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Kurzawa-Akanbi M, Tzoumas N, Corral-Serrano JC, Guarascio R, Steel DH, Cheetham ME, Armstrong L, Lako M. Pluripotent stem cell-derived models of retinal disease: Elucidating pathogenesis, evaluating novel treatments, and estimating toxicity. Prog Retin Eye Res 2024; 100:101248. [PMID: 38369182 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2024.101248] [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: 12/07/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2024] [Accepted: 02/14/2024] [Indexed: 02/20/2024]
Abstract
Blindness poses a growing global challenge, with approximately 26% of cases attributed to degenerative retinal diseases. While gene therapy, optogenetic tools, photosensitive switches, and retinal prostheses offer hope for vision restoration, these high-cost therapies will benefit few patients. Understanding retinal diseases is therefore key to advance effective treatments, requiring in vitro models replicating pathology and allowing quantitative assessments for drug discovery. Pluripotent stem cells (PSCs) provide a unique solution given their limitless supply and ability to differentiate into light-responsive retinal tissues encompassing all cell types. This review focuses on the history and current state of photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cell generation from PSCs. We explore the applications of this technology in disease modelling, experimental therapy testing, biomarker identification, and toxicity studies. We consider challenges in scalability, standardisation, and reproducibility, and stress the importance of incorporating vasculature and immune cells into retinal organoids. We advocate for high-throughput automation in data acquisition and analyses and underscore the value of advanced micro-physiological systems that fully capture the interactions between the neural retina, RPE, and choriocapillaris.
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2
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Tusseau M, Eyries M, Chatron N, Coulet F, Guichet A, Colin E, Demeer B, Maillard H, Thevenon J, Lavigne C, Saillour V, Paris C, De Sainte Agathe JM, Pujalte M, Guilhem A, Dupuis-Girod S, Lesca G. Genome sequencing identify chromosome 9 inversions disrupting ENG in 2 unrelated HHT families. Eur J Med Genet 2024; 68:104919. [PMID: 38355093 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2024.104919] [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: 07/25/2023] [Revised: 01/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/16/2024]
Abstract
Hereditary hemorrhagic telangiectasia (HHT), also known as Rendu-Osler-Weber disease, is a dominant inherited vascular disorder. The clinical diagnosis is based on the Curaçao criteria and pathogenic variants in the ENG and ACVRL1 genes are responsible for most cases of HHT. Four families with a negative targeted gene panel and selected by a multidisciplinary team were selected and whole-genome sequencing was performed according to the recommendations of the French National Plan for Genomic Medicine. Structural variations were confirmed by standard molecular cytogenetic analysis (FISH). In two families with a definite diagnosis of HHT, we identified two different paracentric inversions of chromosome 9, both disrupting the ENG gene. These inversions are considered as pathogenic and causative for the HHT phenotype of the patients. This is the first time structural variations are reported to cause HHT. As such balanced events are often missed by exon-based sequencing (panel, exome), structural variations may be an under-recognized cause of HHT. Genome sequencing for the detection of these events could be suggested for patients with a definite diagnosis of HHT and in whom no causative pathogenic variant was identified.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Tusseau
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Department of Medical Genetics and National HHT Reference Center, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France; Laboratoire AURAGEN, Lyon, France
| | - M Eyries
- Department of Medical Genetics, AP-HP Sorbonne University, Paris, France; Laboratoire Multisites SeqOIA, Paris, France
| | - N Chatron
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Department of Medical Genetics and National HHT Reference Center, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France; Laboratoire AURAGEN, Lyon, France
| | - F Coulet
- Department of Medical Genetics, AP-HP Sorbonne University, Paris, France; Laboratoire Multisites SeqOIA, Paris, France
| | - A Guichet
- Service de Génétique Médicale, CHU D'Angers, Angers, France
| | - E Colin
- Service de Génétique Médicale, CHU D'Angers, Angers, France
| | - B Demeer
- Genetics Department, CLAD Nord de France, CHU Amiens, France; CHIMERE, UR UPJV 7516, Université Picardie Jules Verne, Amiens, France
| | - H Maillard
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Referral Centre for Rare Systemic Autoimmune Diseases for North and North-West France (CeRAINO), CHU Lille, 59000, Lille, France
| | | | - C Lavigne
- Department of Internal Medicine and Clinical Immunology, Angers University Hospital, Angers, France
| | - V Saillour
- Laboratoire Multisites SeqOIA, Paris, France
| | - C Paris
- Laboratoire AURAGEN, Lyon, France
| | - J M De Sainte Agathe
- Department of Medical Genetics, AP-HP Sorbonne University, Paris, France; Laboratoire Multisites SeqOIA, Paris, France
| | - M Pujalte
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Department of Medical Genetics and National HHT Reference Center, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France; Laboratoire AURAGEN, Lyon, France
| | - A Guilhem
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Department of Medical Genetics and National HHT Reference Center, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - S Dupuis-Girod
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Department of Medical Genetics and National HHT Reference Center, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - G Lesca
- Hospices Civils de Lyon, Department of Medical Genetics and National HHT Reference Center, University Hospital of Lyon, Lyon, France; Laboratoire AURAGEN, Lyon, France.
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3
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Miao M, Wang J, Guo C, Su X, Sun L, Lu S. Identification of a novel de novo PUF60 variant causing Verheij syndrome in a fetus. Gene 2024; 897:148092. [PMID: 38110042 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2023.148092] [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: 10/02/2023] [Revised: 12/08/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 12/20/2023]
Abstract
Verheij syndrome (VRJS) is a craniofacial spliceosomopathy with a wide phenotypic spectrum. Haploinsufficiency of the poly-uridine binding splicing factor 60 gene (PUF60) and its loss-of-function (LOF) variants are involved in VRJS. We evaluated a human fetus with congenital heart defects and preaxial polydactyly. Clinical data were obtained from the medical record. Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was used to explore the potential genetic etiology, and the detected variant verified using Sanger sequencing. Functional studies were performed to validate the pathogenic effects of the variant. Using trio-WES, we identified a novel PUF60 variant (NM_078480.2; c.1678 T > A, p.*560Argext*204) in the pedigree. Bioinformatic analyses revealed that the variant is potentially pathogenic, and functional studies indicated that it leads to degradation of the elongated protein and subsequently PUF60 LOF, producing some VRJS phenotypes. These findings confirmed the pathogenicity of the variant. This study implicates PUF60 LOF in the etiopathogenesis of VRJS. It not only expands the PUF60 variant spectrum, and also provides a basis for genetic counseling and the diagnosis of VRJS. Although trio-WES is a well-established approach for identifying the genetic etiology of rare multisystemic conditions, functional studies could aid in verifying the pathogenicity of novel variants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mingzhu Miao
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Jiangsu Province People's Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing 210036, China
| | - Jue Wang
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Jiangsu Province People's Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing 210036, China
| | - Chenyan Guo
- Department of Obstetrics, Jiangsu Province People's Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing 210036, China
| | - Xiaotian Su
- Department of Bioinformatics, Berry Genomics Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Lizhou Sun
- Department of Obstetrics, Jiangsu Province People's Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing 210036, China.
| | - Shoulian Lu
- Department of Prenatal Diagnosis, Jiangsu Province People's Hospital and Nanjing Medical University First Affiliated Hospital, Nanjing 210036, China.
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Aweidah H, Xi Z, Sahel JA, Byrne LC. PRPF31-retinitis pigmentosa: Challenges and opportunities for clinical translation. Vision Res 2023; 213:108315. [PMID: 37714045 PMCID: PMC10872823 DOI: 10.1016/j.visres.2023.108315] [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: 04/30/2023] [Revised: 08/23/2023] [Accepted: 08/24/2023] [Indexed: 09/17/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in pre-mRNA processing factor 31 cause autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (PRPF31-RP), for which there is currently no efficient treatment, making this disease a prime target for the development of novel therapeutic strategies. PRPF31-RP exhibits incomplete penetrance due to haploinsufficiency, in which reduced levels of gene expression from the mutated allele result in disease. A variety of model systems have been used in the investigation of disease etiology and therapy development. In this review, we discuss recent advances in both in vivo and in vitro model systems, evaluating their advantages and limitations in the context of therapy development for PRPF31-RP. Additionally, we describe the latest approaches for treatment, including AAV-mediated gene augmentation, genome editing, and late-stage therapies such as optogenetics, cell transplantation, and retinal prostheses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hamzah Aweidah
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Zhouhuan Xi
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Ophthalmology, Eye Center, The First Affiliated Hospital of USTC, Division of Life Sciences and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, China
| | - José-Alain Sahel
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA
| | - Leah C Byrne
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Neurobiology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA; Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA, USA.
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Keuthan CJ, Karma S, Zack DJ. Alternative RNA Splicing in the Retina: Insights and Perspectives. Cold Spring Harb Perspect Med 2023; 13:a041313. [PMID: 36690463 PMCID: PMC10547393 DOI: 10.1101/cshperspect.a041313] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/25/2023]
Abstract
Alternative splicing is a fundamental and highly regulated post-transcriptional process that enhances transcriptome and proteome diversity. This process is particularly important in neuronal tissues, such as the retina, which exhibit some of the highest levels of differentially spliced genes in the body. Alternative splicing is regulated both temporally and spatially during neuronal development, can be cell-type-specific, and when altered can cause a number of pathologies, including retinal degeneration. Advancements in high-throughput sequencing technologies have facilitated investigations of the alternative splicing landscape of the retina in both healthy and disease states. Additionally, innovations in human stem cell engineering, specifically in the generation of 3D retinal organoids, which recapitulate many aspects of the in vivo retinal microenvironment, have aided studies of the role of alternative splicing in human retinal development and degeneration. Here we review these advances and discuss the ongoing development of strategies for the treatment of alternative splicing-related retinal disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Casey J Keuthan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, USA
| | - Sadik Karma
- Department of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, USA
| | - Donald J Zack
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Wilmer Eye Institute, Neuroscience, Molecular Biology and Genetics, and Genetic Medicine, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland 21231, USA
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Lu J, Zheng KQ, Bertrand RE, Quinlan J, Ferdous S, Srinivasan T, Oh S, Wang K, Chen R. Gene augmentation therapy to rescue degenerative photoreceptors in a Cwc27 mutant mouse model. Exp Eye Res 2023; 234:109596. [PMID: 37479075 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2023.109596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2023] [Revised: 06/18/2023] [Accepted: 07/18/2023] [Indexed: 07/23/2023]
Abstract
Previous reports have demonstrated that defects in the spliceosome-associated protein CWC27 can lead to the degeneration of retinal cells in Cwc27 mutant mouse models. However, it is unknown whether gene replacement therapy can rescue this phenotype. The purpose of this study was to evaluate whether AAV based gene therapy could rescue the retinal degeneration observed in Cwc27 mutant mice. By 6 months of age, Cwc27 mutant mice show a retinal degenerative phenotype, including morphological and functional abnormalities, primarily driven by the death of photoreceptors. We hypothesize that subretinal injection of AAV8 to drive exogenous CWC27 protein expression will improve the retinal phenotype. We evaluated these improvements after gene therapy with electroretinography (ERG) and histology, either hematoxylin and eosin (H&E) or immunostaining. In this study, we demonstrated that subretinal injection of AAV8-GRK-Cwc27-FLAG in mutant mice can improve the functionality and morphology of the retina. Immunostaining analyses revealed a notable decrease in photoreceptor degeneration, including cone cell degeneration, in the AAV-injected eyes compared to the PBS-injected eyes. Based on these results, gene replacement therapy could be a promising method for treating retinal degeneration caused by mutations in Cwc27.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiaxiong Lu
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Karen Q Zheng
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Renae Elaine Bertrand
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Joseph Quinlan
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Bioengineering, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Salma Ferdous
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Tanmay Srinivasan
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of BioSciences, Rice University, Houston, TX, USA
| | - Soo Oh
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Keqing Wang
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Rui Chen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Human Genome Sequencing Center, Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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7
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Dai C, Ren W, Wei Y, Xie C, Duan S, Li Q, Jiang L, Shi Y. A Novel Pair of Compound Heterozygous Mutation of EYS in a Han Chinese Family with Retinitis Pigmentosa. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2023; 27:258-266. [PMID: 37643323 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2023.0016] [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] [Indexed: 08/31/2023] Open
Abstract
Background: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a complex inherited and progressive degenerative retinal disease. The eyes shut homolog (EYS) is frequently associated with RP is surprisingly high. Exploring the function of EYS is quite difficult due to the unique gene size and species specificity. Gene therapy may provide a breakthrough to treat this disease. Therefore, exploring and clarifying pathogenic mutations of EYS-associated RP has important guiding significance for clinical treatment. Methods: Clinical and molecular genetic data for EYS-associated RP were retrospectively analyzed. Sanger sequencing was applied to identify novel mutations in these patients. Candidate pathogenic variants were subsequently evaluated using bioinformatic tools. Results: A novel pair of compound heterozygous mutations was identified: a novel stop-gain mutation c.2439C>A (p.C813fsX) and a frameshift deletion mutation c.6714delT (p. P2238fsX) of the EYS gene in the RP family. Both of these mutations were rare or absent in the 1000 Genomes Project, dbSNP, and Genome Aggregation Database (gnomAD). These two mutations would result in a lack of multiple functionally important epidermal growth factor-like and Laminin G-like coding regions in EYS. Conclusions: A novel compound heterozygote of the EYS gene in a Chinese family with an autosomal inheritance pattern of RP was identified. Identifying more pathogenic mutations and expanding the mutation spectrum of the EYS gene will contribute to a more comprehensive understanding of the molecular pathogenesis of RP disease that could be gained in the future. It also could provide an important basis for the diagnosis, clinical management, and genetic counseling of the disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Dai
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Weiming Ren
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Yao Wei
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Chunbao Xie
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Suyang Duan
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Qi Li
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Lingxi Jiang
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Yi Shi
- Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study and Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Research Unit for Blindness Prevention of Chinese Academy of Medical Sciences (2019RU026), Sichuan Academy of Medical Sciences & Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
- Health Management Center, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
- Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
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8
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Xiao YS, He WJ, Jiang HC, Tan L, Ma J, Zhang Z. Clinical and whole exome sequencing findings in children from Yunnan Yi minority ethnic group with retinitis pigmentosa: two case reports. J Med Case Rep 2023; 17:226. [PMID: 37264419 DOI: 10.1186/s13256-023-03830-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/27/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2023] [Indexed: 06/03/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of rare hereditary retinal dystrophy diseases that lead to difficulty seeing at night, progressive loss of peripheral field vision (tunnel vision), and eventual loss of central vision. However, a genetic cause cannot be determined in approximately 60% of cases. CASE PRESENTATION Two non-consanguineous Yi minority ethnic group families who have a 6.4-year-old boy and a 0.5-year-old boy, respectively, were recruited for genetic diagnosis. Here, we used whole-exome sequencing to detect mutations in the genes of the probands of the retinitis pigmentosa families, and Sanger sequencing to confirm the causal mutations identified by whole exome sequencing. In addition, we report two cases with retinitis pigmentosa caused by RDH12 (c.524C > T) and PRPF4 (c.1273G > A) pathogenic mutations. CONCLUSIONS These results might extend the mutation spectrum of known retinitis pigmentosa genes and give these two Yi minority ethnic group families from Yunnan more precise genetic counseling and more specific prognoses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Shuang Xiao
- Department of Ophthalmology, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650228, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
| | - Wen-Ji He
- Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650228, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Chao Jiang
- Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650228, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Tan
- Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650228, Yunnan, People's Republic of China
| | - Jing Ma
- Department of Otolaryngology-Head and Neck Surgery, Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650228, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
| | - Zhen Zhang
- Kunming Children's Hospital, Kunming Medical University, Kunming, 650228, Yunnan, People's Republic of China.
