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Vellucci L, De Simone G, Morley-Fletcher S, Buonaguro EF, Avagliano C, Barone A, Maccari S, Iasevoli F, de Bartolomeis A. Perinatal stress modulates glutamatergic functional connectivity: A post-synaptic density immediate early gene-based network analysis. Prog Neuropsychopharmacol Biol Psychiatry 2024; 133:111032. [PMID: 38762163 DOI: 10.1016/j.pnpbp.2024.111032] [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: 01/10/2024] [Revised: 04/29/2024] [Accepted: 05/15/2024] [Indexed: 05/20/2024]
Abstract
Early life stress may induce synaptic changes within brain regions associated with behavioral disorders. Here, we investigated glutamatergic functional connectivity by a postsynaptic density immediate-early gene-based network analysis. Pregnant female Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly divided into two experimental groups: one exposed to stress sessions and the other serving as a stress-free control group. Homer1 expression was evaluated by in situ hybridization technique in eighty-eight brain regions of interest of male rat offspring. Differences between the perinatal stress exposed group (PRS) (n = 5) and the control group (CTR) (n = 5) were assessed by performing the Student's t-test via SPSS 28.0.1.0 with Bonferroni correction. Additionally, all possible pairwise Spearman's correlations were computed as well as correlation matrices and networks for each experimental group were generated via RStudio and Cytoscape. Perinatal stress exposure was associated with Homer1a reduction in several cortical, thalamic, and striatal regions. Furthermore, it was found to affect functional connectivity between: the lateral septal nucleus, the central medial thalamic nucleus, the anterior part of the paraventricular thalamic nucleus, and both retrosplenial granular b cortex and hippocampal regions; the orbitofrontal cortex, amygdaloid nuclei, and hippocampal regions; and lastly, among regions involved in limbic system. Finally, the PRS networks showed a significant reduction in multiple connections for the ventrolateral part of the anteroventral thalamic nucleus after perinatal stress exposure, as well as a decrease in the centrality of ventral anterior thalamic and amygdaloid nuclei suggestive of putative reduced cortical control over these regions. Within the present preclinical setting, perinatal stress exposure is a modifier of glutamatergic early gene-based functional connectivity in neuronal circuits involved in behaviors relevant to model neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Licia Vellucci
- Section of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University Medical School of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy; Department of Translational Medical Sciences, University of Naples "Federico II", Via S. Pansini 5, 80131 Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe De Simone
- Section of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University Medical School of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Sara Morley-Fletcher
- Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, University of Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576, UGSF, F-59000 Lille, France; International Associated Laboratory (LIA) "Perinatal Stress and Neurodegenerative Diseases", Sapienza University of Rome - IRCCS, Neuromed, Rome, Italy and University of Lille - CNRS, UMR 8576, Lille, France
| | - Elisabetta Filomena Buonaguro
- Section of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University Medical School of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Camilla Avagliano
- Section of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University Medical School of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Annarita Barone
- Section of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University Medical School of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Stefania Maccari
- Unité de Glycobiologie Structurale et Fonctionnelle, University of Lille, CNRS, UMR 8576, UGSF, F-59000 Lille, France; International Associated Laboratory (LIA) "Perinatal Stress and Neurodegenerative Diseases", Sapienza University of Rome - IRCCS, Neuromed, Rome, Italy and University of Lille - CNRS, UMR 8576, Lille, France; Department of Science and Medical-Surgical Biotechnology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy
| | - Felice Iasevoli
- Section of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University Medical School of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Andrea de Bartolomeis
- Section of Psychiatry, Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Unit of Treatment-Resistant Psychosis, Department of Neuroscience, Reproductive Sciences and Dentistry, University Medical School of Naples "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
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Fatemi SH, Eschenlauer A, Aman J, Folsom TD, Chekouo T. Quantitative proteomics of dorsolateral prefrontal cortex reveals an early pattern of synaptic dysmaturation in children with idiopathic autism. Cereb Cortex 2024; 34:161-171. [PMID: 38696595 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhae044] [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: 12/26/2023] [Accepted: 01/23/2024] [Indexed: 05/04/2024] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder with a rising prevalence and unknown etiology presenting with deficits in cognition and abnormal behavior. We hypothesized that the investigation of the synaptic component of prefrontal cortex may provide proteomic signatures that may identify the biological underpinnings of cognitive deficits in childhood ASD. Subcellular fractions of synaptosomes from prefrontal cortices of age-, brain area-, and postmortem-interval-matched samples from children and adults with idiopathic ASD vs. controls were subjected to HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry. Analysis of data revealed the enrichment of ASD risk genes that participate in slow maturation of the postsynaptic density (PSD) structure and function during early brain development. Proteomic analysis revealed down regulation of PSD-related proteins including AMPA and NMDA receptors, GRM3, DLG4, olfactomedins, Shank1-3, Homer1, CaMK2α, NRXN1, NLGN2, Drebrin1, ARHGAP32, and Dock9 in children with autism (FDR-adjusted P < 0.05). In contrast, PSD-related alterations were less severe or unchanged in adult individuals with ASD. Network analyses revealed glutamate receptor abnormalities. Overall, the proteomic data support the concept that idiopathic autism is a synaptopathy involving PSD-related ASD risk genes. Interruption in evolutionarily conserved slow maturation of the PSD complex in prefrontal cortex may lead to the development of ASD in a susceptible individual.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hossein Fatemi
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Arthur Eschenlauer
- Minnesota Supercomputing Institute, 599 Walter Library, 117 Pleasant Street, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Justin Aman
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware Street SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Timothy D Folsom
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Masonic Cancer Center, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Center for Genome Engineering, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
- Stem Cell Institute, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Thierry Chekouo
- University of Minnesota School of Public Health, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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Kim J, Bustamante E, Sotonyi P, Maxwell ND, Parameswaran P, Kent JK, Wetsel WC, Soderblom EJ, Rácz B, Soderling SH. Presynaptic Rac1 in the hippocampus selectively regulates working memory. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.18.585488. [PMID: 38562715 PMCID: PMC10983896 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.18.585488] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
One of the most extensively studied members of the Ras superfamily of small GTPases, Rac1 is an intracellular signal transducer that remodels actin and phosphorylation signaling networks. Previous studies have shown that Rac1-mediated signaling is associated with hippocampal-dependent working memory and longer-term forms of learning and memory and that Rac1 can modulate forms of both pre- and postsynaptic plasticity. How these different cognitive functions and forms of plasticity mediated by Rac1 are linked, however, is unclear. Here, we show that spatial working memory is selectively impaired following the expression of a genetically encoded Rac1-inhibitor at presynaptic terminals, while longer-term cognitive processes are affected by Rac1 inhibition at postsynaptic sites. To investigate the regulatory mechanisms of this presynaptic process, we leveraged new advances in mass spectrometry to identify the proteomic and post-translational landscape of presynaptic Rac1 signaling. We identified serine/threonine kinases and phosphorylated cytoskeletal signaling and synaptic vesicle proteins enriched with active Rac1. The phosphorylated sites in these proteins are at positions likely to have regulatory effects on synaptic vesicles. Consistent with this, we also report changes in the distribution and morphology of synaptic vesicles and in postsynaptic ultrastructure following presynaptic Rac1 inhibition. Overall, this study reveals a previously unrecognized presynaptic role of Rac1 signaling in cognitive processes and provides insights into its potential regulatory mechanisms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jaebin Kim
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Edwin Bustamante
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Peter Sotonyi
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Nicholas D Maxwell
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Pooja Parameswaran
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Julie K Kent
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - William C Wetsel
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Mouse Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Analysis Core Facility, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Erik J Soderblom
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Mouse Behavioral and Neuroendocrine Analysis Core Facility, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Bence Rácz
- Department of Anatomy and Histology, University of Veterinary Medicine, Budapest, Hungary
| | - Scott H Soderling
- Department of Cell Biology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
- Department of Neurobiology, Duke University Medical School, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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Villalonga E, Mosrin C, Normand T, Girardin C, Serrano A, Žunar B, Doudeau M, Godin F, Bénédetti H, Vallée B. LIM Kinases, LIMK1 and LIMK2, Are Crucial Node Actors of the Cell Fate: Molecular to Pathological Features. Cells 2023; 12:cells12050805. [PMID: 36899941 PMCID: PMC10000741 DOI: 10.3390/cells12050805] [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: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/28/2023] [Accepted: 03/02/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
LIM kinase 1 (LIMK1) and LIM kinase 2 (LIMK2) are serine/threonine and tyrosine kinases and the only two members of the LIM kinase family. They play a crucial role in the regulation of cytoskeleton dynamics by controlling actin filaments and microtubule turnover, especially through the phosphorylation of cofilin, an actin depolymerising factor. Thus, they are involved in many biological processes, such as cell cycle, cell migration, and neuronal differentiation. Consequently, they are also part of numerous pathological mechanisms, especially in cancer, where their involvement has been reported for a few years and has led to the development of a wide range of inhibitors. LIMK1 and LIMK2 are known to be part of the Rho family GTPase signal transduction pathways, but many more partners have been discovered over the decades, and both LIMKs are suspected to be part of an extended and various range of regulation pathways. In this review, we propose to consider the different molecular mechanisms involving LIM kinases and their associated signalling pathways, and to offer a better understanding of their variety of actions within the physiology and physiopathology of the cell.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elodie Villalonga
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301, CNRS, University of Orleans and INSERM, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orleans, France
| | - Christine Mosrin
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301, CNRS, University of Orleans and INSERM, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orleans, France
| | - Thierry Normand
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301, CNRS, University of Orleans and INSERM, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orleans, France
| | - Caroline Girardin
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301, CNRS, University of Orleans and INSERM, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orleans, France
| | - Amandine Serrano
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301, CNRS, University of Orleans and INSERM, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orleans, France
| | - Bojan Žunar
- Laboratory for Biochemistry, Department of Chemistry and Biochemistry, Faculty of Food Technology and Biotechnology, University of Zagreb, 10000 Zagreb, Croatia
| | - Michel Doudeau
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301, CNRS, University of Orleans and INSERM, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orleans, France
| | - Fabienne Godin
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301, CNRS, University of Orleans and INSERM, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orleans, France
| | - Hélène Bénédetti
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301, CNRS, University of Orleans and INSERM, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orleans, France
| | - Béatrice Vallée
- Centre de Biophysique Moléculaire; UPR4301, CNRS, University of Orleans and INSERM, CEDEX 2, 45071 Orleans, France
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +33-(0)2-38-25-76-11
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Ardourel M, Ranchon-Cole I, Pâris A, Felgerolle C, Acar N, Lesne F, Briault S, Perche O. FMR protein: Evidence of an emerging role in retinal aging? Exp Eye Res 2022; 225:109282. [PMID: 36265576 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109282] [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: 08/11/2022] [Revised: 10/05/2022] [Accepted: 10/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Aging is a multifactorial process that affects the entire organism by cumulative alterations. Visual function impairments that go along with aging are commonly observed, causing lower visual acuity, lower contrast sensitivity, and impaired dark adaptation. Electroretinogram analysis revealed that the amplitudes of rod- and cone-mediated responses are reduced in aged mice and humans. Reports suggested that age-related changes observed in both rod and cone photoreceptor functionality were linked to oxidative stress regulation or free radical production homeostasis. Interestingly, several recent reports linked the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) cellular activity with oxidative stress regulation in several tissue including brain tissue where FMRP participates to the response to stress via protein translation in neurite or is involved in free radical production and abnormal glutathione homeostasis. Based on these recent literatures, we raised the question about the effect of FMRP absence in the aging retina of Fmr1-/y compared to their WT littermates. Indeed, up to now, only young or adult mice (<6 months) were investigated and have shown a specific retinal phenotype. Herein, we demonstrated that Fmr1-/y mice do not present the aging effect on retinal function observed in WT littermates since ERG a- and b-waves amplitudes as well as oscillatory potentials amplitudes were not collapsed with age (12/18 months old). Absence of FMRP and its consequences seem to protect the retina against aging effect, rising a pivotal role of FMRP in retinal aging process.
