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Mori D, Inami C, Ikeda R, Sawahata M, Urata S, Yamaguchi ST, Kobayashi Y, Fujita K, Arioka Y, Okumura H, Kushima I, Kodama A, Suzuki T, Hirao T, Yoshimi A, Sobue A, Ito T, Noda Y, Mizoguchi H, Nagai T, Kaibuchi K, Okabe S, Nishiguchi K, Kume K, Yamada K, Ozaki N. Mice with deficiency in Pcdh15, a gene associated with bipolar disorders, exhibit significantly elevated diurnal amplitudes of locomotion and body temperature. Transl Psychiatry 2024; 14:216. [PMID: 38806495 PMCID: PMC11133426 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-024-02952-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/29/2023] [Revised: 05/16/2024] [Accepted: 05/20/2024] [Indexed: 05/30/2024] Open
Abstract
Genetic factors significantly affect the pathogenesis of psychiatric disorders. However, the specific pathogenic mechanisms underlying these effects are not fully understood. Recent extensive genomic studies have implicated the protocadherin-related 15 (PCDH15) gene in the onset of psychiatric disorders, such as bipolar disorder (BD). To further investigate the pathogenesis of these psychiatric disorders, we developed a mouse model lacking Pcdh15. Notably, although PCDH15 is primarily identified as the causative gene of Usher syndrome, which presents with visual and auditory impairments, our mice with Pcdh15 homozygous deletion (Pcdh15-null) did not exhibit observable structural abnormalities in either the retina or the inner ear. The Pcdh15-null mice showed very high levels of spontaneous motor activity which was too disturbed to perform standard behavioral testing. However, the Pcdh15 heterozygous deletion mice (Pcdh15-het) exhibited enhanced spontaneous locomotor activity, reduced prepulse inhibition, and diminished cliff avoidance behavior. These observations agreed with the symptoms observed in patients with various psychiatric disorders and several mouse models of psychiatric diseases. Specifically, the hyperactivity may mirror the manic episodes in BD. To obtain a more physiological, long-term quantification of the hyperactive phenotype, we implanted nano tag® sensor chips in the animals, to enable the continuous monitoring of both activity and body temperature. During the light-off period, Pcdh15-null exhibited elevated activity and body temperature compared with wild-type (WT) mice. However, we observed a decreased body temperature during the light-on period. Comprehensive brain activity was visualized using c-Fos mapping, which was assessed during the activity and temperature peak and trough. There was a stark contrast between the distribution of c-Fos expression in Pcdh15-null and WT brains during both the light-on and light-off periods. These results provide valuable insights into the neural basis of the behavioral and thermal characteristics of Pcdh15-deletion mice. Therefore, Pcdh15-deletion mice can be a novel model for BD with mania and other psychiatric disorders, with a strong genetic component that satisfies both construct and surface validity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daisuke Mori
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan.
- Brain and Mind Research Center, Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
- Department of Pathophysiology of Mental Disorders, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan.
| | - Chihiro Inami
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Ryosuke Ikeda
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Masahito Sawahata
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Shinji Urata
- Department of Otolaryngology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo Pref., Japan
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo Pref., Japan
| | - Sho T Yamaguchi
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | | | - Kosuke Fujita
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yuko Arioka
- Department of Pathophysiology of Mental Disorders, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Center for Advanced Medicine and Clinical Research, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hiroki Okumura
- Department of Pathophysiology of Mental Disorders, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Itaru Kushima
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Pathophysiology of Mental Disorders, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Medical Genomics Center, Nagoya University Hospital, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Akiko Kodama
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
- Department of Pathophysiology of Mental Disorders, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Toshiaki Suzuki
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Takashi Hirao
- Department of Psychiatry, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Japan
| | - Akira Yoshimi
- Division of Clinical Sciences and Neuropsychopharmacology, Meijo University Faculty of Pharmacy, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Akira Sobue
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Takahiro Ito
- Division of Clinical Sciences and Neuropsychopharmacology, Meijo University Faculty of Pharmacy, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Yukikiro Noda
- Division of Clinical Sciences and Neuropsychopharmacology, Meijo University Faculty of Pharmacy, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Mizoguchi
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Taku Nagai
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Division of Behavioral Neuropharmacology, International Center for Brain Science (ICBS), Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kozo Kaibuchi
- Division of Cell Biology, International Center for Brain Science, Fujita Health University, Toyoake, Aichi, Japan
| | - Shigeo Okabe
- Department of Cellular Neurobiology, Graduate School of Medicine, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo Pref., Japan
| | - Koji Nishiguchi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kazuhiko Kume
- Department of Neuropharmacology, Graduate School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Nagoya City University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Kiyofumi Yamada
- Department of Neuropsychopharmacology and Hospital Pharmacy, Nagoya University, Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
| | - Norio Ozaki
- Department of Pathophysiology of Mental Disorders, Nagoya University Graduate School of Medicine, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
- Institute for Glyco-core Research (iGCORE), Nagoya University, Nagoya, Aichi, Japan
