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Chakravorty A, Sheeba V, Manjithaya R. Drosophila melanogaster Neuromuscular Junction as a Model to Study Synaptopathies and Neuronal Autophagy. Methods Mol Biol 2024; 2761:97-120. [PMID: 38427233 DOI: 10.1007/978-1-0716-3662-6_9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/02/2024]
Abstract
Neuronal synapse dysfunction is a key characteristic of several neurodegenerative disorders, such as Alzheimer's disease, spinocerebellar ataxias, and Huntington's disease. Modeling these disorders to study synaptic dysfunction requires a robust and reproducible method for assaying the subtle changes associated with synaptopathies in terms of structure and function of the synapses. Drosophila melanogaster neuromuscular junctions (NMJs) serve as good models to study such alterations. Further, modifications in the microenvironment of synapses can sometimes reflect in the behavior of the animal, which can also be assayed in a high-throughput manner. The methods outlined in this chapter highlight assays to study the behavioral changes associated with synaptic dysfunction in a spinocerebellar ataxia type 3 (SCA3) model. Further, molecular assessment of alterations in NMJ structure and function is also summarized, followed by effects of autophagy pathway upregulation in providing neuroprotection. These methods can be further extended and modified to study the therapeutic effects of drugs or small molecules in providing neuroprotection for any synaptopathy models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anushka Chakravorty
- Autophagy Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India
| | - Vasu Sheeba
- Chronobiology and Behavioural Neurogenetics Laboratory, Neuroscience Unit, Bangalore, India.
| | - Ravi Manjithaya
- Autophagy Laboratory, Molecular Biology and Genetics Unit, Jawaharlal Nehru Centre for Advanced Scientific Research, Bangalore, India.
- Chronobiology and Behavioural Neurogenetics Laboratory, Neuroscience Unit, Bangalore, India.
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2
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Nguyen YDH, Yoshida H, Tran TM, Kamei K. Lipin knockdown in pan-neuron of Drosophila induces reduction of lifespan, deficient locomotive behavior, and abnormal morphology of motor neuron. Neuroreport 2023; 34:629-637. [PMID: 37470742 PMCID: PMC10344432 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000001936] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/21/2023]
Abstract
The Lipin family is evolutionarily conserved among insects and mammals, and its crucial roles in lipid synthesis and homeostatic control of energy balance have been well documented. This study investigated the function of Lipin in neuronal function and neurodegeneration. The GAL4/UAS system was used to knock down Lipin in the nervous system of Drosophila and investigate its behavioral and cellular phenotypes. The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) morphology was detected by immunostaining. Moreover, triacylglycerol and ATP levels were analyzed by using assay Kit. This study found that Lipin is localized almost in the cytoplasm of neurons in the brain lobe and ventral nerve cord, which are part of the central nervous system (CNS) of Drosophila melanogaster. Lipin knockdown larvae exhibit decreased locomotor activity, aberrant morphology of motor nerve terminals at NMJs, and reduced number and size of lipid droplets in the CNS. Furthermore, neuron-specific knockdown of Lipin leads to locomotor defects and a shortened lifespan, accompanied by a reduction in ATP levels in the adult stage. These results indicate that Lipin plays a crucial role in the CNS of Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yen D H Nguyen
- Department of Functional Chemistry, Kyoto Institute of Technology
| | - Hideki Yoshida
- Department of Applied Biology, Kyoto Institute of Technology, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Thanh Men Tran
- Department of Biology, College of Natural Sciences, Cantho University, Cantho City, Vietnam
| | - Kaeko Kamei
- Department of Functional Chemistry, Kyoto Institute of Technology
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Stone A, Cujic O, Rowlett A, Aderhold S, Savage E, Graham B, Steinert JR. Triose-phosphate isomerase deficiency is associated with a dysregulation of synaptic vesicle recycling in Drosophila melanogaster. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2023; 15:1124061. [PMID: 36926383 PMCID: PMC10011161 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2023.1124061] [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: 12/14/2022] [Accepted: 02/10/2023] [Indexed: 03/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Numerous neurodegenerative diseases are associated with neuronal dysfunction caused by increased redox stress, often linked to aberrant production of redox-active molecules such as nitric oxide (NO) or oxygen free radicals. One such protein affected by redox-mediated changes is the glycolytic enzyme triose-phosphate isomerase (TPI), which has been shown to undergo 3-nitrotyrosination (a NO-mediated post-translational modification) rendering it inactive. The resulting neuronal changes caused by this modification are not well understood. However, associated glycation-induced cytotoxicity has been reported, thus potentially causing neuronal and synaptic dysfunction via compromising synaptic vesicle recycling. Methods This work uses Drosophila melanogaster to identify the impacts of altered TPI activity on neuronal physiology, linking aberrant TPI function and redox stress to neuronal defects. We used Drosophila mutants expressing a missense allele of the TPI protein, M81T, identified in a previous screen and resulting in an inactive mutant of the TPI protein (TPIM81T , wstd1). We assessed synaptic physiology at the glutamatergic Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ), synapse morphology and behavioural phenotypes, as well as impacts on longevity. Results Electrophysiological recordings of evoked and spontaneous excitatory junctional currents, alongside high frequency train stimulations and recovery protocols, were applied to investigate synaptic depletion and subsequent recovery. Single synaptic currents were unaltered in the presence of the wstd1 mutation, but frequencies of spontaneous events were reduced. Wstd1 larvae also showed enhanced vesicle depletion rates at higher frequency stimulation, and subsequent recovery times for evoked synaptic responses were prolonged. A computational model showed that TPI mutant larvae exhibited a significant decline in activity-dependent vesicle recycling, which manifests itself as increased recovery times for the readily-releasable vesicle pool. Confocal images of NMJs showed no morphological or developmental differences between wild-type and wstd1 but TPI mutants exhibited learning impairments as assessed by olfactory associative learning assays. Discussion Our data suggests that the wstd1 phenotype is partially due to altered vesicle dynamics, involving a reduced vesicle pool replenishment, and altered endo/exocytosis processes. This may result in learning and memory impairments and neuronal dysfunction potentially also presenting a contributing factor to other reported neuronal phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aelfwin Stone
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Oliver Cujic
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Angel Rowlett
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Sophia Aderhold
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Emma Savage
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
| | - Bruce Graham
- Division of Computing Science and Mathematics, Faculty of Natural Sciences, University of Stirling, Stirling, United Kingdom
| | - Joern R Steinert
- Division of Physiology, Pharmacology and Neuroscience, School of Life Sciences, University of Nottingham, Nottingham, United Kingdom
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Nitta Y, Sugie A. Studies of neurodegenerative diseases using Drosophila and the development of novel approaches for their analysis. Fly (Austin) 2022; 16:275-298. [PMID: 35765969 PMCID: PMC9336468 DOI: 10.1080/19336934.2022.2087484] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 02/09/2023] Open
