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Barão S, Xu Y, Llongueras JP, Vistein R, Goff L, Nielsen K, Bae BI, Smith RS, Walsh CA, Stein-O'Brien G, Müller U. BRN1/2 Function in Neocortical Size Determination and Microcephaly. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.11.02.565322. [PMID: 37961182 PMCID: PMC10635068 DOI: 10.1101/2023.11.02.565322] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
The mammalian neocortex differs vastly in size and complexity between mammalian species, yet the mechanisms that lead to an increase in brain size during evolution are not known. We show here that two transcription factors coordinate gene expression programs in progenitor cells of the neocortex to regulate their proliferative capacity and neuronal output in order to determine brain size. Comparative studies in mice, ferrets and macaques demonstrate an evolutionary conserved function for these transcription factors to regulate progenitor behaviors across the mammalian clade. Strikingly, the two transcriptional regulators control the expression of large numbers of genes linked to microcephaly suggesting that transcriptional deregulation as an important determinant of the molecular pathogenesis of microcephaly, which is consistent with the finding that genetic manipulation of the two transcription factors leads to severe microcephaly.
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Ganga AK, Sweeney LK, Ramos AR, Bishop CS, Hamel V, Guichard P, Breslow DK. A disease-associated PPP2R3C-MAP3K1 phospho-regulatory module controls centrosome function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.04.02.587836. [PMID: 38617270 PMCID: PMC11014585 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.02.587836] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Centrosomes have critical roles in microtubule organization and in cell signaling.1-8 However, the mechanisms that regulate centrosome function are not fully defined, and thus how defects in centrosomal regulation contribute to disease is incompletely understood. From functional genomic analyses, we find here that PPP2R3C, a PP2A phosphatase subunit, is a distal centriole protein and functional partner of centriolar proteins CEP350 and FOP. We further show that a key function of PPP2R3C is to counteract the kinase activity of MAP3K1. In support of this model, MAP3K1 knockout suppresses growth defects caused by PPP2R3C inactivation, and MAP3K1 and PPP2R3C have opposing effects on basal and microtubule stress-induced JNK signaling. Illustrating the importance of balanced MAP3K1 and PPP2R3C activities, acute overexpression of MAP3K1 severely inhibits centrosome function and triggers rapid centriole disintegration. Additionally, inactivating PPP2R3C mutations and activating MAP3K1 mutations both cause congenital syndromes characterized by gonadal dysgenesis.9-15 As a syndromic PPP2R3C variant is defective in centriolar localization and binding to centriolar protein FOP, we propose that imbalanced activity of this centrosomal kinase-phosphatase pair is the shared cause of these disorders. Thus, our findings reveal a new centrosomal phospho-regulatory module, shed light on disorders of gonadal development, and illustrate the power of systems genetics to identify previously unrecognized gene functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anil Kumar Ganga
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Lauren K. Sweeney
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Armando Rubio Ramos
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, Faculty of Sciences, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Cassandra S. Bishop
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, USA
| | - Virginie Hamel
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, Faculty of Sciences, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Paul Guichard
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Biology, University of Geneva, Faculty of Sciences, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - David K. Breslow
- Department of Molecular, Cellular and Developmental Biology, Yale University, New Haven, CT, USA
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3
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Fishburn AT, Florio CJ, Lopez NJ, Link NL, Shah PS. Molecular functions of ANKLE2 and its implications in human disease. Dis Model Mech 2024; 17:dmm050554. [PMID: 38691001 PMCID: PMC11103583 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.050554] [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] [Indexed: 05/03/2024] Open
Abstract
Ankyrin repeat and LEM domain-containing 2 (ANKLE2) is a scaffolding protein with established roles in cell division and development, the dysfunction of which is increasingly implicated in human disease. ANKLE2 regulates nuclear envelope disassembly at the onset of mitosis and its reassembly after chromosome segregation. ANKLE2 dysfunction is associated with abnormal nuclear morphology and cell division. It regulates the nuclear envelope by mediating protein-protein interactions with barrier to autointegration factor (BANF1; also known as BAF) and with the kinase and phosphatase that modulate the phosphorylation state of BAF. In brain development, ANKLE2 is crucial for proper asymmetric division of neural progenitor cells. In humans, pathogenic loss-of-function mutations in ANKLE2 are associated with primary congenital microcephaly, a condition in which the brain is not properly developed at birth. ANKLE2 is also linked to other disease pathologies, including congenital Zika syndrome, cancer and tauopathy. Here, we review the molecular roles of ANKLE2 and the recent literature on human diseases caused by its dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam T. Fishburn
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Cole J. Florio
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Nick J. Lopez
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
| | - Nichole L. Link
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Utah, 20 South 2030 East, Salt Lake City, UT 84112, USA
| | - Priya S. Shah
- Department of Microbiology and Molecular Genetics, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
- Department of Chemical Engineering, University of California, One Shields Avenue, Davis, CA 95616, USA
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Luppi AI, Rosas FE, Noonan MP, Mediano PAM, Kringelbach ML, Carhart-Harris RL, Stamatakis EA, Vernon AC, Turkheimer FE. Oxygen and the Spark of Human Brain Evolution: Complex Interactions of Metabolism and Cortical Expansion across Development and Evolution. Neuroscientist 2024; 30:173-198. [PMID: 36476177 DOI: 10.1177/10738584221138032] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/17/2024]
Abstract
Scientific theories on the functioning and dysfunction of the human brain require an understanding of its development-before and after birth and through maturation to adulthood-and its evolution. Here we bring together several accounts of human brain evolution by focusing on the central role of oxygen and brain metabolism. We argue that evolutionary expansion of human transmodal association cortices exceeded the capacity of oxygen delivery by the vascular system, which led these brain tissues to rely on nonoxidative glycolysis for additional energy supply. We draw a link between the resulting lower oxygen tension and its effect on cytoarchitecture, which we posit as a key driver of genetic developmental programs for the human brain-favoring lower intracortical myelination and the presence of biosynthetic materials for synapse turnover. Across biological and temporal scales, this protracted capacity for neural plasticity sets the conditions for cognitive flexibility and ongoing learning, supporting complex group dynamics and intergenerational learning that in turn enabled improved nutrition to fuel the metabolic costs of further cortical expansion. Our proposed model delineates explicit mechanistic links among metabolism, molecular and cellular brain heterogeneity, and behavior, which may lead toward a clearer understanding of brain development and its disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea I Luppi
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Division of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- The Alan Turing Institute, London, UK
| | - Fernando E Rosas
- Department of Informatics, University of Sussex, Brighton, UK
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Department of Brain Science, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Centre for Complexity Science, Imperial College London, London, UK
- Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - MaryAnn P Noonan
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Pedro A M Mediano
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Psychology, Queen Mary University of London, London, UK
- Department of Computing, Imperial College London, London, UK
| | - Morten L Kringelbach
- Centre for Eudaimonia and Human Flourishing, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
- Center for Music in the Brain, Aarhus University, Aarhus, Denmark
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Oxford, Oxford, UK
| | - Robin L Carhart-Harris
- Psychedelics Division-Neuroscape, Department of Neurology, University of California San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Emmanuel A Stamatakis
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Division of Anaesthesia, School of Clinical Medicine, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Anthony C Vernon
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, King's College London, London, UK
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Federico E Turkheimer
- Department of Neuroimaging, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, London, UK
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5
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Chen B, Du C, Wang M, Guo J, Liu X. Organoids as preclinical models of human disease: progress and applications. MEDICAL REVIEW (2021) 2024; 4:129-153. [PMID: 38680680 PMCID: PMC11046574 DOI: 10.1515/mr-2023-0047] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Accepted: 02/28/2024] [Indexed: 05/01/2024]
Abstract
In the field of biomedical research, organoids represent a remarkable advancement that has the potential to revolutionize our approach to studying human diseases even before clinical trials. Organoids are essentially miniature 3D models of specific organs or tissues, enabling scientists to investigate the causes of diseases, test new drugs, and explore personalized medicine within a controlled laboratory setting. Over the past decade, organoid technology has made substantial progress, allowing researchers to create highly detailed environments that closely mimic the human body. These organoids can be generated from various sources, including pluripotent stem cells, specialized tissue cells, and tumor tissue cells. This versatility enables scientists to replicate a wide range of diseases affecting different organ systems, effectively creating disease replicas in a laboratory dish. This exciting capability has provided us with unprecedented insights into the progression of diseases and how we can develop improved treatments. In this paper, we will provide an overview of the progress made in utilizing organoids as preclinical models, aiding our understanding and providing a more effective approach to addressing various human diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Baodan Chen
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CUHK-GIBH Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Cijie Du
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CUHK-GIBH Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Mengfei Wang
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CUHK-GIBH Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, China
| | - Jingyi Guo
- Innovation Centre for Advanced Interdisciplinary Medicine, The Fifth Affiliated Hospital of Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xingguo Liu
- CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou, China
- Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Guangdong-Hong Kong Joint Laboratory for Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, China-New Zealand Joint Laboratory on Biomedicine and Health, CUHK-GIBH Joint Research Laboratory on Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, GIBH-HKU Guangdong-Hong Kong Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine Research Centre, Institute for Stem Cell and Regeneration, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, China
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong SAR, China
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6
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Geller E, Noble MA, Morales M, Gockley J, Emera D, Uebbing S, Cotney JL, Noonan JP. Massively parallel disruption of enhancers active in human neural stem cells. Cell Rep 2024; 43:113693. [PMID: 38271204 PMCID: PMC11078116 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.113693] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Revised: 11/02/2023] [Accepted: 01/05/2024] [Indexed: 01/27/2024] Open
Abstract
Changes in gene regulation have been linked to the expansion of the human cerebral cortex and to neurodevelopmental disorders, potentially by altering neural progenitor proliferation. However, the effects of genetic variation within regulatory elements on neural progenitors remain obscure. We use sgRNA-Cas9 screens in human neural stem cells (hNSCs) to disrupt 10,674 genes and 26,385 conserved regions in 2,227 enhancers active in the developing human cortex and determine effects on proliferation. Genes with proliferation phenotypes are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders and show biased expression in specific fetal human brain neural progenitor populations. Although enhancer disruptions overall have weaker effects than gene disruptions, we identify enhancer disruptions that severely alter hNSC self-renewal. Disruptions in human accelerated regions, implicated in human brain evolution, also alter proliferation. Integrating proliferation phenotypes with chromatin interactions reveals regulatory relationships between enhancers and their target genes contributing to neurogenesis and potentially to human cortical evolution.
