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Li M, Jiao Q, Xin W, Niu S, Liu M, Song Y, Wang Z, Yang X, Liang D. The Emerging Role of Rho Guanine Nucleotide Exchange Factors in Cardiovascular Disorders: Insights Into Atherosclerosis: A Mini Review. Front Cardiovasc Med 2022; 8:782098. [PMID: 35047576 PMCID: PMC8761945 DOI: 10.3389/fcvm.2021.782098] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2021] [Accepted: 11/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Atherosclerosis is a leading cause of cardiovascular disease, and atherosclerotic cardiovascular disease accounts for one-third of global deaths. However, the mechanism of atherosclerosis is not fully understood. It is well-known that the Rho GTPase family, especially Rho A, plays a vital role in the development and progression of arteriosclerosis. Rho guanine nucleotide exchange factors (Rho GEFs), which act upstream of Rho GTPases, are also involved in the atheromatous pathological process. Despite some research on the role of Rho GEFS in the regulation of atherosclerosis, the number of studies is small relative to studies on the essential function of Rho GEFs. Some studies have preliminarily revealed Rho GEF regulation of atherosclerosis by experiments in vivo and in vitro. Herein, we review the advances in research on the relationship and interaction between Rho GEFs and atheroma to provide a potential reference for further study of atherosclerosis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mengqi Li
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Qingzheng Jiao
- Second Department of Internal Medicine, Gucheng County Hospital, Hengshui Gucheng, Hebei, China
| | - Wenqiang Xin
- Department of Neurology, University of Göttingen Medical School, Göttingen, Germany
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Shulin Niu
- Department of Cardiology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Mingming Liu
- Department of Neurology and Immunology, Institute of Neurology, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
| | - Yanxin Song
- Department of Nursing, Tianjin Medical University, Tianjin, China
| | - Zengguang Wang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Zengguang Wang
| | - Xinyu Yang
- Department of Neurosurgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- Xinyu Yang
| | - Degang Liang
- Department of Cardiovascular Surgery, Tianjin Medical University General Hospital, Tianjin, China
- *Correspondence: Degang Liang
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Giontella A, Lotta LA, Overton JD, Baras A, on behalf of Regeneron Genetics Center, Sartorio A, Minuz P, Gill D, Melander O, Fava C. Association of Thyroid Function with Blood Pressure and Cardiovascular Disease: A Mendelian Randomization. J Pers Med 2021; 11:1306. [PMID: 34945778 PMCID: PMC8704995 DOI: 10.3390/jpm11121306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 12/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Thyroid function has a widespread effect on the cardiometabolic system. However, the causal association between either subclinical hyper- or hypothyroidism and the thyroid hormones with blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular diseases (CVD) is not clear. We aim to investigate this in a two-sample Mendelian randomization (MR) study. Single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associated with thyroid-stimulating hormone (TSH), free tetraiodothyronine (FT4), hyper- and hypothyroidism, and anti-thyroid peroxidase antibodies (TPOAb), from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), were selected as MR instrumental variables. SNPs-outcome (BP, CVD) associations were evaluated in a large-scale cohort, the Malmö Diet and Cancer Study (n = 29,298). Causal estimates were computed by inverse-variance weighted (IVW), weighted median, and MR-Egger approaches. Genetically increased levels of TSH were associated with decreased systolic BP and with a lower risk of atrial fibrillation. Hyperthyroidism and TPOAb were associated with a lower risk of atrial fibrillation. Our data support a causal association between genetically decreased levels of TSH and both atrial fibrillation and systolic BP. The lack of significance after Bonferroni correction and the sensitivity analyses suggesting pleiotropy, should prompt us to be cautious in their interpretation. Nevertheless, these findings offer mechanistic insight into the etiology of CVD. Further work into the genes involved in thyroid functions and their relation to cardiovascular outcomes may highlight pathways for targeted intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alice Giontella
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (A.G.); (A.S.); (P.M.)