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Affiliation(s)
- M Ardourel
- UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France; Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, 3b rue de la Ferollerie, 45071, Orléans, Cedex 2, France
| | - I Ranchon-Cole
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Inserm, Neuro-Dol, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - A Pâris
- UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France; Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, 3b rue de la Ferollerie, 45071, Orléans, Cedex 2, France
| | - C Felgerolle
- UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France; Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, 3b rue de la Ferollerie, 45071, Orléans, Cedex 2, France
| | - N Acar
- Eye and Nutrition Research Group, Centre des Sciences du Goût et de l'Alimentation, CNRS, INRAE, Institut Agro, Université Bourgogne Franche-Comté, 21000, Dijon, France
| | - F Lesne
- Genetic Department, Regional Hospital, 14 Avenue de l'hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France
| | - S Briault
- UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France; Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, 3b rue de la Ferollerie, 45071, Orléans, Cedex 2, France; Genetic Department, Regional Hospital, 14 Avenue de l'hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France
| | - O Perche
- UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France; Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, 3b rue de la Ferollerie, 45071, Orléans, Cedex 2, France; Genetic Department, Regional Hospital, 14 Avenue de l'hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France.
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Ardourel M, Pâris A, Felgerolle C, Lesne F, Ranchon-Cole I, Briault S, Perche O. FMRP-related retinal phenotypes: Evidence of glutamate-glutamine metabolic cycle impairment. Exp Eye Res 2022; 224:109238. [PMID: 36067823 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109238] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2022] [Revised: 08/16/2022] [Accepted: 08/29/2022] [Indexed: 11/18/2022]
Abstract
FMRP, the fragile X mental retardation protein coded by the FMR1 gene, is an RNA-binding protein that assists transport, stabilization and translational regulation of specific synaptic mRNAs. Its expression has been found in multiple cell types of central nervous system (CNS) including glial cells where its involvement in glutamate neurotransmitter homeostasis have been shown. Indeed, glutamate homeostasis deficit has been observed in absence of FMRP in-vivo in cortex and hippocampus structures as well as in vitro on astroglial cell culture. Interestingly, the retina which is an extension of the CNS is presenting electrophysiological alterations in absence of FMRP in both human and murine models suggesting neurotransmitter impairments. Therefore, we investigate the consequences of Fmrp absence on Glutamate-Glutamine cycle in whole retinas and primary retinal Müller cells culture which are the main glial cells of the retina. Using the Fmr1-/y mice, we have shown in vivo and in vitro that the absence of Fmrp in Müller cells is characterized by loss of Glutamate-Glutamine cycle homeostasis due to a lower Glutamine Synthetase protein expression and activity. The lack of Fmrp in the retina induces a reduced flow of glutamine synthesis. Our data established for the first time in literature a direct link between the lack of Fmrp and neurotransmitter homeostasis in the retina.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maryvonne Ardourel
- UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France; Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, 3b rue de la Ferollerie, F-45071, Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Arnaud Pâris
- UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France; Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, 3b rue de la Ferollerie, F-45071, Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Chloé Felgerolle
- UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France; Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, 3b rue de la Ferollerie, F-45071, Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Fabien Lesne
- Genetic Department, Regional Hospital, 14 Avenue de l'hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France
| | - Isabelle Ranchon-Cole
- Université Clermont Auvergne, CHU Clermont-Ferrand, Inserm, Neuro-Dol, F-63000, Clermont-Ferrand, France
| | - Sylvain Briault
- Genetic Department, Regional Hospital, 14 Avenue de l'hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France; UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France; Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, 3b rue de la Ferollerie, F-45071, Orléans Cedex 2, France
| | - Olivier Perche
- Genetic Department, Regional Hospital, 14 Avenue de l'hôpital, 45100, Orléans, France; UMR7355, CNRS, Orléans, France; Experimental and Molecular Immunology and Neurogenetics, University of Orléans, 3b rue de la Ferollerie, F-45071, Orléans Cedex 2, France.
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Purushotham SS, Reddy NMN, D'Souza MN, Choudhury NR, Ganguly A, Gopalakrishna N, Muddashetty R, Clement JP. A perspective on molecular signalling dysfunction, its clinical relevance and therapeutics in autism spectrum disorder. Exp Brain Res 2022; 240:2525-2567. [PMID: 36063192 DOI: 10.1007/s00221-022-06448-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/01/2022] [Accepted: 08/18/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are neurodevelopmental disorders that have become a primary clinical and social concern, with a prevalence of 2-3% in the population. Neuronal function and behaviour undergo significant malleability during the critical period of development that is found to be impaired in ID/ASD. Human genome sequencing studies have revealed many genetic variations associated with ASD/ID that are further verified by many approaches, including many mouse and other models. These models have facilitated the identification of fundamental mechanisms underlying the pathogenesis of ASD/ID, and several studies have proposed converging molecular pathways in ASD/ID. However, linking the mechanisms of the pathogenic genes and their molecular characteristics that lead to ID/ASD has progressed slowly, hampering the development of potential therapeutic strategies. This review discusses the possibility of recognising the common molecular causes for most ASD/ID based on studies from the available models that may enable a better therapeutic strategy to treat ID/ASD. We also reviewed the potential biomarkers to detect ASD/ID at early stages that may aid in diagnosis and initiating medical treatment, the concerns with drug failure in clinical trials, and developing therapeutic strategies that can be applied beyond a particular mutation associated with ASD/ID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sushmitha S Purushotham
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, 560064, India
| | - Neeharika M N Reddy
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, 560064, India
| | - Michelle Ninochka D'Souza
- Centre for Brain Research, Indian Institute of Science Campus, CV Raman Avenue, Bangalore, 560 012, India.,The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bangalore, 560064, India
| | - Nilpawan Roy Choudhury
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, 560064, India
| | - Anusa Ganguly
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, 560064, India
| | - Niharika Gopalakrishna
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, 560064, India
| | - Ravi Muddashetty
- Centre for Brain Research, Indian Institute of Science Campus, CV Raman Avenue, Bangalore, 560 012, India.,The University of Trans-Disciplinary Health Sciences and Technology (TDU), Bangalore, 560064, India
| | - James P Clement
- Neuroscience Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bengaluru, 560064, India.
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8
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Aishworiya R, Protic D, Hagerman R. Autism spectrum disorder in the fragile X premutation state: possible mechanisms and implications. J Neurol 2022; 269:4676-4683. [PMID: 35723724 DOI: 10.1007/s00415-022-11209-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/13/2022] [Revised: 05/26/2022] [Accepted: 05/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
There is increasing recognition of the heterogeneity of origin of cases of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with multiple forms of ASD having been identified over the decades. Among these, a genetic etiology can be identified in 20-40% of cases when a full genetic work-up is completed. The Fragile X premutation state (characterized by the presence of 55-200 CGG repeats in the FMR1 gene) is a relatively newly identified disease state that has since been associated with several disorders including fragile X-associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS), fragile X-associated primary ovarian insufficiency (FXPOI) and most recently, fragile X-associated neurodevelopmental disorders (FXAND) which commonly includes anxiety and depression. In addition to these associated disorders, extant literature and clinical observations have suggested an association between the premutation state and ASD. In this paper, we review the literature pertinent to this and discuss possible molecular mechanisms that may explain this association. This includes lowered levels of the FMR1 Protein (FMRP), GABA deficits, mitochondrial dysfunction and secondary genetic abnormalities that is seen in premutation carriers as well as their increased vulnerability to environmental stressors. Understanding these mechanisms can facilitate development of targeted treatment for specific sub-groups of ASD and premutation disorders in future.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ramkumar Aishworiya
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA. .,Khoo Teck Puat-National University Children's Medical Institute, National University Health System, 5 Lower Kent Ridge Road, Singapore, 119074, Singapore. .,Department of Pediatrics, Yong Loo Lin School of Medicine, National University of Singapore, 10 Medical Drive, Singapore, 117597, Singapore.
| | - Dragana Protic
- Department of Pharmacology, Clinical Pharmacology and Toxicology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Belgrade, Belgrade, Serbia
| | - Randi Hagerman
- Medical Investigation of Neurodevelopmental Disorders (MIND) Institute, University of California Davis, 2825 50th Street, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis School of Medicine, 4610 X St, Sacramento, CA, 95817, USA
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9
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Mai Le N, Li J. Ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 role in Pathophysiology of Neurological diseases. BRAIN HEMORRHAGES 2022. [DOI: 10.1016/j.hest.2022.05.005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
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10
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de Bartolomeis A, Barone A, Buonaguro EF, Tomasetti C, Vellucci L, Iasevoli F. The Homer1 family of proteins at the crossroad of dopamine-glutamate signaling: An emerging molecular "Lego" in the pathophysiology of psychiatric disorders. A systematic review and translational insight. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2022; 136:104596. [PMID: 35248676 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2022.104596] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/11/2021] [Revised: 02/24/2022] [Accepted: 02/27/2022] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Once considered only scaffolding proteins at glutamatergic postsynaptic density (PSD), Homer1 proteins are increasingly emerging as multimodal adaptors that integrate different signal transduction pathways within PSD, involved in motor and cognitive functions, with putative implications in psychiatric disorders. Regulation of type I metabotropic glutamate receptor trafficking, modulation of calcium signaling, tuning of long-term potentiation, organization of dendritic spines' growth, as well as meta- and homeostatic plasticity control are only a few of the multiple endocellular and synaptic functions that have been linked to Homer1. Findings from preclinical studies, as well as genetic studies conducted in humans, suggest that both constitutive (Homer1b/c) and inducible (Homer1a) isoforms of Homer1 play a role in the neurobiology of several psychiatric disorders, including psychosis, mood disorders, neurodevelopmental disorders, and addiction. On this background, Homer1 has been proposed as a putative novel target in psychopharmacological treatments. The aim of this review is to summarize and systematize the growing body of evidence on Homer proteins, highlighting the role of Homer1 in the pathophysiology and therapy of mental diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea de Bartolomeis
- Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University School of Medicine "Federico II", Naples, Italy.