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Affiliation(s)
- Evan Geller
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Mark A Noble
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Matheo Morales
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Jake Gockley
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Deena Emera
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Severin Uebbing
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Justin L Cotney
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - James P Noonan
- Department of Genetics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
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7
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Cabet S, Putoux A, Lesca G, Lesage A, Massoud M, Guibaud L. Prenatal diagnosis of microcephaly with simplified gyral pattern: series of eight cases. ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS & GYNECOLOGY : THE OFFICIAL JOURNAL OF THE INTERNATIONAL SOCIETY OF ULTRASOUND IN OBSTETRICS AND GYNECOLOGY 2024; 63:271-275. [PMID: 37551048 DOI: 10.1002/uog.27450] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/15/2023] [Revised: 07/05/2023] [Accepted: 07/25/2023] [Indexed: 08/09/2023]
Abstract
Microcephaly with simplified gyral pattern (MSG) is an intrinsic genetic central nervous system disorder, characterized by microcephaly (a reduction of brain volume) and a simplified gyral pattern (a reduced number of gyri and shallow sulci associated with normal cortical thickness and neuroanatomical architecture), related to a reduced number of neuronal progenitors in the germinal matrix. We report the first prenatal series of MSG and define the prenatal imaging pattern, which should inform diagnosis and guide prenatal counseling in cases of fetal microcephaly. In this single-center retrospective study of fetuses with MSG, we assessed features on ultrasound and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), as well as genetic and neuropathological/postnatal data. We included eight patients who had been referred following observation of microcephaly. Ultrasound examination confirmed microcephaly, with a mean growth delay in head circumference of 3.4 weeks, associated with both a lack of gyration and a lack of opercularization of the Sylvian fissure and without any extracephalic anomaly. Fetal brain MRI confirmed lack of gyration with normal cortical thickness and normal intensity of the white matter in all cases. These MRI features led to exclusion of migration/corticogenesis disorders (lissencephaly/polymicrogyria), instead suggesting MSG. The posterior fossa was normal in seven of the eight cases. The corpus callosum was thin in four cases, hypoplastic in two and dysgenetic in two. In four cases, the pregnancy was terminated. The diagnosis of MSG was confirmed from neuropathological and postnatal MRI data. MSG was associated with a genetic diagnosis of RTTN (n = 1) and ASPM (n = 2) biallelic variants in three of the six cases in which genetic work-up was performed. Mild or moderate intellectual deficit with speech delay was present in the three surviving children who were at least 5 years of age at their last examination, without seizures. In conclusion, in the presence of isolated fetal microcephaly with lack of gyration on ultrasound, fetal cerebral MRI is key to diagnosing MSG, which, in the majority of cases, affects the supratentorial space exclusively, and to ruling out other cortical malformations that show a similar sonographic pattern. In addition to imaging, genetic assessment may guide prenatal counseling, since the prenatal prognosis of MSG is different from that of both diffuse polymicrogyria and lissencephaly. © 2023 The Authors. Ultrasound in Obstetrics & Gynecology published by John Wiley & Sons Ltd on behalf of International Society of Ultrasound in Obstetrics and Gynecology.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Cabet
- Pediatric and Fetal Imaging Department, Femme-Mère-Enfant Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France
- Institut NeuroMyoGène, CNRS UMR5292, INSERM U1028, Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France
- Multidisciplinary Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, Femme-Mère-Enfant Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France
| | - A Putoux
- Multidisciplinary Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, Femme-Mère-Enfant Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France
- Department of Genetics, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France
| | - G Lesca
- Institut NeuroMyoGène, CNRS UMR5292, INSERM U1028, Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France
- Department of Genetics, Groupement Hospitalier Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France
| | - A Lesage
- Department of Medical Imaging, CHU Sainte-Justine, Montréal, QC, Canada
| | - M Massoud
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Multidisciplinary Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, CHLS, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Lyon, France
| | - L Guibaud
- Pediatric and Fetal Imaging Department, Femme-Mère-Enfant Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France
- Multidisciplinary Center for Prenatal Diagnosis, Femme-Mère-Enfant Hospital, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Claude Bernard Lyon 1 University, Lyon, France
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8
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Liu J, Liu Q, Zhao J, Lin S, Zhou Y. Prenatal evaluation of genetic variants in fetuses with small head circumference: A single-center retrospective study. Eur J Obstet Gynecol Reprod Biol 2024; 293:57-66. [PMID: 38113582 DOI: 10.1016/j.ejogrb.2023.12.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2023] [Revised: 10/31/2023] [Accepted: 12/04/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES To comprehensively evaluate the contributions of numerical chromosomal abnormality, copy number variant (CNV), and sequence variant (SV) to fetuses with small head circumference in a Chinese cohort using chromosome microarray analysis and whole exome sequencing. METHODS A total of 157 fetuses with small heads defined as head circumference < - 2 standard deviation (SD) were recruited between October 2014 and March 2023. We used the ultrasonic measurement parameter Z-score to define small head as possible microcephaly (3 < Z ≤ -2), microcephaly (-5 < Z ≤ -3), or pathologic microcephaly (Z ≤ -5). Ultrasound findings and genetic results were analyzed. RESULTS The overall diagnostic yield of chromosomal abnormalities by microarray analysis was 13 %. Whole exome sequencing revealed eight novel variants and two interesting candidate genes and provided a 25.4 % incremental yield compared with microarray analysis. Of the detected SVs, 56 % were de novo and the most common inheritance pattern was autosomal dominant inheritance presented in 11/16 fetuses. Compared with isolated small heads, non-isolated small heads had a significantly higher detection rate of chromosomal abnormalities (16 % vs. 3.0 %, P = 0.049) but not SVs (24 % vs. 5.5 %, P = 0.126). Subgroup analysis showed that intracranial anomalies had a similar high detection rate of SVs in fetuses with all small heads subgroups while no chromosomal abnormalities and causative SVs were found in fetuses with isolated possible microcephaly. CONCLUSIONS Ultrasound findings of small fetal head circumference < 3 SD below the mean, especially those with intracranial structural abnormalities, indicate the need for genetic counseling. Genetic variants, mainly copy number variants and SV, may be responsible for the substantial proportion of small fetal head circumference, while most are de novo. Whole exome sequencing and microarray analysis are effective diagnostic approaches for this population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jingyu Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Quanrui Liu
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Jingya Zhao
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shaobin Lin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
| | - Yi Zhou
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, The First Affiliated Hospital of Sun Yat-sen University, Guangzhou, People's Republic of China.
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Sarli A, Al Sudani ZM, Vaghefi F, Motallebi F, Khosravi T, Rezaie N, Oladnabi M. Second report of TEDC1-related microcephaly caused by a novel biallelic mutation in an Iranian consanguineous family. Mol Biol Rep 2024; 51:181. [PMID: 38252227 DOI: 10.1007/s11033-023-09136-3] [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: 11/01/2023] [Accepted: 12/08/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Primary autosomal recessive microcephaly (MCPH) is a rare developmental disorder characterized by cognitive impairment, delayed neurodevelopment, and reduced brain size. It is a genetically heterogeneous condition, and several genes have been identified as associated with MCPH. METHODS AND RESULTS In this study, we utilized whole-exome sequencing (WES) to identify disease-causing variations in two brothers from an Iranian family affected by MCPH, who had consanguineous parents. In the patients, we detected a novel homozygous missense mutation (c.806A > G, p.Gln269Arg) in the TEDC1 gene in one of the patients. Co-segregation analysis using Sanger sequencing confirmed that this variant was inherited from parents. The identified variant was evaluated for its pathogenicity and novelty using various databases. Additionally, bioinformatics tools were employed to predict the three-dimensional structure of the mutant TEDC1 protein. CONCLUSIONS This study presents the second documented report of a mutation in the TEDC1 gene associated with MCPH. The identification of this novel biallelic mutation as a causative factor for MCPH in the proband further underscores the utility of genetic testing techniques, such as WES, as reliable diagnostic tools for individuals with this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abdolazim Sarli
- Gorgan Congenital Malformations Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | | | - Fatemeh Vaghefi
- Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Farzaneh Motallebi
- Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Teymoor Khosravi
- Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Nahid Rezaie
- Student Research Committee, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran
| | - Morteza Oladnabi
- Gorgan Congenital Malformations Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
- Department of Medical Genetics, School of Advanced Technologies in Medicine, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
- Ischemic Disorders Research Center, Golestan University of Medical Sciences, Gorgan, Iran.
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10
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Li L, Ran J. Regulation of ciliary homeostasis by intraflagellar transport-independent kinesins. Cell Death Dis 2024; 15:47. [PMID: 38218748 PMCID: PMC10787775 DOI: 10.1038/s41419-024-06428-9] [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: 10/01/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/02/2024] [Indexed: 01/15/2024]
Abstract
Cilia are highly conserved eukaryotic organelles that protrude from the cell surface and are involved in sensory perception, motility, and signaling. Their proper assembly and function rely on the bidirectional intraflagellar transport (IFT) system, which involves motor proteins, including antegrade kinesins and retrograde dynein. Although the role of IFT-mediated transport in cilia has been extensively studied, recent research has highlighted the contribution of IFT-independent kinesins in ciliary processes. The coordinated activities and interplay between IFT kinesins and IFT-independent kinesins are crucial for maintaining ciliary homeostasis. In this comprehensive review, we aim to delve into the specific contributions and mechanisms of action of the IFT-independent kinesins in cilia. By shedding light on their involvement, we hope to gain a more holistic perspective on ciliogenesis and ciliopathies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lin Li
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China
| | - Jie Ran
- Center for Cell Structure and Function, Shandong Provincial Key Laboratory of Animal Resistance Biology, College of Life Sciences, Shandong Normal University, Jinan, 250014, China.
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11
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Luppi AI, Girn M, Rosas FE, Timmermann C, Roseman L, Erritzoe D, Nutt DJ, Stamatakis EA, Spreng RN, Xing L, Huttner WB, Carhart-Harris RL. A role for the serotonin 2A receptor in the expansion and functioning of human transmodal cortex. Brain 2024; 147:56-80. [PMID: 37703310 DOI: 10.1093/brain/awad311] [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: 04/13/2023] [Revised: 08/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/18/2023] [Indexed: 09/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Integrating independent but converging lines of research on brain function and neurodevelopment across scales, this article proposes that serotonin 2A receptor (5-HT2AR) signalling is an evolutionary and developmental driver and potent modulator of the macroscale functional organization of the human cerebral cortex. A wealth of evidence indicates that the anatomical and functional organization of the cortex follows a unimodal-to-transmodal gradient. Situated at the apex of this processing hierarchy-where it plays a central role in the integrative processes underpinning complex, human-defining cognition-the transmodal cortex has disproportionately expanded across human development and evolution. Notably, the adult human transmodal cortex is especially rich in 5-HT2AR expression and recent evidence suggests that, during early brain development, 5-HT2AR signalling on neural progenitor cells stimulates their proliferation-a critical process for evolutionarily-relevant cortical expansion. Drawing on multimodal neuroimaging and cross-species investigations, we argue that, by contributing to the expansion of the human cortex and being prevalent at the apex of its hierarchy in the adult brain, 5-HT2AR signalling plays a major role in both human cortical expansion and functioning. Owing to its unique excitatory and downstream cellular effects, neuronal 5-HT2AR agonism promotes neuroplasticity, learning and cognitive and psychological flexibility in a context-(hyper)sensitive manner with therapeutic potential. Overall, we delineate a dual role of 5-HT2ARs in enabling both the expansion and modulation of the human transmodal cortex.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea I Luppi
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Division of Anaesthesia, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
- Leverhulme Centre for the Future of Intelligence, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 1SB, UK
- The Alan Turing Institute, London, NW1 2DB, UK
| | - Manesh Girn
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
- Psychedelics Division-Neuroscape, Department of Neurology, University of California SanFrancisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
| | - Fernando E Rosas
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Data Science Institute, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
- Centre for Complexity Science, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Christopher Timmermann
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Leor Roseman
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - David Erritzoe
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - David J Nutt
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
| | - Emmanuel A Stamatakis
- Department of Clinical Neurosciences and Division of Anaesthesia, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, CB2 0QQ, UK
| | - R Nathan Spreng
- Montreal Neurological Institute, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, McGill University, Montreal, H3A 2B4, Canada
| | - Lei Xing
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Wieland B Huttner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, 01307, Germany
| | - Robin L Carhart-Harris
- Psychedelics Division-Neuroscape, Department of Neurology, University of California SanFrancisco, San Francisco, CA 94158, USA
- Centre for Psychedelic Research, Department of Brain Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, Imperial College London, London, SW7 2AZ, UK
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12
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Abstract
Brain development in humans is achieved through precise spatiotemporal genetic control, the mechanisms of which remain largely elusive. Recently, integration of technological advances in human stem cell-based modelling with genome editing has emerged as a powerful platform to establish causative links between genotypes and phenotypes directly in the human system. Here, we review our current knowledge of complex genetic regulation of each key step of human brain development through the lens of evolutionary specialization and neurodevelopmental disorders and highlight the use of human stem cell-derived 2D cultures and 3D brain organoids to investigate human-enriched features and disease mechanisms. We also discuss opportunities and challenges of integrating new technologies to reveal the genetic architecture of human brain development and disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi Zhou
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hongjun Song
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- The Epigenetics Institute, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Guo-Li Ming
- Department of Neuroscience and Mahoney Institute for Neurosciences, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Institute for Regenerative Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Department of Psychiatry, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
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13
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Li N, Xu Y, Chen H, Lin J, AlAbdi L, Bekheirnia MR, Li G, Gofin Y, Bekheirnia N, Faqeih E, Chen L, Chang G, Tang J, Yao R, Yu T, Wang X, Fu W, Fu Q, Shen Y, Alkuraya FS, Machol K, Wang J. Bi-allelic variants in CEP295 cause Seckel-like syndrome presenting with primary microcephaly, developmental delay, intellectual disability, short stature, craniofacial and digital abnormalities. EBioMedicine 2024; 99:104940. [PMID: 38154379 PMCID: PMC10784679 DOI: 10.1016/j.ebiom.2023.104940] [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: 12/09/2022] [Revised: 12/13/2023] [Accepted: 12/13/2023] [Indexed: 12/30/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathogenic variants in the centrosome protein (CEP) family have been implicated in primary microcephaly, Seckel syndrome, and classical ciliopathies. However, most CEP genes remain unlinked to specific Mendelian genetic diseases in humans. We sought to explore the roles of CEP295 in human pathology. METHODS Whole-exome sequencing was performed to screen for pathogenic variants in patients with severe microcephaly. Patient-derived fibroblasts and CEP295-depleted U2OS and RPE1 cells were used to clarify the underlying pathomechanisms, including centriole/centrosome development, cell cycle and proliferation changes, and ciliogenesis. Complementary experiments using CEP295 mRNA were performed to determine the pathogenicity of the identified missense variant. FINDINGS Here, we report bi-allelic variants of CEP295 in four children from two unrelated families, characterized by severe primary microcephaly, short stature, developmental delay, intellectual disability, facial deformities, and abnormalities of fingers and toes, suggesting a Seckel-like syndrome. Mechanistically, depletion of CEP295 resulted in a decrease in the numbers of centrioles and centrosomes and triggered p53-dependent G1 cell cycle arrest. Moreover, loss of CEP295 causes extensive primary ciliary defects in both patient-derived fibroblasts and RPE1 cells. The results from complementary experiments revealed that the wild-type CEP295, but not the mutant protein, can correct the developmental defects of the centrosome/centriole and cilia in the patient-derived skin fibroblasts. INTERPRETATION This study reports CEP295 as a causative gene of the syndromic microcephaly phenotype in humans. Our study also demonstrates that defects in CEP295 result in primary ciliary defects. FUNDING A full list of funding bodies that contributed to this study can be found under "Acknowledgments."
