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Li J, Wang Q, Yang A, Zhang J. Monoallelic missense variants in MAB21L1 cause a novel autosomal dominant microphthalmia. Ophthalmic Genet 2024:1-7. [PMID: 39016008 DOI: 10.1080/13816810.2024.2378029] [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: 03/23/2024] [Accepted: 07/04/2024] [Indexed: 07/18/2024]
Abstract
PURPOSE The biallelic variant of MAB21L1 has previously been documented in conjunction with the autosomal recessive cerebellar, ocular, craniofacial, and genital syndrome (COFG). The purpose of this study was to investigate the gene-disease association of MAB21L1 and the newly discovered autosomal dominant (AD) microphthalmia. METHODS We report the presence of an exceptionally rare missense variant in a single allele of the Arg51 codon of MAB21L1 among four individuals from a single family diagnosed with microphthalmia, which suggesting an autosomal dominant inheritance pattern. Subsequently, based on comprehensive literature review, we identified another 13 families that have reported cases of autosomal dominant microphthalmos. RESULTS Genotype-phenotype analysis revealed that patients with a single allele missense variant in MAB21L1 exhibited solely eye abnormalities. This starkly diverged from the clinical presentation of COFG, typified by the concurrent occurrence of ocular and extraocular symptoms stemming from the biallelic variant in MAB21L1. Our findings revealed that the heterozygous pathogenic variant in MAB21L1 resulted in the emergence of autosomal dominant microphthalmia. By combining these genetic and experimental evidence, the clinical validity of MAB21L1 and the emerging autosomal dominant microphthalmia can be regarded as moderate. CONCLUSION In summary, there is sufficient convincing evidence to prove that MAB21L1 is a novel pathogenic gene responsible for autosomal dominant microphthalmia, thus offering valuable insights for precise diagnosis and targeted therapeutic interventions in cases of microphthalmia.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jinli Li
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
| | - Qin Wang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining City, Shandong, China
| | - Aijun Yang
- Department of Reproductive Medicine, Affiliated Hospital of Jining Medical University, Jining City, Shandong, China
| | - Junyu Zhang
- Reproductive Medicine Center, Shanghai First Maternity and Infant Hospital, School of Medicine, Tongji University, Shanghai, China
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2
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Promsut W, Yamada R, Takami S, Miyazaki N, Uemura M, Hiramatsu R, Takahashi N, Kanai Y. External genitalia phenotypes of a Mab21l1-null mouse model for cerebellar, ocular, craniofacial, and genital (COFG) syndrome. Anat Rec (Hoboken) 2024; 307:1943-1959. [PMID: 37750449 DOI: 10.1002/ar.25330] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2023] [Revised: 08/25/2023] [Accepted: 08/25/2023] [Indexed: 09/27/2023]
Abstract
The cerebellar, ocular, craniofacial, and genital (COFG) syndrome is a human genetic disease that is caused by MAB21L1 mutations. A COFG mouse model with Mab21l1-null mutation causes severe microphthalmia and fontanelle dysosteogenesis, similar to the symptoms in human patients. One of the typical symptoms is scrotal agenesis in male infants, while male Mab21l1-null mice show hypoplastic preputial glands, a rodent-specific derivative of the cranial scrotal fold. However, it is still unclear where and how MAB21Ll acts in the external genitalia in both mice and humans. Here we show that, at the neonatal stage, MAB21L1 expression in the external genitalia was restricted to two mesenchymal cell populations-underneath the scrotal and labial skin and around the preputial and clitoral glands (PG/CG). Morphometric analyses of the Mab21l1-/- pups revealed a significant reduction in the external size of the scrotum, vulva, and CG, as well as PG. In the periglandular region around PG and CG, the periglandular mesenchymal cells showed a drastic reduction in both cell density and immunoreactive signals for several extracellular matrix proteins (e.g., collagen I, fibronectin, and proteoglycans), together with their reduced Ki67-positive cell proliferation index. In the Mab21l1-/- PG/CG, together with reduced vascularization, the glandular epithelia displayed atrophy with discontinuous basal lamina along the basal surface and defective glycogen accumulation in their cytoplasm. Under a 5-day organ culture of the isolated PG, the Mab21l1-/- explants showed poor outgrowth and retention of the glandular structure in vitro. However, the addition of exogenous Matrigel could partially rescue such tissue-autonomous phenotypes, showing glandular morphology similar to that of the wild-type explants. These findings suggest that MAB21L1+ mesenchymal cells play a crucial role in providing nutrient ECM support for glandular outgrowth and morphogenesis in the peripheral external genitalia.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ryuichi Yamada
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- RNA Company Limited, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Shohei Takami
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nanae Miyazaki
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Mami Uemura
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Ryuji Hiramatsu
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Naoki Takahashi
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
- RNA Company Limited, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yoshiakira Kanai
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo, Japan
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3
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Harding P, Gore S, Malka S, Rajkumar J, Oluonye N, Moosajee M. Real-world clinical and molecular management of 50 prospective patients with microphthalmia, anophthalmia and/or ocular coloboma. Br J Ophthalmol 2023; 107:1925-1935. [PMID: 36192130 DOI: 10.1136/bjo-2022-321991] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2022] [Accepted: 09/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND/AIMS Microphthalmia, anophthalmia and coloboma (MAC) are clinically and genetically heterogenous rare developmental eye conditions, which contribute to a significant proportion of childhood blindness worldwide. Clear understanding of MAC aetiology and comorbidities is essential to providing patients with appropriate care. However, current management is unstandardised and molecular diagnostic rates remain low, particularly in those with unilateral presentation. To further understanding of clinical and genetic management of patients with MAC, we charted their real-world experience to ascertain optimal management pathways and yield from molecular analysis. METHODS A prospective cohort study of consecutive patients with MAC referred to the ocular genetics service at Moorfields Eye Hospital between 2017-2020. RESULTS Clinical analysis of 50 MAC patients (15 microphthalmia; 2 anophthalmia; 11 coloboma; and 22 mixed) from 44 unrelated families found 44% had additional ocular features (complex) and 34% had systemic involvement, most frequently intellectual/developmental delay (8/17). Molecular analysis of 39 families using targeted gene panels, whole genome sequencing and microarray comparative genomic hybridisation identified genetic causes in, 28% including novel variants in six known MAC genes (SOX2, KMT2D, MAB21L2, ALDH1A3, BCOR and FOXE3), and a molecular diagnostic rate of 33% for both bilateral and unilateral cohorts. New phenotypic associations were found for FOXE3 (bilateral sensorineural hearing loss) and MAB21L2 (unilateral microphthalmia). CONCLUSION This study highlights the importance of thorough clinical and molecular phenotyping of MAC patients to provide appropriate multidisciplinary care. Routine genetic testing for both unilateral and bilateral cases in the clinic may increase diagnostic rates in the future, helping elucidate genotype-phenotype correlations and informing genetic counselling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Philippa Harding
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
| | - Sri Gore
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital For Children NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Samantha Malka
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
| | | | - Ngozi Oluonye
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital For Children NHS Trust, London, UK
| | - Mariya Moosajee
- Institute of Ophthalmology, University College London, London, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital For Children NHS Trust, London, UK
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4
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Seese SE, Muheisen S, Gath N, Gross JM, Semina EV. Identification of HSPA8 as an interacting partner of MAB21L2 and an important factor in eye development. Dev Dyn 2023; 252:510-526. [PMID: 36576422 PMCID: PMC10947772 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2022] [Revised: 11/04/2022] [Accepted: 11/18/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pathogenic variants in human MAB21L2 result in microphthalmia, anophthalmia, and coloboma. The exact molecular function of MAB21L2 is currently unknown. We conducted a series of yeast two-hybrid (Y2H) experiments to determine protein interactomes of normal human and zebrafish MAB21L2/mab21l2 as well as human disease-associated variant MAB21L2-p.(Arg51Gly) using human adult retina and zebrafish embryo libraries. RESULTS These screens identified klhl31, tnpo1, TNPO2/tnpo2, KLC2/klc2, and SPTBN1/sptbn1 as co-factors of MAB21L2/mab21l2. Several factors, including hspa8 and hspa5, were found to interact with MAB21L2-p.Arg51Gly but not wild-type MAB21L2/mab21l2 in Y2H screens. Further analyses via 1-by-1 Y2H assays, co-immunoprecipitation, and mass spectrometry revealed that both normal and variant MAB21L2 interact with HSPA5 and HSPA8. In situ hybridization detected co-expression of hspa5 and hspa8 with mab21l2 during eye development in zebrafish. Examination of zebrafish mutant hspa8hi138Tg identified reduced hspa8 expression associated with severe ocular developmental defects, including small eye, coloboma, and anterior segment dysgenesis. To investigate the effects of hspa8 deficiency on the mab21l2Arg51_Phe52del allele, corresponding zebrafish double mutants were generated and found to be more severely affected than single mutant lines. CONCLUSION This study identifies heat shock proteins as interacting partners of MAB21L2/mab21l2 and suggests a role for this interaction in vertebrate eye development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Seese