Abstract
The use of Drosophila in neurodegenerative disease research has contributed to the identification of modifier genes for the pathology. The basis for neurodegenerative disease occurrence in Drosophila is the conservation of genes across species and the ability to perform rapid genetic analysis using a compact brain. Genetic findings previously discovered in Drosophila can reveal molecular pathologies involved in human neurological diseases in later years. Disease models using Drosophila began to be generated during the development of genetic engineering. In recent years, results of reverse translational research using Drosophila have been reported. In this review, we discuss research on neurodegenerative diseases; moreover, we introduce various methods for quantifying neurodegeneration in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yohei Nitta
- Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
| | - Atsushi Sugie
- Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan,CONTACT Atsushi Sugie Brain Research Institute, Niigata University, Niigata, Japan
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Hewitt VL, Miller-Fleming L, Twyning MJ, Andreazza S, Mattedi F, Prudent J, Polleux F, Vagnoni A, Whitworth AJ. Decreasing pdzd8-mediated mito-ER contacts improves organismal fitness and mitigates Aβ 42 toxicity. Life Sci Alliance 2022; 5:5/11/e202201531. [PMID: 35831024 PMCID: PMC9279675 DOI: 10.26508/lsa.202201531] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/24/2022] [Revised: 07/01/2022] [Accepted: 07/01/2022] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Mitochondria-ER contact sites (MERCs) orchestrate many important cellular functions including regulating mitochondrial quality control through mitophagy and mediating mitochondrial calcium uptake. Here, we identify and functionally characterize the Drosophila ortholog of the recently identified mammalian MERC protein, Pdzd8. We find that reducing pdzd8-mediated MERCs in neurons slows age-associated decline in locomotor activity and increases lifespan in Drosophila. The protective effects of pdzd8 knockdown in neurons correlate with an increase in mitophagy, suggesting that increased mitochondrial turnover may support healthy aging of neurons. In contrast, increasing MERCs by expressing a constitutive, synthetic ER-mitochondria tether disrupts mitochondrial transport and synapse formation, accelerates age-related decline in locomotion, and reduces lifespan. Although depletion of pdzd8 prolongs the survival of flies fed with mitochondrial toxins, it is also sufficient to rescue locomotor defects of a fly model of Alzheimer's disease expressing Amyloid β42 (Aβ42). Together, our results provide the first in vivo evidence that MERCs mediated by the tethering protein pdzd8 play a critical role in the regulation of mitochondrial quality control and neuronal homeostasis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Victoria L Hewitt
- Medical Research Council, Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Leonor Miller-Fleming
- Medical Research Council, Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Madeleine J Twyning
- Medical Research Council, Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Simonetta Andreazza
- Medical Research Council, Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Francesca Mattedi
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, IoPPN, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Julien Prudent
- Medical Research Council, Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
| | - Franck Polleux
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
- Mortimer B Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, New York, NY, USA
- Kavli Institute for Brain Sciences, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alessio Vagnoni
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Maurice Wohl Clinical Neuroscience Institute, IoPPN, King's College London, London, UK
| | - Alexander J Whitworth
- Medical Research Council, Mitochondrial Biology Unit, University of Cambridge, Cambridge, UK
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Fenckova M, Muha V, Mariappa D, Catinozzi M, Czajewski I, Blok LER, Ferenbach AT, Storkebaum E, Schenck A, van Aalten DMF. Intellectual disability-associated disruption of O-GlcNAc cycling impairs habituation learning in Drosophila. PLoS Genet 2022; 18:e1010159. [PMID: 35500025 PMCID: PMC9140282 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1010159] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/16/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2022] [Accepted: 03/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
Abstract
O-GlcNAcylation is a reversible co-/post-translational modification involved in a multitude of cellular processes. The addition and removal of the O-GlcNAc modification is controlled by two conserved enzymes, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAc hydrolase (OGA). Mutations in OGT have recently been discovered to cause a novel Congenital Disorder of Glycosylation (OGT-CDG) that is characterized by intellectual disability. The mechanisms by which OGT-CDG mutations affect cognition remain unclear. We manipulated O-GlcNAc transferase and O-GlcNAc hydrolase activity in Drosophila and demonstrate an important role of O-GlcNAcylation in habituation learning and synaptic development at the larval neuromuscular junction. Introduction of patient-specific missense mutations into Drosophila O-GlcNAc transferase using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing leads to deficits in locomotor function and habituation learning. The habituation deficit can be corrected by blocking O-GlcNAc hydrolysis, indicating that OGT-CDG mutations affect cognition-relevant habituation via reduced protein O-GlcNAcylation. This study establishes a critical role for O-GlcNAc cycling and disrupted O-GlcNAc transferase activity in cognitive dysfunction, and suggests that blocking O-GlcNAc hydrolysis is a potential strategy to treat OGT-CDG.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michaela Fenckova
- Division of Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Villo Muha
- Division of Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Daniel Mariappa
- Division of Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Marica Catinozzi
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Ignacy Czajewski
- Division of Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Laura E. R. Blok
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Andrew T. Ferenbach
- Division of Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
| | - Erik Storkebaum
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Faculty of Science, Radboud University, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Annette Schenck
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Daan M. F. van Aalten
- Division of Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee, United Kingdom
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Bali N, Lee HK(P, Zinn K. Sticks and Stones, a conserved cell surface ligand for the Type IIa RPTP Lar, regulates neural circuit wiring in Drosophila. eLife 2022; 11:e71469. [PMID: 35356892 PMCID: PMC9000958 DOI: 10.7554/elife.71469] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/20/2021] [Accepted: 03/31/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Type IIa receptor-like protein tyrosine phosphatases (RPTPs) are essential for neural development. They have cell adhesion molecule (CAM)-like extracellular domains that interact with cell-surface ligands and coreceptors. We identified the immunoglobulin superfamily CAM Sticks and Stones (Sns) as a new partner for the Drosophila Type IIa RPTP Lar. Lar and Sns bind to each other in embryos and in vitro, and the human Sns ortholog, Nephrin, binds to human Type IIa RPTPs. Genetic analysis shows that Lar and Sns function together to regulate larval neuromuscular junction development, axon guidance in the mushroom body (MB), and innervation of the optic lobe (OL) medulla by R7 photoreceptors. In the neuromuscular system, Lar and Sns are both required in motor neurons, and may function as coreceptors. In the MB and OL, however, the relevant Lar-Sns interactions are in trans (between neurons), so Sns functions as a Lar ligand in these systems.