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Karagyaur M, Primak A, Bozov K, Sheleg D, Arbatsky M, Dzhauari S, Illarionova M, Semina E, Samokhodskaya L, Klimovich P, Velichko A, Drach M, Sotskaya E, Popov V, Rubina K, Parfenenko M, Makus J, Tsygankov B, Tkachuk V, Neyfeld E. Novel missense variants in brain morphogenic genes associated with depression and schizophrenia. Front Psychiatry 2024; 15:1338168. [PMID: 38699454 PMCID: PMC11063365 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2024.1338168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2023] [Accepted: 04/05/2024] [Indexed: 05/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Introduction Impaired function of brain morphogenic genes is considered one of the predisposing factors for the manifestation of psychiatric and cognitive disorders, such as paranoid schizophrenia (SCZ) and major depressive disorder (MDD). Identification of such genes (genes of neurotrophic factors and guidance molecules among them) and their deleterious genetic variants serves as a key to diagnosis, prevention, and possibly treatment of such disorders. In this study, we have examined the prevalence of genomic variants in brain morphogenic genes in individuals with SCZ and MDD within a Russian population. Methods We have performed whole-exome sequencing of 21 DNA samples: 11 from individuals with SCZ and 10 with MDD, followed by ARMS (Amplification-Refractory Mutation System) based screening of detected single nucleotide variants (SNVs) in larger groups: 102 for individuals with SCZ, 79 for those with MDD and 103 for healthy donors. Results Whole-exome sequencing has revealed 226 missense mutations in 79 genes (out of 140 studied), some of which occur in patients with psychiatric disorders significantly more frequently than in healthy donors. We have identified previously undescribed genomic variants in brain morphogenic genes: CDH2 (rs1944294-T and rs17445840-T), DCHS2 (rs11935573-G and rs12500437-G/T) and CDH23 (rs1227051-G/A), significantly associated with the incidence of SCZ and MDD in the Russian population. For some SNVs (rs6265-T, rs1944294-T, rs11935573-G, rs4760-G) sex-biased differences in their prevalence between SCZ/MDD patients and healthy donors was detected. Discussion However, the functional significance of the SNVs identified has still to be confirmed in cellular and animal models. Once it is fulfilled, these SNVs have the potential to complement the diagnostic toolbox for assessing susceptibility to mental disorders. The data obtained indirectly confirm the importance of adequate brain structure formation for its correct functioning and preservation of mental health.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maxim Karagyaur
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Alexandra Primak
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Kirill Bozov
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Dmitriy Sheleg
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of the Higher Education “A.I. Yevdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry” of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail Arbatsky
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Stalik Dzhauari
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Maria Illarionova
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Ekaterina Semina
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Larisa Samokhodskaya
- Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Polina Klimovich
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Arkadiy Velichko
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Mikhail Drach
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | | | - Vladimir Popov
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Kseniya Rubina
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Mariia Parfenenko
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Julia Makus
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Boris Tsygankov
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of the Higher Education “A.I. Yevdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry” of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
| | - Vsevolod Tkachuk
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, Medical Research and Education Center, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
| | - Elena Neyfeld
- Faculty of Medicine, Lomonosov Moscow State University, Moscow, Russia
- Federal State Budgetary Educational Institution of the Higher Education “A.I. Yevdokimov Moscow State University of Medicine and Dentistry” of the Ministry of Healthcare of the Russian Federation, Moscow, Russia
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Tesolin P, Santin A, Morgan A, Lenarduzzi S, Rubinato E, Girotto G, Spedicati B. Which Came First? When Usher Syndrome Type 1 Couples with Neuropsychiatric Disorders. Audiol Res 2023; 13:989-995. [PMID: 38131811 PMCID: PMC10740809 DOI: 10.3390/audiolres13060086] [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: 09/20/2023] [Revised: 11/17/2023] [Accepted: 12/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Usher syndrome (USH) is an autosomal recessive disorder characterized by sensorineural hearing loss (HL), retinopathy, and vestibular areflexia, with variable severity. Although a high prevalence of behavioural and mental disorders in USH patients has been reported, few studies on these psychiatric and psychological issues have been conducted. This work describes the case of a 16-year-old boy affected by congenital bilateral sensorineural HL, presenting a suddenly altered behaviour concomitant with a decrease in visual acuity. To establish a molecular diagnosis, Whole-Exome Sequencing analysis was performed, detecting a pathogenetic homozygous variant (c. 5985C>A, p.(Tyr1995*)) within the CDH23 gene. CDH23 is a known USH type 1 causative gene, recently associated with schizophrenia-like symptoms and bipolar disorders. To date, no studies have provided evidence of a direct genotype-phenotype correlation between USH patients carrying CDH23 variants and mental/behavioural issues; however, considering the multiple biological functions of CDH23, it can be hypothesised that it could have a pleiotropic effect. Overall, this study highlights the relevance of a continuous clinical evaluation of USH patients, to monitor not only the disease progression, but to early detect any psychological or behavioural alterations, thus allowing a rapid implementation of therapeutic strategies aimed at improving their quality of life and well-being.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paola Tesolin
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (P.T.); (G.G.); (B.S.)