- Department of Pediatrics The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Sanaa Muheisen
- Department of Pediatrics The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - Natalie Gath
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Jeffrey M. Gross
- University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Elena V. Semina
- Department of Pediatrics The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Children’s of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
- Children’s Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, Children’s of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
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5
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Wang P, Wu P, Wang J, Zeng Y, Jiang Y, Wang Y, Li S, Xiao X, Zhang Q. Missense Mutations in MAB21L1: Causation of Novel Autosomal Dominant Ocular BAMD Syndrome. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2023; 64:19. [PMID: 36892533 PMCID: PMC10010443 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.64.3.19] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Purpose Biallelic MAB21L1 variants have been reported to cause autosomal recessive cerebellar, ocular, craniofacial, and genital syndrome (COFG), whereas only five heterozygous pathogenic variants have been suspected to cause autosomal dominant (AD) microphthalmia and aniridia in eight families. This study aimed to report an AD ocular syndrome (blepharophimosis plus anterior segment and macular dysgenesis [BAMD]) syndrome based on clinical and genetic findings from patients with monoallelic MAB21L1 pathogenic variants in our cohort and reported cases. Methods Potential pathogenic variants in MAB21L1 were detected from a large in-house exome sequencing dataset. Ocular phenotypes of the patients with potential pathogenic variants in MAB21L1 were summarized, and the genotype-phenotype correlation was analyzed through a comprehensive literature review. Results Three heterozygous missense variants in MAB21L1, predicted to be damaging, were detected in 5 unrelated families, including c.152G>T in 2, c.152G>A in 2, and c.155T>G in one. All were absent from gnomAD. The variants were de novo in two families, transmitted from affected parents to offspring in two families, and with an unknown origin in the other family, demonstrating strong evidence of AD inheritance. All patients revealed similar BAMD phenotypes, including blepharophimosis, anterior segment dysgenesis, and macular dysgenesis. Genotype-phenotype analysis suggested that patients with monoallelic MAB21L1 missense variants had only ocular anomalies (BAMD), whereas patients with biallelic variants presented both ocular and extraocular symptoms. Conclusions Heterozygous pathogenic variants in MAB21L1 account for a new AD BAMD syndrome, which is completely different from COFG caused by homozygous variants in MAB21L1. Nucleotide c.152 is likely a mutation hot spot, and the encoded residue of p.Arg51 might be critical for MAB21L1.
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Affiliation(s)
- Panfeng Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Pengsen Wu
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Junwen Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yiyan Zeng
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yi Jiang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Yingwei Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Shiqiang Li
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Xueshan Xiao
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
| | - Qingjiong Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Zhongshan Ophthalmic Center, Sun Yat-sen University, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Guangzhou, China
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6
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Ge F, Li C, Iqbal S, Muhammad A, Li F, Thafar MA, Yan Z, Worachartcheewan A, Xu X, Song J, Yu DJ. VPatho: a deep learning-based two-stage approach for accurate prediction of gain-of-function and loss-of-function variants. Brief Bioinform 2023; 24:6931725. [PMID: 36528806 DOI: 10.1093/bib/bbac535] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/09/2022] [Revised: 10/17/2022] [Accepted: 11/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Determining the pathogenicity and functional impact (i.e. gain-of-function; GOF or loss-of-function; LOF) of a variant is vital for unraveling the genetic level mechanisms of human diseases. To provide a 'one-stop' framework for the accurate identification of pathogenicity and functional impact of variants, we developed a two-stage deep-learning-based computational solution, termed VPatho, which was trained using a total of 9619 pathogenic GOF/LOF and 138 026 neutral variants curated from various databases. A total number of 138 variant-level, 262 protein-level and 103 genome-level features were extracted for constructing the models of VPatho. The development of VPatho consists of two stages: (i) a random under-sampling multi-scale residual neural network (ResNet) with a newly defined weighted-loss function (RUS-Wg-MSResNet) was proposed to predict variants' pathogenicity on the gnomAD_NV + GOF/LOF dataset; and (ii) an XGBOD model was constructed to predict the functional impact of the given variants. Benchmarking experiments demonstrated that RUS-Wg-MSResNet achieved the highest prediction performance with the weights calculated based on the ratios of neutral versus pathogenic variants. Independent tests showed that both RUS-Wg-MSResNet and XGBOD achieved outstanding performance. Moreover, assessed using variants from the CAGI6 competition, RUS-Wg-MSResNet achieved superior performance compared to state-of-the-art predictors. The fine-trained XGBOD models were further used to blind test the whole LOF data downloaded from gnomAD and accordingly, we identified 31 nonLOF variants that were previously labeled as LOF/uncertain variants. As an implementation of the developed approach, a webserver of VPatho is made publicly available at http://csbio.njust.edu.cn/bioinf/vpatho/ to facilitate community-wide efforts for profiling and prioritizing the query variants with respect to their pathogenicity and functional impact.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fang Ge
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, 200 Xiaolingwei, Nanjing 210094, China.,School of Computer Science and Information Engineering, Bengbu University, 1866 Caoshan Road, Bengbu, 233030, China
| | - Chen Li
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Shahid Iqbal
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia.,Monash Data Futures Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Arif Muhammad
- Department of Community Medical Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Fuyi Li
- Department of Microbiology and Immunology, The Peter Doherty Institute for Infection and Immunity, The University of Melbourne, Melbourne, Victoria, Australia.,College of Information Engineering, Northwest A&F University, Yangling 712100, China
| | - Maha A Thafar
- Department of Computer Science, College of Computers and Information Technology, Taif University, P.O.Box 110099, Taif 21944, Saudi Arabia
| | - Zihao Yan
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, 200 Xiaolingwei, Nanjing 210094, China
| | - Apilak Worachartcheewan
- Department of Community Medical Technology, Faculty of Medical Technology, Mahidol University, Bangkok 10700, Thailand
| | - Xiaofeng Xu
- School of Computer and Information, Anhui Polytechnic University, Beijingzhong Road, Wuhu 241000, China
| | - Jiangning Song
- Monash Biomedicine Discovery Institute and Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia.,Monash Data Futures Institute, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC 3800, Australia
| | - Dong-Jun Yu
- School of Computer Science and Engineering, Nanjing University of Science and Technology, 200 Xiaolingwei, Nanjing 210094, China
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7
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Meng F, Li X, Zhang J, Gao Z, Yang X, Liu Z, Liu Y, Guo T, Wang L, Yang L, Wang Z. Single amino acid variation in MAB21L1 is dominantly associated with congenital eye defects. J Med Genet 2022:jmg-2022-108506. [DOI: 10.1136/jmg-2022-108506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/19/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022]
Abstract
BackgroundDiagnosis of a genetic disease and determination of the causative molecular lesion rely on the availability of the disease-associated pedigrees. Microphthalmia is a congenital eye defect due to an insufficiently developed visual system; its prevalence is 1–3 in 10 000 live births.ObjectiveWe analysed a pedigree exhibiting autosomal dominant inheritance of microphthalmia to determine the genetic lesion; used AlphaFold2 to predict the changes in the protein’s 3-Dimensional structure; and compared wild-type and variant proteins in cultured cells or Drosophila model was used to explore the cellular or developmental function of the encoded product.ResultsWe identified a novel missense variation, F52L, in MAB21L1 that is absent in population databases and present exclusively in the individuals diagnosed with microphthalmia in this pedigree. Common structural changes were predicted for the disease-associated variants clustered at amino acids 49–52, and these variant products were also predominantly trapped in the cytoplasm of cultured human lens epithelia. To recapitulate its dominant effect in development, we expressed the Drosophila homologue corresponding to MAB21L1F52Land caused malformation of sensory organs.ConclusionMutations at the residues 49–52 of MAB21L1 compromise eye development. We recommend includingMAB21L1in the genetic testing panel for congenital eye disorders.