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Affiliation(s)
- Niu Li
- Department of Reproductive Genetics, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China; Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China; Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Yufei Xu
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Hongzhu Chen
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Jingqi Lin
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Lama AlAbdi
- Department of Zoology, College of Science, King Saud University, Riyadh, 11533, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mir Reza Bekheirnia
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Renal Section, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Guoqiang Li
- Department of Reproductive Genetics, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200030, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China
| | - Yoel Gofin
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Nasim Bekheirnia
- Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Renal Section, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Eissa Faqeih
- Department of Pediatric Subspecialties, Children's Hospital, King Fahad Medical City, Riyadh, 11533, Saudi Arabia
| | - Lina Chen
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Guoying Chang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Jie Tang
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Ruen Yao
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China; Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Tingting Yu
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China; Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China
| | - Xiumin Wang
- Department of Endocrinology and Metabolism, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Wei Fu
- Institute of Pediatric Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Qihua Fu
- Institute of Pediatric Translational Medicine, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Diagnostics for Pediatrics, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Yiping Shen
- Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China
| | - Fowzan S Alkuraya
- Department of Translational Genomics, Center for Genomic Medicine, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - Keren Machol
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA; Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Jian Wang
- Shanghai Key Laboratory of Embryo Original Diseases, International Peace Maternity and Child Health Hospital, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai 200030, China; Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200127, China; Faculty of Medical Laboratory Science, College of Health Science and Technology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, 200025, China; Shanghai Key Laboratory of Clinical Molecular Diagnostics for Pediatrics, Shanghai, 200127, China.
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14
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Rocha-Martins M. Cell behaviors that pattern developing tissues: the case of the vertebrate nervous system. Curr Top Dev Biol 2023; 159:30-58. [PMID: 38729679 DOI: 10.1016/bs.ctdb.2023.11.003] [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: 05/12/2024]
Abstract
Morphogenesis from cells to tissue gives rise to the complex architectures that make our organs. How cells and their dynamic behavior are translated into functional spatial patterns is only starting to be understood. Recent advances in quantitative imaging revealed that, although highly heterogeneous, cellular behaviors make reproducible tissue patterns. Emerging evidence suggests that mechanisms of cellular coordination, intrinsic variability and plasticity are critical for robust pattern formation. While pattern development shows a high level of fidelity, tissue organization has undergone drastic changes throughout the course of evolution. In addition, alterations in cell behavior, if unregulated, can cause developmental malformations that disrupt function. Therefore, comparative studies of different species and of disease models offer a powerful approach for understanding how novel spatial configurations arise from variations in cell behavior and the fundamentals of successful pattern formation. In this chapter, I dive into the development of the vertebrate nervous system to explore efforts to dissect pattern formation beyond molecules, the emerging core principles and open questions.
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15
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Akula SK, Exposito-Alonso D, Walsh CA. Shaping the brain: The emergence of cortical structure and folding. Dev Cell 2023; 58:2836-2849. [PMID: 38113850 PMCID: PMC10793202 DOI: 10.1016/j.devcel.2023.11.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2022] [Revised: 04/08/2023] [Accepted: 11/10/2023] [Indexed: 12/21/2023]
Abstract
The cerebral cortex-the brain's covering and largest region-has increased in size and complexity in humans and supports higher cognitive functions such as language and abstract thinking. There is a growing understanding of the human cerebral cortex, including the diversity and number of cell types that it contains, as well as of the developmental mechanisms that shape cortical structure and organization. In this review, we discuss recent progress in our understanding of molecular and cellular processes, as well as mechanical forces, that regulate the folding of the cerebral cortex. Advances in human genetics, coupled with experimental modeling in gyrencephalic species, have provided insights into the central role of cortical progenitors in the gyrification and evolutionary expansion of the cerebral cortex. These studies are essential for understanding the emergence of structural and functional organization during cortical development and the pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with cortical malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shyam K Akula
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Allen Discovery Center for Human Brain Evolution, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - David Exposito-Alonso
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Allen Discovery Center for Human Brain Evolution, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA
| | - Christopher A Walsh
- Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA; Departments of Pediatrics and Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Allen Discovery Center for Human Brain Evolution, Boston Children's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Chevy Chase, Maryland, USA.
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16
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Lim Y. Transcription factors in microcephaly. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1302033. [PMID: 38094004 PMCID: PMC10716367 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1302033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2023] [Accepted: 11/06/2023] [Indexed: 02/01/2024] Open
Abstract
Higher cognition in humans, compared to other primates, is often attributed to an increased brain size, especially forebrain cortical surface area. Brain size is determined through highly orchestrated developmental processes, including neural stem cell proliferation, differentiation, migration, lamination, arborization, and apoptosis. Disruption in these processes often results in either a small (microcephaly) or large (megalencephaly) brain. One of the key mechanisms controlling these developmental processes is the spatial and temporal transcriptional regulation of critical genes. In humans, microcephaly is defined as a condition with a significantly smaller head circumference compared to the average head size of a given age and sex group. A growing number of genes are identified as associated with microcephaly, and among them are those involved in transcriptional regulation. In this review, a subset of genes encoding transcription factors (e.g., homeobox-, basic helix-loop-helix-, forkhead box-, high mobility group box-, and zinc finger domain-containing transcription factors), whose functions are important for cortical development and implicated in microcephaly, are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Youngshin Lim
- Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Cedars-Sinai Medical Center, Los Angeles, CA, United States
- Department of Biomedical Science Education, Charles R. Drew University of Medicine and Science, Los Angeles, CA, United States
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17
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Heide M, Huttner WB. Causes of microcephaly in human-theoretical considerations. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1306166. [PMID: 38075281 PMCID: PMC10701273 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1306166] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/07/2023] [Indexed: 12/26/2023] Open
Abstract
As is evident from the theme of the Research Topic “Small Size, Big Problem: Understanding the Molecular Orchestra of Brain Development from Microcephaly,” the pathomechanisms leading to mirocephaly in human are at best partially understood. As molecular cell biologists and developmental neurobiologists, we present here a treatise with theoretical considerations that systematically dissect possible causes of microcephaly, which we believe is timely. Our considerations address the cell types affected in microcephaly, that is, the cortical stem and progenitor cells as well as the neurons and macroglial cell generated therefrom. We discuss issues such as progenitor cell types, cell lineages, modes of cell division, cell proliferation and cell survival. We support our theoretical considerations by discussing selected examples of factual cases of microcephaly, in order to point out that there is a much larger range of possible pathomechanisms leading to microcephaly in human than currently known.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Heide
- German Primate Center, Leibniz Institute for Primate Research, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Wieland B. Huttner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
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18
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Gopalakrishnan J, Feistel K, Friedrich BM, Grapin‐Botton A, Jurisch‐Yaksi N, Mass E, Mick DU, Müller R, May‐Simera H, Schermer B, Schmidts M, Walentek P, Wachten D. Emerging principles of primary cilia dynamics in controlling tissue organization and function. EMBO J 2023; 42:e113891. [PMID: 37743763 PMCID: PMC10620770 DOI: 10.15252/embj.2023113891] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/27/2023] [Revised: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 09/08/2023] [Indexed: 09/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary cilia project from the surface of most vertebrate cells and are key in sensing extracellular signals and locally transducing this information into a cellular response. Recent findings show that primary cilia are not merely static organelles with a distinct lipid and protein composition. Instead, the function of primary cilia relies on the dynamic composition of molecules within the cilium, the context-dependent sensing and processing of extracellular stimuli, and cycles of assembly and disassembly in a cell- and tissue-specific manner. Thereby, primary cilia dynamically integrate different cellular inputs and control cell fate and function during tissue development. Here, we review the recently emerging concept of primary cilia dynamics in tissue development, organization, remodeling, and function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jay Gopalakrishnan
- Institute for Human Genetics, Heinrich‐Heine‐UniversitätUniversitätsklinikum DüsseldorfDüsseldorfGermany
| | - Kerstin Feistel
- Department of Zoology, Institute of BiologyUniversity of HohenheimStuttgartGermany
| | | | - Anne Grapin‐Botton
- Cluster of Excellence Physics of Life, TU DresdenDresdenGermany
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and GeneticsDresdenGermany
- Paul Langerhans Institute Dresden of the Helmholtz Center Munich at The University Hospital Carl Gustav Carus and Faculty of Medicine of the TU DresdenDresdenGermany
| | - Nathalie Jurisch‐Yaksi
- Department of Clinical and Molecular MedicineNorwegian University of Science and TechnologyTrondheimNorway
| | - Elvira Mass
- Life and Medical Sciences Institute, Developmental Biology of the Immune SystemUniversity of BonnBonnGermany
| | - David U Mick
- Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS), Center of Human and Molecular Biology (ZHMB)Saarland School of MedicineHomburgGermany
| | - Roman‐Ulrich Müller
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital CologneUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐Associated Diseases (CECAD), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital CologneUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Helen May‐Simera
- Institute of Molecular PhysiologyJohannes Gutenberg‐UniversityMainzGermany
| | - Bernhard Schermer
- Department II of Internal Medicine and Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital CologneUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
- Cologne Excellence Cluster on Cellular Stress Responses in Aging‐Associated Diseases (CECAD), Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital CologneUniversity of CologneCologneGermany
| | - Miriam Schmidts
- Pediatric Genetics Division, Center for Pediatrics and Adolescent MedicineUniversity Hospital FreiburgFreiburgGermany
- CIBSS‐Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling StudiesUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Peter Walentek
- CIBSS‐Centre for Integrative Biological Signalling StudiesUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
- Renal Division, Internal Medicine IV, Medical CenterUniversity of FreiburgFreiburgGermany
| | - Dagmar Wachten
- Institute of Innate Immunity, Biophysical Imaging, Medical FacultyUniversity of BonnBonnGermany
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19
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Li Y, Zeng PM, Wu J, Luo ZG. Advances and Applications of Brain Organoids. Neurosci Bull 2023; 39:1703-1716. [PMID: 37222855 PMCID: PMC10603019 DOI: 10.1007/s12264-023-01065-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/02/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Understanding the fundamental processes of human brain development and diseases is of great importance for our health. However, existing research models such as non-human primate and mouse models remain limited due to their developmental discrepancies compared with humans. Over the past years, an emerging model, the "brain organoid" integrated from human pluripotent stem cells, has been developed to mimic developmental processes of the human brain and disease-associated phenotypes to some extent, making it possible to better understand the complex structures and functions of the human brain. In this review, we summarize recent advances in brain organoid technologies and their applications in brain development and diseases, including neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative, psychiatric diseases, and brain tumors. Finally, we also discuss current limitations and the potential of brain organoids.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yang Li
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Peng-Ming Zeng
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Jian Wu
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China
| | - Zhen-Ge Luo
- School of Life Science and Technology, ShanghaiTech University, Shanghai, 201210, China.