- Department of Clinical Pharmacy, Affiliated Hospital of Yunnan University, Kunming, 650021, Yunnan, China.
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9
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Krausová M, Kreplová M, Banik P, Cvačková Z, Kubovčiak J, Modrák M, Zudová D, Lindovský J, Kubik-Zahorodna A, Pálková M, Kolář M, Procházka J, Sedláček R, Staněk D. Retinitis pigmentosa-associated mutations in mouse Prpf8 cause misexpression of circRNAs and degeneration of cerebellar granule cells. Life Sci Alliance 2023; 6:e202201855. [PMID: 37019475 PMCID: PMC10078954 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201855] [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: 11/25/2022] [Revised: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 03/21/2023] [Indexed: 04/07/2023] Open
Abstract
A subset of patients with retinitis pigmentosa (RP) carry mutations in several spliceosomal components including the PRPF8 protein. Here, we established two alleles of murine Prpf8 that genocopy or mimic aberrant PRPF8 found in RP patients-the substitution p.Tyr2334Asn and an extended protein variant p.Glu2331ValfsX15. Homozygous mice expressing the aberrant Prpf8 variants developed within the first 2 mo progressive atrophy of the cerebellum because of extensive granule cell loss, whereas other cerebellar cells remained unaffected. We further show that a subset of circRNAs were deregulated in the cerebellum of both Prpf8-RP mouse strains. To identify potential risk factors that sensitize the cerebellum for Prpf8 mutations, we monitored the expression of several splicing proteins during the first 8 wk. We observed down-regulation of all selected splicing proteins in the WT cerebellum, which coincided with neurodegeneration onset. The decrease in splicing protein expression was further pronounced in mouse strains expressing mutated Prpf8. Collectively, we propose a model where physiological reduction in spliceosomal components during postnatal tissue maturation sensitizes cells to the expression of aberrant Prpf8 and the subsequent deregulation of circRNAs triggers neuronal death.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Krausová
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Michaela Kreplová
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Poulami Banik
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Zuzana Cvačková
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Kubovčiak
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Martin Modrák
- Core Facility Bioinformatics, Institute of Microbiology of the Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Dagmar Zudová
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Jiří Lindovský
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Agnieszka Kubik-Zahorodna
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Marcela Pálková
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Michal Kolář
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Jan Procházka
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - Radislav Sedláček
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
- Czech Centre for Phenogenomics, Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Vestec, Czech Republic
| | - David Staněk
- Institute of Molecular Genetics, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
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10
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Cellular and Molecular Mechanisms of Pathogenesis Underlying Inherited Retinal Dystrophies. Biomolecules 2023; 13:biom13020271. [PMID: 36830640 PMCID: PMC9953031 DOI: 10.3390/biom13020271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Revised: 01/23/2023] [Accepted: 01/27/2023] [Indexed: 02/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Inherited retinal dystrophies (IRDs) are congenital retinal degenerative diseases that have various inheritance patterns, including dominant, recessive, X-linked, and mitochondrial. These diseases are most often the result of defects in rod and/or cone photoreceptor and retinal pigment epithelium function, development, or both. The genes associated with these diseases, when mutated, produce altered protein products that have downstream effects in pathways critical to vision, including phototransduction, the visual cycle, photoreceptor development, cellular respiration, and retinal homeostasis. The aim of this manuscript is to provide a comprehensive review of the underlying molecular mechanisms of pathogenesis of IRDs by delving into many of the genes associated with IRD development, their protein products, and the pathways interrupted by genetic mutation.
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11
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Gene augmentation prevents retinal degeneration in a CRISPR/Cas9-based mouse model of PRPF31 retinitis pigmentosa. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7695. [PMID: 36509783 PMCID: PMC9744804 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35361-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 11/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in PRPF31 cause autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa, an untreatable form of blindness. Gene therapy is a promising treatment for PRPF31-retinitis pigmentosa, however, there are currently no suitable animal models in which to develop AAV-mediated gene augmentation. Here we establish Prpf31 mutant mouse models using AAV-mediated CRISPR/Cas9 knockout, and characterize the resulting retinal degeneration phenotype. Mouse models with early-onset morphological and functional impairments like those in patients were established, providing new platforms in which to investigate pathogenetic mechanisms and develop therapeutic methods. AAV-mediated PRPF31 gene augmentation restored the retinal structure and function in a rapidly degenerating mouse model, demonstrating the first in vivo proof-of-concept for AAV-mediated gene therapy to treat PRPF31-retinitis pigmentosa. AAV-CRISPR/Cas9-PRPF31 knockout constructs also mediated efficient PRPF31 knockout in human and non-human primate retinal explants, laying a foundation for establishing non-human primate models using the method developed here.
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12
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Nazlamova L, Villa Vasquez SS, Lord J, Karthik V, Cheung MK, Lakowski J, Wheway G. Microtubule modification defects underlie cilium degeneration in cell models of retinitis pigmentosa associated with pre-mRNA splicing factor mutations. Front Genet 2022; 13:1009430. [PMID: 36176300 PMCID: PMC9513239 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2022.1009430] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common cause of hereditary blindness, and may occur in isolation as a non-syndromic condition or alongside other features in a syndromic presentation. Biallelic or monoallelic mutations in one of eight genes encoding pre-mRNA splicing factors are associated with non-syndromic RP. The molecular mechanism of disease remains incompletely understood, limiting opportunities for targeted treatment. Here we use CRISPR and base edited PRPF6 and PRPF31 mutant cell lines, and publicly-available data from human PRPF31+/− patient derived retinal organoids and PRPF31 siRNA-treated organotypic retinal cultures to confirm an enrichment of differential splicing of microtubule, centrosomal, cilium and DNA damage response pathway genes in these cells. We show that genes with microtubule/centrosome/centriole/cilium gene ontology terms are enriched for weak 3′ and 5′ splice sites, and that subtle defects in spliceosome activity predominantly affect efficiency of splicing of these exons. We suggest that the primary defect in PRPF6 or PRPF31 mutant cells is microtubule and centrosomal defects, leading to defects in cilium and mitotic spindle stability, with the latter leading to DNA damage, triggering differential splicing of DNA damage response genes to activate this pathway. Finally, we expand understanding of “splicing factor RP” by investigating the function of TTLL3, one of the most statistically differentially expressed genes in PRPF6 and PRPF31 mutant cells. We identify that TTLL3 is the only tubulin glycylase expressed in the human retina, essential for monoglycylation of microtubules of the cilium, including the retinal photoreceptor cilium, to prevent cilium degeneration and retinal degeneration. Our preliminary data suggest that rescue of tubulin glycylation through overexpression of TTLL3 is sufficient to rescue cilium number in PRPF6 and PRPF31 mutant cells, suggesting that this defect underlies the cellular defect and may represent a potential target for therapeutic intervention in this group of disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Liliya Nazlamova
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Suly Saray Villa Vasquez
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Jenny Lord
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Varshini Karthik
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Man-Kim Cheung
- Centre for Research in Biosciences, University of the West of England, Bristol, United Kingdom
| | - Jörn Lakowski
- Clinical and Experimental Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Gabrielle Wheway
- Human Development and Health, Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
- *Correspondence: Gabrielle Wheway,
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13
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Daich Varela M, Bellingham J, Motta F, Jurkute N, Ellingford JM, Quinodoz M, Oprych K, Niblock M, Janeschitz-Kriegl L, Kaminska K, Cancellieri F, Scholl HPN, Lenassi E, Schiff E, Knight H, Black G, Rivolta C, Cheetham ME, Michaelides M, Mahroo OA, Moore AT, Webster AR, Arno G. Multidisciplinary team directed analysis of whole genome sequencing reveals pathogenic non-coding variants in molecularly undiagnosed inherited retinal dystrophies. Hum Mol Genet 2022; 32:595-607. [PMID: 36084042 PMCID: PMC9896476 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddac227] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2022] [Revised: 08/23/2022] [Accepted: 09/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
The purpose of this paper is to identify likely pathogenic non-coding variants in inherited retinal dystrophy (IRD) genes, using genome sequencing (GS). Patients with IRD were recruited to the study and underwent comprehensive ophthalmological evaluation and GS. The results of GS were investigated through virtual gene panel analysis, and plausible pathogenic variants and clinical phenotype evaluated by the multidisciplinary team (MDT) discussion. For unsolved patients in whom a specific gene was suspected to harbor a missed pathogenic variant, targeted re-analysis of non-coding regions was performed on GS data. Candidate variants were functionally tested by messenger RNA analysis, minigene or luciferase reporter assays. Previously unreported, likely pathogenic, non-coding variants in 7 genes (PRPF31, NDP, IFT140, CRB1, USH2A, BBS10 and GUCY2D), were identified in 11 patients. These were shown to lead to mis-splicing (PRPF31, IFT140, CRB1 and USH2A) or altered transcription levels (BBS10 and GUCY2D). MDT-led, phenotype-driven, non-coding variant re-analysis of GS is effective in identifying the missing causative alleles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Malena Daich Varela
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK,Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | | | - Fabiana Motta
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK,Department of Ophthalmology, Universidade Federal de Sao Paulo, Sao Paulo 04021001, Brazil
| | - Neringa Jurkute
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK,Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Jamie M Ellingford
- North West Genomic Laboratory Hub, Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester M13 9WL, UK,Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, Neuroscience and Mental Health Domain, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Mathieu Quinodoz
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland,Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | | | | | - Lucas Janeschitz-Kriegl
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland
| | - Karolina Kaminska
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland
| | - Francesca Cancellieri
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland
| | - Hendrik P N Scholl
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland
| | - Eva Lenassi
- North West Genomic Laboratory Hub, Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester M13 9WL, UK,Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, Neuroscience and Mental Health Domain, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | | | | | - Graeme Black
- North West Genomic Laboratory Hub, Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Manchester University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, St Mary’s Hospital, Manchester M13 9WL, UK,Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, Neuroscience and Mental Health Domain, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester M13 9PL, UK
| | - Carlo Rivolta
- Institute of Molecular and Clinical Ophthalmology Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland,Department of Ophthalmology, University of Basel, Basel 4031, Switzerland,Department of Genetics and Genome Biology, University of Leicester, Leicester LE1 7RH, UK
| | | | - Michel Michaelides
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK,Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Omar A Mahroo
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK,Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Anthony T Moore
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK,Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK,University of California, San Francisco, CA 94607, USA
| | - Andrew R Webster
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London EC1V 9EL, UK,Moorfields Eye Hospital, London EC1V 2PD, UK