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8
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Hall HN, Bengani H, Hufnagel RB, Damante G, Ansari M, Marsh JA, Grimes GR, von Kriegsheim A, Moore D, McKie L, Rahmat J, Mio C, Blyth M, Keng WT, Islam L, McEntargart M, Mannens MM, Heyningen VV, Rainger J, Brooks BP, FitzPatrick DR. Monoallelic variants resulting in substitutions of MAB21L1 Arg51 Cause Aniridia and microphthalmia. PLoS One 2022; 17:e0268149. [PMID: 36413568 PMCID: PMC9681113 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0268149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 10/06/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Classical aniridia is a congenital and progressive panocular disorder almost exclusively caused by heterozygous loss-of-function variants at the PAX6 locus. We report nine individuals from five families with severe aniridia and/or microphthalmia (with no detectable PAX6 mutation) with ultrarare monoallelic missense variants altering the Arg51 codon of MAB21L1. These mutations occurred de novo in 3/5 families, with the remaining families being compatible with autosomal dominant inheritance. Mice engineered to carry the p.Arg51Leu change showed a highly-penetrant optic disc anomaly in heterozygous animals with severe microphthalmia in homozygotes. Substitutions of the same codon (Arg51) in MAB21L2, a close homolog of MAB21L1, cause severe ocular and skeletal malformations in humans and mice. The predicted nucleotidyltransferase function of MAB21L1 could not be demonstrated using purified protein with a variety of nucleotide substrates and oligonucleotide activators. Induced expression of GFP-tagged wildtype and mutant MAB21L1 in human cells caused only modest transcriptional changes. Mass spectrometry of immunoprecipitated protein revealed that both mutant and wildtype MAB21L1 associate with transcription factors that are known regulators of PAX6 (MEIS1, MEIS2 and PBX1) and with poly(A) RNA binding proteins. Arg51 substitutions reduce the association of wild-type MAB21L1 with TBL1XR1, a component of the NCoR complex. We found limited evidence for mutation-specific interactions with MSI2/Musashi-2, an RNA-binding proteins with effects on many different developmental pathways. Given that biallelic loss-of-function variants in MAB21L1 result in a milder eye phenotype we suggest that Arg51-altering monoallelic variants most plausibly perturb eye development via a gain-of-function mechanism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hildegard Nikki Hall
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Hemant Bengani
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Robert B. Hufnagel
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | | | - Morad Ansari
- South East Scotland Genetic Service, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Joseph A. Marsh
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Graeme R. Grimes
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Alex von Kriegsheim
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - David Moore
- South East Scotland Genetic Service, Western General Hospital, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Lisa McKie
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Jamalia Rahmat
- Ophthalmology Department, Hospital Kuala Lumpur, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Catia Mio
- Department of Medicine, University of Udine, Udine, Italy
| | - Moira Blyth
- University of Leeds, St. James’s University Hospital, Leeds, United Kingdom
| | - Wee Teik Keng
- Department of Genetics, Kuala Lumpur Hospital, Kuala Lumpur, Malaysia
| | - Lily Islam
- West Midlands Regional Genetics Service, Birmingham Women’s and Children’s NHS Foundation Trust, Birmingham, England
| | - Meriel McEntargart
- Medical Genetics, St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, London, United Kingdom
| | - Marcel M. Mannens
- Genome Diagnostics laboratory, Department of Clinical Genetics, Amsterdam University Medical Center, Amsterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Veronica Van Heyningen
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Joe Rainger
- Roslin Institute, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
| | - Brian P. Brooks
- National Eye Institute, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, United States of America
| | - David R. FitzPatrick
- MRC Human Genetics Unit, MRC Institute of Genetics and Molecular Medicine, University of Edinburgh, Edinburgh, United Kingdom
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9
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Diacou R, Nandigrami P, Fiser A, Liu W, Ashery-Padan R, Cvekl A. Cell fate decisions, transcription factors and signaling during early retinal development. Prog Retin Eye Res 2022; 91:101093. [PMID: 35817658 PMCID: PMC9669153 DOI: 10.1016/j.preteyeres.2022.101093] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 18.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/05/2022] [Revised: 06/02/2022] [Accepted: 06/03/2022] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
The development of the vertebrate eyes is a complex process starting from anterior-posterior and dorso-ventral patterning of the anterior neural tube, resulting in the formation of the eye field. Symmetrical separation of the eye field at the anterior neural plate is followed by two symmetrical evaginations to generate a pair of optic vesicles. Next, reciprocal invagination of the optic vesicles with surface ectoderm-derived lens placodes generates double-layered optic cups. The inner and outer layers of the optic cups develop into the neural retina and retinal pigment epithelium (RPE), respectively. In vitro produced retinal tissues, called retinal organoids, are formed from human pluripotent stem cells, mimicking major steps of retinal differentiation in vivo. This review article summarizes recent progress in our understanding of early eye development, focusing on the formation the eye field, optic vesicles, and early optic cups. Recent single-cell transcriptomic studies are integrated with classical in vivo genetic and functional studies to uncover a range of cellular mechanisms underlying early eye development. The functions of signal transduction pathways and lineage-specific DNA-binding transcription factors are dissected to explain cell-specific regulatory mechanisms underlying cell fate determination during early eye development. The functions of homeodomain (HD) transcription factors Otx2, Pax6, Lhx2, Six3 and Six6, which are required for early eye development, are discussed in detail. Comprehensive understanding of the mechanisms of early eye development provides insight into the molecular and cellular basis of developmental ocular anomalies, such as optic cup coloboma. Lastly, modeling human development and inherited retinal diseases using stem cell-derived retinal organoids generates opportunities to discover novel therapies for retinal diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Raven Diacou
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Prithviraj Nandigrami
- Department of Systems and Computational Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Andras Fiser
- Department of Systems and Computational Biology, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA; Department of Biochemistry, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Wei Liu
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA
| | - Ruth Ashery-Padan
- Sackler School of Medicine, Tel Aviv University, Tel Aviv, 69978, Israel
| | - Ales Cvekl
- Department of Genetics, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA; Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY, 10461, USA.