- Clinical Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 214 28 Malmö, Sweden;
| | - Luca A. Lotta
- Regeneron Genetics Center, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA; (L.A.L.); (J.D.O.); (A.B.)
| | - John D. Overton
- Regeneron Genetics Center, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA; (L.A.L.); (J.D.O.); (A.B.)
| | - Aris Baras
- Regeneron Genetics Center, Tarrytown, NY 10591, USA; (L.A.L.); (J.D.O.); (A.B.)
| | | | - Andrea Sartorio
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (A.G.); (A.S.); (P.M.)
| | - Pietro Minuz
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (A.G.); (A.S.); (P.M.)
| | - Dipender Gill
- Department of Epidemiology and Biostatistics, Imperial College London, London SW7 2AZ, UK;
- Novo Nordisk Research Centre Oxford, Old Road Campus, Oxford OX3 7FZ, UK
- Clinical Pharmacology Group, Pharmacy and Medicines Directorate, St. George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London SW17 0QT, UK
- Clinical Pharmacology and Therapeutics Section, Institute for Infection and Immunity, St George’s, University of London, London SW17 0RE, UK
| | - Olle Melander
- Clinical Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 214 28 Malmö, Sweden;
- Department of Emergency and Internal Medicine, Skåne University Hospital, 214 28 Malmö, Sweden
| | - Cristiano Fava
- Department of Medicine, University of Verona, 37134 Verona, Italy; (A.G.); (A.S.); (P.M.)
- Clinical Research Center, Department of Clinical Sciences, Lund University, 214 28 Malmö, Sweden;
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Parnell E, Shapiro LP, Voorn RA, Forrest MP, Jalloul HA, Loizzo DD, Penzes P. KALRN: A central regulator of synaptic function and synaptopathies. Gene 2020; 768:145306. [PMID: 33189799 DOI: 10.1016/j.gene.2020.145306] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/21/2020] [Revised: 10/28/2020] [Accepted: 11/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
The synaptic regulator, kalirin, plays a key role in synaptic plasticity and formation of dendritic arbors and spines. Dysregulation of the KALRN gene has been linked to various neurological disorders, including autism spectrum disorder, Alzheimer's disease, schizophrenia, addiction and intellectual disabilities. Both genetic and molecular studies highlight the importance of normal KALRN expression for healthy neurodevelopment and function. This review aims to give an in-depth analysis of the structure and molecular mechanisms of kalirin function, particularly within the brain. These data are correlated to genetic evidence of patient mutations within KALRN and animal models of Kalrn that together give insight into the manner in which this gene may be involved in neurodevelopment and the etiology of disease. The emerging links to human disease from post-mortem, genome wide association (GWAS) and exome sequencing studies are examined to highlight the disease relevance of kalirin, particularly in neurodevelopmental diseases. Finally, we will discuss efforts to pharmacologically regulate kalirin protein activity and the implications of such endeavors for the treatment of human disease. As multiple disease states arise from deregulated synapse formation and altered KALRN expression and function, therapeutics may be developed to provide control over KALRN activity and thus synapse dysregulation. As such, a detailed understanding of how kalirin regulates neuronal development, and the manner in which kalirin dysfunction promotes neurological disease, may support KALRN as a valuable therapeutic avenue for future pharmacological intervention.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euan Parnell
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, 60611 IL, USA
| | - Lauren P Shapiro
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, 60611 IL, USA
| | - Roos A Voorn
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, 60611 IL, USA
| | - Marc P Forrest
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, 60611 IL, USA
| | - Hiba A Jalloul
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, 60611 IL, USA
| | - Daniel D Loizzo
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, 60611 IL, USA
| | - Peter Penzes
- Department of Physiology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, 60611 IL, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, 60611 IL, USA; Northwestern University Center for Autism and Neurodevelopment, Chicago, IL 60611, USA.