| | - Annarita Barone
- Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University School of Medicine "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Elisabetta Filomena Buonaguro
- Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University School of Medicine "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Carmine Tomasetti
- Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University School of Medicine "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Licia Vellucci
- Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University School of Medicine "Federico II", Naples, Italy
| | - Felice Iasevoli
- Laboratory of Translational and Molecular Psychiatry and Section of Psychiatry, Department of Neuroscience, University School of Medicine "Federico II", Naples, Italy
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11
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Zhao H, Mao X, Zhu C, Zou X, Peng F, Yang W, Li B, Li G, Ge T, Cui R. GABAergic System Dysfunction in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Cell Dev Biol 2022; 9:781327. [PMID: 35198562 PMCID: PMC8858939 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.781327] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 13.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2021] [Accepted: 12/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) refers to a series of neurodevelopmental diseases characterized by two hallmark symptoms, social communication deficits and repetitive behaviors. Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is one of the most important inhibitory neurotransmitters in the central nervous system (CNS). GABAergic inhibitory neurotransmission is critical for the regulation of brain rhythm and spontaneous neuronal activities during neurodevelopment. Genetic evidence has identified some variations of genes associated with the GABA system, indicating an abnormal excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) neurotransmission ratio implicated in the pathogenesis of ASD. However, the specific molecular mechanism by which GABA and GABAergic synaptic transmission affect ASD remains unclear. Transgenic technology enables translating genetic variations into rodent models to further investigate the structural and functional synaptic dysregulation related to ASD. In this review, we summarized evidence from human neuroimaging, postmortem, and genetic and pharmacological studies, and put emphasis on the GABAergic synaptic dysregulation and consequent E/I imbalance. We attempt to illuminate the pathophysiological role of structural and functional synaptic dysregulation in ASD and provide insights for future investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Ranji Cui
- *Correspondence: Tongtong Ge, ; Ranji Cui,
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12
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LIM-Kinases in Synaptic Plasticity, Memory, and Brain Diseases. Cells 2021; 10:cells10082079. [PMID: 34440848 PMCID: PMC8391678 DOI: 10.3390/cells10082079] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/08/2021] [Revised: 07/30/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Learning and memory require structural and functional modifications of synaptic connections, and synaptic deficits are believed to underlie many brain disorders. The LIM-domain-containing protein kinases (LIMK1 and LIMK2) are key regulators of the actin cytoskeleton by affecting the actin-binding protein, cofilin. In addition, LIMK1 is implicated in the regulation of gene expression by interacting with the cAMP-response element-binding protein. Accumulating evidence indicates that LIMKs are critically involved in brain function and dysfunction. In this paper, we will review studies on the roles and underlying mechanisms of LIMKs in the regulation of long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD), the most extensively studied forms of long-lasting synaptic plasticity widely regarded as cellular mechanisms underlying learning and memory. We will also discuss the involvement of LIMKs in the regulation of the dendritic spine, the structural basis of synaptic plasticity, and memory formation. Finally, we will discuss recent progress on investigations of LIMKs in neurological and mental disorders, including Alzheimer’s, Parkinson’s, Williams–Beuren syndrome, schizophrenia, and autism spectrum disorders.
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13
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Fyke W, Velinov M. FMR1 and Autism, an Intriguing Connection Revisited. Genes (Basel) 2021; 12:genes12081218. [PMID: 34440392 PMCID: PMC8394635 DOI: 10.3390/genes12081218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2021] [Revised: 08/03/2021] [Accepted: 08/04/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) represents a distinct phenotype of behavioral dysfunction that includes deficiencies in communication and stereotypic behaviors. ASD affects about 2% of the US population. It is a highly heritable spectrum of conditions with substantial genetic heterogeneity. To date, mutations in over 100 genes have been reported in association with ASD phenotypes. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common single-gene disorder associated with ASD. The gene associated with FXS, FMR1 is located on chromosome X. Accordingly, the condition has more severe manifestations in males. FXS results from the loss of function of FMR1 due to the expansion of an unstable CGG repeat located in the 5'' untranslated region of the gene. About 50% of the FXS males and 20% of the FXS females meet the Diagnostic Statistical Manual 5 (DSM-5) criteria for ASD. Among the individuals with ASD, about 3% test positive for FXS. FMRP, the protein product of FMR1, is a major gene regulator in the central nervous system. Multiple pathways regulated by FMRP are found to be dysfunctional in ASD patients who do not have FXS. Thus, FXS presents the opportunity to study cellular phenomena that may have wider applications in the management of ASD and to develop new strategies for ASD therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- William Fyke
- SUNY Downstate Medical Center, SUNY Downstate College of Medicine, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA;
- Graduate Program in Neural and Behavioral Science, SUNY Downstate Medical Center, Brooklyn, NY 11203, USA
| | - Milen Velinov
- Rutgers Robert Wood Johnson Medical School, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- Child Health Institute of New Jersey, New Brunswick, NJ 08901, USA
- Correspondence:
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14
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Reshetnikov VV, Bondar NP. The Role of Stress-Induced Changes of Homer1 Expression in Stress Susceptibility. BIOCHEMISTRY (MOSCOW) 2021; 86:613-626. [PMID: 34225586 DOI: 10.1134/s0006297921060018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/23/2022]
Abstract
Stress negatively affects processes of synaptic plasticity and is a major risk factor of various psychopathologies such as depression and anxiety. HOMER1 is an important component of the postsynaptic density: constitutively expressed long isoforms HOMER1b and HOMER1c bind to group I metabotropic glutamate receptors MGLUR1 (GRM1) and MGLUR5 and to other effector proteins, thereby forming a postsynaptic protein scaffold. Activation of the GLUR1-HOMER1b,c and/or GLUR5-HOMER1b,c complex regulates activity of the NMDA and AMPA receptors and Ca2+ homeostasis, thus modulating various types of synaptic plasticity. Dominant negative transcript Homer1a is formed as a result of activity-induced alternative termination of transcription. Expression of this truncated isoform in response to neuronal activation impairs interactions of HOMER1b,c with adaptor proteins, triggers ligand-independent signal transduction through MGLUR1 and/or MGLUR5, leads to suppression of the AMPA- and NMDA-mediated signal transmission, and thereby launches remodeling of the postsynaptic protein scaffold and inhibits long-term potentiation. The studies on animal models confirm that the HOMER1a-dependent remodeling most likely plays an important part in the stress susceptibility, whereas HOMER1a itself can be regarded as a neuroprotector. In this review article, we consider the effects of different stressors in various animal models on HOMER1 expression as well as impact of different HOMER1 variants on human behavior as well as structural and functional characteristics of the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Vasiliy V Reshetnikov
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia. .,Sirius University of Science and Technology, Sochi, 354340, Russia
| | - Natalia P Bondar
- Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of the Russian Academy of Sciences, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia.,Department of Natural Sciences, Novosibirsk State University, Novosibirsk, 630090, Russia
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15
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Fetit R, Hillary RF, Price DJ, Lawrie SM. The neuropathology of autism: A systematic review of post-mortem studies of autism and related disorders. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2021; 129:35-62. [PMID: 34273379 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2021.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2021] [Revised: 05/13/2021] [Accepted: 07/10/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Post-mortem studies allow for the direct investigation of brain tissue in those with autism and related disorders. Several review articles have focused on aspects of post-mortem abnormalities but none has brought together the entire post-mortem literature. Here, we systematically review the evidence from post-mortem studies of autism, and of related disorders that present with autistic features. The literature consists of a small body of studies with small sample sizes, but several remarkably consistent findings are evident. Cortical layering is largely undisturbed, but there are consistent reductions in minicolumn numbers and aberrant myelination. Transcriptomics repeatedly implicate abberant synaptic, metabolic, proliferation, apoptosis and immune pathways. Sufficient replicated evidence is available to implicate non-coding RNA, aberrant epigenetic profiles, GABAergic, glutamatergic and glial dysfunction in autism pathogenesis. Overall, the cerebellum and frontal cortex are most consistently implicated, sometimes revealing distinct region-specific alterations. The literature on related disorders such as Rett syndrome, Fragile X and copy number variations (CNVs) predisposing to autism is particularly small and inconclusive. Larger studies, matched for gender, developmental stage, co-morbidities and drug treatment are required.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rana Fetit
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK.