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Affiliation(s)
- Namrata Bali
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Hyung-Kook (Peter) Lee
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
| | - Kai Zinn
- Division of Biology and Biological Engineering, California Institute of TechnologyPasadenaUnited States
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Sanchez-Mirasierra I, Hernandez-Diaz S, Ghimire S, Montecinos-Oliva C, Soukup SF. Macros to Quantify Exosome Release and Autophagy at the Neuromuscular Junction of Drosophila Melanogaster. Front Cell Dev Biol 2021; 9:773861. [PMID: 34869373 PMCID: PMC8634598 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2021.773861] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Automatic quantification of image parameters is a powerful and necessary tool to explore and analyze crucial cell biological processes. This article describes two ImageJ/Fiji automated macros to approach the analysis of synaptic autophagy and exosome release from 2D confocal images. Emerging studies point out that exosome biogenesis and autophagy share molecular and organelle components. Indeed, the crosstalk between these two processes may be relevant for brain physiology, neuronal development, and the onset/progression of neurodegenerative disorders. In this context, we describe here the macros "Autophagoquant" and "Exoquant" to assess the quantification of autophagosomes and exosomes at the neuronal presynapse of the Neuromuscular Junction (NMJ) in Drosophila melanogaster using confocal microscopy images. The Drosophila NMJ is a valuable model for the study of synapse biology, autophagy, and exosome release. By use of Autophagoquant and Exoquant, researchers can have an unbiased, standardized, and rapid tool to analyze autophagy and exosomal release in Drosophila NMJ. Code available at: https://github.com/IreneSaMi/Exoquant-Autophagoquant.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | - Sandra-Fausia Soukup
- CNRS, Institut des Maladies Neurodégénératives, UMR 5293, Université de Bordeaux, Bordeaux, France
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The conserved alternative splicing factor caper regulates neuromuscular phenotypes during development and aging. Dev Biol 2021; 473:15-32. [PMID: 33508255 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2021.01.011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/23/2020] [Revised: 01/18/2021] [Accepted: 01/19/2021] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
RNA-binding proteins play an important role in the regulation of post-transcriptional gene expression throughout the nervous system. This is underscored by the prevalence of mutations in genes encoding RNA splicing factors and other RNA-binding proteins in a number of neurodegenerative and neurodevelopmental disorders. The highly conserved alternative splicing factor Caper is widely expressed throughout the developing embryo and functions in the development of various sensory neural subtypes in the Drosophila peripheral nervous system. Here we find that caper dysfunction leads to aberrant neuromuscular junction morphogenesis, as well as aberrant locomotor behavior during larval and adult stages. Despite its widespread expression, our results indicate that caper function is required to a greater extent within the nervous system, as opposed to muscle, for neuromuscular junction development and for the regulation of adult locomotor behavior. Moreover, we find that Caper interacts with the RNA-binding protein Fmrp to regulate adult locomotor behavior. Finally, we show that caper dysfunction leads to various phenotypes that have both a sex and age bias, both of which are commonly seen in neurodegenerative disorders in humans.
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10
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Singgih EL, van der Voet M, Schimmel-Naber M, Brinkmann EL, Schenck A, Franke B. Investigating cytosolic 5'-nucleotidase II family genes as candidates for neuropsychiatric disorders in Drosophila (114/150 chr). Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:55. [PMID: 33462198 PMCID: PMC7813868 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-020-01149-x] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2020] [Revised: 11/27/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Cytosolic 5'-nucleotidases II (cNT5-II) are an evolutionary conserved family of 5'-nucleotidases that catalyze the intracellular hydrolysis of nucleotides. In humans, the family is encoded by five genes, namely NT5C2, NT5DC1, NT5DC2, NT5DC3, and NT5DC4. While very little is known about the role of these genes in the nervous system, several of them have been associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. Here, we tested whether manipulating neuronal expression of cNT5-II orthologues affects neuropsychiatric disorders-related phenotypes in the model organism Drosophila melanogaster. We investigated the brain expression of Drosophila orthologues of cNT5-II family (dNT5A-CG2277, dNT5B-CG32549, and dNT5C-CG1814) using quantitative real-time polymerase chain reaction (qRT-PCR). Using the UAS/Gal4 system, we also manipulated the expression of these genes specifically in neurons. The knockdown was subjected to neuropsychiatric disorder-relevant behavioral assays, namely light-off jump reflex habituation and locomotor activity, and sleep was measured. In addition, neuromuscular junction synaptic morphology was assessed. We found that dNT5A, dNT5B, and dNT5C were all expressed in the brain. dNT5C was particularly enriched in the brain, especially at pharate and adult stages. Pan-neuronal knockdown of dNT5A and dNT5C showed impaired habituation learning. Knockdown of each of the genes also consistently led to mildly reduced activity and/or increased sleep. None of the knockdown models displayed significant alterations in synaptic morphology. In conclusion, in addition to genetic associations with psychiatric disorders in humans, altered expression of cNT5-II genes in the Drosophila nervous system plays a role in disease-relevant behaviors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Euginia L. Singgih
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Monique van der Voet
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Marlies Schimmel-Naber
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Emma L. Brinkmann
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Annette Schenck
- grid.10417.330000 0004 0444 9382Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Barbara Franke
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands. .,Department of Psychiatry, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands.