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10
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Yamada R, Oguri A, Fujiki K, Shirahige K, Hirate Y, Kanai-Azuma M, Takezoe H, Akimoto Y, Takahashi N, Kanai Y. MAB21L1 modulates gene expression and DNA metabolic processes in the lens placode. Dis Model Mech 2021; 14:dmm049251. [PMID: 34779479 PMCID: PMC8713989 DOI: 10.1242/dmm.049251] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/09/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in human MAB21L1 cause aberrations in lens ectoderm morphogenesis and lead to congenital cerebellar, ocular, craniofacial and genital (COFG) syndrome. Murine Mab21l1-null mutations cause severe cell-autonomous defects in lens formation, leading to microphthalmia; therefore, Mab21l1-null mice are used as a mouse model for COFG syndrome. In this study, we investigated the early-onset single-cell-level phenotypes of murine Mab21l1-null lens ectoderms using electron microscopy and single-cell RNA sequencing (scRNA-seq). Electron microscopy and immunohistochemical analyses indicated endoplasmic reticulum stress at the 24- to 26-somite stage in Mab21l1-null lens placodes. scRNA-seq analysis revealed that 131 genes were downregulated and 148 were upregulated in Mab21l1-null lens ectoderms relative to the wild type. We successfully identified 21 lens-specific genes that were downregulated in Mab21l1-null cells, including three key genes involved in lens formation: Pitx3, Maf and Sfrp2. Moreover, gene ontology analysis of the 279 differentially expressed genes indicated enrichment in housekeeping genes associated with DNA/nucleotide metabolism prior to cell death. These findings suggest that MAB21L1 acts as a nuclear factor that modulates not only lens-specific gene expression but also DNA/nucleotide metabolic processes during lens placode formation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ryuichi Yamada
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
- RNA Company Limited, Tokyo 144-0051, Japan
| | - Akira Oguri
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
| | - Katsunori Fujiki
- Laboratory of Genome Structure and Function, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Katsuhiko Shirahige
- Laboratory of Genome Structure and Function, Institute for Quantitative Biosciences, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-0032, Japan
| | - Yoshikazu Hirate
- Department of Experimental Animal Model for Human Disease, Center for Experimental Animals, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | - Masami Kanai-Azuma
- Department of Experimental Animal Model for Human Disease, Center for Experimental Animals, Tokyo Medical and Dental University, Tokyo 113-8510, Japan
| | | | - Yoshihiro Akimoto
- Department of Anatomy, Kyorin University School of Medicine, Tokyo 181-8611, Japan
| | - Naoki Takahashi
- Department of Applied Biological Chemistry, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
- RNA Company Limited, Tokyo 144-0051, Japan
| | - Yoshiakira Kanai
- Department of Veterinary Anatomy, the University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113-8657, Japan
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11
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Lubin A, Otterstrom J, Hoade Y, Bjedov I, Stead E, Whelan M, Gestri G, Paran Y, Payne E. A versatile, automated and high-throughput drug screening platform for zebrafish embryos. Biol Open 2021; 10:bio058513. [PMID: 34472582 PMCID: PMC8430230 DOI: 10.1242/bio.058513] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2020] [Accepted: 06/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Zebrafish provide a unique opportunity for drug screening in living animals, with the fast-developing, transparent embryos allowing for relatively high-throughput, microscopy-based screens. However, the limited availability of rapid, flexible imaging and analysis platforms has limited the use of zebrafish in drug screens. We have developed an easy-to-use, customisable automated screening procedure suitable for high-throughput phenotype-based screens of live zebrafish. We utilised the WiScan® Hermes High Content Imaging System to rapidly acquire brightfield and fluorescent images of embryos, and the WiSoft® Athena Zebrafish Application for analysis, which harnesses an Artificial Intelligence-driven algorithm to automatically detect fish in brightfield images, identify anatomical structures, partition the animal into regions and exclusively select the desired side-oriented fish. Our initial validation combined structural analysis with fluorescence images to enumerate GFP-tagged haematopoietic stem and progenitor cells in the tails of embryos, which correlated with manual counts. We further validated this system to assess the effects of genetic mutations and X-ray irradiation in high content using a wide range of assays. Further, we performed simultaneous analysis of multiple cell types using dual fluorophores in high throughput. In summary, we demonstrate a broadly applicable and rapidly customisable platform for high-content screening in zebrafish. This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra Lubin
- Research Department of Haematology, Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | | | - Yvette Hoade
- Research Department of Haematology, Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Ivana Bjedov
- Research Department of Cancer Biology, Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Eleanor Stead
- Research Department of Cancer Biology, Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
| | - Matthew Whelan
- Division of Infection and Immunity, University College London, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Gaia Gestri
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, London WC1E 6AR, UK
| | - Yael Paran
- IDEA Bio-Medical Ltd., Rehovot 76705, Israel
| | - Elspeth Payne
- Research Department of Haematology, Cancer Institute, University College London, London WC1E 6DD, UK
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12
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Seese SE, Deml B, Muheisen S, Sorokina E, Semina EV. Genetic disruption of zebrafish mab21l1 reveals a conserved role in eye development and affected pathways. Dev Dyn 2021; 250:1056-1073. [PMID: 33570754 PMCID: PMC8349561 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.312] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2020] [Revised: 01/28/2021] [Accepted: 02/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND The male-abnormal 21 like (MAB21L) genes are important in human ocular development. Homozygous loss of MAB21L1 leads to corneal dystrophy in all affected individuals along with cataracts and buphthalmos in some. The molecular function and downstream pathways of MAB21L factors are largely undefined. RESULTS We generated the first mab21l1 zebrafish mutant carrying a putative loss-of-function allele, c.107delA p.(Lys36Argfs*7). At the final stages of embryonic development, homozygous mab21l1c.107delA fish displayed enlarged anterior chambers and corneal thinning which progressed with age. Additional studies revealed increased cell death in the mutant corneas, transformation of the cornea into a skin-like epithelium, and progressive lens degeneration with development of fibrous masses in the anterior chamber. RNA-seq of wild-type and mutant ocular transcriptomes revealed significant changes in expression of several genes, including irf1a and b, stat1, elf3, krt17, tlr9, and loxa associated with immunity and/or corneal function. Abnormal expression of lysyl oxidases have been previously linked with corneal thinning, fibrosis, and lens defects in mammals, suggesting a role for loxa misexpression in the progressive mab21l1c.107delA eye phenotype. CONCLUSIONS Zebrafish mab21l1 is essential for normal corneal development, similar to human MAB21L1. The identified molecular changes in mab21l1c.107delA mutants provide the first clues about possible affected pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Seese
- Department of Pediatrics, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Brett Deml
- Department of Pediatrics, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- PreventionGenetics, Marshfield, Wisconsin
| | - Sanaa Muheisen
- Department of Pediatrics, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Elena Sorokina
- Department of Pediatrics, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Elena V. Semina
- Department of Pediatrics, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, The Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Children's of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
- Children's Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, Children's of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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13