| | - Robert F Hillary
- Centre for Genomic and Experimental Medicine, Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH4 2XU, UK
| | - David J Price
- Simons Initiative for the Developing Brain, University of Edinburgh, Hugh Robson Building, George Square, Edinburgh, EH8 9XD, UK
| | - Stephen M Lawrie
- Division of Psychiatry, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH10 5HF, UK; Patrick Wild Centre, Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, EH10 5HF, UK
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16
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Ayatollahi A, Bagheri S, Ashraf-Ganjouei A, Moradi K, Mohammadi MR, Akhondzadeh S. Does Pregnenolone Adjunct to Risperidone Ameliorate Irritable Behavior in Adolescents With Autism Spectrum Disorder: A Randomized, Double-Blind, Placebo-Controlled Clinical Trial? Clin Neuropharmacol 2021; 43:139-145. [PMID: 32947424 DOI: 10.1097/wnf.0000000000000405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Pregnenolone is a neurosteroid with modulatory effects on γ-aminobutyric acid neurotransmission. Here, we aimed to evaluate the effectiveness and safety of pregnenolone add-on to risperidone in adolescents with autism spectrum disorders (ASD). METHODS Sixty-four ASD patients were randomly allocated to receive either pregnenolone (n = 32) or matching placebo (n = 32) in addition to risperidone. The Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Edition scale was used to evaluate the behavioral status of patients at baseline, week 5, and the trial end point. The change in score of irritability subscale was the primary outcome. Frequency of adverse effects due to trial medications was compared between the treatment groups. RESULTS Fifty-nine patients completed the trial (30 in pregnenolone and 29 in the placebo arm). Baseline characteristics of both treatment groups were similar (P > 0.05). Repeated measures analysis was suggestive of greater exhibited improvement for the pregnenolone group on irritability, stereotypy, and hyperactivity subscales of the Aberrant Behavior Checklist-Community Edition over the trial period (F = 3.84, df = 1.96, P = 0.025; F = 4.29, df = 1.39, P = 0.029; F = 6.55, df = 1.67, P = 0.004, respectively). Nonetheless, the alterations in lethargy and inappropriate speech domains scores were similar for both arms (F = 0.93, df = 1.49, P = 0.375; F = 1.10, df = 1.60, P = 0.325, respectively). There was no significant difference in frequency as well as severity of adverse effects between the 2 groups. CONCLUSIONS Pregnenolone adjunct to risperidone could attenuate core features associated with ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arghavan Ayatollahi
- Psychiatric Research Center, Roozbeh Psychiatric Hospital, Tehran University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
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17
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Piergiorge RM, de Vasconcelos ATR, Gonçalves Pimentel MM, Santos-Rebouças CB. Strict network analysis of evolutionary conserved and brain-expressed genes reveals new putative candidates implicated in Intellectual Disability and in Global Development Delay. World J Biol Psychiatry 2021; 22:435-445. [PMID: 32914658 DOI: 10.1080/15622975.2020.1821916] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/14/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Intellectual Disability (ID) and Global Development Delay (GDD) are frequent reasons for referral to genetic services and although they present overlapping phenotypes concerning cognitive, motor, language, or social skills, they are not exactly synonymous. Aiming to better understand independent or shared mechanisms related to these conditions and to identify new candidate genes, we performed a highly stringent protein-protein interaction network based on genes previously related to ID/GDD in the Human Phenotype Ontology portal. METHODS ID/GDD genes were searched for reliable interactions through STRING and clustering analysis was applied to detect biological complexes through the MCL algorithm. Six coding hub genes (TP53, CDC42, RAC1, GNB1, APP, and EP300) were recognised by the Cytoscape NetworkAnalyzer plugin, interacting with 1625 proteins not yet associated with ID or GDD. Genes encoding these proteins were explored by gene ontology, associated diseases, evolutionary conservation, and brain expression. RESULTS One hundred and seventy-two new putative genes playing a role in enriched processes/pathways previously related to ID and GDD were revealed, some of which were already postulated to be linked to ID/GDD in additional databases. CONCLUSIONS Our findings expanded the aetiological genetic landscape of ID/GDD and showed evidence that both conditions are closely related at the molecular and functional levels.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rafael Mina Piergiorge
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | | | - Márcia Mattos Gonçalves Pimentel
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
| | - Cíntia Barros Santos-Rebouças
- Department of Genetics, Institute of Biology Roberto Alcantara Gomes, State University of Rio de Janeiro, Rio de Janeiro, Brazil
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18
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Liao J, Wang S, Yang H, Ma P, Li C, Huang Q, Pan J. The mRNA expression levels of GABA A receptor α1 and α2 subunits in patients with major depressive disorder during onset and remission. Int J Neurosci 2021; 132:606-612. [PMID: 33089710 DOI: 10.1080/00207454.2020.1829618] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVE We aimed to investigate the expression levels of GABA and GABAA receptor α1 and α2 subunits in patients with major depressive disorder (MDD) during onset and remission. MATERIALS AND METHODS 48 patients with MDD during onset and 45 patients with MDD during remission who were treated in our university were selected. Moreover, the control group included 46 healthy volunteers recruited in the community. The depression and anxiety symptoms were assessed by Hamilton Depression (HAMD) Scale and Hamilton Anxiety (HAMA) Scale. ELISA was used to determine the serum GABA levels. The mRNA expression of GABAA receptor α1 and α2 subunits in peripheral blood were detected by RT-PCR. RESULTS The expression levels of serum GABA and of GABAA receptor α1 and α2 subunits in MDD depression attack group were notably decreased in comparison with those in MDD remission group and control group ((4.10 ± 0.73) v.s. (5.91 ± 1.25) and (5.83 ± 1.17) umol/L, F = 5.61, p < 0.001; (0.53 ± 0.32) v.s. (0.91 ± 0.18) and (0.93 ± 0.21), F = 8.37, p < 0.001; (1.45 ± 0.86) v.s. (2.33 ± 1.49) and (2.28 ± 1.50), F = 8.23, p < 0.001). However, there were no marked difference in the levels of these three indices between the MDD remission group and the control group (p > 0.05). Serum GABA levels were negatively correlated with HAMA total score (r = -0.34, p = 0.02), HAMD total score (r = -0.46, p = 0.01) and depression core symptom score (r = -0.32, p = 0.03). CONCLUSIONS During the onset of MDD, there may be GABA neuronal dysfunction and abnormal expression of GABAA receptor subunits, and those changes showed a state change, which gradually returned to normal during remission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiwu Liao
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Sisi Wang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Haihua Yang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Ping Ma
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Congrui Li
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Qiaoting Huang
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
| | - Jiyang Pan
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, China
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19
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Jęśko H, Cieślik M, Gromadzka G, Adamczyk A. Dysfunctional proteins in neuropsychiatric disorders: From neurodegeneration to autism spectrum disorders. Neurochem Int 2020; 141:104853. [PMID: 32980494 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuint.2020.104853] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2020] [Revised: 09/05/2020] [Accepted: 09/22/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Despite fundamental differences in disease course and outcomes, neurodevelopmental (autism spectrum disorders - ASD) and neurodegenerative disorders (Alzheimer's disease - AD and Parkinson's disease - PD) present surprising, common traits in their molecular pathomechanisms. Uncontrolled oligomerization and aggregation of amyloid β (Aβ), microtubule-associated protein (MAP) tau, or α-synuclein (α-syn) contribute to synaptic impairment and the ensuing neuronal death in both AD and PD. Likewise, the pathogenesis of ASD may be attributed, at least in part, to synaptic dysfunction; attention has also been recently paid to irregularities in the metabolism and function of the Aβ precursor protein (APP), tau, or α-syn. Commonly affected elements include signaling pathways that regulate cellular metabolism and survival such as insulin/insulin-like growth factor (IGF) - PI3 kinase - Akt - mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), and a number of key synaptic proteins critically involved in neuronal communication. Understanding how these shared pathomechanism elements operate in different conditions may help identify common targets and therapeutic approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Henryk Jęśko
- Department of Cellular Signalling, M. Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Str., 02-106, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Magdalena Cieślik
- Department of Cellular Signalling, M. Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Str., 02-106, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Grażyna Gromadzka
- Cardinal Stefan Wyszynski University, Faculty of Medicine. Collegium Medicum, Wóycickiego 1/3, 01-938, Warsaw, Poland.
| | - Agata Adamczyk
- Department of Cellular Signalling, M. Mossakowski Medical Research Centre, Polish Academy of Sciences, 5 Pawińskiego Str., 02-106, Warsaw, Poland.
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20
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Westmark CJ. Fragile X and APP: a Decade in Review, a Vision for the Future. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 56:3904-3921. [PMID: 30225775 PMCID: PMC6421119 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-018-1344-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/27/2018] [Accepted: 09/05/2018] [Indexed: 10/28/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is a devastating developmental disability that has profound effects on cognition, behavior, and seizure susceptibility. There are currently no treatments that target the underlying cause of the disorder, and recent clinical trials have been unsuccessful. In 2007, seminal work demonstrated that amyloid-beta protein precursor (APP) is dysregulated in Fmr1KO mice through a metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5)-dependent pathway. These findings raise the hypotheses that: (1) APP and/or APP metabolites are potential therapeutic targets as well as biomarkers for FXS and (2) mGluR5 inhibitors may be beneficial in the treatment of Alzheimer's disease. Herein, advances in the field over the past decade that have reproduced and greatly expanded upon these original findings are reviewed, and required experimentation to validate APP metabolites as potential disease biomarkers as well as therapeutic targets for FXS are discussed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara J Westmark
- Department of Neurology, University of Wisconsin-Madison, Medical Sciences Center, Room 3619, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI, USA.
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21
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Bagni C, Zukin RS. A Synaptic Perspective of Fragile X Syndrome and Autism Spectrum Disorders. Neuron 2019; 101:1070-1088. [PMID: 30897358 PMCID: PMC9628679 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2019.02.041] [Citation(s) in RCA: 186] [Impact Index Per Article: 37.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/21/2019] [Revised: 02/25/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Altered synaptic structure and function is a major hallmark of fragile X syndrome (FXS), autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), and other intellectual disabilities (IDs), which are therefore classified as synaptopathies. FXS and ASDs, while clinically and genetically distinct, share significant comorbidity, suggesting that there may be a common molecular and/or cellular basis, presumably at the synapse. In this article, we review brain architecture and synaptic pathways that are dysregulated in FXS and ASDs, including spine architecture, signaling in synaptic plasticity, local protein synthesis, (m)RNA modifications, and degradation. mRNA repression is a powerful mechanism for the regulation of synaptic structure and efficacy. We infer that there is no single pathway that explains most of the etiology and discuss new findings and the implications for future work directed at improving our understanding of the pathogenesis of FXS and related ASDs and the design of therapeutic strategies to ameliorate these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Claudia Bagni
- Department of Fundamental Neurosciences, University of Lausanne, Lausanne, Switzerland; Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome Tor Vergata, Rome, Italy.
| | - R Suzanne Zukin
- Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York City, NY, USA.
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22
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Shonesy BC, Parrish WP, Haddad HK, Stephenson JR, Báldi R, Bluett RJ, Marks CR, Centanni SW, Folkes OM, Spiess K, Augustin SM, Mackie K, Lovinger DM, Winder DG, Patel S, Colbran RJ. Role of Striatal Direct Pathway 2-Arachidonoylglycerol Signaling in Sociability and Repetitive Behavior. Biol Psychiatry 2018; 84:304-315. [PMID: 29458998 PMCID: PMC6023784 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.11.036] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/08/2017] [Revised: 11/08/2017] [Accepted: 11/29/2017] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Endocannabinoid signaling plays an important role in regulating synaptic transmission in the striatum, a brain region implicated as a central node of dysfunction in autism spectrum disorder. Deficits in signaling mediated by the endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) have been reported in mouse models of autism spectrum disorder, but a causal role for striatal 2-AG deficiency in phenotypes relevant to autism spectrum disorder has not been explored. METHODS Using conditional knockout mice, we examined the electrophysiological, biochemical, and behavioral effects of 2-AG deficiency by deleting its primary synthetic enzyme, diacylglycerol lipase α (DGLα), from dopamine D1 receptor-expressing or adenosine A2a receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (MSNs) to determine the role of 2-AG signaling in striatal direct or indirect pathways, respectively. We then used viral-mediated deletion of DGLα to study the effects of 2-AG deficiency in the ventral and dorsal striatum. RESULTS Targeted deletion of DGLα from direct-pathway MSNs caused deficits in social interaction, excessive grooming, and decreased exploration of a novel environment. In contrast, deletion from indirect-pathway MSNs had no effect on any measure of behavior examined. Loss of 2-AG in direct-pathway MSNs also led to increased glutamatergic drive, which is consistent with a loss of retrograde feedback inhibition. Subregional DGLα deletion from the dorsal striatum produced deficits in social interaction, whereas deletion from the ventral striatum resulted in repetitive grooming. CONCLUSIONS These data suggest a role for 2-AG deficiency in social deficits and repetitive behavior, and they demonstrate a key role for 2-AG in regulating striatal direct-pathway MSNs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brian C. Shonesy
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232,Address correspondence to: Brian C. Shonesy; 724 Robinson Research Building, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232 (Tel.: 615-322-4389. Fax: 615-322-7236. )
| | - Walker P. Parrish
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Hala K. Haddad
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Jason R. Stephenson
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Rita Báldi
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Rebecca J. Bluett
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Christian R. Marks
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Samuel W. Centanni
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Oakleigh M. Folkes
- Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Keeley Spiess
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Shana M. Augustin
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Ken Mackie
- The Gill Center and the Department of Psychological & Brain Sciences, Indiana University, Bloomington, IN, USA
| | - David M. Lovinger
- Laboratory for Integrative Neuroscience, National Institute on Alcohol Abuse and Alcoholism, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD 20892
| | - Danny G. Winder
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Sachin Patel
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232,Department of Psychiatry, Vanderbilt University Medical Center, Nashville, TN 37232
| | - Roger J. Colbran
- Department of Molecular Physiology and Biophysics, Vanderbilt University, Nashville, TN 37232
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23
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Abstract
Epigenetics is a growing field of knowledge that is changing our understanding of pathologic processes. For many cerebellar disorders, recent discoveries of epigenetic mechanisms help us to understand their pathophysiology. In this chapter, a short explanation of each epigenetic mechanism (including methylation, histone modification, and miRNA) is followed by references to those cerebellar disorders in which relevant epigenetic advances have been made. The importance of normal timing and distribution of methylation during neurodevelopment is explained. Abnormal methylation and altered gene expression in the developing cerebellum have been related to neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism, Rett syndrome, and fragile X syndrome. DNA packaging by histones is another important epigenetic mechanism in cerebellar functioning. Current knowledge of histone abnormalities in cerebellar diseases such as Friedreich ataxia and spinocerebellar ataxias is reviewed, including implications for new therapeutic approaches to these degenerative diseases. Finally, micro RNAs, the third mechanism to modulate DNA expression, and their role in normal cerebellar development and disease are described. Understanding how genetic and epigenetic mechanisms interact not only in normal cerebellar development but also in disease is a great challenge. However, such understanding will lead to promising new therapeutic possibilities as is already occurring in other areas of medicine.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mercedes Serrano
- Pediatric Neurology Department and Pediatric Institute for Genetic Medicine and Rare Diseases, Hospital Sant Joan de Déu; and Centre for Biomedical Research on Rare Diseases, Instituto de Salud Carlos III, Barcelona, Spain.