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11
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Patel PH, Wilkinson EC, Starke EL, McGimsey MR, Blankenship JT, Barbee SA. Vps54 regulates Drosophila neuromuscular junction development and interacts genetically with Rab7 to control composition of the postsynaptic density. Biol Open 2020; 9:bio053421. [PMID: 32747448 PMCID: PMC7473652 DOI: 10.1242/bio.053421] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/04/2020] [Accepted: 07/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Vps54 is a subunit of the Golgi-associated retrograde protein (GARP) complex, which is involved in tethering endosome-derived vesicles to the trans-Golgi network (TGN). In the wobbler mouse, a model for human motor neuron (MN) disease, reduction in the levels of Vps54 causes neurodegeneration. However, it is unclear how disruption of the GARP complex leads to MN dysfunction. To better understand the role of Vps54 in MNs, we have disrupted expression of the Vps54 ortholog in Drosophila and examined the impact on the larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Surprisingly, we show that both null mutants and MN-specific knockdown of Vps54 leads to NMJ overgrowth. Reduction of Vps54 partially disrupts localization of the t-SNARE, Syntaxin-16, to the TGN but has no visible impact on endosomal pools. MN-specific knockdown of Vps54 in MNs combined with overexpression of the small GTPases Rab5, Rab7, or Rab11 suppresses the Vps54 NMJ phenotype. Conversely, knockdown of Vps54 combined with overexpression of dominant negative Rab7 causes NMJ and behavioral abnormalities including a decrease in postsynaptic Dlg and GluRIIB levels without any effect on GluRIIA. Taken together, these data suggest that Vps54 controls larval MN axon development and postsynaptic density composition through a mechanism that requires Rab7.
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Affiliation(s)
- Prajal H Patel
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80210, USA
| | - Emily C Wilkinson
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80210, USA
| | - Emily L Starke
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80210, USA
| | - Malea R McGimsey
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80210, USA
| | - J Todd Blankenship
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80210, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biophysics Program, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80210, USA
| | - Scott A Barbee
- Department of Biological Sciences, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80210, USA
- Molecular and Cellular Biophysics Program, University of Denver, Denver, CO 80210, USA
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12
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Muha V, Fenckova M, Ferenbach AT, Catinozzi M, Eidhof I, Storkebaum E, Schenck A, van Aalten DMF. O-GlcNAcase contributes to cognitive function in Drosophila. J Biol Chem 2020; 295:8636-8646. [PMID: 32094227 PMCID: PMC7324509 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.010312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 02/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
O-GlcNAcylation is an abundant post-translational modification in neurons. In mice, an increase in O-GlcNAcylation leads to defects in hippocampal synaptic plasticity and learning. O-GlcNAcylation is established by two opposing enzymes: O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcase (OGA). To investigate the role of OGA in elementary learning, we generated catalytically inactive and precise knockout Oga alleles (OgaD133N and OgaKO , respectively) in Drosophila melanogaster Adult OgaD133N and OgaKO flies lacking O-GlcNAcase activity showed locomotor phenotypes. Importantly, both Oga lines exhibited deficits in habituation, an evolutionarily conserved form of learning, highlighting that the requirement for O-GlcNAcase activity for cognitive function is preserved across species. Loss of O-GlcNAcase affected a number of synaptic boutons at the axon terminals of larval neuromuscular junction. Taken together, we report behavioral and neurodevelopmental phenotypes associated with Oga alleles and show that Oga contributes to cognition and synaptic morphology in Drosophila.
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Affiliation(s)
- Villo Muha
- Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kindom
| | - Michaela Fenckova
- Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kindom; Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Andrew T Ferenbach
- Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kindom
| | - Marica Catinozzi
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and the Faculty of Science, Radboud University, 6525XZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Ilse Eidhof
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Erik Storkebaum
- Department of Molecular Neurobiology, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour and the Faculty of Science, Radboud University, 6525XZ Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Annette Schenck
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Daan M F van Aalten
- Gene Regulation and Expression, School of Life Sciences, University of Dundee, Dundee DD1 5EH, United Kindom.