| | - Gavin Arno
- To whom correspondence should be addressed at: UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath Street, London EC1 9EL, UK. Tel: +44 2076086971;
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14
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Bhardwaj A, Yadav A, Yadav M, Tanwar M. Genetic dissection of non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa. Indian J Ophthalmol 2022; 70:2355-2385. [PMID: 35791117 PMCID: PMC9426071 DOI: 10.4103/ijo.ijo_46_22] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) belongs to a group of pigmentary retinopathies. It is the most common form of inherited retinal dystrophy, characterized by progressive degradation of photoreceptors that leads to nyctalopia, and ultimately, complete vision loss. RP is distinguished by the continuous retinal degeneration that progresses from the mid-periphery to the central and peripheral retina. RP was first described and named by Franciscus Cornelius Donders in the year 1857. It is one of the leading causes of bilateral blindness in adults, with an incidence of 1 in 3000 people worldwide. In this review, we are going to focus on the genetic heterogeneity of this disease, which is provided by various inheritance patterns, numerosity of variations and inter-/intra-familial variations based upon penetrance and expressivity. Although over 90 genes have been identified in RP patients, the genetic cause of approximately 50% of RP cases remains unknown. Heterogeneity of RP makes it an extremely complicated ocular impairment. It is so complicated that it is known as “fever of unknown origin”. For prognosis and proper management of the disease, it is necessary to understand its genetic heterogeneity so that each phenotype related to the various genetic variations could be treated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aarti Bhardwaj
- Department of Genetics, M. D. University, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Anshu Yadav
- Department of Genetics, M. D. University, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Manoj Yadav
- Department of Genetics, M. D. University, Rohtak, Haryana, India
| | - Mukesh Tanwar
- Department of Genetics, M. D. University, Rohtak, Haryana, India
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15
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Xiang L, Zhang J, Rao FQ, Yang QL, Zeng HY, Huang SH, Xie ZX, Lv JN, Lin D, Chen XJ, Wu KC, Lu F, Huang XF, Chen Q. Depletion of miR-96 Delays, But Does Not Arrest, Photoreceptor Development in Mice. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2022; 63:24. [PMID: 35481839 PMCID: PMC9055555 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.63.4.24] [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] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Abundant retinal microRNA-183 cluster (miR-183C) has been reported to be a key player in photoreceptor development and functionality in mice. However, whether there is a protagonist in this cluster remains unclear. Here, we used a mutant mouse model to study the role of miR-96, a member of miR-183C, in photoreceptor development and functionality. Methods The mature miR-96 sequence was removed using the CRISPR/Cas9 genome-editing system. Electroretinogram (ERG) and optical coherence tomography (OCT) investigated the changes in structure and function in mouse retinas. Immunostaining determined the localization and morphology of the retinal cells. RNA sequencing was conducted to observe retinal transcription alterations. Results The miR-96 mutant mice exhibited cone developmental delay, as occurs in miR-183/96 double knockout mice. Immunostaining of cone-specific marker genes revealed cone nucleus mislocalization and exiguous Opn1mw/Opn1sw in the mutant (MT) mouse outer segments at postnatal day 10. Interestingly, this phenomenon could be relieved in the adult stages. Transcriptome analysis revealed activation of microtubule-, actin filament–, and cilia-related pathways, further supporting the findings. Based on ERG and OCT results at different ages, the MT mice displayed developmental delay not only in cones but also in rods. In addition, a group of miR-96 potential direct and indirect target genes was summarized for interpretation and further studies of miR-96–related retinal developmental defects. Conclusions Depletion of miR-96 delayed but did not arrest photoreceptor development in mice. This miRNA is indispensable for mouse photoreceptor maturation, especially for cones.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lue Xiang
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Wenzhou, China
| | - Juan Zhang
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Feng-Qin Rao
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,School of Pharmaceutical Sciences of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Qiao-Li Yang
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Hui-Yi Zeng
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Sheng-Hai Huang
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zhen-Xiang Xie
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ji-Neng Lv
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Wenzhou, China
| | - Dan Lin
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xue-Jiao Chen
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Wenzhou, China
| | - Kun-Chao Wu
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Fan Lu
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Wenzhou, China
| | - Xiu-Feng Huang
- The Second Affiliated Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang, China
| | - Qi Chen
- School of Ophthalmology and Optometry, School of Biomedical Engineering, Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China.,State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Vision Science, Wenzhou, China
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16
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Bertrand RE, Wang J, Li Y, Cheng X, Wang K, Stoilov P, Chen R. Cwc27, associated with retinal degeneration, functions as a splicing factor in vivo. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 31:1278-1292. [PMID: 34726245 PMCID: PMC9029344 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab319] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/02/2021] [Revised: 10/22/2021] [Accepted: 10/26/2021] [Indexed: 11/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Previous in vitro studies indicate that CWC27 functions as a splicing factor in the Bact spliceosome complex, interacting with CWC22 to form a landing platform for eIF4A3, a core component of the exon junction complex. However, the function of CWC27 as a splicing factor has not been validated in any in vivo systems. CWC27 variants have been shown to cause autosomal recessive retinal degeneration, in both syndromic and non-syndromic forms. The Cwc27K338fs/K338fs mouse model was shown to have significant retinal dysfunction and degeneration by 6 months of age. In this report, we have taken advantage of the Cwc27K338fs/K338fs mouse model to show that Cwc27 is involved in splicing in vivo in the context of the retina. Bulk RNA and single cell RNA-sequencing of the mouse retina showed that there were gene expression and splicing pattern changes, including alternative splice site usage and intron retention. Positive staining for CHOP suggests that ER stress may be activated in response to the splicing pattern changes and is a likely contributor to the disease mechanism. Our results provide the first evidence that CWC27 functions as a splicing factor in an in vivo context. The splicing defects and gene expression changes observed in the Cwc27K338fs/K338fs mouse retina provide insight to the potential disease mechanisms, paving the way for targeted therapeutic development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Renae Elaine Bertrand
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA.,Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Jun Wang
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Yumei Li
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Xuesen Cheng
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Keqing Wang
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
| | - Peter Stoilov
- Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University, Morgantown, WV 26506 USA
| | - Rui Chen
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA.,Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX 77030 USA
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17
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Yang C, Georgiou M, Atkinson R, Collin J, Al-Aama J, Nagaraja-Grellscheid S, Johnson C, Ali R, Armstrong L, Mozaffari-Jovin S, Lako M. Pre-mRNA Processing Factors and Retinitis Pigmentosa: RNA Splicing and Beyond. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:700276. [PMID: 34395430 PMCID: PMC8355544 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.700276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/25/2021] [Accepted: 07/09/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common inherited retinal disease characterized by progressive degeneration of photoreceptors and/or retinal pigment epithelium that eventually results in blindness. Mutations in pre-mRNA processing factors (PRPF3, 4, 6, 8, 31, SNRNP200, and RP9) have been linked to 15–20% of autosomal dominant RP (adRP) cases. Current evidence indicates that PRPF mutations cause retinal specific global spliceosome dysregulation, leading to mis-splicing of numerous genes that are involved in a variety of retina-specific functions and/or general biological processes, including phototransduction, retinol metabolism, photoreceptor disk morphogenesis, retinal cell polarity, ciliogenesis, cytoskeleton and tight junction organization, waste disposal, inflammation, and apoptosis. Importantly, additional PRPF functions beyond RNA splicing have been documented recently, suggesting a more complex mechanism underlying PRPF-RPs driven disease pathogenesis. The current review focuses on the key RP-PRPF genes, depicting the current understanding of their roles in RNA splicing, impact of their mutations on retinal cell’s transcriptome and phenome, discussed in the context of model species including yeast, zebrafish, and mice. Importantly, information on PRPF functions beyond RNA splicing are discussed, aiming at a holistic investigation of PRPF-RP pathogenesis. Finally, work performed in human patient-specific lab models and developing gene and cell-based replacement therapies for the treatment of PRPF-RPs are thoroughly discussed to allow the reader to get a deeper understanding of the disease mechanisms, which we believe will facilitate the establishment of novel and better therapeutic strategies for PRPF-RP patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunbo Yang
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Maria Georgiou
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Robert Atkinson
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph Collin
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Jumana Al-Aama
- Faculty of Medicine, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Colin Johnson
- Leeds Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Leeds, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Robin Ali
- King's College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Lyle Armstrong
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
| | - Sina Mozaffari-Jovin
- Medical Genetics Research Center, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Medical Genetics, Faculty of Medicine, Mashhad University of Medical Sciences, Mashhad, Iran.,Department of Cellular Biochemistry, Max Planck Institute for Biophysical Chemistry, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Majlinda Lako
- Biosciences Institute, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, United Kingdom
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18
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Yang H, Beutler B, Zhang D. Emerging roles of spliceosome in cancer and immunity. Protein Cell 2021; 13:559-579. [PMID: 34196950 PMCID: PMC9232692 DOI: 10.1007/s13238-021-00856-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2020] [Accepted: 05/08/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Precursor messenger RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing is catalyzed by an intricate ribonucleoprotein complex called the spliceosome. Although the spliceosome is considered to be general cell “housekeeping” machinery, mutations in core components of the spliceosome frequently correlate with cell- or tissue-specific phenotypes and diseases. In this review, we expound the links between spliceosome mutations, aberrant splicing, and human cancers. Remarkably, spliceosome-targeted therapies (STTs) have become efficient anti-cancer strategies for cancer patients with splicing defects. We also highlight the links between spliceosome and immune signaling. Recent studies have shown that some spliceosome gene mutations can result in immune dysregulation and notable phenotypes due to mis-splicing of immune-related genes. Furthermore, several core spliceosome components harbor splicing-independent immune functions within the cell, expanding the functional repertoire of these diverse proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hui Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Huashan Hospital, Shanghai Key laboratory of Brain Function Restoration and Neural Regeneration, MOE Frontiers Center for Brain Science, Institute for Translational Brain Research, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China
| | - Bruce Beutler
- Center for the Genetics of Host Defense, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX, 75390, USA.
| | - Duanwu Zhang
- Children's Hospital of Fudan University, and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Medical Epigenetics, International Co-laboratory of Medical Epigenetics and Metabolism, Ministry of Science and Technology, Institutes of Biomedical Sciences, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200032, China.