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20
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Blackhurst BM, Funk KE. Molecular and Cellular Mechanisms Underlying Neurologic Manifestations of Mosquito-Borne Flavivirus Infections. Viruses 2023; 15:2200. [PMID: 38005878 PMCID: PMC10674799 DOI: 10.3390/v15112200] [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: 09/30/2023] [Revised: 10/21/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Flaviviruses are a family of enveloped viruses with a positive-sense RNA genome, transmitted by arthropod vectors. These viruses are known for their broad cellular tropism leading to infection of multiple body systems, which can include the central nervous system. Neurologic effects of flavivirus infection can arise during both acute and post-acute infectious periods; however, the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying post-acute sequelae are not fully understood. Here, we review recent studies that have examined molecular and cellular mechanisms that may contribute to neurologic sequelae following infection with the West Nile virus, Japanese encephalitis virus, Zika virus, dengue virus, and St. Louis encephalitis virus. Neuronal death, either from direct infection or due to the resultant inflammatory response, is a common mechanism by which flavivirus infection can lead to neurologic impairment. Other types of cellular damage, such as oxidative stress and DNA damage, appear to be more specific to certain viruses. This article aims to highlight mechanisms of cellular damage that are common across several flavivirus members and mechanisms that are more unique to specific members. Our goal is to inspire further research to improve understanding of this area in the hope of identifying treatment options for flavivirus-associated neurologic changes.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Kristen E. Funk
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of North Carolina at Charlotte, Charlotte, NC 28223, USA
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21
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Ribeiro JH, Altinisik N, Rajan N, Verslegers M, Baatout S, Gopalakrishnan J, Quintens R. DNA damage and repair: underlying mechanisms leading to microcephaly. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1268565. [PMID: 37881689 PMCID: PMC10597653 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1268565] [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: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 10/27/2023] Open
Abstract
DNA-damaging agents and endogenous DNA damage constantly harm genome integrity. Under genotoxic stress conditions, the DNA damage response (DDR) machinery is crucial in repairing lesions and preventing mutations in the basic structure of the DNA. Different repair pathways are implicated in the resolution of such lesions. For instance, the non-homologous DNA end joining and homologous recombination pathways are central cellular mechanisms by which eukaryotic cells maintain genome integrity. However, defects in these pathways are often associated with neurological disorders, indicating the pivotal role of DDR in normal brain development. Moreover, the brain is the most sensitive organ affected by DNA-damaging agents compared to other tissues during the prenatal period. The accumulation of lesions is believed to induce cell death, reduce proliferation and premature differentiation of neural stem and progenitor cells, and reduce brain size (microcephaly). Microcephaly is mainly caused by genetic mutations, especially genes encoding proteins involved in centrosomes and DNA repair pathways. However, it can also be induced by exposure to ionizing radiation and intrauterine infections such as the Zika virus. This review explains mammalian cortical development and the major DNA repair pathways that may lead to microcephaly when impaired. Next, we discuss the mechanisms and possible exposures leading to DNA damage and p53 hyperactivation culminating in microcephaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jessica Honorato Ribeiro
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Nazlican Altinisik
- Laboratory for Centrosome and Cytoskeleton Biology, Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Nicholas Rajan
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Mieke Verslegers
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
| | - Sarah Baatout
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
- Faculty of Bioscience Engineering, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
| | - Jay Gopalakrishnan
- Laboratory for Centrosome and Cytoskeleton Biology, Institute of Human Genetics, University Hospital, Heinrich-Heine-Universität, Düsseldorf, Germany
| | - Roel Quintens
- Radiobiology Unit, Belgian Nuclear Research Centre (SCK CEN), Mol, Belgium
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22
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Sokol DK, Lahiri DK. Neurodevelopmental disorders and microcephaly: how apoptosis, the cell cycle, tau and amyloid-β precursor protein APPly. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1201723. [PMID: 37808474 PMCID: PMC10556256 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1201723] [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: 04/07/2023] [Accepted: 08/08/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Recent studies promote new interest in the intersectionality between autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Alzheimer's Disease. We have reported high levels of Amyloid-β Precursor Protein (APP) and secreted APP-alpha (sAPPa ) and low levels of amyloid-beta (Aβ) peptides 1-40 and 1-42 (Aβ40, Aβ42) in plasma and brain tissue from children with ASD. A higher incidence of microcephaly (head circumference less than the 3rd percentile) associates with ASD compared to head size in individuals with typical development. The role of Aβ peptides as contributors to acquired microcephaly in ASD is proposed. Aβ may lead to microcephaly via disruption of neurogenesis, elongation of the G1/S cell cycle, and arrested cell cycle promoting apoptosis. As the APP gene exists on Chromosome 21, excess Aβ peptides occur in Trisomy 21-T21 (Down's Syndrome). Microcephaly and some forms of ASD associate with T21, and therefore potential mechanisms underlying these associations will be examined in this review. Aβ peptides' role in other neurodevelopmental disorders that feature ASD and acquired microcephaly are reviewed, including dup 15q11.2-q13, Angelman and Rett syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Deborah K. Sokol
- Section of Pediatrics, Department of Neurology, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
| | - Debomoy K. Lahiri
- Department of Psychiatry, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
- Department of Medical and Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, United States
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23
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Warrier V, Stauffer EM, Huang QQ, Wigdor EM, Slob EAW, Seidlitz J, Ronan L, Valk SL, Mallard TT, Grotzinger AD, Romero-Garcia R, Baron-Cohen S, Geschwind DH, Lancaster MA, Murray GK, Gandal MJ, Alexander-Bloch A, Won H, Martin HC, Bullmore ET, Bethlehem RAI. Genetic insights into human cortical organization and development through genome-wide analyses of 2,347 neuroimaging phenotypes. Nat Genet 2023; 55:1483-1493. [PMID: 37592024 PMCID: PMC10600728 DOI: 10.1038/s41588-023-01475-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Accepted: 07/13/2023] [Indexed: 08/19/2023]
Abstract
Our understanding of the genetics of the human cerebral cortex is limited both in terms of the diversity and the anatomical granularity of brain structural phenotypes. Here we conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of 13 structural and diffusion magnetic resonance imaging-derived cortical phenotypes, measured globally and at 180 bilaterally averaged regions in 36,663 individuals and identified 4,349 experiment-wide significant loci. These phenotypes include cortical thickness, surface area, gray matter volume, measures of folding, neurite density and water diffusion. We identified four genetic latent structures and causal relationships between surface area and some measures of cortical folding. These latent structures partly relate to different underlying gene expression trajectories during development and are enriched for different cell types. We also identified differential enrichment for neurodevelopmental and constrained genes and demonstrate that common genetic variants associated with cortical expansion are associated with cephalic disorders. Finally, we identified complex interphenotype and inter-regional genetic relationships among the 13 phenotypes, reflecting the developmental differences among them. Together, these analyses identify distinct genetic organizational principles of the cortex and their correlates with neurodevelopment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Varun Warrier
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
| | | | | | | | - Eric A W Slob
- Medical Research Council Biostatistics Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Applied Economics, Erasmus School of Economics, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
- Erasmus University Rotterdam Institute for Behavior and Biology, Erasmus University Rotterdam, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Jakob Seidlitz
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Lifespan Brain Institute, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Lisa Ronan
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Sofie L Valk
- Institute of Neuroscience and Medicine, Brain & Behaviour (INM-7), Research Centre Jülich, FZ Jülich, Jülich, Germany
- Institute of Systems Neuroscience, Medical Faculty, Heinrich Heine University Düsseldorf, Düsseldorf, Germany
- Otto Hahn Group Cognitive Neurogenetics, Max Planck Institute for Human Cognitive and Brain Sciences, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Travis T Mallard
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Andrew D Grotzinger
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
- Institute for Behavioral Genetics, University of Colorado at Boulder, Boulder, CO, USA
| | - Rafael Romero-Garcia
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Instituto de Biomedicina de Sevilla (IBiS) HUVR/CSIC/Universidad de Sevilla/CIBERSAM, ISCIII, Dpto. de Fisiología Médica y Biofísica, Seville, Spain
| | - Simon Baron-Cohen
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Daniel H Geschwind
- Department of Human Genetics, David Geffen School of Medicine, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Program in Neurogenetics, Department of Neurology, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Center for Autism Research and Treatment, Jane and TerrySemel Institute for Neuroscience and Human Behavior, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- Institute of Precision Health, University of California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Madeline A Lancaster
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Francis Crick Avenue, Cambridge, UK
| | - Graham K Murray
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Trust, Cambridge, UK
- Institute for Molecular Bioscience, University of Queensland, Brisbane, Queensland, Australia
| | - Michael J Gandal
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Lifespan Brain Institute, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Aaron Alexander-Bloch
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry and Behavioral Science, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Lifespan Brain Institute, The Children's Hospital of Philadelphia and Penn Medicine, Philadelphia, PA, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA
| | - Hyejung Won
- Department of Genetics and the Neuroscience Center, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, NC, USA
| | | | - Edward T Bullmore
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Cambridgeshire and Peterborough NHS Trust, Cambridge, UK
| | - Richard A I Bethlehem
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
- Department of Psychology, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK.
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Wu X, Li Z, Wang ZQ, Xu X. The neurological and non-neurological roles of the primary microcephaly-associated protein ASPM. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1242448. [PMID: 37599996 PMCID: PMC10436222 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1242448] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2023] [Accepted: 07/24/2023] [Indexed: 08/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary microcephaly (MCPH), is a neurological disorder characterized by small brain size that results in numerous developmental problems, including intellectual disability, motor and speech delays, and seizures. Hitherto, over 30 MCPH causing genes (MCPHs) have been identified. Among these MCPHs, MCPH5, which encodes abnormal spindle-like microcephaly-associated protein (ASPM), is the most frequently mutated gene. ASPM regulates mitotic events, cell proliferation, replication stress response, DNA repair, and tumorigenesis. Moreover, using a data mining approach, we have confirmed that high levels of expression of ASPM correlate with poor prognosis in several types of tumors. Here, we summarize the neurological and non-neurological functions of ASPM and provide insight into its implications for the diagnosis and treatment of MCPH and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xingxuan Wu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Genome Stability and Disease Prevention and Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen University-Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena Joint PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Laboratory of Genome Stability, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Zheng Li
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Genome Stability and Disease Prevention and Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
| | - Zhao-Qi Wang
- Shenzhen University-Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena Joint PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Laboratory of Genome Stability, Leibniz Institute on Aging-Fritz Lipmann Institute, Jena, Germany
| | - Xingzhi Xu
- Guangdong Key Laboratory for Genome Stability and Disease Prevention and Marshall Laboratory of Biomedical Engineering, Shenzhen University Medical School, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
- Shenzhen University-Friedrich Schiller Universität Jena Joint PhD Program in Biomedical Sciences, Shenzhen University School of Medicine, Shenzhen, Guangdong, China
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25
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Wang C, Zhou W, Zhang L, Fu L, Shi W, Qing Y, Lu F, Tang J, Gao X, Zhang A, Jia Z, Zhang Y, Zhao X, Zheng B. Diagnostic yield and novel candidate genes for neurodevelopmental disorders by exome sequencing in an unselected cohort with microcephaly. BMC Genomics 2023; 24:422. [PMID: 37501076 PMCID: PMC10373276 DOI: 10.1186/s12864-023-09505-z] [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: 02/08/2023] [Accepted: 07/04/2023] [Indexed: 07/29/2023] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Microcephaly is caused by reduced brain volume and most usually associated with a variety of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs). To provide an overview of the diagnostic yield of whole exome sequencing (WES) and promote novel candidates in genetically unsolved families, we studied the clinical and genetic landscape of an unselected Chinese cohort of patients with microcephaly. METHODS We performed WES in an unselected cohort of 103 NDDs patients with microcephaly as one of the features. Full evaluation of potential novel candidate genes was applied in genetically undiagnosed families. Functional validations of selected variants were conducted in cultured cells. To augment the discovery of novel candidates, we queried our genomic sequencing data repository for additional likely disease-causing variants in the identified candidate genes. RESULTS In 65 families (63.1%), causative sequence variants (SVs) and clinically relevant copy number variants (CNVs) with a pathogenic or likely pathogenic (P/LP) level were identified. By incorporating coverage analysis to WES, a pathogenic or likely pathogenic CNV was detected in 15 families (16/103, 15.5%). In another eight families (8/103, 7.8%), we identified variants in newly reported gene (CCND2) and potential novel neurodevelopmental disorders /microcephaly candidate genes, which involved in cell cycle and division (PWP2, CCND2), CDC42/RAC signaling related actin cytoskeletal organization (DOCK9, RHOF), neurogenesis (ELAVL3, PPP1R9B, KCNH3) and transcription regulation (IRF2BP1). By looking into our data repository of 5066 families with NDDs, we identified additional two cases with variants in DOCK9 and PPP1R9B, respectively. CONCLUSION Our results expand the morbid genome of monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders and support the adoption of WES as a first-tier test for individuals with microcephaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunli Wang
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Zhou
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Luyan Zhang
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Luhan Fu
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Wei Shi
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yan Qing
- Department of Neurosurgery, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Fen Lu
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Jian Tang
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Xiucheng Gao
- Department of Radiology, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Aihua Zhang
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Zhanjun Jia
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China
| | - Yue Zhang
- Jiangsu Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Xiaoke Zhao
- Department of Rehabilitation Medicine, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
| | - Bixia Zheng
- Nanjing Key Laboratory of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Nanjing Medical University, Nanjing, China.
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26
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Farcy S, Hachour H, Bahi-Buisson N, Passemard S. Genetic Primary Microcephalies: When Centrosome Dysfunction Dictates Brain and Body Size. Cells 2023; 12:1807. [PMID: 37443841 PMCID: PMC10340463 DOI: 10.3390/cells12131807] [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: 04/06/2023] [Revised: 06/04/2023] [Accepted: 06/13/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Primary microcephalies (PMs) are defects in brain growth that are detectable at or before birth and are responsible for neurodevelopmental disorders. Most are caused by biallelic or, more rarely, dominant mutations in one of the likely hundreds of genes encoding PM proteins, i.e., ubiquitous centrosome or microtubule-associated proteins required for the division of neural progenitor cells in the embryonic brain. Here, we provide an overview of the different types of PMs, i.e., isolated PMs with or without malformations of cortical development and PMs associated with short stature (microcephalic dwarfism) or sensorineural disorders. We present an overview of the genetic, developmental, neurological, and cognitive aspects characterizing the most representative PMs. The analysis of phenotypic similarities and differences among patients has led scientists to elucidate the roles of these PM proteins in humans. Phenotypic similarities indicate possible redundant functions of a few of these proteins, such as ASPM and WDR62, which play roles only in determining brain size and structure. However, the protein pericentrin (PCNT) is equally required for determining brain and body size. Other PM proteins perform both functions, albeit to different degrees. Finally, by comparing phenotypes, we considered the interrelationships among these proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Farcy
- UMR144, Institut Curie, 75005 Paris, France;
- Inserm UMR-S 1163, Institut Imagine, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Hassina Hachour
- Service de Neurologie Pédiatrique, DMU INOV-RDB, APHP, Hôpital Robert Debré, 75019 Paris, France;
| | - Nadia Bahi-Buisson
- Service de Neurologie Pédiatrique, DMU MICADO, APHP, Hôpital Necker Enfants Malades, 75015 Paris, France;
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMR-S 1163, Institut Imagine, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Sandrine Passemard
- Service de Neurologie Pédiatrique, DMU INOV-RDB, APHP, Hôpital Robert Debré, 75019 Paris, France;
- Université Paris Cité, Inserm UMR 1141, NeuroDiderot, 75019 Paris, France
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27
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Batool T, Irshad S, Riaz M, Mahmood Baig S, Nuernberg P, Hussain MS. Recurrence mutation in RBBP8 gene causing non-syndromic autosomal recessive primary microcephaly; geometric simulation approach for insight into predicted computational models. J Hum Genet 2023; 68:469-475. [PMID: 36864288 DOI: 10.1038/s10038-023-01132-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/12/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 02/06/2023] [Indexed: 03/04/2023]
Abstract
Primary microcephaly is a rare, congenital, and genetically heterogeneous disorder in which occipitofrontal head circumference is reduced by a minimum of three standard deviations (SDs) from average because of the defect in fetal brain development. OBJECTIVE Mapping of RBBP8 gene mutation that produce autosomal recessive primary microcephaly. Insilco RBBP8 protein models prediction and analysis. METHODS Consanguineous Pakistani family affected with non-syndromic primary microcephaly was mapped a biallelic sequence variant (c.1807_1808delAT) in the RBBP8 gene via whole-exome sequencing. The deleted variant in the RBBP8 gene in affected siblings (V:4, V:6) of primary microcephaly was confirmed by sanger sequencing. RESULTS Identified variant c.1807_1808delAT that truncated the protein translation p. Ile603Lysfs*7 and impaired the functioning of RBBP8 protein. This sequence variant was only reported previously in Atypical Seckel syndrome and Jawad syndrome, while we mapped it in the non-syndromic primary microcephaly family. We predicted 3D protein models by using Insilco tools like I TASSER, Swiss model, and phyre2 of wild RBBP8 protein of 897 amino acids and 608 amino acids of the mutant protein. These models were validated through the online SAVES server and Ramachandran plot and refined by using the Galaxy WEB server. A predicted and refined wild protein 3D model was deposited with accession number PM0083523 in Protein Model Database. A normal mode-based geometric simulation approach was used through the NMSim program, to find out the structural diversity of wild and mutant proteins which were evaluated by RMSD and RMSF. Higher RMSD and RMSF in mutant protein reduced the stability of the protein. CONCLUSION The high possibility of this variant results in nonsense-mediated decay of mRNA, leading to the loss of protein functioning which causes primary microcephaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tahira Batool
- School of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (SBB), University of the Punjab, Lahore-54590, Pakistan
| | - Saba Irshad
- School of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (SBB), University of the Punjab, Lahore-54590, Pakistan.