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13
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Chen PY, Tsai YW, Cheng YJ, Giangrande A, Chien CT. Glial response to hypoxia in mutants of NPAS1/3 homolog Trachealess through Wg signaling to modulate synaptic bouton organization. PLoS Genet 2019; 15:e1007980. [PMID: 31381576 PMCID: PMC6695205 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pgen.1007980] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2019] [Revised: 08/15/2019] [Accepted: 07/15/2019] [Indexed: 11/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic structure and activity are sensitive to environmental alterations. Modulation of synaptic morphology and function is often induced by signals from glia. However, the process by which glia mediate synaptic responses to environmental perturbations such as hypoxia remains unknown. Here, we report that, in the mutant for Trachealess (Trh), the Drosophila homolog for NPAS1 and NPAS3, smaller synaptic boutons form clusters named satellite boutons appear at larval neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), which is induced by the reduction of internal oxygen levels due to defective tracheal branches. Thus, the satellite bouton phenotype in the trh mutant is suppressed by hyperoxia, and recapitulated in wild-type larvae raised under hypoxia. We further show that hypoxia-inducible factor (HIF)-1α/Similar (Sima) is critical in mediating hypoxia-induced satellite bouton formation. Sima upregulates the level of the Wnt/Wingless (Wg) signal in glia, leading to reorganized microtubule structures within presynaptic sites. Finally, hypoxia-induced satellite boutons maintain normal synaptic transmission at the NMJs, which is crucial for coordinated larval locomotion.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pei-Yi Chen
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Wei Tsai
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Ying-Ju Cheng
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Angela Giangrande
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, Illkirch, France
- Centre National de la Recherche Scientifique, UMR7104, Illkirch, France
- Institut National de la Santé et de la Recherche Médicale, Illkirch, France
- Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch, France
| | - Cheng-Ting Chien
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Yang-Ming University, Taipei, Taiwan
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
- * E-mail:
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14
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Coll-Tané M, Krebbers A, Castells-Nobau A, Zweier C, Schenck A. Intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders 'on the fly': insights from Drosophila. Dis Model Mech 2019; 12:dmm039180. [PMID: 31088981 PMCID: PMC6550041 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.039180] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
Intellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorders (ASD) are frequently co-occurring neurodevelopmental disorders and affect 2-3% of the population. Rapid advances in exome and genome sequencing have increased the number of known implicated genes by threefold, to more than a thousand. The main challenges in the field are now to understand the various pathomechanisms associated with this bewildering number of genetic disorders, to identify new genes and to establish causality of variants in still-undiagnosed cases, and to work towards causal treatment options that so far are available only for a few metabolic conditions. To meet these challenges, the research community needs highly efficient model systems. With an increasing number of relevant assays and rapidly developing novel methodologies, the fruit fly Drosophila melanogaster is ideally positioned to change gear in ID and ASD research. The aim of this Review is to summarize some of the exciting work that already has drawn attention to Drosophila as a model for these disorders. We highlight well-established ID- and ASD-relevant fly phenotypes at the (sub)cellular, brain and behavioral levels, and discuss strategies of how this extraordinarily efficient and versatile model can contribute to 'next generation' medical genomics and to a better understanding of these disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mireia Coll-Tané
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Alina Krebbers
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Castells-Nobau
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Christiane Zweier
- Institute of Human Genetics, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, 91054 Erlangen, Germany
| | - Annette Schenck
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, 6525 GA Nijmegen, The Netherlands
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15
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Castells-Nobau A, Eidhof I, Fenckova M, Brenman-Suttner DB, Scheffer-de Gooyert JM, Christine S, Schellevis RL, van der Laan K, Quentin C, van Ninhuijs L, Hofmann F, Ejsmont R, Fisher SE, Kramer JM, Sigrist SJ, Simon AF, Schenck A. Conserved regulation of neurodevelopmental processes and behavior by FoxP in Drosophila. PLoS One 2019; 14:e0211652. [PMID: 30753188 PMCID: PMC6372147 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0211652] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2019] [Accepted: 01/17/2019] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
FOXP proteins form a subfamily of evolutionarily conserved transcription factors involved in the development and functioning of several tissues, including the central nervous system. In humans, mutations in FOXP1 and FOXP2 have been implicated in cognitive deficits including intellectual disability and speech disorders. Drosophila exhibits a single ortholog, called FoxP, but due to a lack of characterized mutants, our understanding of the gene remains poor. Here we show that the dimerization property required for mammalian FOXP function is conserved in Drosophila. In flies, FoxP is enriched in the adult brain, showing strong expression in ~1000 neurons of cholinergic, glutamatergic and GABAergic nature. We generate Drosophila loss-of-function mutants and UAS-FoxP transgenic lines for ectopic expression, and use them to characterize FoxP function in the nervous system. At the cellular level, we demonstrate that Drosophila FoxP is required in larvae for synaptic morphogenesis at axonal terminals of the neuromuscular junction and for dendrite development of dorsal multidendritic sensory neurons. In the developing brain, we find that FoxP plays important roles in α-lobe mushroom body formation. Finally, at a behavioral level, we show that Drosophila FoxP is important for locomotion, habituation learning and social space behavior of adult flies. Our work shows that Drosophila FoxP is important for regulating several neurodevelopmental processes and behaviors that are related to human disease or vertebrate disease model phenotypes. This suggests a high degree of functional conservation with vertebrate FOXP orthologues and established flies as a model system for understanding FOXP related pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Castells-Nobau
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Ilse Eidhof
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Michaela Fenckova
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | | | - Jolanda M. Scheffer-de Gooyert
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Sheren Christine
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Rosa L. Schellevis
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Kiran van der Laan
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Christine Quentin
- Genetics, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Lisa van Ninhuijs