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Martinez LA, Tejada-Simon MV. Pharmacological Rescue of Hippocampal Fear Learning Deficits in Fragile X Syndrome. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:5951-5961. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0819-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2017] [Accepted: 11/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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Santini E, Huynh TN, Longo F, Koo SY, Mojica E, D'Andrea L, Bagni C, Klann E. Reducing eIF4E-eIF4G interactions restores the balance between protein synthesis and actin dynamics in fragile X syndrome model mice. Sci Signal 2017; 10:10/504/eaan0665. [PMID: 29114037 DOI: 10.1126/scisignal.aan0665] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder. FXS is caused by silencing of the FMR1 gene, which encodes fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), an mRNA-binding protein that represses the translation of its target mRNAs. One mechanism by which FMRP represses translation is through its association with cytoplasmic FMRP-interacting protein 1 (CYFIP1), which subsequently sequesters and inhibits eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E). CYFIP1 shuttles between the FMRP-eIF4E complex and the Rac1-Wave regulatory complex, thereby connecting translational regulation to actin dynamics and dendritic spine morphology, which are dysregulated in FXS model mice that lack FMRP. Treating FXS mice with 4EGI-1, which blocks interactions between eIF4E and eIF4G, a critical interaction partner for translational initiation, reversed defects in hippocampus-dependent memory and spine morphology. We also found that 4EGI-1 normalized the phenotypes of enhanced metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)-mediated long-term depression (LTD), enhanced Rac1-p21-activated kinase (PAK)-cofilin signaling, altered actin dynamics, and dysregulated CYFIP1/eIF4E and CYFIP1/Rac1 interactions in FXS mice. Our findings are consistent with the idea that an imbalance in protein synthesis and actin dynamics contributes to pathophysiology in FXS mice, and suggest that targeting eIF4E may be a strategy for treating FXS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Emanuela Santini
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA.,Department of Neurology, Columbia University, New York, NY 10032, USA
| | - Thu N Huynh
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Francesco Longo
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - So Yeon Koo
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Edward Mojica
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Laura D'Andrea
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata," 00133 Rome, Italy
| | - Claudia Bagni
- Department of Biomedicine and Prevention, University of Rome "Tor Vergata," 00133 Rome, Italy.,Center for Human Genetics and Leuven Research Institute for Neuroscience and Disease, KU Leuven, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,VIB Center for the Biology of Disease, 3000 Leuven, Belgium.,Department of Fundamental Neuroscience, University of Lausanne, 1005 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Eric Klann
- Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA.
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Hippocampal Regulation of Postsynaptic Density Homer1 by Associative Learning. Neural Plast 2017; 2017:5959182. [PMID: 29238619 PMCID: PMC5697134 DOI: 10.1155/2017/5959182] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/14/2017] [Revised: 09/18/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Genes involved in synaptic plasticity, particularly genes encoding postsynaptic density proteins, have been recurrently linked to psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia and autism. Postsynaptic density Homer1 proteins contribute to synaptic plasticity through the competing actions of short and long isoforms. The activity-induced expression of short Homer1 isoforms, Homer1a and Ania-3, is thought to be related to processes of learning and memory. However, the precise regulation of Homer1a and Ania-3 with different components of learning has not been investigated. Here, we used in situ hybridization to quantify short and long Homer1 expression in the hippocampus following consolidation, retrieval, and extinction of associative fear memory, using contextual fear conditioning in rats. Homer1a and Ania-3, but not long Homer1, were regulated by contextual fear learning or novelty detection, although their precise patterns of expression in hippocampal subregions were dependent on the isoform. We also show for the first time that the two short Homer1 isoforms are regulated after the retrieval and extinction of contextual fear memory, albeit with distinct temporal and spatial profiles. These findings support a role of activity-induced Homer1 isoforms in learning and memory processes in discrete hippocampal subregions and suggest that Homer1a and Ania-3 may play separable roles in synaptic plasticity.
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Increased Extra-axial Cerebrospinal Fluid in High-Risk Infants Who Later Develop Autism. Biol Psychiatry 2017; 82:186-193. [PMID: 28392081 PMCID: PMC5531051 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2017.02.1095] [Citation(s) in RCA: 116] [Impact Index Per Article: 16.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2016] [Revised: 02/01/2017] [Accepted: 02/02/2017] [Indexed: 11/21/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND We previously reported that infants who developed autism spectrum disorder (ASD) had increased cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) in the subarachnoid space (i.e., extra-axial CSF) from 6 to 24 months of age. We attempted to confirm and extend this finding in a larger independent sample. METHODS A longitudinal magnetic resonance imaging study of infants at risk for ASD was carried out on 343 infants, who underwent neuroimaging at 6, 12, and 24 months. Of these infants, 221 were at high risk for ASD because of an older sibling with ASD, and 122 were at low risk with no family history of ASD. A total of 47 infants were diagnosed with ASD at 24 months and were compared with 174 high-risk and 122 low-risk infants without ASD. RESULTS Infants who developed ASD had significantly greater extra-axial CSF volume at 6 months compared with both comparison groups without ASD (18% greater than high-risk infants without ASD; Cohen's d = 0.54). Extra-axial CSF volume remained elevated through 24 months (d = 0.46). Infants with more severe autism symptoms had an even greater volume of extra-axial CSF from 6 to 24 months (24% greater at 6 months, d = 0.70; 15% greater at 24 months, d = 0.70). Extra-axial CSF volume at 6 months predicted which high-risk infants would be diagnosed with ASD at 24 months with an overall accuracy of 69% and corresponding 66% sensitivity and 68% specificity, which was fully cross-validated in a separate sample. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms and extends previous findings that increased extra-axial CSF is detectable at 6 months in high-risk infants who develop ASD. Future studies will address whether this anomaly is a contributing factor to the etiology of ASD or an early risk marker for ASD.
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Reilly J, Gallagher L, Chen JL, Leader G, Shen S. Bio-collections in autism research. Mol Autism 2017; 8:34. [PMID: 28702161 PMCID: PMC5504648 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-017-0154-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/16/2017] [Accepted: 06/23/2017] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a group of complex neurodevelopmental disorders with diverse clinical manifestations and symptoms. In the last 10 years, there have been significant advances in understanding the genetic basis for ASD, critically supported through the establishment of ASD bio-collections and application in research. Here, we summarise a selection of major ASD bio-collections and their associated findings. Collectively, these include mapping ASD candidate genes, assessing the nature and frequency of gene mutations and their association with ASD clinical subgroups, insights into related molecular pathways such as the synapses, chromatin remodelling, transcription and ASD-related brain regions. We also briefly review emerging studies on the use of induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) to potentially model ASD in culture. These provide deeper insight into ASD progression during development and could generate human cell models for drug screening. Finally, we provide perspectives concerning the utilities of ASD bio-collections and limitations, and highlight considerations in setting up a new bio-collection for ASD research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jamie Reilly
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, BioMedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway, Ireland
| | - Louise Gallagher
- Trinity Translational Medicine Institute and Department of Psychiatry, Trinity Centre for Health Sciences, St. James Hospital Street, Dublin 8, Ireland
| | - June L Chen
- Department of Special Education, Faculty of Education, East China Normal University, Shanghai, 200062 China
| | - Geraldine Leader
- Irish Centre for Autism and Neurodevelopmental Research (ICAN), Department of Psychology, National University of Ireland Galway, University Road, Galway, Ireland
| | - Sanbing Shen
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, BioMedical Sciences Building, National University of Ireland (NUI), Galway, Ireland
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29
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Increased Training Intensity Induces Proper Membrane Localization of Actin Remodeling Proteins in the Hippocampus Preventing Cognitive Deficits: Implications for Fragile X Syndrome. Mol Neurobiol 2017; 55:4529-4542. [DOI: 10.1007/s12035-017-0666-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2017] [Accepted: 06/19/2017] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
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Abstract
Excitatory neurotransmitter signaling through glutamate receptors modulates cognitive functions such as memory and learning, which are usually impaired in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The aim of this study was to assess the clinical significance of plasma glutamate levels in ASD. Fifty-one children diagnosed with ASD, 51 typically developing children, and 51 children with intellectual disability matched for sex and age were assessed for plasma glutamate at admission. Plasma levels of glutamate were measured by liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry and the severity of ASD was evaluated using the Childhood Autism Rating Scale Score. We found that the mean plasma glutamate levels were significantly (P<0.0001) higher in children with ASD compared with healthy controls and intellectual disability controls [36.1 (SD: 8.3) vs. 23.4 (4.2) vs. 24.7 (4.6) µM; P<0.001, respectively]. Levels of glutamate increased with increasing severity of ASD as defined by the Childhood Autism Rating Scale score. Receiver operating characteristics to diagnose ASD showed areas under the curve of glutamate of 0.92 [95% confidence interval (CI), 0.87-0.96], which was superior to high-sensitivity C-reactive protein [0.64 (95% CI, 0.55-0.75), P<0.001] and homocysteine (area under the curve, 0.72; 95% CI, 0.64-0.81; P<0.000). In multivariate logistic regression analysis, glutamate was an independent diagnosis indicator of ASD with an adjusted odds ratio of 1.362 (95% CI, 1.164-1.512; P<0.0001). The present study shows that autistic children had higher plasma levels of glutamate and elevated plasma glutamate levels may play an important role in the pathogenesis of autism. Further larger studies are required to support our findings.