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Seese SE, Reis LM, Deml B, Griffith C, Reich A, Jamieson RV, Semina EV. Identification of missense MAB21L1 variants in microphthalmia and aniridia. Hum Mutat 2021; 42:877-890. [PMID: 33973683 PMCID: PMC8238893 DOI: 10.1002/humu.24218] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/23/2020] [Revised: 03/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Microphthalmia, coloboma, and aniridia are congenital ocular phenotypes with a strong genetic component but often unknown cause. We present a likely causative novel variant in MAB21L1, c.152G>T p.(Arg51Leu), in two family members with microphthalmia and aniridia, as well as novel or rare compound heterozygous variants of uncertain significance, c.184C>T p.(Arg62Cys)/c.-68T>C, and c.658G>C p.(Gly220Arg)/c.*529A>G, in two additional probands with microphthalmia, coloboma and/or cataracts. All variants were predicted as damaging by in silico programs. In vitro studies of coding variants revealed normal subcellular localization but variable stability for the corresponding mutant proteins. In vivo complementation assays using the zebrafish mab21l2 Q48Sfs*5 loss-of-function line demonstrated that though overexpression of wild-type MAB21L1 messenger RNA (mRNA) compensated for the loss of mab21l2, none of the coding variant mRNAs produced a statistically significant rescue, with p.(Arg51Leu) showing the highest degree of functional deficiency. Dominant variants in a close homolog of MAB21L1, MAB21L2, have been associated with microphthalmia and/or coloboma and repeatedly involved the same Arg51 residue, further supporting its pathogenicity. The possible role of p.(Arg62Cys) and p.(Gly220Arg) in microphthalmia is similarly supported by the observed functional defects, with or without an additional impact from noncoding MAB21L1 variants identified in each patient. This study suggests a broader spectrum of MAB21L1-associated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah E. Seese
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute, Medical College of WisconsinChildren's of WisconsinMilwaukeeWIUSA
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and AnatomyThe Medical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
| | - Linda M. Reis
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute, Medical College of WisconsinChildren's of WisconsinMilwaukeeWIUSA
| | - Brett Deml
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute, Medical College of WisconsinChildren's of WisconsinMilwaukeeWIUSA
- Present address:
PreventionGeneticsMarshfieldWisconsinUSA
| | | | | | - Robyn V. Jamieson
- Eye Genetics Research Unit, Sydney Children's Hospitals Network and Children's Medical Research InstituteUniversity of SydneySydneyNew South WalesAustralia
| | - Elena V. Semina
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute, Medical College of WisconsinChildren's of WisconsinMilwaukeeWIUSA
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and AnatomyThe Medical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual SciencesMedical College of WisconsinMilwaukeeWisconsinUSA
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14
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Harding P, Cunha DL, Moosajee M. Animal and cellular models of microphthalmia. THERAPEUTIC ADVANCES IN RARE DISEASE 2021; 2:2633004021997447. [PMID: 37181112 PMCID: PMC10032472 DOI: 10.1177/2633004021997447] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 02/02/2021] [Indexed: 05/16/2023]
Abstract
Microphthalmia is a rare developmental eye disorder affecting 1 in 7000 births. It is defined as a small (axial length ⩾2 standard deviations below the age-adjusted mean) underdeveloped eye, caused by disruption of ocular development through genetic or environmental factors in the first trimester of pregnancy. Clinical phenotypic heterogeneity exists amongst patients with varying levels of severity, and associated ocular and systemic features. Up to 11% of blind children are reported to have microphthalmia, yet currently no treatments are available. By identifying the aetiology of microphthalmia and understanding how the mechanisms of eye development are disrupted, we can gain a better understanding of the pathogenesis. Animal models, mainly mouse, zebrafish and Xenopus, have provided extensive information on the genetic regulation of oculogenesis, and how perturbation of these pathways leads to microphthalmia. However, differences exist between species, hence cellular models, such as patient-derived induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) optic vesicles, are now being used to provide greater insights into the human disease process. Progress in 3D cellular modelling techniques has enhanced the ability of researchers to study interactions of different cell types during eye development. Through improved molecular knowledge of microphthalmia, preventative or postnatal therapies may be developed, together with establishing genotype-phenotype correlations in order to provide patients with the appropriate prognosis, multidisciplinary care and informed genetic counselling. This review summarises some key discoveries from animal and cellular models of microphthalmia and discusses how innovative new models can be used to further our understanding in the future. Plain language summary Animal and Cellular Models of the Eye Disorder, Microphthalmia (Small Eye) Microphthalmia, meaning a small, underdeveloped eye, is a rare disorder that children are born with. Genetic changes or variations in the environment during the first 3 months of pregnancy can disrupt early development of the eye, resulting in microphthalmia. Up to 11% of blind children have microphthalmia, yet currently no treatments are available. By understanding the genes necessary for eye development, we can determine how disruption by genetic changes or environmental factors can cause this condition. This helps us understand why microphthalmia occurs, and ensure patients are provided with the appropriate clinical care and genetic counselling advice. Additionally, by understanding the causes of microphthalmia, researchers can develop treatments to prevent or reduce the severity of this condition. Animal models, particularly mice, zebrafish and frogs, which can also develop small eyes due to the same genetic/environmental changes, have helped us understand the genes which are important for eye development and can cause birth eye defects when disrupted. Studying a patient's own cells grown in the laboratory can further help researchers understand how changes in genes affect their function. Both animal and cellular models can be used to develop and test new drugs, which could provide treatment options for patients living with microphthalmia. This review summarises the key discoveries from animal and cellular models of microphthalmia and discusses how innovative new models can be used to further our understanding in the future.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Mariya Moosajee
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, 11-43 Bath
Street, London, EC1V 9EL, UK
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust,
London, UK
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS
Foundation Trust, London, UK
- The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
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15
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Reis LM, Basel D, McCarrier J, Weinberg DV, Semina EV. Compound heterozygous splicing CDON variants result in isolated ocular coloboma. Clin Genet 2020; 98:486-492. [PMID: 32729136 PMCID: PMC8341436 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13824] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/24/2020] [Revised: 07/23/2020] [Accepted: 07/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Ocular coloboma is caused by failure of optic fissure closure during development and recognized as part of the microphthalmia, anophthalmia, and coloboma (MAC) spectrum. While many genes are known to cause colobomatous microphthalmia, relatively few have been reported in coloboma with normal eye size. Genetic analysis including trio exome sequencing and Sanger sequencing was undertaken in a family with two siblings affected with bilateral coloboma of the iris, retina, and choroid. Pathogenic variants in MAC genes were excluded. Trio analysis identified compound heterozygous donor splice site variants in CDON, a cell-surface receptor known to function in the Sonic Hedgehog pathway, c.928 + 1G > A and c.2650 + 1G > T, in both affected individuals. Heterozygous missense and truncating CDON variants are associated with dominant holoprosencephaly (HPE) with incomplete penetrance and Cdon-/- mice display variable HPE and coloboma. A homozygous nonsense allele of uncertain significance was recently identified in a consanguineous patient with coloboma and a second molecular diagnosis. We report the first compound heterozygous variants in CDON as a cause of isolated coloboma. CDON is the first HPE gene identified to cause recessive coloboma. Given the phenotypic overlap, further examination of HPE genes in coloboma is indicated.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda M Reis
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226
| | - Donald Basel
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226
| | - Julie McCarrier
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226
| | - David V Weinberg
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226
| | - Elena V Semina
- Department of Pediatrics, Children’s Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin and Children’s Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226
- Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226
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16
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Eintracht J, Corton M, FitzPatrick D, Moosajee M. CUGC for syndromic microphthalmia including next-generation sequencing-based approaches. Eur J Hum Genet 2020; 28:679-690. [PMID: 31896778 PMCID: PMC7171178 DOI: 10.1038/s41431-019-0565-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/15/2019] [Revised: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Affiliation(s)
| | - Marta Corton
- Department of Genetics, IIS-University Hospital Fundación Jiménez Díaz-CIBERER, Madrid, Spain
| | | | - Mariya Moosajee
- UCL Institute of Ophthalmology, London, UK.
- Moorfields Eye Hospital NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
- Great Ormond Street Hospital for Children NHS Foundation Trust, London, UK.
