-Patient Case Series. J Child Neurol 2018; 33:233-244. [PMID: 29318938 PMCID: PMC5922265 DOI: 10.1177/0883073817750490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 40] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a rare, genetic disorder caused by a molecular variant of TCF4 which is involved in embryologic neuronal differentiation. PTHS is characterized by syndromic facies, psychomotor delay, and intellectual disability. Other associated features include early-onset myopia, seizures, constipation, and hyperventilation-apneic spells. Many also meet criteria for autism spectrum disorder. Here the authors present a series of 23 PTHS patients with molecularly confirmed TCF4 variants and describe 3 unique individuals. The first carries a small deletion but does not exhibit the typical facial features nor the typical pattern of developmental delay. The second exhibits typical facial features, but has attained more advanced motor and verbal skills than other reported cases to date. The third displays typical features of PTHS, however inherited a large chromosomal duplication involving TCF4 from his unaffected father with somatic mosaicism. To the authors' knowledge, this is the first chromosomal duplication case reported to date.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Cassandra Newsom
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
- Children’s Health Dallas
| | | | | | - Patricia Evans
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
- Children’s Health Dallas
| | - Sailaja Golla
- University of Texas Southwestern Medical School
- Children’s Health Dallas
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Page SC, Hamersky GR, Gallo RA, Rannals MD, Calcaterra NE, Campbell MN, Mayfield B, Briley A, Phan BN, Jaffe AE, Maher BJ. The schizophrenia- and autism-associated gene, transcription factor 4 regulates the columnar distribution of layer 2/3 prefrontal pyramidal neurons in an activity-dependent manner. Mol Psychiatry 2018; 23:304-315. [PMID: 28289282 PMCID: PMC5599320 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2016] [Revised: 01/05/2017] [Accepted: 01/26/2017] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Disruption of the laminar and columnar organization of the brain is implicated in several psychiatric disorders. Here, we show in utero gain-of-function of the psychiatric risk gene transcription factor 4 (TCF4) severely disrupts the columnar organization of medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) in a transcription- and activity-dependent manner. This morphological phenotype was rescued by co-expression of TCF4 plus calmodulin in a calcium-dependent manner and by dampening neuronal excitability through co-expression of an inwardly rectifying potassium channel (Kir2.1). For we believe the first time, we show that N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent Ca2+ transients are instructive to minicolumn organization because Crispr/Cas9-mediated mutation of NMDA receptors rescued TCF4-dependent morphological phenotypes. Furthermore, we demonstrate that the transcriptional regulation by the psychiatric risk gene TCF4 enhances NMDA receptor-dependent early network oscillations. Our novel findings indicate that TCF4-dependent transcription directs the proper formation of prefrontal cortical minicolumns by regulating the expression of genes involved in early spontaneous neuronal activity, and thus our results provides insights into potential pathophysiological mechanisms of TCF4-associated psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Gregory R. Hamersky
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD
| | - Ryan A. Gallo
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD
| | - Matthew D. Rannals
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD
| | | | - Morganne N. Campbell
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD
| | - Brent Mayfield
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD
| | - Aaron Briley
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD
| | - BaDoi N. Phan
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD
| | - Andrew E. Jaffe
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD,Department of Biostatistics and Department of Mental Health, Johns Hopkins Bloomberg School of Public Health, Baltimore, MD
| | - Brady J. Maher
- Lieber Institute for Brain Development, Johns Hopkins Medical Campus, Baltimore, MD,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences and Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD,To Whom Correspondence Should Be Addressed: Brady J. Maher, Ph. D., Lieber Institute for Brain Development, 855 N. Wolfe Street, Suite 300, Baltimore, MD 21205, Telephone: 410-955-0865, Fax: 410-955-1044,
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45