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31
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Fatemi SH, Folsom TD, Liesch SB, Kneeland RE, Karkhane Yousefi M, Thuras PD. The effects of prenatal H1N1 infection at E16 on FMRP, glutamate, GABA, and reelin signaling systems in developing murine cerebellum. J Neurosci Res 2016; 95:1110-1122. [PMID: 27735078 DOI: 10.1002/jnr.23949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/30/2016] [Revised: 08/30/2016] [Accepted: 09/06/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Prenatal viral infection has been identified as a potential risk factor for the development of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. Additionally, dysfunction in gamma-aminobutyric acid, Reelin, and fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP)-metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 signaling systems has also been demonstrated in these two disorders. In the current report, we have characterized the developmental profiles of selected markers for these systems in cerebella of mice born to pregnant mice infected with human influenza (H1N1) virus on embryonic day 16 or sham-infected controls using SDS-PAGE and Western blotting techniques and evaluated the presence of abnormalities in the above-mentioned markers during brain development. The cerebellum was selected in light of emerging evidence that it plays roles in learning, memory, and emotional processing-all of which are disrupted in autism and schizophrenia. We identified unique patterns of gene and protein expression at birth (postnatal day 0 [P0]), childhood (P14), adolescence (P35), and young adulthood (P56) in both exposed and control mouse progeny. We also identified significant differences in protein expression for FMRP, very-low-density lipoprotein receptor, and glutamic acid decarboxylase 65 and 67 kDa proteins at specific postnatal time points in cerebella of the offspring of exposed mice. Our results provide evidence of disrupted FMRP, glutamatergic, and Reelin signaling in the exposed mouse offspring that explains the multiple brain abnormalities observed in this animal model. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hossein Fatemi
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuroscience Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Timothy D Folsom
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuroscience Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Stephanie B Liesch
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuroscience Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Rachel E Kneeland
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuroscience Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota
| | - Mahtab Karkhane Yousefi
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuroscience Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, Minneapolis, Minnesota.,Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Neurosciences, Wayne State University, Detroit, Michigan
| | - Paul D Thuras
- VA Medical Center, Department of Psychiatry, Minneapolis, Minnesota
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Westmark CJ, Sokol DK, Maloney B, Lahiri DK. Novel roles of amyloid-beta precursor protein metabolites in fragile X syndrome and autism. Mol Psychiatry 2016; 21:1333-41. [PMID: 27573877 PMCID: PMC5580495 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2016.134] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2016] [Revised: 06/20/2016] [Accepted: 06/23/2016] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability and is associated with up to 5% of autism cases. Several promising drugs are in preclinical testing for FXS; however, bench-to-bedside plans for the clinic are severely limited due to lack of validated biomarkers and outcome measures. Published work from our laboratories has demonstrated altered levels of amyloid-beta (Aβ) precursor protein (APP) and its metabolites in FXS and idiopathic autism. Westmark and colleagues have focused on β-secretase (amyloidogenic) processing and the accumulation of Aβ peptides in adult FXS models, whereas Lahiri and Sokol have studied α-secretase (non-amyloidogenic or anabolic) processing and altered levels of sAPPα and Aβ in pediatric autism and FXS. Thus, our groups have hypothesized a pivotal role for these Alzheimer's disease (AD)-related proteins in the neurodevelopmental disorders of FXS and autism. In this review, we discuss the contribution of APP metabolites to FXS and autism pathogenesis as well as the potential use of these metabolites as blood-based biomarkers and therapeutic targets. Our future focus is to identify key underlying mechanisms through which APP metabolites contribute to FXS and autism condition-to-disease pathology. Positive outcomes will support utilizing APP metabolites as blood-based biomarkers in clinical trials as well as testing drugs that modulate APP processing as potential disease therapeutics. Our studies to understand the role of APP metabolites in developmental conditions such as FXS and autism are a quantum leap for the neuroscience field, which has traditionally restricted any role of APP to AD and aging.
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Affiliation(s)
- Cara J. Westmark
- University of Wisconsin, Department of Neurology, Madison, WI, USA,Correspondence: Dr. Cara Westmark, University of Wisconsin, Department of Neurology, Medical Sciences Center, 1300 University Avenue, Madison, WI 53706, Ph: (608) 262-9730;
| | - Deborah K. Sokol
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indianapolis, IN USA
| | - Bryan Maloney
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indianapolis, IN USA
| | - Debomoy K. Lahiri
- Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indianapolis, IN USA,Correspondence: Dr. Debomoy Lahiri, Indiana University School of Medicine, Department of Psychiatry, Neuroscience Research Building, 320 West 15th Street, NB 200C, Indianapolis, IN 46202, Ph: (317) 274-2706;
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Shi WL, Liu ZZ, Wang HD, Wu D, Zhang H, Xiao H, Chu Y, Hou QF, Liao SX. Integrated miRNA and mRNA expression profiling in fetal hippocampus with Down syndrome. J Biomed Sci 2016; 23:48. [PMID: 27266699 PMCID: PMC4897952 DOI: 10.1186/s12929-016-0265-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2016] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Backgrounds Down syndrome (DS), caused by triplication of human chromosome 21, is the most common aneuploidies. The main characteristic of DS patients is intellectual disability. MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play important regulatory roles in various biological processes, such as embryonic development, cell differentiation, proliferation and apoptosis. Several miRNAs have shown association with DS. However, the role of miRNAs in DS patients has not been well elaborated. Methods In this research, total RNA extracted from fetal hippocampal tissues was used to analyze miRNA and mRNA expression via Affymetrix miRNA 4.0 and PrimeView Human Gene Expression Array, respectively. Then miRNA and gene expression profiles were integrated by correlation analysis to identify dysregulated miRNAs with their predicted target mRNAs. Microarray data were further validated by real-time PCR. Regulation of zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) expression by hsa-miR-138 was determined by luciferase reporter assay. Results We analyzed microRNA expression profile in hippocampal tissues from DS fetal using miRNA microarray. Further with the use of mRNA microarray data, we integrate miRNA expression and mRNA expression in hippocampus of trisomy 21 fetus to elucidate the mechanism that underlying DS abnormalities. We characterized the repertoire of specific miRNAs involved in hippocampus in trisomy 21 patients, highlighting hsa-miR-138 and hsa-miR-409, in particular the importance of hsa-miR-138, especially the -5p strand. Furthermore, the expression level of predicted target genes of hsa-miR-138-5p in trisomy 21 fetus, including zeste homolog 2 (EZH2) were further confirmed. In addition, luciferase assay indicated that EZH2 was a direct target of hsa-miR-138 in HEK293T cells. Conclusion The function of hsa-miR-138-5p and its target EZH2 was involved in hippocampus in DS patients. Our findings provide a clue to study the underlying molecular mechanisms in DS patients, and its potential contribution in improving understanding of intellectual disability development in DS patients. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s12929-016-0265-0) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wei-Li Shi
- Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Zhong-Zhen Liu
- Key Laboratory for Regenerative Medicine, Ministry of Education, School of Biomedical Sciences, Faculty of Medicine, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, People's Republic of China
| | - Hong-Dan Wang
- Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Dong Wu
- Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hui Zhang
- Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Hai Xiao
- Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Yan Chu
- Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Qiao-Fang Hou
- Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China
| | - Shi-Xiu Liao
- Medical Genetic Institute of Henan Province, Henan Provincial People's Hospital, People's Hospital of Zhengzhou University, Zhengzhou, People's Republic of China.
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35
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Banerjee A, Luong JA, Ho A, Saib AO, Ploski JE. Overexpression of Homer1a in the basal and lateral amygdala impairs fear conditioning and induces an autism-like social impairment. Mol Autism 2016; 7:16. [PMID: 26929812 PMCID: PMC4770673 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-016-0077-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2015] [Accepted: 02/02/2016] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) represent a heterogeneous group of disorders with a wide range of behavioral impairments including social and communication deficits. Apart from these core symptoms, a significant number of ASD individuals display higher levels of anxiety, and some studies indicate that a subset of ASD individuals have a reduced ability to be fear conditioned. Deciphering the molecular basis of ASD has been considerably challenging and it currently remains poorly understood. In this study we examined the molecular basis of autism-like impairments in an environmentally induced animal model of ASD, where pregnant rats are exposed to the known teratogen, valproic acid (VPA), on day 12.5 of gestation and the subsequent progeny exhibit ASD-like symptoms. We focused our analysis on the basal and lateral nucleus of the amygdala (BLA), a region of the brain found to be associated with ASD pathology. Methods We performed whole genome gene expression analysis on the BLA using DNA microarrays to examine differences in gene expression within the amygdala of VPA-exposed animals. We validated one VPA-dysregulated candidate gene (Homer1a) using both quantitative PCR (qRT-PCR) and western blot. Finally, we overexpressed Homer1a within the basal and lateral amygdala of naïve animals utilizing adeno-associated viruses (AAV) and subsequently examined these animals in a battery of behavioral tests associated with ASD, including auditory fear conditioning, social interaction and open field. Results Our microarray data indicated that Homer1a was one of the genes which exhibited a significant upregulation within the amygdala. We observed an increase in Homer1a messenger RNA (mRNA) and protein in multiple cohorts of VPA-exposed animals indicating that dysregulation of Homer1a levels might underlie some of the symptoms exhibited by VPA-exposed animals. To test this hypothesis, we overexpressed Homer1a within BLA neurons utilizing a viral-mediated approach and found that overexpression of Homer1a impaired auditory fear conditioning and reduced social interaction, while having no influence on open-field behavior. Conclusions This study indicates that dysregulation of amygdala Homer1a might contribute to some autism-like symptoms induced by VPA exposure. These findings are interesting in part because Homer1a influences the functioning of Shank3, metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR5), and Homer1, and these proteins have previously been associated with ASD, indicating that these differing models of ASD may have a similar molecular basis. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13229-016-0077-9) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anwesha Banerjee
- Department of Cell Biology, Emory University, 615 Michael St. WBRB #415, Atlanta, GA 30322 USA
| | - Jonathan A Luong
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell road, Richardson, TX 75080 USA
| | - Anthony Ho
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell road, Richardson, TX 75080 USA
| | - Aeshah O Saib
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell road, Richardson, TX 75080 USA
| | - Jonathan E Ploski
- School of Behavioral and Brain Sciences, University of Texas at Dallas, 800 West Campbell road, Richardson, TX 75080 USA
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Leurquin-Sterk G, Postnov A, de Laat B, Casteels C, Celen S, Crunelle CL, Bormans G, Koole M, Van Laere K. Kinetic modeling and long-term test-retest reproducibility of the mGluR5 PET tracer18F-FPEB in human brain. Synapse 2016; 70:153-62. [DOI: 10.1002/syn.21890] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2015] [Revised: 01/15/2016] [Accepted: 01/15/2016] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Gil Leurquin-Sterk
- Division of Nuclear Medicine; KU Leuven - University of Leuven and University Hospital Leuven; Herestraat 49 Leuven 3000 Belgium
| | - Andrey Postnov
- Division of Nuclear Medicine; KU Leuven - University of Leuven and University Hospital Leuven; Herestraat 49 Leuven 3000 Belgium
| | - Bart de Laat
- Division of Nuclear Medicine; KU Leuven - University of Leuven and University Hospital Leuven; Herestraat 49 Leuven 3000 Belgium
- MoSAIC, Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
| | - Cindy Casteels
- Division of Nuclear Medicine; KU Leuven - University of Leuven and University Hospital Leuven; Herestraat 49 Leuven 3000 Belgium
- MoSAIC, Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
| | - Sofie Celen
- Laboratory for Radiopharmacy, KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
| | | | - Guy Bormans
- Laboratory for Radiopharmacy, KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
| | - Michel Koole
- Division of Nuclear Medicine; KU Leuven - University of Leuven and University Hospital Leuven; Herestraat 49 Leuven 3000 Belgium
- MoSAIC, Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
| | - Koen Van Laere
- Division of Nuclear Medicine; KU Leuven - University of Leuven and University Hospital Leuven; Herestraat 49 Leuven 3000 Belgium
- MoSAIC, Molecular Small Animal Imaging Center, KU Leuven - University of Leuven; Leuven Belgium
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Businaro R, Corsi M, Azzara G, Di Raimo T, Laviola G, Romano E, Ricci L, Maccarrone M, Aronica E, Fuso A, Ricci S. Interleukin-18 modulation in autism spectrum disorders. J Neuroinflammation 2016; 13:2. [PMID: 26728085 PMCID: PMC4700739 DOI: 10.1186/s12974-015-0466-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 12/23/2015] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disease which affects 1 in 88 children. Its etiology remains basically unknown, but it is apparent that neuroinflammation is involved in disease development. Great attention has been focused on pro-inflammatory cytokines, and several studies have reported their dysfunction unbalance in serum as well as in the brain. The present work aimed at evaluating putative dysregulation of interleukin-18 (IL-18), a pro-inflammatory cytokine of the IL-1 family in the sera of patients with ASD of different grades, compared to healthy controls, as well as in postmortem brain samples obtained from patients with tuberous sclerosis as well as acute inflammatory diseases. Moreover, quantitative analysis of IL-18 was performed in the sera and brain obtained from Reeler mice, an experimental model of autism. METHODS Serum IL-18 levels were measured by ELISA. IL-18 was localized by immunohistochemical analysis in brain sections obtained from tuberous sclerosis and encephalitis patients, as well as from gender- and age-matched controls, and in the brain sections of both Reeler and wild-type mice. IL-18 was also quantified by Western blots in homogenates of Reeler and wild-type mice brains. IL-18 binding protein (IL-18BP) was evaluated in Reeler and wild-type mice plasma as well as in their brains (sections and homogenates). RESULTS IL-18 content decreased in the sera of patients with autism compared to healthy subjects and in Reeler sera compared to wild-type controls. IL-18 was detected within glial cells and neurons in the brain of subjects affected by tuberous sclerosis and encephalitis whereas in healthy subjects, only a weak IL-18 positivity was detected at the level of glial cells. Western blot identified higher amounts of IL-18 in Reeler brain homogenates compared to wild-type littermates. IL-18BP was expressed in higher amounts in Reeler brain compared to the brain of wild-type mice, whereas no significant difference was detected comparing IL-18BP plasma levels. CONCLUSIONS IL-18 is dysregulated in ASD patients. Further studies seemed necessary to clarify the molecular details behind IL-18 increase in the brain and IL-18 decrease in the sera of patients. An increase in the size of the patient cohort seems necessary to ascertain whether decreased IL-18 content in the sera can become a predictive biomarker of ASD and whether its measure, in combination with other markers (e.g., increased levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)), may be included in a diagnostic panel.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rita Businaro
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy.