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17
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Klestinski K, Malloy J, Patel S, Colella B, Homberg L, Khan T, McLaughlin A, Panichikudiyil A, Sajanlal AA, Scaffidi I, Warner L, Kaiser C. Role of MAB21L2 in Ocular Disease. FASEB J 2020. [DOI: 10.1096/fasebj.2020.34.s1.04059] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/11/2022]
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18
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Valensi M, Goldman G, Marchant D, Van Den Berghe L, Jonet L, Daruich A, Robert MP, Krejci E, Klein C, Mascarelli F, Versaux-Botteri C, Moulin A, Putterman M, Guimiot F, Molina T, Terris B, Brémond-Gignac D, Behar-Cohen F, Abitbol MM. Sostdc1 is expressed in all major compartments of developing and adult mammalian eyes. Graefes Arch Clin Exp Ophthalmol 2019; 257:2401-2427. [PMID: 31529323 DOI: 10.1007/s00417-019-04462-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/16/2019] [Revised: 08/20/2019] [Accepted: 09/04/2019] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
PURPOSE This study was conducted in order to study Sostdc1 expression in rat and human developing and adult eyes. METHODS Using the yeast signal sequence trap screening method, we identified the Sostdc1 cDNA encoding a protein secreted by the adult rat retinal pigment epithelium. We determined by in situ hybridization, RT-PCR, immunohistochemistry, and western blot analysis Sostdc1 gene and protein expression in developing and postnatal rat ocular tissue sections. We also investigated Sostdc1 immunohistolocalization in developing and adult human ocular tissues. RESULTS We demonstrated a prominent Sostdc1 gene expression in the developing rat central nervous system (CNS) and eyes at early developmental stages from E10.5 days postconception (dpc) to E13 dpc. Specific Sostdc1 immunostaining was also detected in most adult cells of rat ocular tissue sections. We also identified the rat ocular embryonic compartments characterized by a specific Sostdc1 immunohistostaining and specific Pax6, Sox2, Otx2, and Vsx2 immunohistostaining from embryonic stages E10.5 to E13 dpc. Furthermore, we determined the localization of SOSTDC1 immunoreactivity in ocular tissue sections of developing and adult human eyes. Indeed, we detected SOSTDC1 immunostaining in developing and adult human retinal pigment epithelium (RPE) and neural retina (NR) as well as in several developing and adult human ocular compartments, including the walls of choroidal and scleral vessels. Of utmost importance, we observed a strong SOSTDC1 expression in a pathological ocular specimen of type 2 Peters' anomaly complicated by retinal neovascularization as well in the walls ofother pathological extra-ocular vessels. CONCLUSION: As rat Sostdc1 and human SOSTDC1 are dual antagonists of the Wnt/β-catenin and BMP signaling pathways, these results underscore the potential crucial roles of these pathways and their antagonists, such as Sostdc1 and SOSTDC1, in developing and adult mammalian normal eyes as well as in syndromic and nonsyndromic congenital eye diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maud Valensi
- Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, UMR_S INSERM 1138, Equipe 17, Université Paris Descartes, 15 rue de l'école de médecine, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Gabrielle Goldman
- APHP, Service de Pathologie de L'Hôpital Cochin-Hôtel-Dieu, Université Paris Descartes, 27 rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Marchant
- Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, UMR_S INSERM 1138, Equipe 17, Université Paris Descartes, 15 rue de l'école de médecine, 75006, Paris, France
- Sorbonne Paris Cité, UFR SMBH, Laboratoire Hypoxie et poumons, Université Paris 13, EA 2363, 93017, Bobigny, France
| | - Loïc Van Den Berghe
- Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, UMR_S INSERM 1138, Equipe 17, Université Paris Descartes, 15 rue de l'école de médecine, 75006, Paris, France
- Inserm UMR 1037, CRCT (Cancer Research Center of Toulouse), 31037, Toulouse, France
| | - Laurent Jonet
- Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, UMR_S INSERM 1138, Equipe 17, Université Paris Descartes, 15 rue de l'école de médecine, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Alejandra Daruich
- Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, UMR_S INSERM 1138, Equipe 17, Université Paris Descartes, 15 rue de l'école de médecine, 75006, Paris, France
- AP-HP, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants-Malades, Service d'Ophtalmologie, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Matthieu P Robert
- AP-HP, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants-Malades, Service d'Ophtalmologie, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France
- COGnition and Action Group, UMR 8257, CNRS, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Eric Krejci
- COGnition and Action Group, UMR 8257, CNRS, Université Paris Descartes, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Klein
- Centre d'Imagerie Cellulaire et de Cytométrie (CICC), Centre de Recherche des Cordeliers (CRC), Université Pierre et Marie Curie - Paris 6, Université Paris Descartes - Paris 5, UMR_S 1138, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Frédéric Mascarelli
- Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, UMR_S INSERM 1138, Equipe 17, Université Paris Descartes, 15 rue de l'école de médecine, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Claudine Versaux-Botteri
- Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, UMR_S INSERM 1138, Equipe 17, Université Paris Descartes, 15 rue de l'école de médecine, 75006, Paris, France
| | - Alexandre Moulin
- Département de Pathologie, Hôpital Ophtalmique Jules-Gonin , 15, avenue de France, 1004, Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Marc Putterman
- APHP, Service de Pathologie de l'Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants-Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Fabien Guimiot
- Unité Fonctionnelle de Foeto-Pathologie, Hôpital Universitaire Robert Debré, 48 Boulevard Serrurier, 75019, Paris, France
| | - Thierry Molina
- APHP, Service de Pathologie de l'Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants-Malades, Université Paris Descartes, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Benoît Terris
- APHP, Service de Pathologie de L'Hôpital Cochin-Hôtel-Dieu, Université Paris Descartes, 27 rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Dominique Brémond-Gignac
- AP-HP, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants-Malades, Service d'Ophtalmologie, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France
| | - Francine Behar-Cohen
- Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, UMR_S INSERM 1138, Equipe 17, Université Paris Descartes, 15 rue de l'école de médecine, 75006, Paris, France
- AP-HP, Service d'Ophtalmologie, Hôpital Universitaire Cochin-Hôtel-Dieu, 27 rue du Faubourg Saint-Jacques, 75014, Paris, France
| | - Marc M Abitbol
- Centre de Recherches des Cordeliers, UMR_S INSERM 1138, Equipe 17, Université Paris Descartes, 15 rue de l'école de médecine, 75006, Paris, France.
- AP-HP, Hôpital Universitaire Necker-Enfants-Malades, Service d'Ophtalmologie, 149 rue de Sèvres, 75015, Paris, France.
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19
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Gath N, Gross JM. Zebrafish mab21l2 mutants possess severe defects in optic cup morphogenesis, lens and cornea development. Dev Dyn 2019; 248:514-529. [PMID: 31037784 DOI: 10.1002/dvdy.44] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/11/2019] [Revised: 04/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Mutations in MAB21L2 result in severe ocular defects including microphthalmia, anophthalmia, coloboma, microcornea, and cataracts. The molecular and cellular underpinnings of these defects are unknown, as is the normal cellular function of MAB21L2. Zebrafish mab21l2 au10 mutants possess ocular defects resembling those in humans with MAB21L2 mutations, providing an excellent model to characterize mab21l2 functions during eye development. RESULTS mab21l2 -/- mutants possessed a host of ocular defects including microphthalmia and colobomas as well as small, disorganized lenses and cornea dysgenesis. Decreased proliferation, increased cell death, and defects in marker gene expression were detected in the lens. Cell death in the optic stalk was elevated in mab21l2 -/- mutants and the basement membrane between the edges of the choroid fissure failed to break down. Neuronal differentiation in the retina was normal, however. mab21l2 -/- mutant corneas were disorganized, possessed an increased number of cells, some of which proliferated ectopically, and failed to differentiate the corneal stroma. CONCLUSIONS mab21l2 function is required for morphogenesis and cell survival in the lens and optic cup, and basement membrane breakdown in the choroid fissure. mab21l2 function also regulates proliferation in the lens and cornea; in its absence, the lens is small and mispatterned, and corneal morphogenesis and patterning are also disrupted.
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Affiliation(s)
- Natalie Gath
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.,Departments of Ophthalmology and Developmental Biology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Jeffrey M Gross
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin, Texas.,Departments of Ophthalmology and Developmental Biology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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20
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An update on the genetics of ocular coloboma. Hum Genet 2019; 138:865-880. [PMID: 31073883 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-019-02019-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2018] [Accepted: 04/19/2019] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Ocular coloboma is an uncommon, but often severe, sight-threatening condition that can be identified from birth. This congenital anomaly is thought to be caused by maldevelopment of optic fissure closure during early eye morphogenesis. It has been causally linked to both inherited (genetic) and environmental influences. In particular, as a consequence of work to identify genetic causes of coloboma, new molecular pathways that control optic fissure closure have now been identified. Many more regulatory mechanisms still await better understanding to inform on the development of potential therapies for patients with this malformation. This review provides an update of known coloboma genes, the pathways they influence and how best to manage the condition. In the age of precision medicine, determining the underlying genetic cause in any given patient is of high importance.