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Falko Hofmann
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Radoslaw Ejsmont
- Max Planck Institute of Molecular Cell Biology and Genetics (MPI-CBG), Dresden, Germany
| | - Simon E. Fisher
- Language and Genetics Department, Max Planck Institute of Psycholinguistics, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Jamie M. Kramer
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
| | - Stephan J. Sigrist
- Genetics, Institute of Biology, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
- NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité Universitätsmedizin Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Anne F. Simon
- Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, Ontario, Canada
| | - Annette Schenck
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center, Nijmegen, the Netherlands
- * E-mail:
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16
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Mei-Ling Liu J, Fair SR, Kaya B, Zuniga JN, Mostafa HR, Alves MJ, Stephens JA, Jones M, Aslan MT, Czeisler C, Otero JJ. Development of a Novel FIJI-Based Method to Investigate Neuronal Circuitry in Neonatal Mice. Dev Neurobiol 2018; 78:1146-1167. [PMID: 30136762 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22636] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/14/2018] [Revised: 07/04/2018] [Accepted: 07/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
The emergence of systems neuroscience tools requires parallel generation of objective analytical workflows for experimental neuropathology. We developed an objective analytical workflow that we used to determine how specific autonomic neural lineages change during postnatal development. While a wealth of knowledge exists regarding postnatal alterations in respiratory neural function, how these neural circuits change and develop in the weeks following birth remains less clear. In this study, we developed our workflow by combining genetic mouse modeling and quantitative immunofluorescent confocal microscopy and used this to examine the postnatal development of neural circuits derived from the transcription factors NKX2.2 and OLIG3 into three medullary respiratory nuclei. Our automated FIJI-based image analysis workflow rapidly and objectively quantified synaptic puncta in user-defined anatomic regions. Using our objective workflow, we found that the density and estimated total number of Nkx2.2-derived afferents into the pre-Bötzinger Complex significantly decreased with postnatal age during the first three weeks of postnatal life. These data indicate that Nkx2.2-derived structures differentially influence pre-Bötzinger Complex respiratory oscillations at different stages of postnatal development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jillian Mei-Ling Liu
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Summer Rose Fair
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Behiye Kaya
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Jessica Nabile Zuniga
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Hasnaa Rashad Mostafa
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Michele Joana Alves
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Julie A Stephens
- Department of Biomedical Informatics, Center for Biostatistics, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Mikayla Jones
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - M Tahir Aslan
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - Catherine Czeisler
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
| | - José Javier Otero
- Department of Pathology, Division of Neuropathology, The Ohio State University College of Medicine, Columbus, Ohio
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17
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Iyer J, Singh MD, Jensen M, Patel P, Pizzo L, Huber E, Koerselman H, Weiner AT, Lepanto P, Vadodaria K, Kubina A, Wang Q, Talbert A, Yennawar S, Badano J, Manak JR, Rolls MM, Krishnan A, Girirajan S. Pervasive genetic interactions modulate neurodevelopmental defects of the autism-associated 16p11.2 deletion in Drosophila melanogaster. Nat Commun 2018; 9:2548. [PMID: 29959322 PMCID: PMC6026208 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-018-04882-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/23/2018] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
As opposed to syndromic CNVs caused by single genes, extensive phenotypic heterogeneity in variably-expressive CNVs complicates disease gene discovery and functional evaluation. Here, we propose a complex interaction model for pathogenicity of the autism-associated 16p11.2 deletion, where CNV genes interact with each other in conserved pathways to modulate expression of the phenotype. Using multiple quantitative methods in Drosophila RNAi lines, we identify a range of neurodevelopmental phenotypes for knockdown of individual 16p11.2 homologs in different tissues. We test 565 pairwise knockdowns in the developing eye, and identify 24 interactions between pairs of 16p11.2 homologs and 46 interactions between 16p11.2 homologs and neurodevelopmental genes that suppress or enhance cell proliferation phenotypes compared to one-hit knockdowns. These interactions within cell proliferation pathways are also enriched in a human brain-specific network, providing translational relevance in humans. Our study indicates a role for pervasive genetic interactions within CNVs towards cellular and developmental phenotypes. The 16p11.2 deletion leads to a range of neurodevelopmental phenotypes, but to date, sequencing studies have not been able to pinpoint individual genes that are causative for the disease on their own. Here, using Drosophila homologs of 14 16p11.2 genes, the authors take a combinatorial approach to show that gene interactions contribute to a neurological phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Janani Iyer
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Mayanglambam Dhruba Singh
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Matthew Jensen
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.,Bioinformatics and Genomics Program, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Payal Patel
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Lucilla Pizzo
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Emily Huber
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Haley Koerselman
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Alexis T Weiner
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Paola Lepanto
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, CP11400, Uruguay
| | - Komal Vadodaria
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Alexis Kubina
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Qingyu Wang
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.,Bioinformatics and Genomics Program, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Abigail Talbert
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Sneha Yennawar
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Jose Badano
- Human Molecular Genetics Laboratory, Institut Pasteur de Montevideo, Montevideo, CP11400, Uruguay
| | - J Robert Manak
- Department of Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - Melissa M Rolls
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA
| | - Arjun Krishnan
- Department of Computational Mathematics, Science and Engineering, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Michigan State University, East Lansing, MI, 48824, USA
| | - Santhosh Girirajan
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA. .,Bioinformatics and Genomics Program, The Huck Institutes of the Life Sciences, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA. .,Department of Anthropology, The Pennsylvania State University, University Park, PA, 16802, USA.