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Common Pathophysiology in Multiple Mouse Models of Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome. J Neurosci 2017; 38:918-936. [PMID: 29222403 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1305-17.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/30/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations or deletions of the transcription factor TCF4 are linked to Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) and schizophrenia, suggesting that the precise pathogenic mutations dictate cellular, synaptic, and behavioral consequences. Here, we generated two novel mouse models of PTHS, one that mimics the most common pathogenic TCF4 point mutation (human R580W, mouse R579W) and one that deletes three pathogenic arginines, and explored phenotypes of these lines alongside models of pan-cellular or CNS-specific heterozygous Tcf4 disruption. We used mice of both sexes to show that impaired Tcf4 function results in consistent microcephaly, hyperactivity, reduced anxiety, and deficient spatial learning. All four PTHS mouse models demonstrated exaggerated hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), consistent with deficits in hippocampus-mediated behaviors. We further examined R579W mutant mice and mice with pan-cellular Tcf4 heterozygosity and found that they exhibited hippocampal NMDA receptor hyperfunction, which likely drives the enhanced LTP. Together, our data pinpoint convergent neurobiological features in PTHS mouse models and provide a foundation for preclinical studies and a rationale for testing whether NMDAR antagonists might be used to treat PTHS.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder associated with TCF4 mutations/deletions. Despite this genetic insight, there is a need to identify the function of TCF4 in the brain. Toward this goal, we developed two mouse lines, including one harboring the most prevalent pathogenic point mutation, and compared them with two existing models that conditionally delete Tcf4 Our data identify a set of overlapping phenotypes that may serve as outcome measures for preclinical studies of PTHS treatments. We also discovered penetrant enhanced synaptic plasticity across mouse models that may be linked to increased NMDA receptor function. These data reveal convergent neurobiological characteristics of PTHS mouse models and support the further investigation of NMDA receptor antagonists as a possible PTHS treatment.
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46
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Mozzi A, Forni D, Cagliani R, Pozzoli U, Clerici M, Sironi M. Distinct selective forces and Neanderthal introgression shaped genetic diversity at genes involved in neurodevelopmental disorders. Sci Rep 2017; 7:6116. [PMID: 28733602 PMCID: PMC5522412 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-06440-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/10/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
In addition to high intelligence, humans evolved specialized social-cognitive skills, which are specifically affected in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Genes affected in ASD represent suitable candidates to study the evolution of human social cognition. We performed an evolutionary analysis on 68 genes associated to neurodevelopmental disorders; our data indicate that genetic diversity was shaped by distinct selective forces, including natural selection and introgression from archaic hominins. We discuss the possibility that segregation distortion during spermatogenesis accounts for a subset of ASD mutations. Finally, we detected modern-human-specific alleles in DYRK1A and TCF4. These variants are located within regions that display chromatin features typical of transcriptional enhancers in several brain areas, strongly suggesting a regulatory role. These SNPs thus represent candidates for association with neurodevelopmental disorders, and await experimental validation in future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Mozzi
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, 23842, Bosisio Parini, Italy.
| | - Diego Forni
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, 23842, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Rachele Cagliani
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, 23842, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Uberto Pozzoli
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, 23842, Bosisio Parini, Italy
| | - Mario Clerici
- Department of Physiopathology and Transplantation, University of Milan, 20090, Milan, Italy.,Don C. Gnocchi Foundation ONLUS, IRCCS, 20100, Milan, Italy
| | - Manuela Sironi
- Bioinformatics, Scientific Institute IRCCS E. MEDEA, 23842, Bosisio Parini, Italy
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47
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Hill MJ, Killick R, Navarrete K, Maruszak A, McLaughlin GM, Williams BP, Bray NJ. Knockdown of the schizophrenia susceptibility gene TCF4 alters gene expression and proliferation of progenitor cells from the developing human neocortex. J Psychiatry Neurosci 2017; 42:181-188. [PMID: 27689884 PMCID: PMC5403663 DOI: 10.1503/jpn.160073] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Common variants in the TCF4 gene are among the most robustly supported genetic risk factors for schizophrenia. Rare TCF4 deletions and loss-of-function point mutations cause Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, a developmental disorder associated with severe intellectual disability. METHODS To explore molecular and cellular mechanisms by which TCF4 perturbation could interfere with human cortical development, we experimentally reduced the endogenous expression of TCF4 in a neural progenitor cell line derived from the developing human cerebral cortex using RNA interference. Effects on genome-wide gene expression were assessed by microarray, followed by Gene Ontology and pathway analysis of differentially expressed genes. We tested for genetic association between the set of differentially expressed genes and schizophrenia using genome-wide association study data from the Psychiatric Genomics Consortium and competitive gene set analysis (MAGMA). Effects on cell proliferation were assessed using high content imaging. RESULTS Genes that were differentially expressed following TCF4 knockdown were highly enriched for involvement in the cell cycle. There was a nonsignificant trend for genetic association between the differentially expressed gene set and schizophrenia. Consistent with the gene expression data, TCF4 knockdown was associated with reduced proliferation of cortical progenitor cells in vitro. LIMITATIONS A detailed mechanistic explanation of how TCF4 knockdown alters human neural progenitor cell proliferation is not provided by this study. CONCLUSION Our data indicate effects of TCF4 perturbation on human cortical progenitor cell proliferation, a process that could contribute to cognitive deficits in individuals with Pitt-Hopkins syndrome and risk for schizophrenia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Nicholas J. Bray
- Correspondence to: N. Bray, MRC Centre for Neuropsychiatric Genetics & Genomics, Cardiff University School of Medicine, Cardiff, UK;
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48
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Abstract
Purpose of Review Pitt Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder that results from mutations of the clinically pleiotropic Transcription Factor 4 (TCF4) gene. Mutations in the genomic locus of TCF4 on chromosome 18 have been linked to multiple disorders including 18q syndrome, schizophrenia, Fuch's corneal dystrophy, and sclerosing cholangitis. For PTHS, TCF4 mutation or deletion leads to the production of a dominant negative TCF4 protein and/or haploinsufficiency that results in abnormal brain development. The biology of TCF4 has been studied for several years in regards to its role in immune cell differentiation, although its role in neurodevelopment and the mechanisms resulting in the severe symptoms of PTHS are not well studied. Recent Findings Here, we summarize the current understanding of PTHS and recent findings that have begun to describe the biological implications of TCF4 deficiency during brain development and into adulthood. In particular, we focus on recent work that has looked at the role of TCF4 biology within the context of PTHS and highlight the potential for identification of therapeutic targets for PTHS. Summary PTHS research continues to uncover mutations in TCF4 that underlie the genetic cause of this rare disease, and emerging evidence for molecular mechanisms that TCF4 regulates in brain development and neuronal function is contributing to a more complete picture of how pathology arises from this genetic basis, with important implications for the potential of future clinical care.
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49
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Chen T, Wu Q, Zhang Y, Lu T, Yue W, Zhang D. Tcf4 Controls Neuronal Migration of the Cerebral Cortex through Regulation of Bmp7. Front Mol Neurosci 2016; 9:94. [PMID: 27752241 PMCID: PMC5046712 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2016.00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2016] [Accepted: 09/20/2016] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background: Transcription factor 4 (TCF4) is found to be associated with schizophrenia. TCF4 mutations also cause Pitt-Hopkins Syndrome, a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with severe mental retardation. However, the function of TCF4 during brain development remains unclear. Results: Here, we report that Tcf4 is expressed in the developing cerebral cortex. In utero suppression of Tcf4 arrested neuronal migration, leading to accumulation of ectopic neurons in the intermediate zone. Knockdown of Tcf4 impaired leading process formation. Furthermore, Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 (Bmp7) is upregulated in Tcf4-deficient neurons. In vivo gain of function and rescue experiments demonstrated that Bmp7 is the major downstream effector of Tcf4 required for neuronal migration. Conclusion: Thus, we have uncovered a new Tcf4/Bmp7-dependent mechanism underlying neuronal migration, and provide insights into the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tianda Chen
- Institute of Mental Health, Peking University Sixth Hospital, BeijingChina; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health & National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University, BeijingChina
| | - Qinwei Wu
- Institute of Mental Health, Peking University Sixth Hospital, BeijingChina; Academy for Advanced Interdisciplinary Studies, Peking UniversityBeijing, China; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijing, China
| | - Yang Zhang
- Institute of Mental Health, Peking University Sixth Hospital, BeijingChina; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health & National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University, BeijingChina
| | - Tianlan Lu
- Institute of Mental Health, Peking University Sixth Hospital, BeijingChina; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health & National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University, BeijingChina
| | - Weihua Yue
- Institute of Mental Health, Peking University Sixth Hospital, BeijingChina; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health & National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University, BeijingChina
| | - Dai Zhang