| | - Aurora Santin
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (P.T.); (G.G.); (B.S.)
| | - Anna Morgan
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health—I.R.C.C.S. “Burlo Garofolo”, 34137 Trieste, Italy (S.L.); (E.R.)
| | - Stefania Lenarduzzi
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health—I.R.C.C.S. “Burlo Garofolo”, 34137 Trieste, Italy (S.L.); (E.R.)
| | - Elisa Rubinato
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health—I.R.C.C.S. “Burlo Garofolo”, 34137 Trieste, Italy (S.L.); (E.R.)
| | - Giorgia Girotto
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (P.T.); (G.G.); (B.S.)
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health—I.R.C.C.S. “Burlo Garofolo”, 34137 Trieste, Italy (S.L.); (E.R.)
| | - Beatrice Spedicati
- Department of Medicine, Surgery and Health Sciences, University of Trieste, 34149 Trieste, Italy; (P.T.); (G.G.); (B.S.)
- Institute for Maternal and Child Health—I.R.C.C.S. “Burlo Garofolo”, 34137 Trieste, Italy (S.L.); (E.R.)
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Mısır E, Akay GG. Synaptic dysfunction in schizophrenia. Synapse 2023:e22276. [PMID: 37210696 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22276] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2022] [Revised: 04/25/2023] [Accepted: 05/07/2023] [Indexed: 05/22/2023]
Abstract
Schizophrenia is a chronic disease presented with psychotic symptoms, negative symptoms, impairment in the reward system, and widespread neurocognitive deterioration. Disruption of synaptic connections in neural circuits is responsible for the disease's development and progression. Because deterioration in synaptic connections results in the impaired effective processing of information. Although structural impairments of the synapse, such as a decrease in dendritic spine density, have been shown in previous studies, functional impairments have also been revealed with the development of genetic and molecular analysis methods. In addition to abnormalities in protein complexes regulating exocytosis in the presynaptic region and impaired vesicle release, especially, changes in proteins related to postsynaptic signaling have been reported. In particular, impairments in postsynaptic density elements, glutamate receptors, and ion channels have been shown. At the same time, effects on cellular adhesion molecular structures such as neurexin, neuroligin, and cadherin family proteins were detected. Of course, the confusing effect of antipsychotic use in schizophrenia research should also be considered. Although antipsychotics have positive and negative effects on synapses, studies indicate synaptic deterioration in schizophrenia independent of drug use. In this review, the deterioration in synapse structure and function and the effects of antipsychotics on the synapse in schizophrenia will be discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emre Mısır
- Department of Psychiatry, Baskent University Faculty of Medicine, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
| | - Güvem Gümüş Akay
- Department of Interdisciplinary Neuroscience, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
- Faculty of Medicine, Department of Physiology, Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
- Brain Research Center (AÜBAUM), Ankara University, Ankara, Turkey
- Department of Cellular Neuroscience and Advanced Microscopic Neuroimaging, Neuroscience and Neurotechnology Center of Excellence (NÖROM), Ankara, Turkey
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Ishii A, Matsuba Y, Mihira N, Kamano N, Saito T, Muramatsu SI, Yokosuka M, Saido TC, Hashimoto S. Tau-binding protein PRMT8 facilitates vacuole degeneration in the brain. J Biochem 2022; 172:233-243. [PMID: 35818334 DOI: 10.1093/jb/mvac058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/05/2022] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Amyloid-β (Aβ) and tau pathologies are important factors leading to neurodegeneration in Alzheimer's disease (AD); however the molecular mechanisms that link these pathologies remain unclear. Assuming that important though as yet unidentified factors inhibit/accelerate tau pathology and neuronal cell death under amyloid pathology, we sought to isolate and identify tau-interacting proteins from mouse brains with or without amyloid pathology. Among the proteins that were identified, we focused on protein arginine methyltransferase 8 (PRMT8), which interacts with tau specifically in the absence of amyloid pathology. To investigate the role of PRMT8 in the pathogenesis of AD, we conducted Prmt8 gene deletion and overexpression experiments in AppNL-G-F/MAPT double-knock-in (dKI) mice and analyzed the resulting pathological alterations. PRMT8-knockout did not alter the AD pathology in dKI mice, whereas PRMT8-overexpression promoted tau phosphorylation, neuroinflammation, and vacuole degeneration. To evaluate if such a PRMT8-induced vacuole degeneration depends on tau pathology, PRMT8 was overexpressed in tau-KO mice, which were consequently found to exhibit vacuole degeneration. In addition, proteomic analyses showed that PRMT8 overexpression facilitated the arginine methylation of vimentin. Abnormal protein methylation could be involved in PRMT8-induced brain pathologies. Taken together, PRMT8 may play an important role in the formation of tau pathology and vacuole degeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ayano Ishii