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Osazuwa-Peters OL, Waken RJ, Schwander KL, Sung YJ, de Vries PS, Hartz SM, Chasman DI, Morrison AC, Bierut LJ, Xiong C, de las Fuentes L, Rao DC. Identifying blood pressure loci whose effects are modulated by multiple lifestyle exposures. Genet Epidemiol 2020; 44:629-641. [PMID: 32227373 PMCID: PMC7717887 DOI: 10.1002/gepi.22292] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2019] [Revised: 12/30/2019] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Although multiple lifestyle exposures simultaneously impact blood pressure (BP) and cardiovascular health, most analysis so far has considered each single lifestyle exposure (e.g., smoking) at a time. Here, we exploit gene-multiple lifestyle exposure interactions to find novel BP loci. For each of 6,254 Framingham Heart Study participants, we computed lifestyle risk score (LRS) value by aggregating the risk of four lifestyle exposures (smoking, alcohol, education, and physical activity) on BP. Using the LRS, we performed genome-wide gene-environment interaction analysis in systolic and diastolic BP using the joint 2 degree of freedom (DF) and 1 DF interaction tests. We identified one genome-wide significant (p < 5 × 10-8 ) and 11 suggestive (p < 1 × 10-6 ) loci. Gene-environment analysis using single lifestyle exposures identified only one of the 12 loci. Nine of the 12 BP loci detected were novel. Loci detected by the LRS were located within or nearby genes with biologically plausible roles in the pathophysiology of hypertension, including KALRN, VIPR2, SNX1, and DAPK2. Our results suggest that simultaneous consideration of multiple lifestyle exposures in gene-environment interaction analysis can identify additional loci missed by single lifestyle approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - R J Waken
- Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Karen L Schwander
- Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Yun Ju Sung
- Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Paul S de Vries
- Human Genetics Center, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Sarah M Hartz
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Daniel I Chasman
- Department of Medicine, Brigham and Women's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Alanna C Morrison
- Human Genetics Center, Department of Epidemiology, Human Genetics & Environmental Sciences, School of Public Health, The University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, Texas
| | - Laura J Bierut
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Chengjie Xiong
- Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Lisa de las Fuentes
- Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
- Cardiovascular Division, Department of Medicine, Washington University, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - D C Rao
- Division of Biostatistics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
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Keene KL, Hyacinth HI, Bis JC, Kittner SJ, Mitchell BD, Cheng YC, Pare G, Chong M, O’Donnell M, Meschia JF, Chen WM, Sale MM, Rich SS, Nalls MA, Zonderman AB, Evans MK, Wilson JG, Correa A, Markus HS, Traylor M, Lewis CM, Carty CL, Reiner A, Haessler J, Langefeld CD, Gottesman R, Mosley TH, Woo D, Yaffe K, Liu Y, Longstreth WT, Psaty BM, Kooperberg C, Lange LA, Sacco R, Rundek T, Lee JM, Cruchaga C, Furie KL, Arnett DK, Benavente OR, Grewal RP, Peddareddygari LR, Dichgans M, Malik R, Worrall BB, Fornage M. Genome-Wide Association Study Meta-Analysis of Stroke in 22 000 Individuals of African Descent Identifies Novel Associations With Stroke. Stroke 2020; 51:2454-2463. [PMID: 32693751 PMCID: PMC7387190 DOI: 10.1161/strokeaha.120.029123] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 06/18/2020] [Indexed: 01/07/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE Stroke is a complex disease with multiple genetic and environmental risk factors. Blacks endure a nearly 2-fold greater risk of stroke and are 2× to 3× more likely to die from stroke than European Americans. METHODS The COMPASS (Consortium of Minority Population Genome-Wide Association Studies of Stroke) has conducted a genome-wide association meta-analysis of stroke in >22 000 individuals of African ancestry (3734 cases, 18 317 controls) from 13 cohorts. RESULTS In meta-analyses, we identified one single nucleotide polymorphism (rs55931441) near the HNF1A gene that reached genome-wide significance (P=4.62×10-8) and an additional 29 variants with suggestive evidence of association (P<1×10-6), representing 24 unique loci. For validation, a look-up analysis for a 100 kb region flanking the COMPASS single nucleotide polymorphism was performed in SiGN (Stroke Genetics Network) Europeans, SiGN Hispanics, and METASTROKE (Europeans). Using a stringent Bonferroni correction P value of 2.08×10-3 (0.05/24 unique loci), we were able to validate associations at the HNF1A locus in both SiGN (P=8.18×10-4) and METASTROKE (P=1.72×10-3) European populations. Overall, 16 of 24 loci showed evidence for validation across multiple populations. Previous studies have reported associations between variants in the HNF1A gene and lipids, C-reactive protein, and risk of coronary artery disease and stroke. Suggestive associations with variants in the SFXN4 and TMEM108 genes represent potential novel ischemic stroke loci. CONCLUSIONS These findings represent the most thorough investigation of genetic determinants of stroke in individuals of African descent, to date.