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18
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Verstraelen P, Van Dyck M, Verschuuren M, Kashikar ND, Nuydens R, Timmermans JP, De Vos WH. Image-Based Profiling of Synaptic Connectivity in Primary Neuronal Cell Culture. Front Neurosci 2018; 12:389. [PMID: 29997468 PMCID: PMC6028601 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2018.00389] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2017] [Accepted: 05/22/2018] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Neurological disorders display a broad spectrum of clinical manifestations. Yet, at the cellular level, virtually all these diseases converge into a common phenotype of dysregulated synaptic connectivity. In dementia, synapse dysfunction precedes neurodegeneration and cognitive impairment by several years, making the synapse a crucial entry point for the development of diagnostic and therapeutic strategies. Whereas high-resolution imaging and biochemical fractionations yield detailed insight into the molecular composition of the synapse, standardized assays are required to quickly gauge synaptic connectivity across large populations of cells under a variety of experimental conditions. Such screening capabilities have now become widely accessible with the advent of high-throughput, high-content microscopy. In this review, we discuss how microscopy-based approaches can be used to extract quantitative information about synaptic connectivity in primary neurons with deep coverage. We elaborate on microscopic readouts that may serve as a proxy for morphofunctional connectivity and we critically analyze their merits and limitations. Finally, we allude to the potential of alternative culture paradigms and integrative approaches to enable comprehensive profiling of synaptic connectivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter Verstraelen
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Michiel Van Dyck
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Marlies Verschuuren
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | - Rony Nuydens
- Janssen Research and Development, Janssen Pharmaceutica N.V., Beerse, Belgium
| | - Jean-Pierre Timmermans
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Winnok H. De Vos
- Laboratory of Cell Biology and Histology, Department of Veterinary Sciences, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
- Cell Systems and Imaging, Department of Molecular Biotechnology, Ghent University, Ghent, Belgium
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19
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Farhan SMK, Nixon KCJ, Everest M, Edwards TN, Long S, Segal D, Knip MJ, Arts HH, Chakrabarti R, Wang J, Robinson JF, Lee D, Mirsattari SM, Rupar CA, Siu VM, Poulter MO, Hegele RA, Kramer JM. Identification of a novel synaptic protein, TMTC3, involved in periventricular nodular heterotopia with intellectual disability and epilepsy. Hum Mol Genet 2018; 26:4278-4289. [PMID: 28973161 PMCID: PMC5886076 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddx316] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2017] [Accepted: 08/08/2017] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Defects in neuronal migration cause brain malformations, which are associated with intellectual disability (ID) and epilepsy. Using exome sequencing, we identified compound heterozygous variants (p.Arg71His and p. Leu729ThrfsTer6) in TMTC3, encoding transmembrane and tetratricopeptide repeat containing 3, in four siblings with nocturnal seizures and ID. Three of the four siblings have periventricular nodular heterotopia (PVNH), a common brain malformation caused by failure of neurons to migrate from the ventricular zone to the cortex. Expression analysis using patient-derived cells confirmed reduced TMTC3 transcript levels and loss of the TMTC3 protein compared to parental and control cells. As TMTC3 function is currently unexplored in the brain, we gathered support for a neurobiological role for TMTC3 by generating flies with post-mitotic neuron-specific knockdown of the highly conserved Drosophila melanogaster TMTC3 ortholog, CG4050/tmtc3. Neuron-specific knockdown of tmtc3 in flies resulted in increased susceptibility to induced seizures. Importantly, this phenotype was rescued by neuron-specific expression of human TMTC3, suggesting a role for TMTC3 in seizure biology. In addition, we observed co-localization of TMTC3 in the rat brain with vesicular GABA transporter (VGAT), a presynaptic marker for inhibitory synapses. TMTC3 is localized at VGAT positive pre-synaptic terminals and boutons in the rat hypothalamus and piriform cortex, suggesting a role for TMTC3 in the regulation of GABAergic inhibitory synapses. TMTC3 did not co-localize with Vglut2, a presynaptic marker for excitatory neurons. Our data identified TMTC3 as a synaptic protein that is involved in PVNH with ID and epilepsy, in addition to its previously described association with cobblestone lissencephaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sali M K Farhan
- Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5B7.,Department of Biochemistry
| | - Kevin C J Nixon
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Michelle Everest
- Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5B7.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Tara N Edwards
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Shirley Long
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Dmitri Segal
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Maria J Knip
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Heleen H Arts
- Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5B7.,Division of Genetics and Development, Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5W9.,Department of Human Genetics, Radboud Institute for Molecular Life Sciences, Radboud University Medical Centre Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Rana Chakrabarti
- Division of Genetics and Development, Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5W9.,Department of Pediatrics
| | - Jian Wang
- Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5B7
| | - John F Robinson
- Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5B7
| | | | - Seyed M Mirsattari
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1.,Departments of Clinical Neurological Sciences, Medical Biophysics, Medical Imaging and Psychology
| | - C Anthony Rupar
- Department of Biochemistry.,Division of Genetics and Development, Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5W9.,Department of Pediatrics.,Department of Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Victoria M Siu
- Department of Biochemistry.,Division of Genetics and Development, Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5W9.,Department of Pediatrics
| | | | - Michael O Poulter
- Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5B7.,Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1
| | - Robert A Hegele
- Molecular Medicine Research Group, Robarts Research Institute, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5B7.,Department of Biochemistry
| | - Jamie M Kramer
- Department of Physiology and Pharmacology, Schulich School of Medicine and Dentistry, Western University, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5C1.,Division of Genetics and Development, Children's Health Research Institute, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5W9.,Department of Biology, Faculty of Science, Western University, London, ON, Canada, N6A 5B7
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20
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Castells-Nobau A, Nijhof B, Eidhof I, Wolf L, Scheffer-de Gooyert JM, Monedero I, Torroja L, van der Laak JAWM, Schenck A. Two Algorithms for High-throughput and Multi-parametric Quantification of Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction Morphology. J Vis Exp 2017. [PMID: 28518121 PMCID: PMC5607876 DOI: 10.3791/55395] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Synaptic morphology is tightly related to synaptic efficacy, and in many cases morphological synapse defects ultimately lead to synaptic malfunction. The Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ), a well-established model for glutamatergic synapses, has been extensively studied for decades. Identification of mutations causing NMJ morphological defects revealed a repertoire of genes that regulate synapse development and function. Many of these were identified in large-scale studies that focused on qualitative approaches to detect morphological abnormalities of the Drosophila NMJ. A drawback of qualitative analyses is that many subtle players contributing to NMJ morphology likely remain unnoticed. Whereas quantitative analyses are required to detect the subtler morphological differences, such analyses are not yet commonly performed because they are laborious. This protocol describes in detail two image analysis algorithms "Drosophila NMJ Morphometrics" and "Drosophila NMJ Bouton Morphometrics", available as Fiji-compatible macros, for quantitative, accurate and objective morphometric analysis of the Drosophila NMJ. This methodology is developed to analyze NMJ terminals immunolabeled with the commonly used markers Dlg-1 and Brp. Additionally, its wider application to other markers such as Hrp, Csp and Syt is presented in this protocol. The macros are able to assess nine morphological NMJ features: NMJ area, NMJ perimeter, number of boutons, NMJ length, NMJ longest branch length, number of islands, number of branches, number of branching points and number of active zones in the NMJ terminal.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anna Castells-Nobau