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19
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Maxwell DW, O'Keefe RT, Roy S, Hentges KE. The role of splicing factors in retinitis pigmentosa: links to cilia. Biochem Soc Trans 2021; 49:1221-1231. [PMID: 34060618 DOI: 10.1042/bst20200798] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2021] [Revised: 04/26/2021] [Accepted: 04/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Cilia are critical to numerous biological functions, both in development and everyday homeostatic processes. Diseases arising from genetic mutations that cause cilia dysfunction are termed ciliopathies. Several ubiquitously expressed splicing factors have been implicated in the condition Retinitis Pigmentosa (RP), a group of diseases characterised by the progressive degeneration of the retina. In many types of RP the disease affects the modified primary cilium of the photoreceptor cells and thus, these types of RP are considered ciliopathies. Here, we discuss sequence variants found within a number of these splicing factors, the resulting phenotypes, and the mechanisms underpinning disease pathology. Additionally, we discuss recent evidence investigating why RP patients with mutations in globally expressed splicing factors present with retina-specific phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dale W Maxwell
- Division of Evolution and Genome Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, U.K
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Proteos, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore
| | - Raymond T O'Keefe
- Division of Evolution and Genome Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, U.K
| | - Sudipto Roy
- Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology, Proteos, 61 Biopolis Drive, Singapore 138673, Singapore
- Department of Biological Sciences, National University of Singapore, 14 Science Drive 4, Singapore 117543, Singapore
- Department of Pediatrics, National University of Singapore, 1E Kent Ridge Road, Singapore 119228, Singapore
| | - Kathryn E Hentges
- Division of Evolution and Genome Sciences, School of Biological Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine, and Health, University of Manchester, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester, M13 9PT, U.K
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20
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Arzalluz-Luque Á, Cabrera JL, Skottman H, Benguria A, Bolinches-Amorós A, Cuenca N, Lupo V, Dopazo A, Tarazona S, Delás B, Carballo M, Pascual B, Hernan I, Erceg S, Lukovic D. Mutant PRPF8 Causes Widespread Splicing Changes in Spliceosome Components in Retinitis Pigmentosa Patient iPSC-Derived RPE Cells. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:636969. [PMID: 33994920 PMCID: PMC8116631 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.636969] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/02/2020] [Accepted: 02/25/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is a rare, progressive disease that affects photoreceptors and retinal pigment epithelial (RPE) cells with blindness as a final outcome. Despite high medical and social impact, there is currently no therapeutic options to slow down the progression of or cure the disease. The development of effective therapies was largely hindered by high genetic heterogeneity, inaccessible disease tissue, and unfaithful model organisms. The fact that components of ubiquitously expressed splicing factors lead to the retina-specific disease is an additional intriguing question. Herein, we sought to correlate the retinal cell-type-specific disease phenotype with the splicing profile shown by a patient with autosomal recessive RP, caused by a mutation in pre-mRNA splicing factor 8 (PRPF8). In order to get insight into the role of PRPF8 in homeostasis and disease, we capitalize on the ability to generate patient-specific RPE cells and reveal differentially expressed genes unique to RPE cells. We found that spliceosomal complex and ribosomal functions are crucial in determining cell-type specificity through differential expression and alternative splicing (AS) and that PRPF8 mutation causes global changes in splice site selection and exon inclusion that particularly affect genes involved in these cellular functions. This finding corroborates the hypothesis that retinal tissue identity is conferred by a specific splicing program and identifies retinal AS events as a framework toward the design of novel therapeutic opportunities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ángeles Arzalluz-Luque
- Department of Applied Statistics, Operations Research and Quality, Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Cabrera
- Genomics Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC). Madrid, Spain
| | - Heli Skottman
- Faculty of Medicine and Health Technology, Tampere University, Tampere, Finland
| | - Alberto Benguria
- Genomics Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC). Madrid, Spain
| | - Arantxa Bolinches-Amorós
- Stem Cells Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab, Research Center Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain.,National Stem Cell Bank-Valencia Node, Research Center Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
| | - Nicolás Cuenca
- Department of Physiology, Genetics and Microbiology, University of Alicante, Alicante, Spain
| | - Vincenzo Lupo
- Unit of Genetics and Genomics of Neuromuscular and Neurodegenerative Disorders, Centro de Investigación Príncipe Felipe (CIPF), Valencia, Spain.,Rare Diseases Joint Units, IIS La Fe-CIPF, Valencia, Spain
| | - Ana Dopazo
- Genomics Unit, Centro Nacional de Investigaciones Cardiovasculares (CNIC). Madrid, Spain
| | - Sonia Tarazona
- Department of Applied Statistics, Operations Research and Quality, Universitat Politècnica de València, València, Spain
| | - Bárbara Delás
- Unitat de Genética Molecular, Hospital de Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain
| | - Miguel Carballo
- Unitat de Genética Molecular, Hospital de Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain
| | - Beatriz Pascual
- Unitat de Genética Molecular, Hospital de Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain
| | - Imma Hernan
- Unitat de Genética Molecular, Hospital de Terrassa, Terrassa, Spain
| | - Slaven Erceg
- Stem Cells Therapies in Neurodegenerative Diseases Lab, Research Center Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain.,National Stem Cell Bank-Valencia Node, Research Center Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain.,Rare Diseases Joint Units, IIS La Fe-CIPF, Valencia, Spain.,Department of Neuroregeneration, Institute of Experimental Medicine, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czechia
| | - Dunja Lukovic
- Rare Diseases Joint Units, IIS La Fe-CIPF, Valencia, Spain.,Retinal Degeneration Lab, Research Centre Principe Felipe, Valencia, Spain
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21
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Wood KA, Eadsforth MA, Newman WG, O'Keefe RT. The Role of the U5 snRNP in Genetic Disorders and Cancer. Front Genet 2021; 12:636620. [PMID: 33584830 PMCID: PMC7876476 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2021.636620] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2020] [Accepted: 01/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-mRNA splicing is performed by the spliceosome, a dynamic macromolecular complex consisting of five small uridine-rich ribonucleoprotein complexes (the U1, U2, U4, U5, and U6 snRNPs) and numerous auxiliary splicing factors. A plethora of human disorders are caused by genetic variants affecting the function and/or expression of splicing factors, including the core snRNP proteins. Variants in the genes encoding proteins of the U5 snRNP cause two distinct and tissue-specific human disease phenotypes – variants in PRPF6, PRPF8, and SNRP200 are associated with retinitis pigmentosa (RP), while variants in EFTUD2 and TXNL4A cause the craniofacial disorders mandibulofacial dysostosis Guion-Almeida type (MFDGA) and Burn-McKeown syndrome (BMKS), respectively. Furthermore, recurrent somatic mutations or changes in the expression levels of a number of U5 snRNP proteins (PRPF6, PRPF8, EFTUD2, DDX23, and SNRNP40) have been associated with human cancers. How and why variants in ubiquitously expressed spliceosome proteins required for pre-mRNA splicing in all human cells result in tissue-restricted disease phenotypes is not clear. Additionally, why variants in different, yet interacting, proteins making up the same core spliceosome snRNP result in completely distinct disease outcomes – RP, craniofacial defects or cancer – is unclear. In this review, we define the roles of different U5 snRNP proteins in RP, craniofacial disorders and cancer, including how disease-associated genetic variants affect pre-mRNA splicing and the proposed disease mechanisms. We then propose potential hypotheses for how U5 snRNP variants cause tissue specificity resulting in the restricted and distinct human disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Katherine A Wood
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Megan A Eadsforth
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - William G Newman
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom.,Manchester Centre for Genomic Medicine, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, Manchester University NHS Foundation Trust, Manchester, United Kingdom
| | - Raymond T O'Keefe
- Division of Evolution and Genomic Sciences, Faculty of Biology, Medicine and Health, School of Biological Sciences, The University of Manchester, Manchester, United Kingdom
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22
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Henson HE, Taylor MR. A sart1 Zebrafish Mutant Results in Developmental Defects in the Central Nervous System. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112340. [PMID: 33105605 PMCID: PMC7690441 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/24/2020] [Revised: 10/15/2020] [Accepted: 10/20/2020] [Indexed: 11/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The spliceosome consists of accessory proteins and small nuclear ribonucleoproteins (snRNPs) that remove introns from RNA. As splicing defects are associated with degenerative conditions, a better understanding of spliceosome formation and function is essential. We provide insight into the role of a spliceosome protein U4/U6.U5 tri-snRNP-associated protein 1, or Squamous cell carcinoma antigen recognized by T-cells (Sart1). Sart1 recruits the U4.U6/U5 tri-snRNP complex to nuclear RNA. The complex then associates with U1 and U2 snRNPs to form the spliceosome. A forward genetic screen identifying defects in choroid plexus development and whole-exome sequencing (WES) identified a point mutation in exon 12 of sart1 in Danio rerio (zebrafish). This mutation caused an up-regulation of sart1. Using RNA-Seq analysis, we identified additional upregulated genes, including those involved in apoptosis. We also observed increased activated caspase 3 in the brain and eye and down-regulation of vision-related genes. Although splicing occurs in numerous cells types, sart1 expression in zebrafish was restricted to the brain. By identifying sart1 expression in the brain and cell death within the central nervous system (CNS), we provide additional insights into the role of sart1 in specific tissues. We also characterized sart1's involvement in cell death and vision-related pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E. Henson
- Chemical Biology and Therapeutics Department, St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital, Memphis, TN 38015, USA
- College of Graduate Health Sciences, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-731-661-5520
| | - Michael R. Taylor
- School of Pharmacy, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Madison, WI 53705, USA;
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23
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Tian W, Li X, Li Y, Wang L, Yang Y, Sun K, Liu W, Zhou B, Lei B, Zhu X. Identification of Novel EYS Mutations by Targeted Sequencing Analysis. Genet Test Mol Biomarkers 2020; 24:745-753. [PMID: 33058741 DOI: 10.1089/gtmb.2020.0186] [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] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose: Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is an inherited and progressive degenerative retinal disease that often results in severe vision loss and blindness. However, mutations in known RP disease genes account for only 60% of RP cases, indicating that there are additional pathogenic mutations are yet to be identified. We aimed to identify the causative mutations in the eyes shut homolog (EYS) gene in a cohort of Chinese RP and rod-cone dystrophy families. Materials and Methods: Targeted next-generation sequencing was applied to identify novel mutations in these patients. Candidate variants were evaluated using bioinformatics tools. Mutations were confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Results: We identified eight heterozygous mutations in the EYS gene in the four probands, including a novel frameshift deletion mutation, c.8242_8243del (p.L2748fs); a novel insertion mutation, c.5802_5803insT (p.I1935YfsX6); a novel splicing mutation, c.1300-1G>A; two heterozygous stop-gain mutations, c.1750G>T (p.E584X) and c.8805C>A (p.Y2935X); and three novel missense mutations, c.8269G>A (p.V2757I), c.2545C>T (p.R849C) and c.7506C>A (p.S2502R). Only c.8805C>A had been reported previously in RP patients. None of these mutations were present in 1000 control individuals. Conclusions: We identified seven novel mutations in the EYS gene, expanding the mutational specra of EYS in Chinese patients with RP and rod-cone dystrophy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanli Tian
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Xiao Li
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Ya Li
- People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Luyao Wang
- Psychosomatic Medicine Center, Sichuan Academy of Medicine and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Yeming Yang
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Kuanxiang Sun
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Wenjing Liu
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Zhou
- Psychosomatic Medicine Center, Sichuan Academy of Medicine and Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo Lei
- People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, Henan Eye Institute, Henan Eye Hospital, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Xianjun Zhu
- The Sichuan Provincial Key Laboratory for Human Disease Gene Study, Department of Laboratory Medicine, Sichuan Provincial People's Hospital, School of Medicine, University of Electronic Science and Technology of China, Chengdu, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, First People's Hospital of Shangqiu, Shangqiu, China
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24
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Hamieh A, Nandrot EF. Retinal Pigment Epithelial Cells: The Unveiled Component in the Etiology of Prpf Splicing Factor-Associated Retinitis Pigmentosa. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2020; 1185:227-231. [PMID: 31884616 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-030-27378-1_37] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Pre-mRNA splicing is a critical step in RNA processing in all eukaryotic cells. It consists of introns removal and requires the assembly of a large RNA-protein complex called the spliceosome. This complex of small nuclear ribonucleoproteins is associated with accessory proteins from the pre-mRNA processing factor (PRPF) family. Mutations in different splicing factor-encoding genes were identified in retinitis pigmentosa (RP) patients. A surprising feature of these ubiquitous factors is that the outcome of their alteration is restricted to the retina. Because of their high metabolic demand, most studies focused on photoreceptors dysfunction and associated degeneration. However, cells from the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) are also crucial to maintaining retinal homeostasis and photoreceptor function. Moreover, mutations in RPE-specific genes are associated with some RP cases. Indeed, we identified major RPE defects in Prpf31-mutant mice: circadian rhythms of both photoreceptor outer segments (POS) phagocytosis and retinal adhesion were attenuated or lost, leading to ultrastructural anomalies and vacuoles. Taken together, our published and ongoing data suggest that (1) similar molecular events take place in human and mouse cells and (2) these functional defects generate various stress processes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdallah Hamieh
- Therapeutics Department, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France
| | - Emeline F Nandrot
- Therapeutics Department, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, Paris, France.