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Affiliation(s)
- Keith L. Keene
- Department of Biology; Brody School of Medicine Center for Health Disparities, East Carolina University, Greenville, NC
| | - Hyacinth I. Hyacinth
- Aflac Cancer and Blood Disorder Center of Emory University and Children’s Healthcare of Atlanta University, Atlanta, GA
| | | | - Steven J. Kittner
- Baltimore Veterans Administration Medical Center and University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Braxton D. Mitchell
- Baltimore Veterans Administration Medical Center and University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Yu-Ching Cheng
- Baltimore Veterans Administration Medical Center and University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD
| | - Guillaume Pare
- McMaster University and Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Ontario
| | - Michael Chong
- McMaster University and Population Health Research Institute, Hamilton Ontario
| | | | | | - Wei-Min Chen
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Michele M. Sale
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Stephen S. Rich
- Center for Public Health Genomics, University of Virginia, Charlottesville, VA
| | - Mike A. Nalls
- Laboratory of Neurogenetics, National Institute on Aging, Bethesda, MD
- Data Tecnica International, Glen Echo, MD
| | - Alan B. Zonderman
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Science, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD
| | - Michele K. Evans
- Laboratory of Epidemiology and Population Science, National Institute on Aging, Baltimore, MD
| | | | - Adolfo Correa
- University of Mississippi Medical Center, Jackson, MS
| | | | - Matthew Traylor
- William Harvey Research Institute, Barts and The London School of Medicine and Dentistry, Queen Mary University of London, United Kingdom
| | - Cathryn M. Lewis
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Cara L. Carty
- Initiative for Research and Education to Advance Community Health, Washington State University, Seattle, WA
| | - Alexander Reiner
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Jeff Haessler
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | - Carl D. Langefeld
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | | | | | - Daniel Woo
- Department of Neurology, University of Cincinnati, Cincinnati, OH
| | | | - YongMei Liu
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Wake Forest School of Medicine, Winston-Salem, NC
| | | | - Bruce M. Psaty
- Cardiovascular Health Research Unit, Departments of Medicine, Epidemiology and Health Services, University of Washington, Seattle, WA; Kaiser Permanente Washington Health Research Institute, Seattle, WA
| | - Charles Kooperberg
- Division of Public Health Sciences, Fred Hutchinson Cancer Research Center, Seattle, WA
| | | | - Ralph Sacco
- University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Tatjana Rundek
- University of Miami, Miller School of Medicine, Miami, FL
| | - Jin-Moo Lee
- Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO
| | | | - Karen L. Furie
- Brown University Warren Alpert Medical School, Providence, RI
| | - Donna K. Arnett
- University of Kentucky, College of Public Health, Lexington, KY
| | | | - Raji P. Grewal
- Neuroscience Institute, Saint Francis Medical Center, Trenton, NJ
| | | | - Martin Dichgans
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
- Munich Cluster for Systems Neurology (SyNergy), Munich, Germany
| | - Rainer Malik
- Institute for Stroke and Dementia Research (ISD), University Hospital, LMU Munich, Germany
| | | | - Myriam Fornage
- Brown Foundation Institute of Molecular Medicine, University of Texas Health Science Center at Houston, Houston, TX