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21
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Xie Z, Wang Y, Huang J, Qian N, Shen G, Chen L. Anti-inflammatory activity of polysaccharides from Phellinus linteus by regulating the NF-κB translocation in LPS-stimulated RAW264.7 macrophages. Int J Biol Macromol 2019; 129:61-67. [DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2019.02.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 42] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/09/2018] [Revised: 02/04/2019] [Accepted: 02/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
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22
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Sghari S, Gunhaga L. Temporal Requirement of Mab21l2 During Eye Development in Chick Reveals Stage-Dependent Functions for Retinogenesis. Invest Ophthalmol Vis Sci 2019; 59:3869-3878. [PMID: 30073347 DOI: 10.1167/iovs.18-24236] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Purpose Different missense mutations in the single exon gene Mab21l2 have been identified in unrelated families with various bilateral eye malformations, including microphthalmia, anophthalmia, and coloboma, but the molecular function of Mab21l2 during eye development still remains largely unknown. Methods We have established an in vivo Mab21l2-deficient eye development model in chick, by using a Mab21l2 RNA interference construct that we electroporated in ovo in prospective retinal cells. In addition, we designed a Mab21l2 gain-of-function electroporation vector. Mab21l2-modulated retinas were analyzed on consecutive sections in terms of morphology, and molecular markers for apoptosis, cell proliferation, and retinogenesis. Results Our Mab21l2-deficient chick model mimics human ocular phenotypes. When Mab21l2 is downregulated prior to optic vesicle formation, the embryos develop anophthalmia, and Mab21l2 inhibition by optic cup stages results in a microphthalmic colobomatous phenotype. Our results show that inhibition of Mab21l2 affects cell proliferation, cell cycle exit, and the expression of Atoh7/Ath5, NeuroD4/Ath3, Isl1, Pax6, AP-2α, and Prox1. In addition, Mab21l2 overexpression hampers cell cycle exit and differentiation of retinal progenitor cells (RPCs). Conclusions Our results highlight the importance of a regulated temporal expression of Mab21l2 during eye development: At early stages, Mab21l2 is required to maintain RPC proliferation and expansion of cell number; before retinogenesis, a decrease in Mab21l2 expression in proliferating RPCs is required for cell cycle exit and differentiation; during retinogenesis, Mab21l2 is chronologically upregulated in RGCs, followed by differentiated horizontal and amacrine cells and cone photoreceptor cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soufien Sghari
- Umeå Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
| | - Lena Gunhaga
- Umeå Centre for Molecular Medicine, Umeå University, Umeå, Sweden
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23
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Genetics of anophthalmia and microphthalmia. Part 1: Non-syndromic anophthalmia/microphthalmia. Hum Genet 2019; 138:799-830. [PMID: 30762128 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-019-01977-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2019] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Eye formation is the result of coordinated induction and differentiation processes during embryogenesis. Disruption of any one of these events has the potential to cause ocular growth and structural defects, such as anophthalmia and microphthalmia (A/M). A/M can be isolated or occur with systemic anomalies, when they may form part of a recognizable syndrome. Their etiology includes genetic and environmental factors; several hundred genes involved in ocular development have been identified in humans or animal models. In humans, around 30 genes have been repeatedly implicated in A/M families, although many other genes have been described in single cases or families, and some genetic syndromes include eye anomalies occasionally as part of a wider phenotype. As a result of this broad genetic heterogeneity, with one or two notable exceptions, each gene explains only a small percentage of cases. Given the overlapping phenotypes, these genes can be most efficiently tested on panels or by whole exome/genome sequencing for the purposes of molecular diagnosis. However, despite whole exome/genome testing more than half of patients currently remain without a molecular diagnosis. The proportion of undiagnosed cases is even higher in those individuals with unilateral or milder phenotypes. Furthermore, even when a strong gene candidate is available for a patient, issues of incomplete penetrance and germinal mosaicism make diagnosis and genetic counseling challenging. In this review, we present the main genes implicated in non-syndromic human A/M phenotypes and, for practical purposes, classify them according to the most frequent or predominant phenotype each is associated with. Our intention is that this will allow clinicians to rank and prioritize their molecular analyses and interpretations according to the phenotypes of their patients.
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24
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Tsang SW, Guo Y, Chan LH, Huang Y, Chow KL. Generation and characterization of pathogenic Mab21l2(R51C) mouse model. Genesis 2018; 56:e23261. [PMID: 30375740 DOI: 10.1002/dvg.23261] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/22/2018] [Revised: 10/18/2018] [Accepted: 10/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
MAB21L2(R51C) is one of the five documented MAB21L2 mutations in human patients with bilateral eye malformations identified via whole exome sequencing. In addition to the eye abnormality, patients with MAB21L2 R51C/+ mutation also have skeletal dysplasia and intellectual disability. To evaluate the pathology of this mutant allele systematically in understanding the functional role of MAB21L2 in human development, we introduce the R51C mutation into the mouse genome by CRISPR/Cas9 system to generate a mouse model for detailed characterization. The Mab21l2 R51C/+ mice have eyeless phenotype and skeletal abnormalities. Micro-computed tomography (micro-CT) analysis showed the Mab21l2 R51C/+ mice have no eye balls but with two abnormal tissues underneath the brain. Histological analysis revealed that the early eye development in the mutant embryos is interrupted. In addition, Mab21l2 R51C/+ mice also have joint fusion phenotype; the humerus is fused with radius, whereas femur is fused with tibia. Limbs in the mutant animals are distinctly shorter than the wild type; and deltoid tuberosities in humeri are absent in these Mab21l2 R51C/+ mice. In summary, we showed that our Mab21l2 R51C/+ mutant mice have recapitulated the pathological features in eye and bone of human patients. Further analyses of the mutant phenotype with molecular markers will provide insight on how MAB21L2 guides the optic differentiation and skeletogenesis, revealing specific underlying pathogenic mechanism of the MAB21L2(R51C) mutation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shun-Wa Tsang
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Yanjiang Guo
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Long-Hei Chan
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - Yingyu Huang
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong
| | - King L Chow
- Division of Life Science, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong.,Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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25
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Slavotinek A. Genetics of anophthalmia and microphthalmia. Part 2: Syndromes associated with anophthalmia-microphthalmia. Hum Genet 2018; 138:831-846. [PMID: 30374660 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-018-1949-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2018] [Accepted: 10/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
As new genes for A/M are identified in the genomic era, the number of syndromes associated with A/M has greatly expanded. In this review, we provide a brief synopsis of the clinical presentation and molecular genetic etiology of previously characterized pathways involved in A/M, including the Sex-determining region Y-box 2 (SOX2), Orthodenticle Homeobox 2 (OTX2) and Paired box protein-6 (PAX6) genes, and the Stimulated by retinoic acid gene 6 homolog (STRA6), Aldehyde Dehydrogenase 1 Family Member A3 (ALDH1A3), and RA Receptor Beta (RARβ) genes that are involved in retinoic acid synthesis. Less common genetic causes of A/M, including genes involved in BMP signaling [Bone Morphogenetic Protein 4 (BMP4), Bone Morphogenetic Protein 7 (BMP7) and SPARC-related modular calcium-binding protein 1 (SMOC1)], genes involved in the mitochondrial respiratory chain complex [Holocytochrome c-type synthase (HCCS), Cytochrome C Oxidase Subunit 7B (COX7B), and NADH:Ubiquinone Oxidoreductase subunit B11 (NDUFB11)], the BCL-6 corepressor gene (BCOR), Yes-Associated Protein 1 (YAP1) and Transcription Factor AP-2 Alpha (TFAP2α), are more briefly discussed. We also review several recently described genes and pathways associated with A/M, including Smoothened (SMO) that is involved in Sonic hedgehog (SHH) signaling, Structural maintenance of chromosomes flexible hinge domain containing 1 (SMCHD1) and Solute carrier family 25 member 24 (SLC25A24), emphasizing phenotype-genotype correlations and shared pathways where relevant.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne Slavotinek
- Division of Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, University of California, San Francisco Room RH384C, 1550 4th St, San Francisco, CA, 94143-2711, USA.