| | - Muhammad Riaz
- Department of Allied Health Sciences, University of Sargodha, Sargodha, 40100, Pakistan
| | | | - Peter Nuernberg
- Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Muhammad Sajid Hussain
- Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), University of Cologne, Faculty of Medicine and University Hospital Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
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28
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Pires LB, Peixoto-Rodrigues MC, Eloi JF, Cascabulho CM, Barbosa HS, Santiago MF, Adesse D. Infection of Mouse Neural Progenitor Cells by Toxoplasma gondii Reduces Proliferation, Migration, and Neuronal Differentiation in Vitro. THE AMERICAN JOURNAL OF PATHOLOGY 2023; 193:977-994. [PMID: 37037285 DOI: 10.1016/j.ajpath.2023.03.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/25/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/07/2023] [Indexed: 04/12/2023]
Abstract
Congenital toxoplasmosis constitutes a major cause of pre- and postnatal complications. Fetal infection with Toxoplasma gondii influences development and can lead to microcephaly, encephalitis, and neurologic abnormalities. Systematic studies concerning the effects of neural progenitor cell infection with T. gondii are unavailable. Cortical intermediate progenitor cells cultivated as neurospheres obtained from E16.5 Swiss Webster mice were infected with T. gondii (ME49 strain) tachyzoites to mimic the developing mouse cerebral cortex in vitro. Infection was associated with decreased cell proliferation, detected by Ki-67 staining at 48 and 72 hours after infection in floating neurospheres, and reduced cellularity at 96 hours. Transient decreases in the expression of the neurogenesis-related transcription factors T-box brain protein 1, mouse atonal homolog protein 1, and hairy and enhancer of split protein 1 were found in infected cultures, while the level of transcription factor SOX-2 remained unaltered. Neurogenic potential, assessed in plated neurospheres, was impaired in infected cultures, as indicated by decreased late neuronal marker neurofilament heavy chain immunoreactivity. Infected cultures exhibited decreased overall migration rates at 48 and 120 hours. These findings indicate that T. gondii infection of neural progenitor cells may lead to reduced neurogenesis due to an imbalance in cell proliferation alongside an altered migratory profile. If translated to the in vivo situation, these data could explain, in part, cortical malformations in congenitally infected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luiza B Pires
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Laboratório de Neurobiologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Maria C Peixoto-Rodrigues
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Jéssica F Eloi
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cynthia M Cascabulho
- Laboratório de Inovações em Terapias, Ensino e Bioprodutos, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Helene S Barbosa
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Marcelo F Santiago
- Laboratório de Neurobiologia Celular e Molecular, Instituto de Biofísica Carlos Chagas Filho, Universidade Federal do Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Daniel Adesse
- Laboratório de Biologia Estrutural, Instituto Oswaldo Cruz, Fundação Oswaldo Cruz, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil; Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Miller School of Medicine, University of Miami, Miami, Florida.
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29
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Pallavicini G, Iegiani G, Parolisi R, Ferraro A, Garello F, Bitonto V, Terreno E, Gai M, Di Cunto F. Lestaurtinib inhibits Citron kinase activity and medulloblastoma growth through induction of DNA damage, apoptosis and cytokinesis failure. Front Oncol 2023; 13:1202585. [PMID: 37404750 PMCID: PMC10315473 DOI: 10.3389/fonc.2023.1202585] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/19/2023] [Accepted: 05/30/2023] [Indexed: 07/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Medulloblastoma (MB), the most common malignant pediatric brain tumor, is currently treated with surgery followed by radiation and chemotherapy, which is accompanied by severe side effects, raising the need for innovative therapies. Disruption of the microcephaly-related gene Citron kinase (CITK) impairs the expansion of xenograft models as well as spontaneous MB arising in transgenic mice. No specific CITK inhibitors are available. Methods Lestaurtinib, a Staurosporine derivative also known as CEP-701, inhibits CITK with IC50 of 90 nM. We therefore tested the biological effects of this molecule on different MB cell lines, as well as in vivo, injecting the drug in MBs arising in SmoA1 transgenic mice. Results Similar to CITK knockdown, treatment of MB cells with 100 nM Lestaurtinib reduces phospho-INCENP levels at the midbody and leads to late cytokinesis failure. Moreover, Lestaurtinib impairs cell proliferation through CITK-sensitive mechanisms. These phenotypes are accompanied by accumulation of DNA double strand breaks, cell cycle block and TP53 superfamily activation in vitro and in vivo. Lestaurtinib treatment reduces tumor growth and increases mice survival. Discussion Our data indicate that Lestaurtinib produces in MB cells poly-pharmacological effects extending beyond the inhibition of its validated targets, supporting the possibility of repositioning this drug for MB treatment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gianmarco Pallavicini
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Turin, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience ‘Rita Levi Montalcini’, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Giorgia Iegiani
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Turin, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience ‘Rita Levi Montalcini’, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Roberta Parolisi
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Turin, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience ‘Rita Levi Montalcini’, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Alessia Ferraro
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Turin, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience ‘Rita Levi Montalcini’, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Francesca Garello
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Valeria Bitonto
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Enzo Terreno
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Marta Gai
- Department of Molecular Biotechnology and Health Sciences, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
| | - Ferdinando Di Cunto
- Neuroscience Institute Cavalieri Ottolenghi, Turin, Italy
- Department of Neuroscience ‘Rita Levi Montalcini’, University of Turin, Turin, Italy
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30
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She HQ, Sun YF, Chen L, Xiao QX, Luo BY, Zhou HS, Zhou D, Chang QY, Xiong LL. Current analysis of hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy research issues and future treatment modalities. Front Neurosci 2023; 17:1136500. [PMID: 37360183 PMCID: PMC10288156 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2023.1136500] [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: 03/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/09/2023] [Indexed: 06/28/2023] Open
Abstract
Hypoxic-ischemic encephalopathy (HIE) is the leading cause of long-term neurological disability in neonates and adults. Through bibliometric analysis, we analyzed the current research on HIE in various countries, institutions, and authors. At the same time, we extensively summarized the animal HIE models and modeling methods. There are various opinions on the neuroprotective treatment of HIE, and the main therapy in clinical is therapeutic hypothermia, although its efficacy remains to be investigated. Therefore, in this study, we discussed the progress of neural circuits, injured brain tissue, and neural circuits-related technologies, providing new ideas for the treatment and prognosis management of HIE with the combination of neuroendocrine and neuroprotection.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hong-Qing She
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Translational Neurology Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- WANG TINGHUA Translation Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Yi-Fei Sun
- Institute of Neurological Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Li Chen
- Institute of Neurological Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Qiu-Xia Xiao
- Institute of Neurological Disease, West China Hospital, Sichuan University, Chengdu, China
| | - Bo-Yan Luo
- WANG TINGHUA Translation Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Hong-Su Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Translational Neurology Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- WANG TINGHUA Translation Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Di Zhou
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
| | - Quan-Yuan Chang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Southwest Medical University, Luzhou, China
| | - Liu-Lin Xiong
- Department of Anesthesiology, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- Translational Neurology Laboratory, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
- WANG TINGHUA Translation Institute, Affiliated Hospital of Zunyi Medical University, Zunyi, China
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31
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Lupan BM, Solecki RA, Musso CM, Alsina FC, Silver DL. The exon junction complex component EIF4A3 is essential for mouse and human cortical progenitor mitosis and neurogenesis. Development 2023; 150:dev201619. [PMID: 37139782 PMCID: PMC10233715 DOI: 10.1242/dev.201619] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/13/2023] [Accepted: 04/24/2023] [Indexed: 05/05/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in components of the exon junction complex (EJC) are associated with neurodevelopment and disease. In particular, reduced levels of the RNA helicase EIF4A3 cause Richieri-Costa-Pereira syndrome (RCPS) and copy number variations are linked to intellectual disability. Consistent with this, Eif4a3 haploinsufficient mice are microcephalic. Altogether, this implicates EIF4A3 in cortical development; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we use mouse and human models to demonstrate that EIF4A3 promotes cortical development by controlling progenitor mitosis, cell fate and survival. Eif4a3 haploinsufficiency in mice causes extensive cell death and impairs neurogenesis. Using Eif4a3;p53 compound mice, we show that apoptosis has the most impact on early neurogenesis, while additional p53-independent mechanisms contribute to later stages. Live imaging of mouse and human neural progenitors reveals that Eif4a3 controls mitosis length, which influences progeny fate and viability. These phenotypes are conserved, as cortical organoids derived from RCPS iPSCs exhibit aberrant neurogenesis. Finally, using rescue experiments we show that EIF4A3 controls neuron generation via the EJC. Altogether, our study demonstrates that EIF4A3 mediates neurogenesis by controlling mitosis duration and cell survival, implicating new mechanisms that underlie EJC-mediated disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bianca M. Lupan
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Rachel A. Solecki
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Camila M. Musso
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Fernando C. Alsina
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
| | - Debra L. Silver
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Microbiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Departments of Cell Biology and Neurobiology, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
- Duke Institute for Brain Sciences and Duke Regeneration Center, Duke University Medical Center, Durham, NC 27710, USA
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32
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Rukh S, Meechan DW, Maynard TM, Lamantia AS. Out of Line or Altered States? Neural Progenitors as a Target in a Polygenic Neurodevelopmental Disorder. Dev Neurosci 2023; 46:1-21. [PMID: 37231803 DOI: 10.1159/000530898] [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: 02/15/2023] [Accepted: 04/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/27/2023] Open
Abstract
The genesis of a mature complement of neurons is thought to require, at least in part, precursor cell lineages in which neural progenitors have distinct identities recognized by exclusive expression of one or a few molecular markers. Nevertheless, limited progenitor types distinguished by specific markers and lineal progression through such subclasses cannot easily yield the magnitude of neuronal diversity in most regions of the nervous system. The late Verne Caviness, to whom this edition of Developmental Neuroscience is dedicated, recognized this mismatch. In his pioneering work on the histogenesis of the cerebral cortex, he acknowledged the additional flexibility required to generate multiple classes of cortical projection and interneurons. This flexibility may be accomplished by establishing cell states in which levels rather than binary expression or repression of individual genes vary across each progenitor's shared transcriptome. Such states may reflect local, stochastic signaling via soluble factors or coincidence of cell surface ligand/receptor pairs in subsets of neighboring progenitors. This probabilistic, rather than determined, signaling could modify transcription levels via multiple pathways within an apparently uniform population of progenitors. Progenitor states, therefore, rather than lineal relationships between types may underlie the generation of neuronal diversity in most regions of the nervous system. Moreover, mechanisms that influence variation required for flexible progenitor states may be targets for pathological changes in a broad range of neurodevelopmental disorders, especially those with polygenic origins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shah Rukh
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Daniel W Meechan
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Thomas M Maynard
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
| | - Anthony-Samuel Lamantia
- Fralin Biomedical Research Institute, Virginia Tech Carilion School of Medicine, Roanoke, Virginia, USA
- Department of Biological Sciences, Virginia Tech, Blacksburg, Virginia, USA
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33
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Hippenmeyer S. Principles of neural stem cell lineage progression: Insights from developing cerebral cortex. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2023; 79:102695. [PMID: 36842274 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2023.102695] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Revised: 01/18/2023] [Accepted: 01/29/2023] [Indexed: 02/28/2023]
Abstract
How to generate a brain of correct size and with appropriate cell-type diversity during development is a major question in Neuroscience. In the developing neocortex, radial glial progenitor (RGP) cells are the main neural stem cells that produce cortical excitatory projection neurons, glial cells, and establish the prospective postnatal stem cell niche in the lateral ventricles. RGPs follow a tightly orchestrated developmental program that when disrupted can result in severe cortical malformations such as microcephaly and megalencephaly. The precise cellular and molecular mechanisms instructing faithful RGP lineage progression are however not well understood. This review will summarize recent conceptual advances that contribute to our understanding of the general principles of RGP lineage progression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simon Hippenmeyer
- Institute of Science and Technology Austria (ISTA), Am Campus 1, 3400 Klosterneuburg, Austria.