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-City, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.,Laboratory of Comparative Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonancho, Musashino-City, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Yukio Matsuba
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-City, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Naomi Mihira
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-City, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Naoko Kamano
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-City, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Takashi Saito
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-City, Saitama 351-0198, Japan.,Department of Neurocognitive Science, Institute of Brain Science, Nagoya City University Graduate School of Medical Sciences, 1 Kawasumi, Mizuho-cho, Mizuho-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 467-8601, Japan.,Department of Neuroscience and Pathobiology, Research Institute of Environmental Medicine, Nagoya University, Furo-cho, Chikusa-ku, Nagoya, Aichi 464-8601, Japan
| | - Shin-Ichi Muramatsu
- Division of Neurological Gene Therapy, Jichi Medical University 3311-1 Yakushiji, Shimotsuke-City, Tochigi 329-0498, Japan.,Center for Gene & Cell Therapy, The Institute of Medical Science, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 108-8639, Japan
| | - Makoto Yokosuka
- Laboratory of Comparative Medicine, Nippon Veterinary and Life Science University, 1-7-1 Kyonancho, Musashino-City, Tokyo 180-8602, Japan
| | - Takaomi C Saido
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-City, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
| | - Shoko Hashimoto
- Laboratory for Proteolytic Neuroscience, RIKEN Center for Brain Science 2-1 Hirosawa, Wako-City, Saitama 351-0198, Japan
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Yusuf IH, Garrett A, MacLaren RE, Issa PC. Retinal cadherins and the retinal cadherinopathies: Current concepts and future directions. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022; 90:101038. [DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2021.101038] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/13/2021] [Revised: 12/13/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
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A loss-of-function variant in SUV39H2 identified in autism-spectrum disorder causes altered H3K9 trimethylation and dysregulation of protocadherin β-cluster genes in the developing brain. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:7550-7559. [PMID: 34262135 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-021-01199-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 05/21/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Recent evidence has documented the potential roles of histone-modifying enzymes in autism-spectrum disorder (ASD). Aberrant histone H3 lysine 9 (H3K9) dimethylation resulting from genetic variants in histone methyltransferases is known for neurodevelopmental and behavioral anomalies. However, a systematic examination of H3K9 methylation dynamics in ASD is lacking. Here we resequenced nine genes for histone methyltransferases and demethylases involved in H3K9 methylation in individuals with ASD and healthy controls using targeted next-generation sequencing. We identified a novel rare variant (A211S) in the SUV39H2, which was predicted to be deleterious. The variant showed strongly reduced histone methyltransferase activity in vitro. In silico analysis showed that the variant destabilizes the hydrophobic core and allosterically affects the enzyme activity. The Suv39h2-KO mice displayed hyperactivity and reduced behavioral flexibility in learning the tasks that required complex behavioral adaptation, which is relevant for ASD. The Suv39h2 deficit evoked an elevated expression of a subset of protocadherin β (Pcdhb) cluster genes in the embryonic brain, which is attributable to the loss of H3K9 trimethylation (me3) at the gene promoters. Reduced H3K9me3 persisted in the cerebellum of Suv39h2-deficient mice to an adult stage. Congruently, reduced expression of SUV39H1 and SUV39H2 in the postmortem brain samples of ASD individuals was observed, underscoring the role of H3K9me3 deficiency in ASD etiology. The present study provides direct evidence for the role of SUV39H2 in ASD and suggests a molecular cascade of SUV39H2 dysfunction leading to H3K9me3 deficiency followed by an untimely, elevated expression of Pcdhb cluster genes during early neurodevelopment.
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