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Torgerson DG, Ballard PL, Keller RL, Oh SS, Huntsman S, Hu D, Eng C, Burchard EG, Ballard RA. Ancestry and genetic associations with bronchopulmonary dysplasia in preterm infants. Am J Physiol Lung Cell Mol Physiol 2018; 315:L858-L869. [PMID: 30113228 PMCID: PMC6295513 DOI: 10.1152/ajplung.00073.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/26/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2018] [Accepted: 08/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Bronchopulmonary dysplasia in premature infants is a common and often severe lung disease with long-term sequelae. A genetic component is suspected but not fully defined. We performed an ancestry and genome-wide association study to identify variants, genes, and pathways associated with survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia in 387 high-risk infants treated with inhaled nitric oxide in the Trial of Late Surfactant study. Global African genetic ancestry was associated with increased survival without bronchopulmonary dysplasia among infants of maternal self-reported Hispanic white race/ethnicity [odds ratio (OR) = 4.5, P = 0.01]. Admixture mapping found suggestive outcome associations with local African ancestry at chromosome bands 18q21 and 10q22 among infants of maternal self-reported African-American race/ethnicity. For all infants, the top individual variant identified was within the intron of NBL1, which is expressed in midtrimester lung and is an antagonist of bone morphogenetic proteins ( rs372271081 , OR = 0.17, P = 7.4 × 10-7). The protective allele of this variant was significantly associated with lower nitric oxide metabolites in the urine of non-Hispanic white infants ( P = 0.006), supporting a role in the racial differential response to nitric oxide. Interrogating genes upregulated in bronchopulmonary dysplasia lungs indicated association with variants in CCL18, a cytokine associated with fibrosis and interstitial lung disease, and pathway analyses implicated variation in genes involved in immune/inflammatory processes in response to infection and mechanical ventilation. Our results suggest that genetic variation related to lung development, drug metabolism, and immune response contribute to individual and racial/ethnic differences in respiratory outcomes following inhaled nitric oxide treatment of high-risk premature infants.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dara G Torgerson
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California , San Francisco, California
| | - Philip L Ballard
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California , San Francisco, California
| | - Roberta L Keller
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California , San Francisco, California
| | - Sam S Oh
- Department of Medicine, University of California , San Francisco, California
| | - Scott Huntsman
- Department of Medicine, University of California , San Francisco, California
| | - Donglei Hu
- Department of Medicine, University of California , San Francisco, California
| | - Celeste Eng
- Department of Medicine, University of California , San Francisco, California
| | - Esteban G Burchard
- Department of Medicine, University of California , San Francisco, California
- Department of Bioengineering and Therapeutic Sciences, University of California , San Francisco, California
| | - Roberta A Ballard
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California , San Francisco, California