- Institute of Mental Health, Peking University Sixth Hospital, BeijingChina; Key Laboratory of Mental Health, Ministry of Health & National Clinical Research Center for Mental Disorders, Peking University, BeijingChina; Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijing, China; PKU-IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain Research, Peking UniversityBeijing, China
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50
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Maduro V, Pusey BN, Cherukuri PF, Atkins P, du Souich C, Rupps R, Limbos M, Adams DR, Bhatt SS, Eydoux P, Links AE, Lehman A, Malicdan MC, Mason CE, Morimoto M, Mullikin JC, Sear A, Van Karnebeek C, Stankiewicz P, Gahl WA, Toro C, Boerkoel CF. Complex translocation disrupting TCF4 and altering TCF4 isoform expression segregates as mild autosomal dominant intellectual disability. Orphanet J Rare Dis 2016; 11:62. [PMID: 27179618 PMCID: PMC4868023 DOI: 10.1186/s13023-016-0439-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2016] [Accepted: 04/25/2016] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations of TCF4, which encodes a basic helix-loop-helix transcription factor, cause Pitt-Hopkins syndrome (PTHS) via multiple genetic mechanisms. TCF4 is a complex locus expressing multiple transcripts by alternative splicing and use of multiple promoters. To address the relationship between mutation of these transcripts and phenotype, we report a three-generation family segregating mild intellectual disability with a chromosomal translocation disrupting TCF4. RESULTS Using whole genome sequencing, we detected a complex unbalanced karyotype disrupting TCF4 (46,XY,del(14)(q23.3q23.3)del(18)(q21.2q21.2)del(18)(q21.2q21.2)inv(18)(q21.2q21.2)t(14;18)(q23.3;q21.2)(14pter®14q23.3::18q21.2®18q21.2::18q21.1®18qter;18pter®18q21.2::14q23.3®14qter). Subsequent transcriptome sequencing, qRT-PCR and nCounter analyses revealed that cultured skin fibroblasts and peripheral blood had normal expression of genes along chromosomes 14 or 18 and no marked changes in expression of genes other than TCF4. Affected individuals had 12-33 fold higher mRNA levels of TCF4 than did unaffected controls or individuals with PTHS. Although the derivative chromosome generated a PLEKHG3-TCF4 fusion transcript, the increased levels of TCF4 mRNA arose from transcript variants originating distal to the translocation breakpoint, not from the fusion transcript. CONCLUSIONS Although validation in additional patients is required, our findings suggest that the dysmorphic features and severe intellectual disability characteristic of PTHS are partially rescued by overexpression of those short TCF4 transcripts encoding a nuclear localization signal, a transcription activation domain, and the basic helix-loop-helix domain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Valerie Maduro
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Barbara N Pusey
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Praveen F Cherukuri
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Paul Atkins
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Children's and Women's Health Centre of BC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Christèle du Souich
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Children's and Women's Health Centre of BC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Rosemarie Rupps
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Children's and Women's Health Centre of BC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | | | - David R Adams
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Samarth S Bhatt
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Patrice Eydoux
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Amanda E Links
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Anna Lehman
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Children's and Women's Health Centre of BC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - May C Malicdan
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Christopher E Mason
- Department of Physiology and Biophysics, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, NY, USA
- The HRH Prince Alwaleed Bin Talal Bin Abdulaziz Alsaud Institute for Computational Biomedicine, New York, NY, USA
- The Feil Family Brain and Mind Research Institute (BMRI), New York, NY, USA
| | - Marie Morimoto
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Children's and Women's Health Centre of BC, Vancouver, BC, Canada
- Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - James C Mullikin
- NIH Intramural Sequencing Center, National Human Genome Research Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Andrew Sear
- Department of General Practice, Faculty of Medicine, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Clara Van Karnebeek
- Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada
| | - Pawel Stankiewicz
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, USA
| | - William A Gahl
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
- NHGRI, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Camilo Toro
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Cornelius F Boerkoel
- NIH Undiagnosed Diseases Program, Common Fund, Office of the Director, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA.
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of British Columbia, Children's and Women's Health Centre of BC, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
- Child and Family Research Institute, University of British Columbia, Vancouver, BC, Canada.
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