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34
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Dawood M, Akay G, Mitani T, Marafi D, Fatih JM, Gezdirici A, Najmabadi H, Kahrizi K, Punetha J, Grochowski CM, Du H, Jolly A, Li H, Coban-Akdemir Z, Sedlazeck FJ, Hunter JV, Jhangiani SN, Muzny D, Pehlivan D, Posey JE, Carvalho CM, Gibbs RA, Lupski JR. A biallelic frameshift indel in PPP1R35 as a cause of primary microcephaly. Am J Med Genet A 2023; 191:794-804. [PMID: 36598158 PMCID: PMC9928800 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.63080] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/21/2022] [Revised: 11/05/2022] [Accepted: 12/01/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
Protein phosphatase 1 regulatory subunit 35 (PPP1R35) encodes a centrosomal protein required for recruiting microtubule-binding elongation machinery. Several proteins in this centriole biogenesis pathway correspond to established primary microcephaly (MCPH) genes, and multiple model organism studies hypothesize PPP1R35 as a candidate MCPH gene. Here, using exome sequencing (ES) and family-based rare variant analyses, we report a homozygous, frameshifting indel deleting the canonical stop codon in the last exon of PPP1R35 [Chr7: c.753_*3delGGAAGCGTAGACCinsCG (p.Trp251Cysfs*22)]; the variant allele maps in a 3.7 Mb block of absence of heterozygosity (AOH) in a proband with severe MCPH (-4.3 SD at birth, -6.1 SD by 42 months), pachygyria, and global developmental delay from a consanguineous Turkish kindred. Droplet digital PCR (ddPCR) confirmed mutant mRNA expression in fibroblasts. In silico prediction of the translation of mutant PPP1R35 is expected to be elongated by 18 amino acids before encountering a downstream stop codon. This complex indel allele is absent in public databases (ClinVar, gnomAD, ARIC, 1000 genomes) and our in-house database of 14,000+ exomes including 1800+ Turkish exomes supporting predicted pathogenicity. Comprehensive literature searches for PPP1R35 variants yielded two probands affected with severe microcephaly (-15 SD and -12 SD) with the same homozygous indel from a single, consanguineous, Iranian family from a cohort of 404 predominantly Iranian families. The lack of heterozygous cases in two large cohorts representative of the genetic background of these two families decreased our suspicion of a founder allele and supports the contention of a recurrent mutation. We propose two potential secondary structure mutagenesis models for the origin of this variant allele mediated by hairpin formation between complementary GC rich segments flanking the stop codon via secondary structure mutagenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Moez Dawood
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Gulsen Akay
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Tadahiro Mitani
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Dana Marafi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Kuwait University, P.O. Box 24923, 13110 Safat, Kuwait
| | - Jawid M. Fatih
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Alper Gezdirici
- Department of Medical Genetics, Basaksehir Cam and Sakura City Hospital, Istanbul 34480, Turkey
| | - Hossein Najmabadi
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Kimia Kahrizi
- Genetics Research Center, University of Social Welfare and Rehabilitation Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Jaya Punetha
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | | | - Haowei Du
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Angad Jolly
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
- Medical Scientist Training Program, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - He Li
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Zeynep Coban-Akdemir
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
- Human Genetics Center, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics, and Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas, USA
| | - Fritz J. Sedlazeck
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Jill V. Hunter
- Department of Radiology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
- E.B. Singleton Department of Pediatric Radiology, Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
- Section of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Shalini N. Jhangiani
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Donna Muzny
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Davut Pehlivan
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
- Section of Pediatric Neurology and Developmental Neuroscience, Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Jennifer E. Posey
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - Claudia M.B. Carvalho
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
- Pacific Northwest Research Institute, Seattle, WA, 98122, USA
| | - Richard A. Gibbs
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
| | - James R. Lupski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
- Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
- Texas Children’s Hospital, Houston, Texas, 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030
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35
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Asif M, Abdullah U, Nürnberg P, Tinschert S, Hussain MS. Congenital Microcephaly: A Debate on Diagnostic Challenges and Etiological Paradigm of the Shift from Isolated/Non-Syndromic to Syndromic Microcephaly. Cells 2023; 12:cells12040642. [PMID: 36831309 PMCID: PMC9954724 DOI: 10.3390/cells12040642] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2023] [Revised: 02/13/2023] [Accepted: 02/14/2023] [Indexed: 02/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Congenital microcephaly (CM) exhibits broad clinical and genetic heterogeneity and is thus categorized into several subtypes. However, the recent bloom of disease-gene discoveries has revealed more overlaps than differences in the underlying genetic architecture for these clinical sub-categories, complicating the differential diagnosis. Moreover, the mechanism of the paradigm shift from a brain-restricted to a multi-organ phenotype is only vaguely understood. This review article highlights the critical factors considered while defining CM subtypes. It also presents possible arguments on long-standing questions of the brain-specific nature of CM caused by a dysfunction of the ubiquitously expressed proteins. We argue that brain-specific splicing events and organ-restricted protein expression may contribute in part to disparate clinical manifestations. We also highlight the role of genetic modifiers and de novo variants in the multi-organ phenotype of CM and emphasize their consideration in molecular characterization. This review thus attempts to expand our understanding of the phenotypic and etiological variability in CM and invites the development of more comprehensive guidelines.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria Asif
- Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG), Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Uzma Abdullah
- University Institute of Biochemistry and Biotechnology (UIBB), PMAS-Arid Agriculture University, Rawalpindi, Rawalpindi 46300, Pakistan
| | - Peter Nürnberg
- Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG), Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
| | - Sigrid Tinschert
- Zentrum Medizinische Genetik, Medizinische Universität, 6020 Innsbruck, Austria
| | - Muhammad Sajid Hussain
- Cologne Center for Genomics (CCG), Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Center for Molecular Medicine Cologne (CMMC), Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, University of Cologne, 50931 Cologne, Germany
- Correspondence:
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36
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Prasad T, Iyer S, Chatterjee S, Kumar M. In vivo models to study neurogenesis and associated neurodevelopmental disorders-Microcephaly and autism spectrum disorder. WIREs Mech Dis 2023:e1603. [PMID: 36754084 DOI: 10.1002/wsbm.1603] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/17/2022] [Revised: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 01/24/2023] [Indexed: 02/10/2023]
Abstract
The genesis and functioning of the central nervous system are one of the most intricate and intriguing aspects of embryogenesis. The big lacuna in the field of human CNS development is the lack of accessibility of the human brain for direct observation during embryonic and fetal development. Thus, it is imperative to establish alternative animal models to gain deep mechanistic insights into neurodevelopment, establishment of neural circuitry, and its function. Neurodevelopmental events such as neural specification, differentiation, and generation of neuronal and non-neuronal cell types have been comprehensively studied using a variety of animal models and in vitro model systems derived from human cells. The experimentations on animal models have revealed novel, mechanistic insights into neurogenesis, formation of neural networks, and function. The models, thus serve as indispensable tools to understand the molecular basis of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) arising from aberrations during embryonic development. Here, we review the spectrum of in vivo models such as fruitfly, zebrafish, frog, mice, and nonhuman primates to study neurogenesis and NDDs like microcephaly and Autism Spectrum Disorder. We also discuss nonconventional models such as ascidians and the recent technological advances in the field to study neurogenesis, disease mechanisms, and pathophysiology of human NDDs. This article is categorized under: Cancer > Stem Cells and Development Congenital Diseases > Stem Cells and Development Neurological Diseases > Stem Cells and Development Congenital Diseases > Genetics/Genomics/Epigenetics.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tuhina Prasad
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Sharada Iyer
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
| | - Sayoni Chatterjee
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, India
| | - Megha Kumar
- CSIR-Centre for Cellular and Molecular Biology (CSIR-CCMB), Hyderabad, India.,Academy of Scientific and Innovative Research (AcSIR), Ghaziabad, India
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37
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Lupan BM, Solecki RA, Musso CM, Alsina FC, Silver DL. The exon junction complex component EIF4A3 is essential for mouse and human cortical progenitor mitosis and neurogenesis. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.01.13.524010. [PMID: 36711736 PMCID: PMC9882224 DOI: 10.1101/2023.01.13.524010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in components of the exon junction complex (EJC) are associated with neurodevelopment and disease. In particular, reduced levels of the RNA helicase EIF4A3 cause Richieri-Costa-Pereira Syndrome (RCPS) and CNVs are linked to intellectual disability. Consistent with this, Eif4a3 haploinsufficient mice are microcephalic. Altogether, this implicates EIF4A3 in cortical development; however, the underlying mechanisms are poorly understood. Here, we use mouse and human models to demonstrate that EIF4A3 promotes cortical development by controlling progenitor mitosis, cell fate, and survival. Eif4a3 haploinsufficiency in mice causes extensive cell death and impairs neurogenesis. Using Eif4a3 ; p53 compound mice, we show that apoptosis is most impactful for early neurogenesis, while additional p53-independent mechanisms contribute to later stages. Live imaging of mouse and human neural progenitors reveals Eif4a3 controls mitosis length, which influences progeny fate and viability. These phenotypes are conserved as cortical organoids derived from RCPS iPSCs exhibit aberrant neurogenesis. Finally, using rescue experiments we show that EIF4A3 controls neuron generation via the EJC. Altogether, our study demonstrates that EIF4A3 mediates neurogenesis by controlling mitosis duration and cell survival, implicating new mechanisms underlying EJC-mediated disorders. Summary statement This study shows that EIF4A3 mediates neurogenesis by controlling mitosis duration in both mouse and human neural progenitors, implicating new mechanisms underlying neurodevelopmental disorders.
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38
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Smits DJ, Dekker J, Schot R, Tabarki B, Alhashem A, Demmers JAA, Dekkers DHW, Romito A, van der Spek PJ, van Ham TJ, Bertoli-Avella AM, Mancini GMS. CLEC16A interacts with retromer and TRIM27, and its loss impairs endosomal trafficking and neurodevelopment. Hum Genet 2023; 142:379-397. [PMID: 36538041 PMCID: PMC9950183 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-022-02511-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Accepted: 12/09/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
CLEC16A is a membrane-associated C-type lectin protein that functions as a E3-ubiquitin ligase. CLEC16A regulates autophagy and mitophagy, and reportedly localizes to late endosomes. GWAS studies have associated CLEC16A SNPs to various auto-immune and neurological disorders, including multiple sclerosis and Parkinson disease. Studies in mouse models imply a role for CLEC16A in neurodegeneration. We identified bi-allelic CLEC16A truncating variants in siblings from unrelated families presenting with a severe neurodevelopmental disorder including microcephaly, brain atrophy, corpus callosum dysgenesis, and growth retardation. To understand the function of CLEC16A in neurodevelopment we used in vitro models and zebrafish embryos. We observed CLEC16A localization to early endosomes in HEK293T cells. Mass spectrometry of human CLEC16A showed interaction with endosomal retromer complex subunits and the endosomal ubiquitin ligase TRIM27. Expression of the human variant leading to C-terminal truncated CLEC16A, abolishes both its endosomal localization and interaction with TRIM27, suggesting a loss-of-function effect. CLEC16A knockdown increased TRIM27 adhesion to early endosomes and abnormal accumulation of endosomal F-actin, a sign of disrupted vesicle sorting. Mutagenesis of clec16a by CRISPR-Cas9 in zebrafish embryos resulted in accumulated acidic/phagolysosome compartments, in neurons and microglia, and dysregulated mitophagy. The autophagocytic phenotype was rescued by wild-type human CLEC16A but not the C-terminal truncated CLEC16A. Our results demonstrate that CLEC16A closely interacts with retromer components and regulates endosomal fate by fine-tuning levels of TRIM27 and polymerized F-actin on the endosome surface. Dysregulation of CLEC16A-mediated endosomal sorting is associated with neurodegeneration, but it also causes accumulation of autophagosomes and unhealthy mitochondria during brain development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daphne J Smits
- Department of Clinical Genetics, ErasmusMC University Medical Center, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Jordy Dekker
- Department of Clinical Genetics, ErasmusMC University Medical Center, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, the Netherlands.