| | - Mariangela Corsi
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy.
| | - Gabriella Azzara
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy.
| | - Tania Di Raimo
- Department of Medico-Surgical Sciences and Biotechnologies, Sapienza University of Rome, Corso della Repubblica 79, 04100, Latina, Italy.
| | - Giovanni Laviola
- Section of Department of Cell Biology & Neuroscience, Section Behavioural Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy.
| | - Emilia Romano
- Section of Department of Cell Biology & Neuroscience, Section Behavioural Neuroscience, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, Roma, Italy.
| | - Lidia Ricci
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Legal Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Mauro Maccarrone
- European Center for Brain Research (CERC)/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64-65, 00143, Rome, Italy. .,School of Medicine and Center of Integrated Research, Campus Bio-Medico University of Rome, via Alvaro del Portillo 21, 00128, Rome, Italy.
| | - Eleonora Aronica
- Department of (Neuro)Pathology, Academic Medical Center and Swammerdam Institute for Life Sciences, Center for Neuroscience, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, The Netherlands.
| | - Andrea Fuso
- European Center for Brain Research (CERC)/IRCCS Santa Lucia Foundation, Via del Fosso di Fiorano 64-65, 00143, Rome, Italy. .,Department of Psychology, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
| | - Serafino Ricci
- Department of Anatomical, Histological, Legal Medicine and Orthopedics Sciences, Sapienza University of Rome, Rome, Italy.
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Peterlik D, Flor PJ, Uschold-Schmidt N. The Emerging Role of Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors in the Pathophysiology of Chronic Stress-Related Disorders. Curr Neuropharmacol 2016; 14:514-39. [PMID: 27296643 PMCID: PMC4983752 DOI: 10.2174/1570159x13666150515234920] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2015] [Revised: 04/04/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Chronic stress-related psychiatric conditions such as anxiety, depression, and alcohol abuse are an enormous public health concern. The etiology of these pathologies is complex, with psychosocial stressors being among the most frequently discussed risk factors. The brain glutamatergic neurotransmitter system has often been found involved in behaviors and pathophysiologies resulting from acute stress and fear. Despite this, relatively little is known about the role of glutamatergic system components in chronic psychosocial stress, neither in rodents nor in humans. Recently, drug discovery efforts at the metabotropic receptor subtypes of the glutamatergic system (mGlu1-8 receptors) led to the identification of pharmacological tools with emerging potential in psychiatric conditions. But again, the contribution of individual mGlu subtypes to the manifestation of physiological, molecular, and behavioral consequences of chronic psychosocial stress remains still largely unaddressed. The current review will describe animal models typically used to analyze acute and particularly chronic stress conditions, including models of psychosocial stress, and there we will discuss the emerging roles for mGlu receptor subtypes. Indeed, accumulating evidence indicates relevance and potential therapeutic usefulness of mGlu2/3 ligands and mGlu5 receptor antagonists in chronic stress-related disorders. In addition, a role for further mechanisms, e.g. mGlu7-selective compounds, is beginning to emerge. These mechanisms are important to be analyzed in chronic psychosocial stress paradigms, e.g. in the chronic subordinate colony housing (CSC) model. We summarize the early results and discuss necessary future investigations, especially for mGlu5 and mGlu7 receptor blockers, which might serve to suggest improved therapeutic strategies to treat stress-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Peter J Flor
- Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine, University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany.
| | - Nicole Uschold-Schmidt
- Faculty of Biology and Preclinical Medicine, University of Regensburg, D-93053 Regensburg, Germany.
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Fatemi SH, Folsom TD. GABA receptor subunit distribution and FMRP-mGluR5 signaling abnormalities in the cerebellum of subjects with schizophrenia, mood disorders, and autism. Schizophr Res 2015; 167:42-56. [PMID: 25432637 PMCID: PMC5301472 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2014.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 54] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2014] [Revised: 10/06/2014] [Accepted: 10/08/2014] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) is the main inhibitory neurotransmitter in the brain. GABAergic receptor abnormalities have been documented in several major psychiatric disorders including schizophrenia, mood disorders, and autism. Abnormal expression of mRNA and protein for multiple GABA receptors has also been observed in multiple brain regions leading to alterations in the balance between excitatory/inhibitory signaling in the brain with potential profound consequences for normal cognition and maintenance of mood and perception. Altered expression of GABAA receptor subunits has been documented in fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) knockout mice, suggesting that loss of its protein product, fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), impacts GABAA subunit expression. Recent postmortem studies from our laboratory have shown reduced expression of FMRP in the brains of subjects with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, major depression, and autism. FMRP acts as a translational repressor and, under normal conditions, inhibits metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5)-mediated signaling. In fragile X syndrome (FXS), the absence of FMRP is hypothesized to lead to unregulated mGluR5 signaling, ultimately resulting in the behavioral and intellectual impairments associated with this disorder. Our laboratory has identified changes in mGluR5 expression in autism, schizophrenia, and mood disorders. In the current review article, we discuss our postmortem data on GABA receptors, FMRP, and mGluR5 levels and compare our results with other laboratories. Finally, we discuss the interactions between these molecules and the potential for new therapeutic interventions that target these interconnected signaling systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- S Hossein Fatemi
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuroscience Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 392, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA; Department of Neuroscience, University of Minnesota Medical School, 321 Church St. SE, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
| | - Timothy D Folsom
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuroscience Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 392, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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Fmr1 deficiency promotes age-dependent alterations in the cortical synaptic proteome. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2015; 112:E4697-706. [PMID: 26307763 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.1502258112] [Citation(s) in RCA: 60] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by severe intellectual disability and other symptoms including autism. Although caused by the silencing of a single gene, Fmr1 (fragile X mental retardation 1), the complexity of FXS pathogenesis is amplified because the encoded protein, FMRP, regulates the activity-dependent translation of numerous mRNAs. Although the mRNAs that associate with FMRP have been extensively studied, little is known regarding the proteins whose expression levels are altered, directly or indirectly, by loss of FMRP during brain development. Here we systematically measured protein expression in neocortical synaptic fractions from Fmr1 knockout (KO) and wild-type (WT) mice at both adolescent and adult stages. Although hundreds of proteins are up-regulated in the absence of FMRP in young mice, this up-regulation is largely diminished in adulthood. Up-regulated proteins included previously unidentified as well as known targets involved in synapse formation and function and brain development and others linked to intellectual disability and autism. Comparison with putative FMRP target mRNAs and autism susceptibility genes revealed substantial overlap, consistent with the idea that the autism endophenotype of FXS is due to a "multiple hit" effect of FMRP loss, particularly within the PSD95 interactome. Through studies of de novo protein synthesis in primary cortical neurons from KO and WT mice, we found that neurons lacking FMRP produce nascent proteins at higher rates, many of which are synaptic proteins and encoded by FMRP target mRNAs. Our results provide a greatly expanded view of protein changes in FXS and identify age-dependent effects of FMRP in shaping the neuronal proteome.
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Protein expression of targets of the FMRP regulon is altered in brains of subjects with schizophrenia and mood disorders. Schizophr Res 2015; 165:201-11. [PMID: 25956630 PMCID: PMC5037955 DOI: 10.1016/j.schres.2015.04.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/18/2014] [Revised: 03/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is an RNA binding protein with 842 target mRNAs in mammalian brain. Silencing of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene leads to loss of expression of FMRP and upregulated metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) signaling resulting in the multiple physical and cognitive deficits associated with fragile X syndrome (FXS). Reduced FMRP expression has been identified in subjects with autism, schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression who do not carry the mutation for FMR1. Our laboratory has recently demonstrated altered expression of four downstream targets of FMRP-mGluR5 signaling in brains of subjects with autism: homer 1, amyloid beta A4 precursor protein (APP), ras-related C3 botulinum toxin substrate 1 (RAC1), and striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (STEP). In the current study we investigated the expression of the same four proteins in lateral cerebella of subjects with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and major depression and in frontal cortex of subjects with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder. In frontal cortex we observed: 1) reduced expression of 120 kDa form of APP in subjects with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder; 2) reduced expression of 61 kDa and 33k Da forms of STEP in subjects with schizophrenia; 3) reduced expression of 88 kDa form of APP in subjects with bipolar disorder; and 3) trends for reduced expression of 88 kDa form of APP and homer 1 in subjects with schizophrenia and bipolar disorder, respectively. In lateral cerebella there was no group difference, however we observed increased expression of RAC1 in subjects with bipolar disorder, and trends for increased RAC1 in subjects with schizophrenia and major depression. Our results provide further evidence that proteins involved in the FMRP-mGluR5 signaling pathway are altered in schizophrenia and mood disorders.