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Transcriptional Complexity and Distinct Expression Patterns of auts2 Paralogs in Danio rerio. G3-GENES GENOMES GENETICS 2017. [PMID: 28626003 PMCID: PMC5555464 DOI: 10.1534/g3.117.042622] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Several genes that have been implicated in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have multiple transcripts. Therefore, comprehensive transcript annotation is critical for determining the respective gene function. The autism susceptibility candidate 2 (AUTS2) gene is associated with various neurological disorders, including autism and brain malformation. AUTS2 is important for activation of transcription of neural specific genes, neuronal migration, and neurite outgrowth. Here, we present evidence for significant transcriptional complexity in the auts2 gene locus in the zebrafish genome, as well as in genomic loci of auts2 paralogous genes fbrsl1 and fbrs. Several genes that have been implicated in ASDs are large and have multiple transcripts. Neurons are especially enriched with longer transcripts compared to nonneural cell types. The human autism susceptibility candidate 2 (AUTS2) gene is ∼1.2 Mb long and is implicated in a number of neurological disorders including autism, intellectual disability, addiction, and developmental delay. Recent studies show AUTS2 to be important for activation of transcription of neural specific genes, neuronal migration, and neurite outgrowth. However, much remains to be understood regarding the transcriptional complexity and the functional roles of AUTS2 in neurodevelopment. Zebrafish provide an excellent model system for studying both these questions. We undertook genomic identification and characterization of auts2 and its paralogous genes in zebrafish. There are four auts2 family genes in zebrafish: auts2a, auts2b, fbrsl1, and fbrs. The absence of complete annotation of their structures hampers functional studies. We present evidence for transcriptional complexity of these four genes mediated by alternative splicing and alternative promoter usage. Furthermore, the expression of the various paralogs is tightly regulated both spatially and developmentally. Our findings suggest that auts2 paralogs serve distinct functions in the development and functioning of target tissues.
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Genetic Variant of Kalirin Gene Is Associated with Ischemic Stroke in a Chinese Han Population. BIOMED RESEARCH INTERNATIONAL 2017; 2017:6594271. [PMID: 28706949 PMCID: PMC5494542 DOI: 10.1155/2017/6594271] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/11/2017] [Revised: 04/10/2017] [Accepted: 05/18/2017] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Ischemic stroke is a complex disorder resulting from the interplay of genetic and environmental factors. Previous studies showed that kalirin gene variations were associated with cardiovascular disease. However, the association between this gene and ischemic stroke was unknown. We performed this study to confirm if kalirin gene variation was associated with ischemic stroke. METHODS We enrolled 385 ischemic stroke patients and 362 controls from China. Three SNPs of kalirin gene were genotyped by means of ligase detection reaction-PCR method. Data was processed with SPSS and SHEsis platform. RESULTS SNP rs7620580 (dominant model: OR = 1.590, p = 0.002 and adjusted OR = 1.662, p = 0.014; additive model: OR = 1.490, p = 0.002 and adjusted OR = 1.636, p = 0.005; recessive model: OR = 2.686, p = 0.039) and SNP rs1708303 (dominant model: OR = 1.523, p = 0.007 and adjusted OR = 1.604, p = 0.028; additive model: OR = 1.438, p = 0.01 and adjusted OR = 1.476, p = 0.039) were associated with ischemic stroke. The GG genotype and G allele of SNP rs7620580 were associated with a risk for ischemic stroke with an adjusted OR of 3.195 and an OR of 1.446, respectively. Haplotype analysis revealed that A-T-G,G-T-A, and A-T-A haplotypes were associated with ischemic stroke. CONCLUSIONS Our results provide evidence that kalirin gene variations were associated with ischemic stroke in the Chinese Han population.