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25
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Zhang T, Bai J, Zhang X, Zheng X, Lu N, Liang Z, Lin L, Chen Y. SNRNP200 Mutations Cause Autosomal Dominant Retinitis Pigmentosa. Front Med (Lausanne) 2020; 7:588991. [PMID: 33553197 PMCID: PMC7859630 DOI: 10.3389/fmed.2020.588991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/18/2020] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
The small nuclear ribonucleoprotein 200 kDa (SNRNP200) gene plays a key role in the maturation of pre-message RNA (pre-mRNA) splicing with the indication for the etiology of retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Gene recognition can facilitate the diagnosis of these patients for better clinical management, treatment and counseling. This study aimed to outline the causative mutation in a Chinese family and the pathogenic mechanism of this SNRNP200 mutation in RP. Eighteen individuals from the affected family underwent a complete ophthalmic examination. Whole exome sequencing (WES) was conducted to identify the pathogenic variant in the proband, which was then confirmed by Sanger sequencing. Expression of the SNRNP200 transcript in zebrafish was identified via whole mount in situ hybridization. Morpholino oligonucleotide (MO) and SNRNP200 wild and mutant mRNA were injected into zebrafish embryos followed by analyses of the systemic changes and retinal phenotypes using immunofluorescence. Heterozygous SNRNP200c.C6088T (p.Arg2030Cys) mutation was ascertained in two members of this family: the proband and his father (II-2). Overexpression of SNRNP200Arg2030Cys, but not SNRNP200WT caused systemic deformities in the wild-type zebrafish embryos with the retina primarily injured, and significantly increased death rates in the morphant embryos, in which the orthologous zebrafish SNRNP200 gene was blocked. In conclusion, this study reports a novel heterozygous SNRNP200c.C6088T mutation, which is evidenced to cause RP via a dominant-negative effect.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tao Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- The Clinical Research Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Jingshan Bai
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Second People's Hospital of Dongying, Dongying, China
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Dawang Hospital of Guangrao of Dongying, Dongying, China
| | - Xinyi Zhang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- The Clinical Research Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Xiaowei Zheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- The Clinical Research Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Nan Lu
- Department of Cardiology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
| | - Zhongyin Liang
- Department of Bioinformatics, Berry Genomics Co., Ltd., Beijing, China
| | - Ling Lin
- The Clinical Research Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Department of Rheumatology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- *Correspondence: Ling Lin
| | - Yongsong Chen
- The Clinical Research Center of the First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Department of Endocrinology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Shantou University Medical College, Shantou, China
- Yongsong Chen
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26
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Brydon EM, Bronstein R, Buskin A, Lako M, Pierce EA, Fernandez-Godino R. AAV-Mediated Gene Augmentation Therapy Restores Critical Functions in Mutant PRPF31 +/- iPSC-Derived RPE Cells. MOLECULAR THERAPY-METHODS & CLINICAL DEVELOPMENT 2019; 15:392-402. [PMID: 31890732 PMCID: PMC6909184 DOI: 10.1016/j.omtm.2019.10.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP) is the most common form of inherited vision loss and is characterized by degeneration of retinal photoreceptor cells and the retinal pigment epithelium (RPE). Mutations in pre-mRNA processing factor 31 (PRPF31) cause dominant RP via haploinsufficiency with incomplete penetrance. There is good evidence that the diverse severity of this disease is a result of differing levels of expression of the wild-type allele among patients. Thus, we hypothesize that PRPF31-related RP will be amenable to treatment by adeno-associated virus (AAV)-mediated gene augmentation therapy. To test this hypothesis, we used induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) with mutations in PRPF31 and differentiated them into RPE cells. The mutant PRPF31 iPSC-RPE cells recapitulate the cellular phenotype associated with the PRPF31 pathology, including defective cell structure, diminished phagocytic function, defects in ciliogenesis, and compromised barrier function. Treatment of the mutant PRPF31 iPSC-RPE cells with AAV-PRPF31 restored normal phagocytosis and cilia formation, and it partially restored structure and barrier function. These results suggest that AAV-based gene therapy targeting RPE cells holds therapeutic promise for patients with PRPF31-related RP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth M Brydon
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Revital Bronstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Adriana Buskin
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Majlinda Lako
- Institute of Genetic Medicine, Newcastle University, Newcastle upon Tyne, UK
| | - Eric A Pierce
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Rosario Fernandez-Godino
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
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27
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Blond F, Léveillard T. Functional Genomics of the Retina to Elucidate its Construction and Deconstruction. Int J Mol Sci 2019; 20:E4922. [PMID: 31590277 PMCID: PMC6801968 DOI: 10.3390/ijms20194922] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [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: 09/16/2019] [Accepted: 10/01/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The retina is the light sensitive part of the eye and nervous tissue that have been used extensively to characterize the function of the central nervous system. The retina has a central position both in fundamental biology and in the physiopathology of neurodegenerative diseases. We address the contribution of functional genomics to the understanding of retinal biology by reviewing key events in their historical perspective as an introduction to major findings that were obtained through the study of the retina using genomics, transcriptomics and proteomics. We illustrate our purpose by showing that most of the genes of interest for retinal development and those involved in inherited retinal degenerations have a restricted expression to the retina and most particularly to photoreceptors cells. We show that the exponential growth of data generated by functional genomics is a future challenge not only in terms of storage but also in terms of accessibility to the scientific community of retinal biologists in the future. Finally, we emphasize on novel perspectives that emerge from the development of redox-proteomics, the new frontier in retinal biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frédéric Blond
- Department of Genetics, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, F-75012 Paris, France.
| | - Thierry Léveillard
- Department of Genetics, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Institut de la Vision, 17 rue Moreau, F-75012 Paris, France.
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28
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PRPF4 is a novel therapeutic target for the treatment of breast cancer by influencing growth, migration, invasion, and apoptosis of breast cancer cells via p38 MAPK signaling pathway. Mol Cell Probes 2019; 47:101440. [PMID: 31445970 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2019.101440] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Pre-mRNA processing factor 4 (PRPF4), a core protein in U4/U6 snRNP, maintains snRNP structures by interacting with PRPF3 and cyclophilin H. Expression of the PRPF4 gene affects cell survival as well as apoptosis and is responsible for retinitis pigmentosa (RP). Proteomics analysis shows that PRPF4 may be a therapeutic target in human cancers. Nevertheless, the exact function and role of the PRPF4 gene are unclear. In this study, we assessed the expression of PRPF4 gene in human breast cancer cells. First, we confirmed that the PRPF4 gene was overexpressed in various breast cancer cell lines. Next, using breast cancer cell lines MCF7 and MDA-MB-468, we established stable cell lines with PRPF4 gene knockdown. We also performed microarray analysis to investigate molecular mechanisms underlying PRPF4 activity. All cell lines with PRPF4 gene knockdown exhibited reduced cell proliferation, remarkable reduction in anchorage-independent colony formation capacity, and reduction of PCNA protein, which is a marker cell of proliferation. Reduced expression of the PRPF4 gene induced apoptosis and changes in the expression of associated apoptotic markers in breast cancer cell lines. Knockdown of the PRPF4 gene reduced cellular capacity for migration and invasion (the key hallmarks of human cancers) and decreased the expression of genes involved in epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT). Microarray results showed that the expression of PPIP5K1, PPIPK2, and YWHAE genes was reduced at the transcriptional level, leading to reduced phosphorylation of p38 MAPK. These findings suggest that knockdown of PRPF4 gene slows down breast cancer progression via suppression of p38 MAPK phosphorylation. In conclusion, the PRPF4 gene plays an important role in the growth of breast cancer cells and is therefore a potential therapeutic target.
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29
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Tu J, Chen J, He M, Tong H, Liu H, Zhou B, Liao Y, Wang Z. Bioinformatics analysis of molecular genetic targets and key pathways for hepatocellular carcinoma. Onco Targets Ther 2019; 12:5153-5162. [PMID: 31303768 PMCID: PMC6612290 DOI: 10.2147/ott.s198802] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 05/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Hepatocellular carcinoma (HCC) is the second leading cause of death among cancers worldwide. In this study, we aimed to identify the molecular target genes and detect the key mechanisms of HCC. Three gene expression profiles (GSE84006, GSE14323, GSE14811) and two miRNA expression profiles (GSE40744, GSE36915) were analyzed to determine the molecular target genes, microRNAs (miRNAs) and the potential molecular mechanisms in HCC. Methods All profiles were extracted from the Gene Expression Omnibus database. The identification of the differentially expressed genes (DEGs) was analyzed by the GEO2R method. Kyoto Encyclopedia of Genes and Genomes (KEGG) pathway and gene ontology (GO) enrichment analysis performed database for Integrated Discovery, Visualization and Annotation. The miRNA-gene network and protein–protein interaction (PPI) network were correlated by the Cytoscape software. The key target genes were identified by the CytoHubba plugin, Molecular Complex Detection (MCODE) plugin and miRNA-gene network. The identified hub genes were testified for survival curve using the Kaplan–Meier plotter database. Results Expression profiles had 592 overlapped DEGs. The majority of the DEGs were enriched in membrane-bounded organelles and intracellular membrane-bounded organelles. These DEGs were significantly enriched in metabolic, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum and thyroid cancer pathways. PPI network analysis showed these genes were mostly involved in the pathogenic Escherichia coli infection and the regulation of actin cytoskeleton pathways. Combining these results, we identified 10 key genes involving in the progression of HCC. Finally, PLK1, PRCC, PRPF4 and PSMA7 exhibited higher expression levels in HCC patients with poor prognosis than those for lower expression via Kaplan–Meier plotter database. Conclusion PLK1, PRCC, PRPF4 and PSMA7 could be potential biomarkers or therapeutic targets for HCC. Meanwhile, the metabolic pathway, protein processing in the endoplasmic reticulum and the thyroid cancer pathway may play vital roles in the progression of HCC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Junxue Tu
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingjing Chen
- Department of Breast Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, People's Republic of China
| | - Meimei He
- Department of Pharmacy, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, People's Republic of China
| | - Hongfei Tong
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, People's Republic of China
| | - Haibin Liu
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, People's Republic of China
| | - Bin Zhou
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, People's Republic of China
| | - Yi Liao
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhaohong Wang
- Department of Hepatobiliary Surgery, The Second Affiliated Hospital and Yuying Children's Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, Zhejiang 325000, People's Republic of China
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30
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Watson CN, Belli A, Di Pietro V. Small Non-coding RNAs: New Class of Biomarkers and Potential Therapeutic Targets in Neurodegenerative Disease. Front Genet 2019; 10:364. [PMID: 31080456 PMCID: PMC6497742 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2019.00364] [Citation(s) in RCA: 89] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2019] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurodegenerative diseases (NDs) are becoming increasingly prevalent in the world, with an aging population. In the last few decades, due to the devastating nature of these diseases, the research of biomarkers has become crucial to enable adequate treatments and to monitor the progress of disease. Currently, gene mutations, CSF and blood protein markers together with the neuroimaging techniques are the most used diagnostic approaches. However, despite the efforts in the research, conflicting data still exist, highlighting the need to explore new classes of biomarkers, particularly at early stages. Small non-coding RNAs (MicroRNA, Small nuclear RNA, Small nucleolar RNA, tRNA derived small RNA and Piwi-interacting RNA) can be considered a "relatively" new class of molecule that have already proved to be differentially regulated in many NDs, hence they represent a new potential class of biomarkers to be explored. In addition, understanding their involvement in disease development could depict the underlying pathogenesis of particular NDs, so novel treatment methods that act earlier in disease progression can be developed. This review aims to describe the involvement of small non-coding RNAs as biomarkers of NDs and their potential role in future clinical applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Callum N. Watson
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Antonio Belli
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
| | - Valentina Di Pietro
- Neuroscience and Ophthalmology Research Group, Institute of Inflammation and Ageing, University of Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- National Institute for Health Research Surgical Reconstruction and Microbiology Research Centre, Queen Elizabeth Hospital Birmingham, Birmingham, United Kingdom
- Beckman Institute for Advanced Science and Technology, University of Illinois at Urbana–Champaign, Urbana, IL, United States
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31
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Chen X, Wang X, Jiang C, Xu M, Liu Y, Qi R, Qi X, Sun X, Xie P, Liu Q, Yan B, Sheng X, Zhao C. IFT52 as a Novel Candidate for Ciliopathies Involving Retinal Degeneration. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 59:4581-4589. [PMID: 30242358 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.17-23351] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Mutations in the intraflagellar transport protein 52 homolog (IFT52) gene are reported to interrupt ciliary function and cause short-rib thoracic dysplasia (SRTD), a specific form of skeletal ciliopathy. However, the roles of these mutations in retinal ciliopathy are inexplicit. We herein aim to study the impact of IFT52 mutations in retinopathies. Methods A patient with syndromic ciliopathy, presenting mild SRTD (skeletal ciliopathy) and Liber congenital amaurosis (LCA; retinal ciliopathy), and nine unaffected family members were recruited. Comprehensive systemic evaluations, including ophthalmic tests, were received by the patient. Whole genome sequencing (WGS) was applied for genetic annotation. An in vitro cell system was employed to study the pathogenicity of the variant. Results WGS identified a homozygous missense variation in IFT52, c.556A>G (p.T186A), carried by the patient but absent in both unaffected siblings. In silico analysis supported the pathogenic nature of this highly conserved variant. Structural analysis suggested that this substitution could generate a novel hydrogen bond between the mutated residue 186 and proline at residue 192, thus potentially interrupting the tertiary structure and the stability of the IFT52 protein. In vitro cellular study indicated that this mutation might disturb the stability of encoded IFT52 protein and dramatically disrupt cilia elongation in hTERT-RPE1 cells in a loss-of-function manner. Conclusions This report expands ocular phenotypes of IFT52 mutation-caused ciliopathy to include retinal ciliopathy and demonstrates its deleterious nature in interrupting primary ciliary function. Our study hence highlights the need for screening for IFT52 mutations in LCA patients and ophthalmic reviews of patients carrying IFT52 mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Myopia of State Health Ministry (Fudan University) and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiaoguang Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ningxia Eye Hospital, People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University for Nationalities), Yinchuan, China
| | - Chao Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Min Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, China
| | - Yang Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ningxia Eye Hospital, People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University for Nationalities), Yinchuan, China
| | - Rui Qi
- Medical College of Northwest Minzu University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Xiaolong Qi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ningxia Eye Hospital, People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University for Nationalities), Yinchuan, China
| | - Xiantao Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Ping Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Qinghuai Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing, China
| | - Biao Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Myopia of State Health Ministry (Fudan University) and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, China
| | - Xunlun Sheng
- Department of Ophthalmology, Ningxia Eye Hospital, People's Hospital of Ningxia Hui Autonomous Region (First Affiliated Hospital of Northwest University for Nationalities), Yinchuan, China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing, China.,Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye and ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,Key Laboratory of Myopia of State Health Ministry (Fudan University) and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, China
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Dill H, Fischer U. Gene Knockdown in Zebrafish (Danio rerio) as a Tool to Model Photoreceptor Diseases. Methods Mol Biol 2019; 1834:209-219. [PMID: 30324447 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-4939-8669-9_15] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/08/2023]
Abstract
Disturbances in the general mRNA metabolism have been recognized as a major defect in a growing number of hereditary human diseases. One prominent example of this disease group is retinitis pigmentosa (RP), characterized by selective loss of photoreceptor cells. RP can be caused by dominant mutations in key factors of the pre-mRNA processing spliceosome. In these cases, the complex events leading to the RP phenotype can only insufficiently be analyzed in animal knockout models due to the essential functions of splice factors. Furthermore knockout animals frequently miss the specific phenotypes caused by knockdown of the respective genes. Here we introduce the zebrafish Danio rerio as a valuable vertebrate model system to study RP and related diseases in knockdown case scenarios.