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center
| | - Bonnie Nijhof
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center
| | - Ilse Eidhof
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center
| | - Louis Wolf
- Microscopical Imaging Centre (MIC), Radboud University Medical Center
| | - Jolanda M Scheffer-de Gooyert
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center
| | - Ignacio Monedero
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid; Department of Clinical and Experimental Medicine, Linköping University
| | - Laura Torroja
- Department of Biology, Universidad Autónoma de Madrid
| | - Jeroen A W M van der Laak
- Microscopical Imaging Centre (MIC), Radboud University Medical Center; Department of Pathology, Radboud University Medical Center
| | - Annette Schenck
- Department of Human Genetics, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Center;
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21
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Stessman HAF, Xiong B, Coe BP, Wang T, Hoekzema K, Fenckova M, Kvarnung M, Gerdts J, Trinh S, Cosemans N, Vives L, Lin J, Turner TN, Santen G, Ruivenkamp C, Kriek M, van Haeringen A, Aten E, Friend K, Liebelt J, Barnett C, Haan E, Shaw M, Gecz J, Anderlid BM, Nordgren A, Lindstrand A, Schwartz C, Kooy RF, Vandeweyer G, Helsmoortel C, Romano C, Alberti A, Vinci M, Avola E, Giusto S, Courchesne E, Pramparo T, Pierce K, Nalabolu S, Amaral D, Scheffer IE, Delatycki MB, Lockhart PJ, Hormozdiari F, Harich B, Castells-Nobau A, Xia K, Peeters H, Nordenskjöld M, Schenck A, Bernier RA, Eichler EE. Targeted sequencing identifies 91 neurodevelopmental-disorder risk genes with autism and developmental-disability biases. Nat Genet 2017; 49:515-526. [PMID: 28191889 PMCID: PMC5374041 DOI: 10.1038/ng.3792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 362] [Impact Index Per Article: 51.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/23/2016] [Accepted: 01/22/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Gene-disruptive mutations contribute to the biology of neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), but most of the related pathogenic genes are not known. We sequenced 208 candidate genes from >11,730 cases and >2,867 controls. We identified 91 genes, including 38 new NDD genes, with an excess of de novo mutations or private disruptive mutations in 5.7% of cases. Drosophila functional assays revealed a subset with increased involvement in NDDs. We identified 25 genes showing a bias for autism versus intellectual disability and highlighted a network associated with high-functioning autism (full-scale IQ >100). Clinical follow-up for NAA15, KMT5B, and ASH1L highlighted new syndromic and nonsyndromic forms of disease.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Bo Xiong
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Department of forensic medicine and Institute of Brain Research, Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, Wuhan, Hubei, China
| | - Bradley P. Coe
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tianyun Wang
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Kendra Hoekzema
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Michaela Fenckova
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Malin Kvarnung
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Jennifer Gerdts
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Sandy Trinh
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Nele Cosemans
- Centre for Human Genetics, KU Leuven and Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Laura Vives
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Janice Lin
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Tychele N. Turner
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Gijs Santen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Claudia Ruivenkamp
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Marjolein Kriek
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Arie van Haeringen
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Emmelien Aten
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Leiden University Medical Center (LUMC), Leiden, The Netherlands
| | - Kathryn Friend
- Robinson Research Institute and the University of Adelaide at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia
- SA Pathology, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Jan Liebelt
- South Australian Clinical Genetics Service, SA Pathology (at Women’s and Children’s Hospital), Adelaide, Australia, Australia
| | - Christopher Barnett
- South Australian Clinical Genetics Service, SA Pathology (at Women’s and Children’s Hospital), Adelaide, Australia, Australia
| | - Eric Haan
- Robinson Research Institute and the University of Adelaide at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia
- South Australian Clinical Genetics Service, SA Pathology (at Women’s and Children’s Hospital), Adelaide, Australia, Australia
| | - Marie Shaw
- Robinson Research Institute and the University of Adelaide at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia
| | - Jozef Gecz
- Robinson Research Institute and the University of Adelaide at the Women’s and Children’s Hospital, North Adelaide, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, Australia
| | - Britt-Marie Anderlid
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Ann Nordgren
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Anna Lindstrand
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Charles Schwartz
- Center for Molecular Studies, J.C. Self Research Institute of Human Genetics, Greenwood Genetic Center, Greenwood, South Carolina, USA
| | - R. Frank Kooy
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | - Geert Vandeweyer
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| | | | | | | | | | | | - Stefania Giusto
- Unit of Neurology, IRCCS Associazione Oasi Maria Santissima, Troina, Italy
| | | | | | - Karen Pierce
- UCSD, Autism Center of Excellence, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | | | - David Amaral
- MIND Institute and the University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Ingrid E. Scheffer
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Department of Medicine, University of Melbourne, Austin Health, Melbourne, Australia
- The Florey Institute of Neuroscience and Mental Health, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Martin B. Delatycki
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Victorian Clinical Genetics Services, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Paul J. Lockhart
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Melbourne, Royal Children’s Hospital, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia
- Bruce Lefroy Centre for Genetic Health Research, Murdoch Children’s Research Institute, Parkville, Victoria, Australia
| | - Fereydoun Hormozdiari
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Medicine, University of California at Davis, Davis, CA, USA
| | - Benjamin Harich
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Anna Castells-Nobau
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Kun Xia
- The State Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, China
| | - Hilde Peeters
- Centre for Human Genetics, KU Leuven and Leuven Autism Research (LAuRes), Leuven, Belgium
| | - Magnus Nordenskjöld
- Department of Molecular Medicine and Surgery, Center for Molecular Medicine, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Annette Schenck
- Department of Human Genetics, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud university medical center, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Raphael A. Bernier
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
| | - Evan E. Eichler
- Department of Genome Sciences, University of Washington, Seattle, WA, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Seattle, WA, USA
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