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Association of KALRN, ADIPOQ, and FTO gene polymorphism in type 2 diabetic patients with coronary artery disease: possible predisposing markers. Coron Artery Dis 2017; 27:490-6. [PMID: 27218147 DOI: 10.1097/mca.0000000000000386] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/29/2023]
Abstract
OBJECTIVES Recently, several genes have been introduced as potential genetic markers for diabetes mellitus and coronary artery diseases (CAD). METHODS In this case-control study, the associations of rs2241766 T/G of ADIPOQ, rs9289231 T/G of KALRN, and rs9939609 A/T of FTO polymorphisms with genetic susceptibility to CAD in type 2 diabetic (T2D) patients were investigated. A total of 224 T2D patients undergoing coronary angiography were randomly recruited into the study. Of the total diabetic patients, 152 were also diagnosed with CAD, whereas the rest were control participants. Genotyping of single-nucleotide polymorphisms was performed by high-resolution melting analysis. RESULTS Genotype analysis showed that the minor allele (G) frequency of rs2241766 ADIPOQ was statistically significant in the CAD group compared with the control group [odds ratio (OR), 2.779; 95% confidence interval (CI), 1.403-5.504; P=0.003]. Also, it was found that the minor allele (G) frequency of rs9289231 KALRN was significantly associated with the risk of CAD (OR, 2.098; 95% CI, 1.096-4.017; P=0.025). In addition, no significant association was observed between the minor allele (A) of the FTO rs9939609 polymorphism and CAD (OR, 1.088; 95% CI, 0.578-2.015; P=0.788). It is speculated that the GG genotype and the G allele of the rs9289231 polymorphism of KALRN and the rs224766 polymorphism of ADIPOQ genes may be considered genetic risk factors for CAD in T2D patients and genetic variations of these genes may play a major role in the process of these disorders. CONCLUSION Our case-control study in the Iranian population suggested a possible association between the mentioned single-nucleotide polymorphisms and CAD in T2D patients. However, further replication studies and comprehensive meta-analyses are required.
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10
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Miller MB, Yan Y, Wu Y, Hao B, Mains RE, Eipper BA. Alternate promoter usage generates two subpopulations of the neuronal RhoGEF Kalirin-7. J Neurochem 2016; 140:889-902. [PMID: 27465683 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13749] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2015] [Revised: 07/15/2016] [Accepted: 07/25/2016] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
Kalirin (Kal), a dual Rho GDP/GTP exchange factor (GEF), plays essential roles within and outside the nervous system. Tissue-specific, developmentally regulated alternative splicing generates isoforms with one (Kal7) or two (Kal9, Kal12) GEF domains along with a kinase (Kal12) domain; while Kal9 and Kal12 are crucial for neurite outgrowth, Kal7 plays important roles in spine maintenance and synaptic plasticity. Tissue-specific usage of alternate Kalrn promoters (A, B, C, D) places four different peptides before the Sec14 domain. cSec14, with an amphipathic helix encoded by the C-promoter (Kal-C-helix), is the only variant known to interact with phosphoinositides. We sought to elucidate the biological significance of Kalirin promoter usage and lipid binding. While Ex1B expression was predominant early in development, Ex1C expression increased when synaptogenesis occurred. Kal-C-helix-containing Kal7 (cKal7) was enriched at the postsynaptic density, present in the microsomal fraction and absent from cytosol; no significant amount of cKal9 or cKal12 could be identified in mouse brain. Similarly, in primary hippocampal neurons, endogenous cKalirin colocalized with postsynaptic density 95 in dendritic spines, juxtaposed to Vglut1-positive puncta. When expressed in young neurons, bSec14-EGFP was diffusely distributed, while cSec14-EGFP localized to internal puncta. Transfected bKal7-EGFP and cKal7-EGFP localized to dendritic spines and increased spine density in more mature cultured neurons. Although promoter usage did not alter the Rac-GEF activity of Kal7, the synaptic puncta formed by cKal7-EGFP were smaller than those formed by bKal7-EGFP. Molecular modeling predicted a role for Kal-C-helix residue Arg15 in the interaction of cSec14 with phosphoinositides. Consistent with this prediction, mutation of Arg15 to Gln altered the localization of cSec14-EGFP and cKal7-EGFP. These data suggest that phosphoinositide-dependent interactions unique to cKal7 contribute to protein localization and function. Cover Image for this issue: doi. 10.1111/jnc.13791.
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Affiliation(s)
- Megan B Miller
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yan Yan
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Yi Wu
- Center for Cell Analysis and Modeling, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Bing Hao
- Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Richard E Mains
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
| | - Betty A Eipper
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Molecular Biology and Biophysics, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, Connecticut, USA
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