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Chen JA, Peñagarikano O, Belgard TG, Swarup V, Geschwind DH. The emerging picture of autism spectrum disorder: genetics and pathology. ANNUAL REVIEW OF PATHOLOGY-MECHANISMS OF DISEASE 2015; 10:111-44. [PMID: 25621659 DOI: 10.1146/annurev-pathol-012414-040405] [Citation(s) in RCA: 179] [Impact Index Per Article: 19.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/09/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is defined by impaired social interaction and communication accompanied by stereotyped behaviors and restricted interests. Although ASD is common, its genetic and clinical features are highly heterogeneous. A number of recent breakthroughs have dramatically advanced our understanding of ASD from the standpoint of human genetics and neuropathology. These studies highlight the period of fetal development and the processes of chromatin structure, synaptic function, and neuron-glial signaling. The initial efforts to systematically integrate findings of multiple levels of genomic data and studies of mouse models have yielded new clues regarding ASD pathophysiology. This early work points to an emerging convergence of disease mechanisms in this complex and etiologically heterogeneous disorder.
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Erickson CA, Ray B, Maloney B, Wink LK, Bowers K, Schaefer TL, McDougle CJ, Sokol DK, Lahiri DK. Impact of acamprosate on plasma amyloid-β precursor protein in youth: a pilot analysis in fragile X syndrome-associated and idiopathic autism spectrum disorder suggests a pharmacodynamic protein marker. J Psychiatr Res 2014; 59:220-8. [PMID: 25300441 PMCID: PMC4253657 DOI: 10.1016/j.jpsychires.2014.07.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 41] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/02/2014] [Revised: 07/09/2014] [Accepted: 07/14/2014] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Understanding of the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) remains limited. Brain overgrowth has been hypothesized to be associated with the development of ASD. A derivative of amyloid-β precursor protein (APP), secreted APPα (sAPPα), has neuroproliferative effects and has been shown to be elevated in the plasma of persons with ASD compared to control subjects. Reduction in sAPPα holds promise as a novel molecular target of treatment in ASD. Research into the neurochemistry of ASD has repeatedly implicated excessive glutamatergic and deficient GABAergic neurotransmission in the disorder. With this in mind, acamprosate, a novel modulator of glutamate and GABA function, has been studied in ASD. No data is available on the impact of glutamate or GABA modulation on sAPPα function. METHODS Plasma APP derivative levels pre- and post-treatment with acamprosate were determined in two pilot studies involving youth with idiopathic and fragile X syndrome (FXS)-associated ASD. We additionally compared baseline APP derivative levels between youth with FXS-associated or idiopathic ASD. RESULTS Acamprosate use was associated with a significant reduction in plasma sAPP(total) and sAPPα levels but no change occurred in Aβ40 or Aβ42 levels in 15 youth with ASD (mean age: 11.1 years). Youth with FXS-associated ASD (n = 12) showed increased sAPPα processing compared to age-, gender- and IQ-match youth with idiopathic ASD (n = 11). CONCLUSIONS Plasma APP derivative analysis holds promise as a potential biomarker for use in ASD targeted treatment. Reduction in sAPP (total) and sAPPα may be a novel pharmacodynamic property of acamprosate. Future study is required to address limitations of the current study to determine if baseline APP derivative analysis may predict subgroups of persons with idiopathic or FXS-associated ASD who may respond best to acamprosate or to potentially other modulators of glutamate and/or GABA neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Balmiki Ray
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Bryan Maloney
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Logan K. Wink
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Katherine Bowers
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Tori L. Schaefer
- Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Cincinnati, OH, USA
| | - Christopher J. McDougle
- Lurie Center for Autism, Massachusetts General Hospital, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Deborah K. Sokol
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA
| | - Debomoy K. Lahiri
- Department of Psychiatry, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Indiana University School of Medicine, Indianapolis, IN, USA,Corresponding Author: Debomoy K. Lahiri, Ph.D., Professor, Departments of Psychiatry and of Medical & Molecular Genetics, Indiana University School of Medicine, Institute of Psychiatric Research, Neuroscience Research Building, 320 West 15th Street, NB 200C, Indianapolis, IN 46202-2266, USA, Tel: (317) 274-2706; Fax: (317) 231-0200
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Li Y, Zhao X. Concise review: Fragile X proteins in stem cell maintenance and differentiation. Stem Cells 2014; 32:1724-33. [PMID: 24648324 PMCID: PMC4255947 DOI: 10.1002/stem.1698] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/12/2014] [Revised: 02/18/2014] [Accepted: 03/01/2014] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome (FXS), the most common genetic form of autism spectrum disorder, is caused by deficiency of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). Despite extensive research and scientific progress, understanding how FMRP regulates brain development and function remains a major challenge. FMRP is a neuronal RNA-binding protein that binds about a third of messenger RNAs in the brain and controls their translation, stability, and cellular localization. The absence of FMRP results in increased protein synthesis, leading to enhanced signaling in a number of intracellular pathways, including the mTOR, mGLuR5, ERK, Gsk3β, PI3K, and insulin pathways. Until recently, FXS was largely considered a deficit of mature neurons; however, a number of new studies have shown that FMRP may also play important roles in stem cells, among them neural stem cells, germline stem cells, and pluripotent stem cells. In this review, we will cover these newly discovered functions of FMRP, as well as the other two fragile X-related proteins, in stem cells. We will also discuss the literature on the use of stem cells, particularly neural stem cells and induced pluripotent stem cells, as model systems for studying the functions of FMRP in neuronal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yue Li
- Waisman Center and Department of Neuroscience, University of Wisconsin-Madison School of Medicine and Public Health, Madison, Wisconsin, USA
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Orekhova EV, Stroganova TA. Arousal and attention re-orienting in autism spectrum disorders: evidence from auditory event-related potentials. Front Hum Neurosci 2014; 8:34. [PMID: 24567709 PMCID: PMC3915101 DOI: 10.3389/fnhum.2014.00034] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/10/2013] [Accepted: 01/17/2014] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
The extended phenotype of autism spectrum disorders (ASD) includes a combination of arousal regulation problems, sensory modulation difficulties, and attention re-orienting deficit. A slow and inefficient re-orienting to stimuli that appear outside of the attended sensory stream is thought to be especially detrimental for social functioning. Event-related potentials (ERPs) and magnetic fields (ERFs) may help to reveal which processing stages underlying brain response to unattended but salient sensory event are affected in individuals with ASD. Previous research focusing on two sequential stages of the brain response-automatic detection of physical changes in auditory stream, indexed by mismatch negativity (MMN), and evaluation of stimulus novelty, indexed by P3a component,-found in individuals with ASD either increased, decreased, or normal processing of deviance and novelty. The review examines these apparently conflicting results, notes gaps in previous findings, and suggests a potentially unifying hypothesis relating the dampened responses to unattended sensory events to the deficit in rapid arousal process. Specifically, "sensory gating" studies focused on pre-attentive arousal consistently demonstrated that brain response to unattended and temporally novel sound in ASD is already affected at around 100 ms after stimulus onset. We hypothesize that abnormalities in nicotinic cholinergic arousal pathways, previously reported in individuals with ASD, may contribute to these ERP/ERF aberrations and result in attention re-orienting deficit. Such cholinergic dysfunction may be present in individuals with ASD early in life and can influence both sensory processing and attention re-orienting behavior. Identification of early neurophysiological biomarkers for cholinergic deficit would help to detect infants "at risk" who can potentially benefit from particular types of therapies or interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elena V Orekhova
- MEG Centre, Moscow State University of Psychology and Education Moscow, Russia ; MedTech West, Sahlgrenska Academy Gothenburg, Sweden
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Translational regulation of NeuroD1 expression by FMRP: involvement in glutamatergic neuronal differentiation of cultured rat primary neural progenitor cells. Cell Mol Neurobiol 2013; 34:297-305. [PMID: 24338128 DOI: 10.1007/s10571-013-0014-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/12/2013] [Accepted: 11/27/2013] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is encoded by Fmr1 gene in which mutation is known to cause fragile X syndrome characterized by mental impairment and other psychiatric symptoms similar to autism spectrum disorders. FMRP plays important roles in cellular mRNA biology such as transport, stability, and translation as an RNA-binding protein. In the present study, we identified potential role of FMRP in the neural differentiation, using cortical neural progenitor cells from Sprague-Dawley rat. We newly found NeuroD1, an essential regulator of glutamatergic neuronal differentiation, as a new mRNA target interacting with FMRP in co-immunoprecipitation experiments. We also identified FMRP as a regulator of neuronal differentiation by modulating NeuroD1 expression. Down-regulation of FMRP by siRNA also increased NeuroD1 expression along with increased pre- and post-synaptic development of glutamatergic neuron, as evidenced by Western blot and immunocytochemistry. On the contrary, cells harboring FMRP over-expression construct showed decreased NeuroD1 expression. Treatment of cultured neural precursor cells with a histone deacetylase inhibitor, valproic acid known as an inducer of hyper-glutamatergic neuronal differentiation, down-regulated the expression of FMRP, and induced NeuroD1 expression. Our study suggests that modulation of FMRP expression regulates neuronal differentiation by interaction with its binding target mRNA, and provides an example of the gene and environmental interaction regulating glutamatergic neuronal differentiation.
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Rustan OG, Folsom TD, Yousefi MK, Fatemi SH. Phosphorylated fragile X mental retardation protein at serine 499, is reduced in cerebellar vermis and superior frontal cortex of subjects with autism: implications for fragile X mental retardation protein-metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 signaling. Mol Autism 2013; 4:41. [PMID: 24180586 PMCID: PMC4176299 DOI: 10.1186/2040-2392-4-41] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2013] [Accepted: 09/18/2013] [Indexed: 02/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Lohith et al. (Mol Autism 4:15, 2013) recently identified increased metabotropic glutamate receptor 5 (mGluR5) expression in the frontal cortex (FC) of subjects with fragile X syndrome. These results are consistent with postmortem findings in cerebellar vermis and FC of subjects with autism (Fatemi and Folsom, Mol Autism 2:6, 2011; Fatemi et al. Anat Rec 294:1635–1645, 2011), suggesting that increased mGluR5 signaling is common to multiple autism spectrum disorders. Increased mGluR5 signaling may be associated with reduced phosphorylation of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), which could result in the inactivation of this protein. In the current study, we report on reduced expression of phosphorylated FMRP in cerebellar vermis of adults and children with autism and in FC of adults with autism.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - S Hossein Fatemi
- Department of Psychiatry, Division of Neuroscience Research, University of Minnesota Medical School, 420 Delaware St SE, MMC 392, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA.
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