| | - Rachel Schot
- Department of Clinical Genetics, ErasmusMC University Medical Center, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Brahim Tabarki
- Division of Pediatric Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, 12233, Saudi Arabia
| | - Amal Alhashem
- Division of Pediatric Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Prince Sultan Military Medical City, Riyadh, 12233, Saudi Arabia
| | - Jeroen A A Demmers
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Proteomics Center, ErasmusMC University Medical Center, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Dick H W Dekkers
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Proteomics Center, ErasmusMC University Medical Center, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Peter J van der Spek
- Department of Pathology, Clinical Bioinformatics, ErasmusMC University Medical Center, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Tjakko J van Ham
- Department of Clinical Genetics, ErasmusMC University Medical Center, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | | | - Grazia M S Mancini
- Department of Clinical Genetics, ErasmusMC University Medical Center, 3015 CN, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
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Ahmed M, Muffat J, Li Y. Understanding neural development and diseases using CRISPR screens in human pluripotent stem cell-derived cultures. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1158373. [PMID: 37101616 PMCID: PMC10123288 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1158373] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/30/2023] [Indexed: 04/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The brain is arguably the most complex part of the human body in form and function. Much remains unclear about the molecular mechanisms that regulate its normal and pathological physiology. This lack of knowledge largely stems from the inaccessible nature of the human brain, and the limitation of animal models. As a result, brain disorders are difficult to understand and even more difficult to treat. Recent advances in generating human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs)-derived 2-dimensional (2D) and 3-dimensional (3D) neural cultures have provided an accessible system to model the human brain. Breakthroughs in gene editing technologies such as CRISPR/Cas9 further elevate the hPSCs into a genetically tractable experimental system. Powerful genetic screens, previously reserved for model organisms and transformed cell lines, can now be performed in human neural cells. Combined with the rapidly expanding single-cell genomics toolkit, these technological advances culminate to create an unprecedented opportunity to study the human brain using functional genomics. This review will summarize the current progress of applying CRISPR-based genetic screens in hPSCs-derived 2D neural cultures and 3D brain organoids. We will also evaluate the key technologies involved and discuss their related experimental considerations and future applications.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mai Ahmed
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Julien Muffat
- Program in Neurosciences and Mental Health, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
| | - Yun Li
- Program in Developmental and Stem Cell Biology, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Molecular Genetics, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
- *Correspondence: Yun Li,
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40
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Michael T, Kohn E, Daniel S, Hazan A, Berkovitch M, Brik A, Hochwald O, Borenstein-Levin L, Betser M, Moskovich M, Livne A, Keidar R, Rorman E, Groisman L, Weiner Z, Rabin AM, Solt I, Levy A. Prenatal exposure to heavy metal mixtures and anthropometric birth outcomes: a cross-sectional study. Environ Health 2022; 21:139. [PMID: 36581953 PMCID: PMC9798586 DOI: 10.1186/s12940-022-00950-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 06/17/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Numerous studies have suggested significant associations between prenatal exposure to heavy metals and newborn anthropometric measures. However, little is known about the effect of various heavy metal mixtures at relatively low concentrations. Hence, this study aimed to investigate associations between prenatal exposures to a wide range of individual heavy metals and heavy metal mixtures with anthropometric measures of newborns. METHODS We recruited 975 mother-term infant pairs from two major hospitals in Israel. Associations between eight heavy metals (arsenic, cadmium, chromium, mercury, nickel, lead, selenium, and thallium) detected in maternal urine samples on the day of delivery with weight, length, and head circumference at birth were estimated using linear and Bayesian kernel machine regression (BKMR) models. RESULTS Most heavy metals examined in our study were observed in lower concentrations than in other studies, except for selenium. In the linear as well as the BKMR models, birth weight and length were negatively associated with levels of chromium. Birth weight was found to be negatively associated with thallium and positively associated with nickel. CONCLUSION By using a large sample size and advanced statistical models, we could examine the association between prenatal exposure to metals in relatively low concentrations and anthropometric measures of newborns. Chromium was suggested to be the most influential metal in the mixture, and its associations with birth weight and length were found negative. Head circumference was neither associated with any of the metals, yet the levels of metals detected in our sample were relatively low. The suggested associations should be further investigated and could shed light on complex biochemical processes involved in intrauterine fetal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tal Michael
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva, Beersheba, Israel
| | - Elkana Kohn
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Pediatric Division, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Sharon Daniel
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva, Beersheba, Israel
- Clalit Health Services, Southern District, Beer-Sheva, Israel
| | - Ariela Hazan
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Pediatric Division, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Matitiahu Berkovitch
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Pediatric Division, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Anna Brik
- Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology Unit, Pediatric Division, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ori Hochwald
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Rambam Health Care Campus, and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Liron Borenstein-Levin
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Rambam Health Care Campus, and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, Haifa, Israel
| | - Moshe Betser
- Delivery Rooms and Maternity Ward, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Miki Moskovich
- Delivery Rooms and Maternity Ward, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, and Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Ayelet Livne
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Rimona Keidar
- Neonatal Intensive Care Unit, Shamir (Assaf Harofeh) Medical Center, Sackler School of Medicine, Tel-Aviv University, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Efrat Rorman
- National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Luda Groisman
- National Public Health Laboratory, Ministry of Health, Tel-Aviv, Israel
| | - Zeev Weiner
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Health Care Campus and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, POB 9602, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Adi Malkoff Rabin
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Health Care Campus and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, POB 9602, 31096, Haifa, Israel
| | - Ido Solt
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, Rambam Health Care Campus and Bruce Rappaport Faculty of Medicine, Technion, Israel Institute of Technology, POB 9602, 31096, Haifa, Israel.
| | - Amalia Levy
- Department of Epidemiology, Biostatistics, and Community Health Sciences, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev Beer-Sheva, Beersheba, Israel
- Environment and Health Epidemiology Research Center, School of Public Health, Faculty of Health Sciences, Ben-Gurion University of the Negev, Beer-Sheva, Israel
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Andrews MG, Subramanian L, Salma J, Kriegstein AR. How mechanisms of stem cell polarity shape the human cerebral cortex. Nat Rev Neurosci 2022; 23:711-724. [PMID: 36180551 PMCID: PMC10571506 DOI: 10.1038/s41583-022-00631-3] [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] [Accepted: 08/23/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Apical-basal progenitor cell polarity establishes key features of the radial and laminar architecture of the developing human cortex. The unique diversity of cortical stem cell populations and an expansion of progenitor population size in the human cortex have been mirrored by an increase in the complexity of cellular processes that regulate stem cell morphology and behaviour, including their polarity. The study of human cells in primary tissue samples and human stem cell-derived model systems (such as cortical organoids) has provided insight into these processes, revealing that protein complexes regulate progenitor polarity by controlling cell membrane adherence within appropriate cortical niches and are themselves regulated by cytoskeletal proteins, signalling molecules and receptors, and cellular organelles. Studies exploring how cortical stem cell polarity is established and maintained are key for understanding the features of human brain development and have implications for neurological dysfunction.
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Affiliation(s)
- Madeline G Andrews
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- School of Biological and Health Systems Engineering, Arizona State University, Tempe, AZ, USA
| | - Lakshmi Subramanian
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA
- Department of Pharmacology, Ideaya Biosciences, South San Francisco, CA, USA
| | - Jahan Salma
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Stem Cell Research, The Aga Khan University, Karachi, Pakistan
| | - Arnold R Kriegstein
- Department of Neurology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
- The Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
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Cuccurullo C, Miele G, Piccolo G, Bilo L, Accogli A, D'Amico A, Fratta M, Guerrisi S, Iacomino M, Salpietro V, Ugga L, Striano P, Coppola A. Hydranencephaly in CENPJ-related Seckel syndrome. Eur J Med Genet 2022; 65:104659. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ejmg.2022.104659] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Revised: 10/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022]
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Funk L, Su KC, Ly J, Feldman D, Singh A, Moodie B, Blainey PC, Cheeseman IM. The phenotypic landscape of essential human genes. Cell 2022; 185:4634-4653.e22. [PMID: 36347254 PMCID: PMC10482496 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2022.10.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2022] [Revised: 09/01/2022] [Accepted: 10/14/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Understanding the basis for cellular growth, proliferation, and function requires determining the roles of essential genes in diverse cellular processes, including visualizing their contributions to cellular organization and morphology. Here, we combined pooled CRISPR-Cas9-based functional screening of 5,072 fitness-conferring genes in human HeLa cells with microscopy-based imaging of DNA, the DNA damage response, actin, and microtubules. Analysis of >31 million individual cells identified measurable phenotypes for >90% of gene knockouts, implicating gene targets in specific cellular processes. Clustering of phenotypic similarities based on hundreds of quantitative parameters further revealed co-functional genes across diverse cellular activities, providing predictions for gene functions and associations. By conducting pooled live-cell screening of ∼450,000 cell division events for 239 genes, we additionally identified diverse genes with functional contributions to chromosome segregation. Our work establishes a resource detailing the consequences of disrupting core cellular processes that represents the functional landscape of essential human genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Luke Funk
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main St., Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Harvard-MIT Health Sciences and Technology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Kuan-Chung Su
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Jimmy Ly
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - David Feldman
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main St., Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Avtar Singh
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main St., Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Brittania Moodie
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA
| | - Paul C Blainey
- Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, 415 Main St., Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biological Engineering, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Koch Institute for Integrative Cancer Research at MIT, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
| | - Iain M Cheeseman
- Whitehead Institute for Biomedical Research, 455 Main Street, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA; Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02142, USA.
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Abstract
The current understanding of neurological diseases is derived mostly from direct analysis of patients and from animal models of disease. However, most patient studies do not capture the earliest stages of disease development and offer limited opportunities for experimental intervention, so rarely yield complete mechanistic insights. The use of animal models relies on evolutionary conservation of pathways involved in disease and is limited by an inability to recreate human-specific processes. In vitro models that are derived from human pluripotent stem cells cultured in 3D have emerged as a new model system that could bridge the gap between patient studies and animal models. In this Review, we summarize how such organoid models can complement classical approaches to accelerate neurological research. We describe our current understanding of neurodevelopment and how this process differs between humans and other animals, making human-derived models of disease essential. We discuss different methodologies for producing organoids and how organoids can be and have been used to model neurological disorders, including microcephaly, Zika virus infection, Alzheimer disease and other neurodegenerative disorders, and neurodevelopmental diseases, such as Timothy syndrome, Angelman syndrome and tuberous sclerosis. We also discuss the current limitations of organoid models and outline how organoids can be used to revolutionize research into the human brain and neurological diseases. In this Review, Eichmüller and Knoblich discuss how human brain organoids can recapitulate the unique processes that occur in human brain development and how they can complement classical approaches to revolutionize research into neurological diseases. Development of the human brain involves unique processes that are relevant to neurological disease but cannot be studied in animal models, so alternative model systems are required. Organoids are 3D human cell culture models that originate from pluripotent stem cells and recapitulate the hallmarks of human neurodevelopment, enabling studies of human brain development in vitro. Specific mutations can be introduced into organoids to study their effects on neurodevelopment; combined with high-throughput screening methods, this approach can determine the disease relevance of mutations in human tissue. To study specific diseases, brain organoids can be generated from induced pluripotent stem cells from individual patients, thereby preserving the specific genetic background of the individual and generating an insightful model. Through recapitulation of previously inaccessible periods of human brain development, brain organoids have enabled identification of novel mechanisms that underlie neurodevelopmental, neurodegenerative and infectious diseases. Combining organoids, patient research and animal models enables us to take full advantage of each of these systems and will provide unprecedented insights into neurodevelopment and neurological diseases.
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A kinase-independent function of cyclin-dependent kinase 6 promotes outer radial glia expansion and neocortical folding. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2022; 119:e2206147119. [PMID: 36095192 PMCID: PMC9499540 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2206147119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
The neocortex, the center for higher brain function, first emerged in mammals and has become massively expanded and folded in humans, constituting almost half the volume of the human brain. Primary microcephaly, a developmental disorder in which the brain is smaller than normal at birth, results mainly from there being fewer neurons in the neocortex because of defects in neural progenitor cells (NPCs). Outer radial glia (oRGs), NPCs that are abundant in gyrencephalic species but rare in lissencephalic species, are thought to play key roles in the expansion and folding of the neocortex. However, how oRGs expand, whether they are necessary for neocortical folding, and whether defects in oRGs cause microcephaly remain important questions in the study of brain development, evolution, and disease. Here, we show that oRG expansion in mice, ferrets, and human cerebral organoids requires cyclin-dependent kinase 6 (CDK6), the mutation of which causes primary microcephaly via an unknown mechanism. In a mouse model in which increased Hedgehog signaling expands oRGs and intermediate progenitor cells and induces neocortical folding, CDK6 loss selectively decreased oRGs and abolished neocortical folding. Remarkably, this function of CDK6 in oRG expansion did not require its kinase activity, was not shared by the highly similar CDK4 and CDK2, and was disrupted by the mutation causing microcephaly. Therefore, our results indicate that CDK6 is conserved to promote oRG expansion, that oRGs are necessary for neocortical folding, and that defects in oRG expansion may cause primary microcephaly.