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Affiliation(s)
- Holger Dill
- Department of Biochemistry, Biocentre, University of Wuerzburg, Würzburg, Germany
| | - Utz Fischer
- Department of Biochemistry, Biocentre, University of Wuerzburg, Würzburg, Germany.
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Chen X, Jiang C, Yang D, Sun R, Wang M, Sun H, Xu M, Zhou L, Chen M, Xie P, Yan B, Liu Q, Zhao C. CRB2 mutation causes autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa. Exp Eye Res 2018; 180:164-173. [PMID: 30593785 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2018.12.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2018] [Revised: 12/21/2018] [Accepted: 12/21/2018] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa (RP), the most common form of inherited retinal dystrophies, exhibits significant genetic heterogeneity. The crumbs homolog 2 (CRB2) protein, together with CRB1 and CRB3, belongs to the Crumbs family. Given that CRB1 mutations account for 4% of RP cases, the role of CRB2 mutations in RP etiology has long been hypothesized but never confirmed. Herein, we report the identification of CRB2 as a novel RP causative gene in a Chinese consanguineous family and have analyzed its pathogenic effects. Comprehensive ophthalmic and systemic evaluations confirmed the clinical diagnosis of the two patients in this family as RP. WES revealed a homozygous missense mutation, CRB2 p.R1249G, to segregate the RP phenotype, which was highly conserved among multiple species. In vitro cellular study revealed that this mutation not only interrupted the stability of the transcribed CRB2 mRNA and the encoded CRB2 protein, but also interfered with the wild type CRB2 mRNA/protein and decreased their expression. This mutation was also shown to trigger epithelial-mesenchymal transition (EMT) in retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells, thus impairing regular RPE phagocytosis and induce RPE degeneration and apoptosis. Thus, we conclude that CRB2 p.R1249G mutation causes RP via accelerating EMT, dysfunction and loss of RPE cells, and establish CRB2 as a novel Crumbs family member associated with non-syndromic RP. We provide important hints for understanding of CRB2 defects and retinopathy, and for the involvement of EMT of RPE cells in RP pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China; Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200023, China; Key Laboratory of Myopia of State Health Ministry (Fudan University) and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, 200023, China
| | - Chao Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Daidi Yang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Ruxu Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Min Wang
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200023, China; Key Laboratory of Myopia of State Health Ministry (Fudan University) and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, 200023, China
| | - Hong Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Min Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou, 211406, China
| | - Luyin Zhou
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Mingkang Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Ping Xie
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China
| | - Biao Yan
- Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200023, China; Key Laboratory of Myopia of State Health Ministry (Fudan University) and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, 200023, China
| | - Qinghuai Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China.
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, 210029, China; Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye & ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai, 200023, China; Key Laboratory of Myopia of State Health Ministry (Fudan University) and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai, 200023, China.
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Disrupted alternative splicing for genes implicated in splicing and ciliogenesis causes PRPF31 retinitis pigmentosa. Nat Commun 2018; 9:4234. [PMID: 30315276 PMCID: PMC6185938 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-06448-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 133] [Impact Index Per Article: 22.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2018] [Accepted: 09/03/2018] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in pre-mRNA processing factors (PRPFs) cause autosomal-dominant retinitis pigmentosa (RP), but it is unclear why mutations in ubiquitously expressed genes cause non-syndromic retinal disease. Here, we generate transcriptome profiles from RP11 (PRPF31-mutated) patient-derived retinal organoids and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), as well as Prpf31+/− mouse tissues, which revealed that disrupted alternative splicing occurred for specific splicing programmes. Mis-splicing of genes encoding pre-mRNA splicing proteins was limited to patient-specific retinal cells and Prpf31+/− mouse retinae and RPE. Mis-splicing of genes implicated in ciliogenesis and cellular adhesion was associated with severe RPE defects that include disrupted apical – basal polarity, reduced trans-epithelial resistance and phagocytic capacity, and decreased cilia length and incidence. Disrupted cilia morphology also occurred in patient-derived photoreceptors, associated with progressive degeneration and cellular stress. In situ gene editing of a pathogenic mutation rescued protein expression and key cellular phenotypes in RPE and photoreceptors, providing proof of concept for future therapeutic strategies. Mutations in pre-mRNA processing factors cause autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa. Here the authors provide insights into the pathophysiological mechanisms underlying non-syndromic retinal disease caused by heterozygous mutations in genes encoding ubiquitously expressed splicing factors.
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35
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Li L, Jiao X, D’Atri I, Ono F, Nelson R, Chan CC, Nakaya N, Ma Z, Ma Y, Cai X, Zhang L, Lin S, Hameed A, Chioza BA, Hardy H, Arno G, Hull S, Khan MI, Fasham J, Harlalka GV, Michaelides M, Moore AT, Coban Akdemir ZH, Jhangiani S, Lupski JR, Cremers FPM, Qamar R, Salman A, Chilton J, Self J, Ayyagari R, Kabir F, Naeem MA, Ali M, Akram J, Sieving PA, Riazuddin S, Baple EL, Riazuddin SA, Crosby AH, Hejtmancik JF. Mutation in the intracellular chloride channel CLCC1 associated with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa. PLoS Genet 2018; 14:e1007504. [PMID: 30157172 PMCID: PMC6133373 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007504] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/06/2018] [Revised: 09/11/2018] [Accepted: 06/21/2018] [Indexed: 02/07/2023] Open
Abstract
We identified a homozygous missense alteration (c.75C>A, p.D25E) in CLCC1, encoding a presumptive intracellular chloride channel highly expressed in the retina, associated with autosomal recessive retinitis pigmentosa (arRP) in eight consanguineous families of Pakistani descent. The p.D25E alteration decreased CLCC1 channel function accompanied by accumulation of mutant protein in granules within the ER lumen, while siRNA knockdown of CLCC1 mRNA induced apoptosis in cultured ARPE-19 cells. TALEN KO in zebrafish was lethal 11 days post fertilization. The depressed electroretinogram (ERG) cone response and cone spectral sensitivity of 5 dpf KO zebrafish and reduced eye size, retinal thickness, and expression of rod and cone opsins could be rescued by injection of wild type CLCC1 mRNA. Clcc1+/- KO mice showed decreased ERGs and photoreceptor number. Together these results strongly suggest that intracellular chloride transport by CLCC1 is a critical process in maintaining retinal integrity, and CLCC1 is crucial for survival and function of retinal cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- Department of Ophthalmology, Shanghai Ninth People’s Hospital, Shanghai JiaoTong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, P.R. China
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Xiaodong Jiao
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Ilaria D’Atri
- RILD Wellcome Wolfson Centre, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Fumihito Ono
- Section on Model Synaptic Systems, Laboratory of Molecular Physiology, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
- Department of Physiology, Osaka Medical College, Takatsuki, Japan
| | - Ralph Nelson
- Unit on Neural Circuits, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Chi-Chao Chan
- Laboratory of Immunology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Naoki Nakaya
- Section of Molecular Mechanisms of Glaucoma, Laboratory of Molecular and Developmental Biology, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Zhiwei Ma
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Yan Ma
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Xiaoying Cai
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Longhua Zhang
- School of Life Sciences, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, Anhui, P.R. China
| | - Siying Lin
- RILD Wellcome Wolfson Centre, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Abdul Hameed
- RILD Wellcome Wolfson Centre, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Institute of Biomedical and Genetic Engineering (IBGE), Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Barry A. Chioza
- RILD Wellcome Wolfson Centre, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Holly Hardy
- RILD Wellcome Wolfson Centre, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Gavin Arno
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Biosciences, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sarah Hull
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Biosciences, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Muhammad Imran Khan
- Faculty of Science, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - James Fasham
- RILD Wellcome Wolfson Centre, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Gaurav V. Harlalka
- RILD Wellcome Wolfson Centre, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Michel Michaelides
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Biosciences, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom
| | - Anthony T. Moore
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Biosciences, Moorfields Eye Hospital, London, United Kingdom
- Ophthalmology Department, UCSF School of Medicine, San Francisco, California, United States of America
| | - Zeynep Hande Coban Akdemir
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Shalini Jhangiani
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - James R. Lupski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, United States of America
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, United States of America
| | - Frans P. M. Cremers
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Raheel Qamar
- Faculty of Science, COMSATS Institute of Information Technology, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Ahmed Salman
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - John Chilton
- RILD Wellcome Wolfson Centre, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - Jay Self
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Southampton, Southampton, United Kingdom
| | - Radha Ayyagari
- Shiley Eye Institute, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California, United States of America
| | - Firoz Kabir
- National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Muhammad Asif Naeem
- National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
| | - Muhammad Ali
- National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Javed Akram
- Allama Iqbal Medical College, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
- National Centre for Genetic Diseases, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Paul A. Sieving
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Sheikh Riazuddin
- National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
- Allama Iqbal Medical College, University of Health Sciences, Lahore, Pakistan
- National Centre for Genetic Diseases, Shaheed Zulfiqar Ali Bhutto Medical University, Islamabad, Pakistan
| | - Emma L. Baple
- RILD Wellcome Wolfson Centre, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, United Kingdom
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - S. Amer Riazuddin
- National Centre of Excellence in Molecular Biology, University of the Punjab, Lahore, Pakistan
- The Wilmer Eye Institute, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, United States of America
| | - Andrew H. Crosby
- RILD Wellcome Wolfson Centre, Royal Devon & Exeter NHS Foundation Trust, Exeter, United Kingdom
| | - J. Fielding Hejtmancik
- Ophthalmic Genetics and Visual Function Branch, National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, Maryland, United States of America
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Wang Y, Han Y, Xu P, Ding S, Li G, Jin H, Meng Y, Meng A, Jia S. prpf4 is essential for cell survival and posterior lateral line primordium migration in zebrafish. J Genet Genomics 2018; 45:443-453. [DOI: 10.1016/j.jgg.2018.05.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/24/2018] [Revised: 04/20/2018] [Accepted: 05/17/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
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Azizzadeh Pormehr L, Daftarian N, Ahmadian S, Rezaei Kanavi M, Ahmadieh H, Shafiezadeh M. Human organotypic retinal flat-mount culture (HORFC) as a model for retinitis pigmentosa11. J Cell Biochem 2018; 119:6775-6783. [PMID: 29744916 DOI: 10.1002/jcb.26871] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/28/2017] [Accepted: 03/21/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
The splicing factor PRPF31 is the most commonly mutated general splicing factor in the retinitis pigmentosa. We used a rapid, convenient and cost effective transfection method with an efficient PRPF31 knockdown in HORFC in order to study the effect of PRPF31 downregulation on retinal gene expressions in an ex vivo model. Modified calcium phosphate method was used to transfect HORFC by PRPF31 siRNA. Different times and doses of siRNA for transfection were assayed and optimum condition was obtained. PRPF31 mRNA and protein downregulation were assessed by qRTPCR and Western blot. The tissue viability of HORFC was measured using the MTT. ImageJ analysis on stained retinal sections by immunohistochemistry was used for thickness measurement of outer nuclear photoreceptor layer. The PRPF31 gene downregulation effects on retinal specific gene expression were analyzed by qRTPCR. A total of 50 nM of PRPF31 siRNA transfection after 63 h in HORFC, showed the optimum reduction in the level of PRPF31 mRNA and protein as shown by qRTPCR and Western blot (over 90% and 50% respectively). The PRPF31 mRNA silencing with calcium phosphate had no effect on cell viability in the period of the experiment. Thickness measurement of outer nuclear photoreceptor layer with IHC showed the significant reduction after 63 h of study (P value = 0.02). siRNA induced PRPF31 knockdown, led to reduction of retinal specific mRNA gene expression involved in phototransduction (RHO, GNAT1, RP1), photoreceptor structure (ROM1, FSCN2, CA4, SEMA4) and transcription factor (CRX) (fold change >5), after 63 h.
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Affiliation(s)
- Leila Azizzadeh Pormehr
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Narsis Daftarian
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran.,Ophthalmic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Shahin Ahmadian
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mozhgan Rezaei Kanavi
- Ocular Tissue Engineering Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Hamid Ahmadieh
- Ophthalmic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mahshid Shafiezadeh
- Department of Biochemistry, Institute of Biochemistry and Biophysics (IBB), University of Tehran, Tehran, Iran
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c-Jun-mediated microRNA-302d-3p induces RPE dedifferentiation by targeting p21 Waf1/Cip1. Cell Death Dis 2018; 9:451. [PMID: 29670082 PMCID: PMC5906557 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-018-0481-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2017] [Revised: 03/01/2018] [Accepted: 03/09/2018] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Dedifferentiation of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells and choroidal neovascularization (CNV) contributes to the pathogenesis of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). MicroRNAs (miRNAs) have crucial roles in AMD onset and progression. We thus aim to investigate the effects of miRNAs on RPE dedifferentiation and endothelium cell (EC) behavior, and analyze its downstream pathways. We have previously identified miR-302d-3p as the most downregulated miRNA signature along with RPE differentiation. Herein, in vitro study supported that miR-302d-3p induces RPE dedifferentiation typified by reduction of RPE characteristic markers, interrupts its phagocytosis, and promotes its migration, proliferation, and cell-cycle progression. c-Jun was identified as a potential upstream transcript factor for MIR302D, which might modulate RPE function by regulating miR-302d-3p expression. P21Waf1/Cip1, a cyclin-dependent kinase inhibitor encoded by the CDKN1A gene, was identified as a downstream target of miR-302d-3p. Our data suggested that p21Waf1/Cip1 could promote RPE differentiation, and inhibit its proliferation, migration, and cell-cycle progression. We also demonstrated that miR-302d-3p suppresses RPE differentiation through directly targeting p21Waf1/Cip1. In addition, the miR-302d-3p/CDKN1A axis was also involved in regulating tube formation of ECs, indicating its potential involvement in CNV formation. Taken together, our study implies that miR-302d-3p, regulated by c-Jun, contributes to the pathogenesis of both atrophic and exudative AMD. MiR-302d-3p promotes RPE dedifferentiation, migration, proliferation and cell-cycle progression, inhibits RPE phagocytosis, and induces abnormal EC behavior by targeting p21Waf1/Cip1. Pharmacological miR-302d-3p inhibitors are prospective therapeutic options for prevention and treatment of AMD.
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Jiang C, Qin B, Liu G, Sun X, Shi H, Ding S, Liu Y, Zhu M, Chen X, Zhao C. MicroRNA-184 promotes differentiation of the retinal pigment epithelium by targeting the AKT2/mTOR signaling pathway. Oncotarget 2018; 7:52340-52353. [PMID: 27418134 PMCID: PMC5239556 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.10566] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2016] [Accepted: 06/30/2016] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Dedifferentiation of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells is a crucial contributing factor to the pathology of retinal degenerative diseases, including age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Herein, we aim to reveal the roles of microRNAs (miRNAs) in RPE dedifferentiation and seek for potential therapeutic targets. Based on the microarray data, miR-184 was sorted out as the most up-regulated signature along with the differentiation from human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSC) to RPE cells, suggesting its potential promotive role in RPE differentiation. In vitro study indicated that miR-184 insufficiency suppressed RPE differentiation, typified by reduction of RPE markers, and promoted cell proliferation and migration. The role of miR-184 in maintaining regular RPE function was further proved in zebrafish studies. We also noticed that miR-184 expression was reduced in the macular RPE-choroid from a donor with RPE dysfunction compared to a healthy control. We next demonstrated that RAC-beta serine/threonine-protein kinase (AKT2) was a direct target for miR-184. MiR-184 promoted RPE differentiation via suppression of AKT2/mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. We also found that AKT2 was up-regulated in macular RPE-choroid of the donor with RPE dysfunction and dry AMD patients. Taken together, our findings suggest that miR-184 insufficiency is involved in the pathogenesis of dry AMD. MiR-184 promotes RPE differentiation via inhibiting the AKT2/mTOR signaling pathway. MiR-184 based supplementary therapeutics and mTOR blocker, like rapamycin, are prospective options for AMD treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chao Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Bing Qin
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, The First People's Hospital of Suqian, Suqian, China
| | - Guohua Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan, Shandong, China
| | - Xiantao Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou, China
| | - Houxia Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Sijia Ding
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yuan Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nanjing First Hospital, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Meidong Zhu
- Save Sight Institute, Discipline of Clinical Ophthalmology and Eye Health (CO9), The University of Sydney, Sydney, Australia
| | - Xue Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University and State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Eye and ENT Hospital, Fudan University, Shanghai, China.,State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat Sen University, Guangzhou, China
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Long-term clinical course of 2 Japanese patients with PRPF31-related retinitis pigmentosa. Jpn J Ophthalmol 2018; 62:186-193. [PMID: 29305715 DOI: 10.1007/s10384-017-0560-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Accepted: 11/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE To assess the long-term clinical course of 2 patients with PRPF31-related retinitis pigmentosa (RP). PATIENTS AND METHODS We clinically examined 2 unrelated patients with RP and collected peripheral blood samples from them. Ophthalmic examinations, including best-corrected visual acuity measurements, Goldmann perimetry, full-field electroretinography, fundus autofluorescence imaging, and optical coherence tomography, were also performed. The visual acuity and visual field were continuously monitored. To identify the causative mutations, 74 genes known to cause RP or Leber congenital amaurosis were examined via targeted next-generation sequencing. RESULTS The clinical courses of both patients were similar. The onset of nyctalopia occurred in the first decade. Fundus examination showed typical RP. Although the patients' visual acuity was relatively preserved even into the fourth decade, the visual field area exhibited rapid deterioration in the mid-teens, with severe concentric constriction in the third decade. Mutation analysis revealed PRPF31 mutations as the cause for autosomal dominant RP in both patients. CONCLUSIONS To the best of our knowledge, few reports of long-term observations pertaining to patients with PRPF31-related RP have been published. The findings reported herein, especially those relating to the progressive degeneration of the visual field, may ultimately play a role in the provision of high-quality counseling for patients with this condition.
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Escher P, Passarin O, Munier FL, Tran VH, Vaclavik V. Variability in clinical phenotypes of PRPF8-linked autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa correlates with differential PRPF8/SNRNP200 interactions. Ophthalmic Genet 2017; 39:80-86. [DOI: 10.1080/13816810.2017.1393825] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Pascal Escher
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Department of Ophthalmology, Inselspital, Bern University Hospital, Bern, Switzerland
- Department of BioMedical Research, University of Bern, Bern, Switzerland
| | - Olga Passarin
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Francis L. Munier
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Viet H. Tran
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Veronika Vaclavik
- Department of Ophthalmology, University of Lausanne, Jules-Gonin Eye Hospital, Lausanne, Switzerland
- Hôpital Cantonal, Fribourg, Switzerland
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42
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The spliceosomal proteins PPIH and PRPF4 exhibit bi-partite binding. Biochem J 2017; 474:3689-3704. [PMID: 28935721 DOI: 10.1042/bcj20170366] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2017] [Revised: 09/05/2017] [Accepted: 09/15/2017] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Pre-mRNA splicing is a dynamic, multistep process that is catalyzed by the RNA (ribonucleic acid)-protein complex called the spliceosome. The spliceosome contains a core set of RNAs and proteins that are conserved in all organisms that perform splicing. In higher organisms, peptidyl-prolyl isomerase H (PPIH) directly interacts with the core protein pre-mRNA processing factor 4 (PRPF4) and both integrate into the pre-catalytic spliceosome as part of the tri-snRNP (small nuclear RNA-protein complex) subcomplex. As a first step to understand the protein interactions that dictate PPIH and PRPF4 function, we expressed and purified soluble forms of each protein and formed a complex between them. We found two sites of interaction between PPIH and the N-terminus of PRPF4, an unexpected result. The N-terminus of PRPF4 is an intrinsically disordered region and does not adopt secondary structure in the presence of PPIH. In the absence of an atomic resolution structure, we used mutational analysis to identify point mutations that uncouple these two binding sites and find that mutations in both sites are necessary to break up the complex. A discussion of how this bipartite interaction between PPIH and PRPF4 may modulate spliceosomal function is included.
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43
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snRNP proteins in health and disease. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 79:92-102. [PMID: 29037818 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.10.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/27/2017] [Revised: 10/09/2017] [Accepted: 10/12/2017] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Split gene architecture of most human genes requires removal of intervening sequences by mRNA splicing that occurs on large multiprotein complexes called spliceosomes. Mutations compromising several spliceosomal components have been recorded in degenerative syndromes and haematological neoplasia, thereby highlighting the importance of accurate splicing execution in homeostasis of assorted adult tissues. Moreover, insufficient splicing underlies defective development of craniofacial skeleton and upper extremities. This review summarizes recent advances in the understanding of splicing factor function deduced from cryo-EM structures. We combine these data with the characterization of splicing factors implicated in hereditary or somatic disorders, with a focus on potential functional consequences the mutations may elicit in spliceosome assembly and/or performance. Given aberrant splicing or perturbations in splicing efficiency substantially underpin disease pathogenesis, profound understanding of the mis-splicing principles may open new therapeutic vistas. In three major sections dedicated to retinal dystrophies, hereditary acrofacial syndromes, and haematological malignancies, we delineate the noticeable variety of conditions associated with dysfunctional splicing and accentuate recurrent patterns in splicing defects.
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Abstract
Much evidence is now accumulating that, in addition to their general role in splicing, the components of the core splicing machinery have extensive regulatory potential. In particular, recent evidence has demonstrated that de-regulation of these factors cause the highest extent of alternative splicing changes compared to de-regulation of the classical splicing regulators. This lack of a general inhibition of splicing resonates the differential splicing effects observed in different disease pathologies associated with specific mutations targeting core spliceosomal components. In this review we will summarize what is currently known regarding the involvement of core spliceosomal U-snRNP complexes in perturbed tissue development and human diseases and argue for the existence of a compensatory mechanism enabling cells to cope with drastic perturbations in core splicing components. This system maintains the correct balance of spliceosomal snRNPs through differential expression of variant (v)U-snRNPs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pilar Vazquez-Arango
- a Nuffield Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology, Level 3 , Women's Centre, John Radcliffe Hospital , Oxford , England
| | - Dawn O'Reilly
- b Sir William Dunn School of pathology , University of Oxford , South Parks Road, Oxford , England
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45
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Chen X, Jiang C, Qin B, Liu G, Ji J, Sun X, Xu M, Ding S, Zhu M, Huang G, Yan B, Zhao C. LncRNA ZNF503-AS1 promotes RPE differentiation by downregulating ZNF503 expression. Cell Death Dis 2017; 8:e3046. [PMID: 28880276 PMCID: PMC5636965 DOI: 10.1038/cddis.2017.382] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2017] [Revised: 06/11/2017] [Accepted: 06/13/2017] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Long noncoding RNAs (lncRNAs) have important roles in various biological processes. Our previous work has revealed that dedifferentiation of retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) cells contributes to the pathology of age-related macular degeneration (AMD). Herein, we show roles of lncRNAs in RPE differentiation. We used microarray to identify lncRNA expression profiles in human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs) and hiPSC-derived RPE cells. A total of 217 differentially expressed lncRNAs along with the differentiation were initially identified, among which 13 lncRNAs showed a consistent fold change of over 2. LncRNA ZNF503-AS1, located in the cytoplasm of RPE cells, was found consistently upregulated along with RPE differentiation, and downregulated in the RPE-choroid of AMD patients. In vitro study further suggested that ZNF503-AS1 insufficiency could inhibit RPE differentiation, and promote its proliferation and migration. As ZNF503-AS1 is transcribed from the antisense strand of the ZNF503 gene locus, we further revealed its regulatory role in ZNF503 expression. ZNF503-AS1 was reversely correlated with ZNF503 expression. Our results also suggested that ZNF503 could inhibit RPE differentiation, and promote its proliferation and migration. Thus, ZNF503-AS1 potentially promotes RPE differentiation through downregulation of ZNF503 expression. In addition, nuclear factor-κB was recognized as a potential upstream transcript factor for ZNF503-AS1, which might participate in promoting RPE differentiation by regulating the expression of ZNF503-AS1. Taken together, our study identifies a group of RPE differentiation relevant lncRNAs, and the potential role of ZNF503-AS1 in the pathology of atrophic AMD, which might help with the intervention of AMD patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xue Chen
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China.,Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye &ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200023, China.,Key Laboratory of Myopia of State Health Ministry (Fudan University) and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai 200023, China
| | - Chao Jiang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Bing Qin
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, The First People's Hospital of Suqian, Suqian 223800, China
| | - Guohua Liu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Qilu Children's Hospital of Shandong University, Jinan 250000, China
| | - Jiangdong Ji
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Xiantao Sun
- Department of Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou 450053, China
| | - Min Xu
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northern Jiangsu People's Hospital, Yangzhou 225000, China
| | - Sijia Ding
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China
| | - Meidong Zhu
- Save Sight Institute, Discipline of Clinical Ophthalmology and Eye Health, The University of Sydney, Sydney, NSW 2000, Australia
| | - Guofu Huang
- Department of Ophthalmology, The Third Affiliated Hospital of Nanchang University, Nanchang 330000, China
| | - Biao Yan
- Research Center, Eye &ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200023, China
| | - Chen Zhao
- Department of Ophthalmology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, State Key Laboratory of Reproductive Medicine, Nanjing 210029, China.,Department of Ophthalmology and Vision Science, Eye &ENT Hospital, Shanghai Medical College, Fudan University, Shanghai 200023, China.,Key Laboratory of Myopia of State Health Ministry (Fudan University) and Shanghai Key Laboratory of Visual Impairment and Restoration, Shanghai 200023, China.,Department of Ophthalmology, Children's Hospital of Zhengzhou, Zhengzhou 450053, China
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46
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Genetic characterization and disease mechanism of retinitis pigmentosa; current scenario. 3 Biotech 2017; 7:251. [PMID: 28721681 DOI: 10.1007/s13205-017-0878-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2016] [Accepted: 07/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Retinitis pigmentosa is a group of genetically transmitted disorders affecting 1 in 3000-8000 individual people worldwide ultimately affecting the quality of life. Retinitis pigmentosa is characterized as a heterogeneous genetic disorder which leads by progressive devolution of the retina leading to a progressive visual loss. It can occur in syndromic (with Usher syndrome and Bardet-Biedl syndrome) as well as non-syndromic nature. The mode of inheritance can be X-linked, autosomal dominant or autosomal recessive manner. To date 58 genes have been reported to associate with retinitis pigmentosa most of them are either expressed in photoreceptors or the retinal pigment epithelium. This review focuses on the disease mechanisms and genetics of retinitis pigmentosa. As retinitis pigmentosa is tremendously heterogeneous disorder expressing a multiplicity of mutations; different variations in the same gene might induce different disorders. In recent years, latest technologies including whole-exome sequencing contributing effectively to uncover the hidden genesis of retinitis pigmentosa by reporting new genetic mutations. In future, these advancements will help in better understanding the genotype-phenotype correlations of disease and likely to develop new therapies.