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Kodani A, Knopp KA, Di Lullo E, Retallack H, Kriegstein AR, DeRisi JL, Reiter JF. Zika virus alters centrosome organization to suppress the innate immune response. EMBO Rep 2022; 23:e52211. [PMID: 35793002 PMCID: PMC9442309 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202052211] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/03/2020] [Revised: 05/31/2022] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Zika virus (ZIKV) is a flavivirus transmitted via mosquitoes and sex to cause congenital neurodevelopmental defects, including microcephaly. Inherited forms of microcephaly (MCPH) are associated with disrupted centrosome organization. Similarly, we found that ZIKV infection disrupted centrosome organization. ZIKV infection disrupted the organization of centrosomal proteins including CEP63, a MCPH-associated protein. The ZIKV nonstructural protein NS3 bound CEP63, and expression of NS3 was sufficient to alter centrosome architecture and CEP63 localization. Loss of CEP63 suppressed ZIKV-induced centrosome disorganization, indicating that ZIKV requires CEP63 to disrupt centrosome organization. ZIKV infection or CEP63 loss decreased the centrosomal localization and stability of TANK-binding kinase 1 (TBK1), a regulator of the innate immune response. ZIKV infection also increased the centrosomal accumulation of the CEP63 interactor DTX4, a ubiquitin ligase that degrades TBK1. Therefore, we propose that ZIKV disrupts CEP63 function to increase centrosomal DTX4 localization and destabilization of TBK1, thereby tempering the innate immune response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew Kodani
- Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Center for Pediatric Neurological Disease ResearchSt. Jude Children's Research HospitalMemphisTNUSA
| | - Kristeene A Knopp
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Chan Zuckerberg BiohubSan FranciscoCAUSA
| | - Elizabeth Di Lullo
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell ResearchUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
| | - Hanna Retallack
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Chan Zuckerberg BiohubSan FranciscoCAUSA
| | - Arnold R Kriegstein
- Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell ResearchUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Department of NeurologyUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
| | - Joseph L DeRisi
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Chan Zuckerberg BiohubSan FranciscoCAUSA
| | - Jeremy F Reiter
- Department of Biochemistry and BiophysicsUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Chan Zuckerberg BiohubSan FranciscoCAUSA
- Cardiovascular Research InstituteUniversity of California, San FranciscoSan FranciscoCAUSA
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Bartoszewski S, Dawidziuk M, Kasica N, Durak R, Jurek M, Podwysocka A, Guilbride DL, Podlasz P, Winata CL, Gawlinski P. A Zebrafish/Drosophila Dual System Model for Investigating Human Microcephaly. Cells 2022; 11:cells11172727. [PMID: 36078134 PMCID: PMC9455030 DOI: 10.3390/cells11172727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/14/2022] [Revised: 08/27/2022] [Accepted: 08/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Microcephaly presents in neurodevelopmental disorders with multiple aetiologies, including bi-allelic mutation in TUBGCP2, a component of the biologically fundamental and conserved microtubule-nucleation complex, γ-TuRC. Elucidating underlying principles driving microcephaly requires clear phenotype recapitulation and assay reproducibility, areas where go-to experimental models fall short. We present an alternative simple vertebrate/invertebrate dual system to investigate fundamental TUBGCP2-related processes driving human microcephaly and associated developmental traits. We show that antisense morpholino knockdown (KD) of the Danio rerio homolog, tubgcp2, recapitulates human TUBGCP2-associated microcephaly. Co-injection of wild type mRNA pre-empts microcephaly in 55% of KD zebrafish larvae, confirming causality. Body shortening observed in morphants is also rescued. Mitotic marker (pH3) staining further reveals aberrantly accumulated dividing brain cells in microcephalic tubgcp2 KD morphants, indicating that tubgcp2 depletion disrupts normal mitosis and/or proliferation in zebrafish neural progenitor brain cells. Drosophila melanogaster double knockouts (KO) for TUBGCP2 homologs Grip84/cg7716 also develop microcephalic brains with general microsomia. Exacerbated Grip84/cg7716-linked developmental aberration versus single mutations strongly suggests interactive or coinciding gene functions. We infer that tubgcp2 and Grip84/cg7716 affect brain size similarly to TUBGCP2 and recapitulate both microcephaly and microcephaly-associated developmental impact, validating the zebrafish/fly research model for human microcephaly. Given the conserved cross-phyla homolog function, the data also strongly support mitotic and/or proliferative disruption linked to aberrant microtubule nucleation in progenitor brain cells as key mechanistic defects for human microcephaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Slawomir Bartoszewski
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Rzeszów, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Mateusz Dawidziuk
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Natalia Kasica
- Department of Animal Anatomy, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Roma Durak
- Department of Biology, Institute of Biology and Biotechnology, University of Rzeszów, 35-601 Rzeszów, Poland
| | - Marta Jurek
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Aleksandra Podwysocka
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
| | | | - Piotr Podlasz
- Department of Pathophysiology, Forensic Veterinary Medicine and Administration, Faculty of Veterinary Medicine, University of Warmia and Mazury in Olsztyn, 10-719 Olsztyn, Poland
| | - Cecilia Lanny Winata
- Laboratory of Zebrafish Developmental Genomics, International Institute of Molecular and Cell Biology in Warsaw, 02-109 Warsaw, Poland
| | - Pawel Gawlinski
- Department of Medical Genetics, Institute of Mother and Child, 01-211 Warsaw, Poland
- Correspondence:
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Li M, Luo J, Yang Q, Chen F, Chen J, Qin J, He W, Chen J, Yi S, Qin Z, Yi S, Huang L, Qiu X, Pan P, Luo J, Shen Y. Novel and recurrent ASPM mutations of founder effect in Chinese population. Brain Dev 2022; 44:540-545. [PMID: 35491272 DOI: 10.1016/j.braindev.2022.04.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2021] [Revised: 03/18/2022] [Accepted: 04/17/2022] [Indexed: 10/18/2022]
Abstract
PURPOSE Mutations in ASPM are the most common causes of primary microcephaly (MCPH), which is a rare brain developmental disorder with few studies in Chinese population so far. This study aimed to identify the common pathogenic variants of ASPM and estimated the incidence of MCPH5 in Guangxi population. METHODS We ascertained six MCPH cases caused by ASPM mutations in Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Whole-exome sequencing (WES) was performed to uncover the causal variants. The haplotype analysis was used to estimate the age of the recurrent variation. RESULTS Five different pathogenic variants were identified in this batch of MCPH5 cases, including two novel variants p.Ser842fs*9 and p.Lys1340Argfs*29. An rarely reported pathogenic variant, c.1789C>T/p.Arg597* was found to be a founder mutation in local population. We evaluated all ASPM variants detected among 2674 non-microcephalic individuals and estimated the MCPH5 incidence to be 5.03/1,000,000 in Guangxi population. CONCLUSIONS We reported the first case series of Chinese MCPH cases with ASPM mutation and revealed a highly recurrent founder mutation in this local population. MCPH5 may be the major type of congenital microcephaly in Chinese population.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengting Li
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Birth Defects Prevention and Control Institute, Nanning, China
| | - Jingrong Luo
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Birth Defects Prevention and Control Institute, Nanning, China
| | - Qi Yang
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Birth Defects Prevention and Control Institute, Nanning, China
| | - Fei Chen
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Birth Defects Prevention and Control Institute, Nanning, China
| | - Jie Chen
- Department of Obstetrics, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Jiayi Qin
- Department of Obstetrics, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Wei He
- Department of Obstetrics, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Junjie Chen
- Radiology Department, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Sheng Yi
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Birth Defects Prevention and Control Institute, Nanning, China
| | - Zailong Qin
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Birth Defects Prevention and Control Institute, Nanning, China
| | - Shang Yi
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Birth Defects Prevention and Control Institute, Nanning, China
| | - Limei Huang
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Birth Defects Prevention and Control Institute, Nanning, China
| | - Xiaoxia Qiu
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Birth Defects Prevention and Control Institute, Nanning, China
| | - Pingshan Pan
- Department of Obstetrics, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Nanning, China
| | - Jingsi Luo
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Birth Defects Prevention and Control Institute, Nanning, China.
| | - Yiping Shen
- Department of Genetic and Metabolic Central Laboratory, The Maternal and Child Health Care Hospital of Guangxi Zhuang Autonomous Region, Guangxi Birth Defects Prevention and Control Institute, Nanning, China; Department of Medical Genetics and Molecular Diagnostic Laboratory, Shanghai Children's Medical Center, Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China; Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, USA.
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González-Martínez J, Cwetsch AW, Gilabert-Juan J, Gómez J, Garaulet G, Schneider P, de Cárcer G, Mulero F, Caleiras E, Megías D, Porlan E, Malumbres M. Genetic interaction between PLK1 and downstream MCPH proteins in the control of centrosome asymmetry and cell fate during neural progenitor division. Cell Death Differ 2022; 29:1474-1485. [PMID: 35058575 PMCID: PMC9345906 DOI: 10.1038/s41418-022-00937-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2021] [Revised: 01/06/2022] [Accepted: 01/10/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Alteration of centrosome function and dynamics results in major defects during chromosome segregation and is associated with primary autosomal microcephaly (MCPH). Despite the knowledge accumulated in the last few years, why some centrosomal defects specifically affect neural progenitors is not clear. We describe here that the centrosomal kinase PLK1 controls centrosome asymmetry and cell fate in neural progenitors during development. Gain- or loss-of-function mutations in Plk1, as well as deficiencies in the MCPH genes Cdk5rap2 (MCPH3) and Cep135 (MCPH8), lead to abnormal asymmetry in the centrosomes carrying the mother and daughter centriole in neural progenitors. However, whereas loss of MCPH proteins leads to increased centrosome asymmetry and microcephaly, deficient PLK1 activity results in reduced asymmetry and increased expansion of neural progenitors and cortical growth during mid-gestation. The combination of PLK1 and MCPH mutations results in increased microcephaly accompanied by more aggressive centrosomal and mitotic abnormalities. In addition to highlighting the delicate balance in the level and activity of centrosomal regulators, these data suggest that human PLK1, which maps to 16p12.1, may contribute to the neurodevelopmental defects associated with 16p11.2-p12.2 microdeletions and microduplications in children with developmental delay and dysmorphic features.
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Affiliation(s)
- José González-Martínez
- Cell Division and Cancer group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Andrzej W Cwetsch
- Cell Division and Cancer group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Imagine Institute of Genetic Diseases, University of Paris, Paris, France
| | - Javier Gilabert-Juan
- Cell Division and Cancer group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Anatomía, Histología y Neurociencia. Universidad Autónoma de Madrid, 28049, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jesús Gómez
- Confocal Microscopy Core Unit, CNIO, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Paulina Schneider
- Cell Division and Cancer group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
| | - Guillermo de Cárcer
- Cell Division and Cancer group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Instituto de Investigaciones Biomédicas (IIB-CSIC), 28029, Madrid, Spain
| | | | | | - Diego Megías
- Confocal Microscopy Core Unit, CNIO, Madrid, Spain
| | - Eva Porlan
- Cell Division and Cancer group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain
- Centro de Biología Molecular "Severo Ochoa", Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas-Universidad Autónoma de Madrid (CSIC-UAM), Madrid, Spain
- Departamento de Biología Molecular, UAM, Spain, Instituto de Investigación Hospital Universitario La Paz (IdiPAZ), Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Madrid, Spain
| | - Marcos Malumbres
- Cell Division and Cancer group, Spanish National Cancer Research Centre (CNIO), Madrid, Spain.
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50
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Mora-Bermúdez F, Kanis P, Macak D, Peters J, Naumann R, Xing L, Sarov M, Winkler S, Oegema CE, Haffner C, Wimberger P, Riesenberg S, Maricic T, Huttner WB, Pääbo S. Longer metaphase and fewer chromosome segregation errors in modern human than Neanderthal brain development. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabn7702. [PMID: 35905187 PMCID: PMC9337762 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abn7702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/18/2021] [Accepted: 06/15/2022] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Since the ancestors of modern humans separated from those of Neanderthals, around 100 amino acid substitutions spread to essentially all modern humans. The biological significance of these changes is largely unknown. Here, we examine all six such amino acid substitutions in three proteins known to have key roles in kinetochore function and chromosome segregation and to be highly expressed in the stem cells of the developing neocortex. When we introduce these modern human-specific substitutions in mice, three substitutions in two of these proteins, KIF18a and KNL1, cause metaphase prolongation and fewer chromosome segregation errors in apical progenitors of the developing neocortex. Conversely, the ancestral substitutions cause shorter metaphase length and more chromosome segregation errors in human brain organoids, similar to what we find in chimpanzee organoids. These results imply that the fidelity of chromosome segregation during neocortex development improved in modern humans after their divergence from Neanderthals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Felipe Mora-Bermúdez
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Philipp Kanis
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Dominik Macak
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Jula Peters
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Ronald Naumann
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Lei Xing
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Mihail Sarov
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Sylke Winkler
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Christiane Haffner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Pauline Wimberger
- Department of Gynecology and Obstetrics, Technische Universität Dresden, Dresden, Germany
| | | | - Tomislav Maricic
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
| | - Wieland B. Huttner
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics, Dresden, Germany
| | - Svante Pääbo
- Max Planck Institute for Evolutionary Anthropology, Leipzig, Germany
- Okinawa Institute of Science and Technology, Onna-son 904-0495, Japan
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