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47
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Bujakowska KM, Fernandez-Godino R, Place E, Consugar M, Navarro-Gomez D, White J, Bedoukian EC, Zhu X, Xie HM, Gai X, Leroy BP, Pierce EA. Copy-number variation is an important contributor to the genetic causality of inherited retinal degenerations. Genet Med 2017; 19:643-651. [PMID: 27735924 PMCID: PMC6377944 DOI: 10.1038/gim.2016.158] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2016] [Accepted: 08/30/2016] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE Despite substantial progress in sequencing, current strategies can genetically solve only approximately 55-60% of inherited retinal degeneration (IRD) cases. This can be partially attributed to elusive mutations in the known IRD genes, which are not easily identified by the targeted next-generation sequencing (NGS) or Sanger sequencing approaches. We hypothesized that copy-number variations (CNVs) are a major contributor to the elusive genetic causality of IRDs. METHODS Twenty-eight cases previously unsolved with a targeted NGS were investigated with whole-genome single-nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) and comparative genomic hybridization (CGH) arrays. RESULTS Deletions in the IRD genes were detected in 5 of 28 families, including a de novo deletion. We suggest that the de novo deletion occurred through nonallelic homologous recombination (NAHR) and we constructed a genomic map of NAHR-prone regions with overlapping IRD genes. In this article, we also report an unusual case of recessive retinitis pigmentosa due to compound heterozygous mutations in SNRNP200, a gene that is typically associated with the dominant form of this disease. CONCLUSIONS CNV mapping substantially increased the genetic diagnostic rate of IRDs, detecting genetic causality in 18% of previously unsolved cases. Extending the search to other structural variations will probably demonstrate an even higher contribution to genetic causality of IRDs.Genet Med advance online publication 13 October 2016.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kinga M Bujakowska
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Rosario Fernandez-Godino
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emily Place
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Mark Consugar
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Daniel Navarro-Gomez
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Joseph White
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
| | - Emma C Bedoukian
- Ophthalmic Genetics &Visual Electrophysiology, Division of Ophthalmology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Xiaosong Zhu
- Ophthalmic Genetics &Visual Electrophysiology, Division of Ophthalmology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Hongbo M Xie
- Department of BioMedical Health Informatics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
| | - Xiaowu Gai
- Center for Personalized Medicine, Children's Hospital Los Angeles, Los Angeles, California, USA
| | - Bart P Leroy
- Ophthalmic Genetics &Visual Electrophysiology, Division of Ophthalmology, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology &Center for Medical Genetics, Ghent University Hospital &Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Eric A Pierce
- Ocular Genomics Institute, Massachusetts Eye and Ear Infirmary, Department of Ophthalmology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts, USA
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48
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Xu M, Xie Y(A, Abouzeid H, Gordon CT, Fiorentino A, Sun Z, Lehman A, Osman IS, Dharmat R, Riveiro-Alvarez R, Bapst-Wicht L, Babino D, Arno G, Busetto V, Zhao L, Li H, Lopez-Martinez MA, Azevedo LF, Hubert L, Pontikos N, Eblimit A, Lorda-Sanchez I, Kheir V, Plagnol V, Oufadem M, Soens ZT, Yang L, Bole-Feysot C, Pfundt R, Allaman-Pillet N, Nitschké P, Cheetham ME, Lyonnet S, Agrawal SA, Li H, Pinton G, Michaelides M, Besmond C, Li Y, Yuan Z, von Lintig J, Webster AR, Le Hir H, Stoilov P, Amiel J, Hardcastle AJ, Ayuso C, Sui R, Chen R, Allikmets R, Schorderet DF, Black G, Hall G, Gillespie R, Ramsden S, Manson F, Sergouniotis P, Inglehearn C, Toomes C, Ali M, McKibbin M, Poulter J, Lord E, Nemeth A, Halford S, Downes S, Yu J. Mutations in the Spliceosome Component CWC27 Cause Retinal Degeneration with or without Additional Developmental Anomalies. Am J Hum Genet 2017; 100:592-604. [PMID: 28285769 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajhg.2017.02.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 53] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2016] [Accepted: 02/15/2017] [Indexed: 10/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Pre-mRNA splicing factors play a fundamental role in regulating transcript diversity both temporally and spatially. Genetic defects in several spliceosome components have been linked to a set of non-overlapping spliceosomopathy phenotypes in humans, among which skeletal developmental defects and non-syndromic retinitis pigmentosa (RP) are frequent findings. Here we report that defects in spliceosome-associated protein CWC27 are associated with a spectrum of disease phenotypes ranging from isolated RP to severe syndromic forms. By whole-exome sequencing, recessive protein-truncating mutations in CWC27 were found in seven unrelated families that show a range of clinical phenotypes, including retinal degeneration, brachydactyly, craniofacial abnormalities, short stature, and neurological defects. Remarkably, variable expressivity of the human phenotype can be recapitulated in Cwc27 mutant mouse models, with significant embryonic lethality and severe phenotypes in the complete knockout mice while mice with a partial loss-of-function allele mimic the isolated retinal degeneration phenotype. Our study describes a retinal dystrophy-related phenotype spectrum as well as its genetic etiology and highlights the complexity of the spliceosomal gene network.
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49
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Broadgate S, Yu J, Downes SM, Halford S. Unravelling the genetics of inherited retinal dystrophies: Past, present and future. Prog Retin Eye Res 2017; 59:53-96. [PMID: 28363849 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2017.03.003] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/29/2016] [Revised: 03/21/2017] [Accepted: 03/23/2017] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The identification of the genes underlying monogenic diseases has been of interest to clinicians and scientists for many years. Using inherited retinal dystrophies as an example of monogenic disease we describe the history of molecular genetic techniques that have been pivotal in the discovery of disease causing genes. The methods that were developed in the 1970's and 80's are still in use today but have been refined and improved. These techniques enabled the concept of the Human Genome Project to be envisaged and ultimately realised. When the successful conclusion of the project was announced in 2003 many new tools and, as importantly, many collaborations had been developed that facilitated a rapid identification of disease genes. In the post-human genome project era advances in computing power and the clever use of the properties of DNA replication has allowed the development of next-generation sequencing technologies. These methods have revolutionised the identification of disease genes because for the first time there is no need to define the position of the gene in the genome. The use of next generation sequencing in a diagnostic setting has allowed many more patients with an inherited retinal dystrophy to obtain a molecular diagnosis for their disease. The identification of novel genes that have a role in the development or maintenance of retinal function is opening up avenues of research which will lead to the development of new pharmacological and gene therapy approaches. Neither of which can be used unless the defective gene and protein is known. The continued development of sequencing technologies also holds great promise for the advent of truly personalised medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Suzanne Broadgate
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Levels 5 and 6 West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Jing Yu
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Levels 5 and 6 West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Susan M Downes
- Oxford Eye Hospital, Oxford University Hospitals NHS Trust, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Stephanie Halford
- Nuffield Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Levels 5 and 6 West Wing, John Radcliffe Hospital, Headley Way, Oxford, OX3 9DU, UK.
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50
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Lv JN, Zhou GH, Chen X, Chen H, Wu KC, Xiang L, Lei XL, Zhang X, Wu RH, Jin ZB. Targeted RP9 ablation and mutagenesis in mouse photoreceptor cells by CRISPR-Cas9. Sci Rep 2017; 7:43062. [PMID: 28216641 PMCID: PMC5317003 DOI: 10.1038/srep43062] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/24/2016] [Accepted: 01/17/2017] [Indexed: 01/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Precursor messenger RNA (Pre-mRNA) splicing is an essential biological process in eukaryotic cells. Genetic mutations in many spliceosome genes confer human eye diseases. Mutations in the pre-mRNA splicing factor, RP9 (also known as PAP1), predispose autosomal dominant retinitis pigmentosa (adRP) with an early onset and severe vision loss. However, underlying molecular mechanisms of the RP9 mutation causing photoreceptor degeneration remains fully unknown. Here, we utilize the CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate both the Rp9 gene knockout (KO) and point mutation knock in (KI) (Rp9, c.A386T, P.H129L) which is analogous to the reported one in the retinitis pigmentosa patients (RP9, c.A410T, P.H137L) in 661 W retinal photoreceptor cells in vitro. We found that proliferation and migration were significantly decreased in the mutated cells. Gene expression profiling by RNA-Seq demonstrated that RP associated genes, Fscn2 and Bbs2, were down-regulated in the mutated cells. Furthermore, pre-mRNA splicing of the Fscn2 gene was markedly affected. Our findings reveal a functional relationship between the ubiquitously expressing RP9 and the disease-specific gene, thereafter provide a new insight of disease mechanism in RP9-related retinitis pigmentosa.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ji-Neng Lv
- Lab for Stem Cell &Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, The State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base and Key Laboratory of Vision Science, Ministry of Health Wenzhou 325027, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Gao-Hui Zhou
- Lab for Stem Cell &Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, The State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base and Key Laboratory of Vision Science, Ministry of Health Wenzhou 325027, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Xuejiao Chen
- Lab for Stem Cell &Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, The State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base and Key Laboratory of Vision Science, Ministry of Health Wenzhou 325027, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Hui Chen
- Lab for Stem Cell &Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, The State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base and Key Laboratory of Vision Science, Ministry of Health Wenzhou 325027, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Kun-Chao Wu
- Lab for Stem Cell &Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, The State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base and Key Laboratory of Vision Science, Ministry of Health Wenzhou 325027, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Lue Xiang
- Lab for Stem Cell &Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, The State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base and Key Laboratory of Vision Science, Ministry of Health Wenzhou 325027, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Xin-Lan Lei
- Lab for Stem Cell &Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, The State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base and Key Laboratory of Vision Science, Ministry of Health Wenzhou 325027, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Xiao Zhang
- Lab for Stem Cell &Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, The State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base and Key Laboratory of Vision Science, Ministry of Health Wenzhou 325027, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Rong-Han Wu
- Lab for Stem Cell &Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, The State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base and Key Laboratory of Vision Science, Ministry of Health Wenzhou 325027, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
| | - Zi-Bing Jin
- Lab for Stem Cell &Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, The State Key Laboratory Cultivation Base and Key Laboratory of Vision Science, Ministry of Health Wenzhou 325027, China.,Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, The Eye Hospital of Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou 325027, China
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