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26
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Zheng SS, Han RY, Xiang L, Zhuang YY, Jin ZB. Versatile Genome Engineering Techniques Advance Human Ocular Disease Researches in Zebrafish. Front Cell Dev Biol 2018; 6:75. [PMID: 30050903 PMCID: PMC6052052 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2018.00075] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/03/2018] [Accepted: 06/25/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Over recent decades, zebrafish has been established as a sophisticated vertebrate model for studying human ocular diseases due to its high fecundity, short generation time and genetic tractability. With the invention of morpholino (MO) technology, it became possible to study the genetic basis and relevant genes of ocular diseases in vivo. Many genes have been shown to be related to ocular diseases. However, the issue of specificity is the major concern in defining gene functions with MO technology. The emergence of the first- and second-generation genetic modification tools zinc-finger nucleases (ZFNs) and TAL effector nucleases (TALENs), respectively, eliminated the potential phenotypic risk induced by MOs. Nevertheless, the efficiency of these nucleases remained relatively low until the third technique, the clustered regularly interspersed short palindromic repeats (CRISPR)/CRISPR-associated protein 9 (Cas9) system, was discovered. This review highlights the application of multiple genome engineering techniques, especially the CRISPR/Cas9 system, in the study of human ocular diseases in zebrafish.
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Affiliation(s)
- Si-Si Zheng
- Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, Laboratory for Stem Cell and Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Regenerative Medicine and Neurogenetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Ru-Yi Han
- Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, Laboratory for Stem Cell and Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Regenerative Medicine and Neurogenetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Lue Xiang
- Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, Laboratory for Stem Cell and Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Regenerative Medicine and Neurogenetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Wenzhou, China
| | - You-Yuan Zhuang
- Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, Laboratory for Stem Cell and Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Regenerative Medicine and Neurogenetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
| | - Zi-Bing Jin
- Division of Ophthalmic Genetics, Laboratory for Stem Cell and Retinal Regeneration, Institute of Stem Cell Research, The Eye Hospital, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- National International Joint Research Center for Regenerative Medicine and Neurogenetics, Wenzhou Medical University, Wenzhou, China
- State Key Laboratory of Ophthalmology, Optometry and Visual Science, Wenzhou, China
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27
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Zebrafish Models of Rare Hereditary Pediatric Diseases. Diseases 2018; 6:diseases6020043. [PMID: 29789451 PMCID: PMC6023479 DOI: 10.3390/diseases6020043] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2018] [Revised: 05/17/2018] [Accepted: 05/19/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Recent advances in sequencing technologies have made it significantly easier to find the genetic roots of rare hereditary pediatric diseases. These novel methods are not panaceas, however, and they often give ambiguous results, highlighting multiple possible causative mutations in affected patients. Furthermore, even when the mapping results are unambiguous, the affected gene might be of unknown function. In these cases, understanding how a particular genotype can result in a phenotype also needs carefully designed experimental work. Model organism genetics can offer a straightforward experimental setup for hypothesis testing. Containing orthologs for over 80% of the genes involved in human diseases, zebrafish (Danio rerio) has emerged as one of the top disease models over the past decade. A plethora of genetic tools makes it easy to create mutations in almost any gene of the zebrafish genome and these mutant strains can be used in high-throughput preclinical screens for active molecules. As this small vertebrate species offers several other advantages as well, its popularity in biomedical research is bound to increase, with “aquarium to bedside” drug development pipelines taking a more prevalent role in the near future.
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28
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Mutation of IPO13 causes recessive ocular coloboma, microphthalmia, and cataract. Exp Mol Med 2018; 50:1-11. [PMID: 29700284 PMCID: PMC5938035 DOI: 10.1038/s12276-018-0079-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/08/2017] [Revised: 01/22/2018] [Accepted: 02/14/2018] [Indexed: 11/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Ocular coloboma is a developmental structural defect of the eye that often occurs as complex ocular anomalies. However, its genetic etiology remains largely unexplored. Here we report the identification of mutation (c.331C>T, p.R111C) in the IPO13 gene in a consanguineous family with ocular coloboma, microphthalmia, and cataract by a combination of whole-exome sequencing and homozygosity mapping. IPO13 encodes an importin-B family protein and has been proven to be associated with the pathogenesis of coloboma and microphthalmia. We found that Ipo13 was expressed in the cornea, sclera, lens, and retina in mice. Additionally, the mRNA expression level of Ipo13 decreased significantly in the patient compared with its expression in a healthy individual. Morpholino-oligonucleotide-induced knockdown of ipo13 in zebrafish caused dose-dependent microphthalmia and coloboma, which is highly similar to the ocular phenotypes in the patient. Moreover, both visual motor response and optokinetic response were impaired severely. Notably, these ocular phenotypes in ipo13-deficient zebrafish could be rescued remarkably by full-length ipo13 mRNA, suggesting that the phenotypes observed in zebrafish were due to insufficient ipo13 function. Altogether, our findings demonstrate, for the first time, a new role of IPO13 in eye morphogenesis and that loss of function of IPO13 could lead to ocular coloboma, microphthalmia, and cataract in humans and zebrafish. In-depth genomic analysis of the family of a young man with severe visual impairment reveals a new gene involved in eye development. Ocular coloboma encompasses various hereditary disorders in which the eyes form improperly. Many of the underlying genetic factors remain unidentified. Researchers led by Zi-Bing Jin at Wenzhou Medical University in China sequenced the genes of 28-year-old man with a recessive form of ocular coloboma. By comparing these genetic data against equivalent genome sequences from his healthy parents, Jin’s team identified a gene called IPO13 as the culprit. IPO13 has not been linked to human disease before, but the researchers demonstrated that switching off IPO13 expression in zebrafish embryos gave rise to underdeveloped eyes with defects in the iris and cornea. These findings give clinicians another potential indicator for early diagnosis of ocular coloboma.
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29
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Patel N, Khan AO, Alsahli S, Abdel-Salam G, Nowilaty SR, Mansour AM, Nabil A, Al-Owain M, Sogati S, Salih MA, Kamal AM, Alsharif H, Alsaif HS, Alzahrani SS, Abdulwahab F, Ibrahim N, Hashem M, Faquih T, Shah ZA, Abouelhoda M, Monies D, Dasouki M, Shaheen R, Wakil SM, Aldahmesh MA, Alkuraya FS. Genetic investigation of 93 families with microphthalmia or posterior microphthalmos. Clin Genet 2018; 93:1210-1222. [PMID: 29450879 DOI: 10.1111/cge.13239] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2017] [Revised: 02/12/2018] [Accepted: 02/12/2018] [Indexed: 01/24/2023]
Abstract
Microphthalmia is a developmental eye defect that is highly variable in severity and in its potential for systemic association. Despite the discovery of many disease genes in microphthalmia, at least 50% of patients remain undiagnosed genetically. Here, we describe a cohort of 147 patients (93 families) from our highly consanguineous population with various forms of microphthalmia (including the distinct entity of posterior microphthalmos) that were investigated using a next-generation sequencing multi-gene panel (i-panel) as well as whole exome sequencing and molecular karyotyping. A potentially causal mutation was identified in the majority of the cohort with microphthalmia (61%) and posterior microphthalmos (82%). The identified mutations (55 point mutations, 15 of which are novel) spanned 24 known disease genes, some of which have not or only very rarely been linked to microphthalmia (PAX6, SLC18A2, DSC3 and CNKSR1). Our study has also identified interesting candidate variants in 2 genes that have not been linked to human diseases (MYO10 and ZNF219), which we present here as novel candidates for microphthalmia. In addition to revealing novel phenotypic aspects of microphthalmia, this study expands its allelic and locus heterogeneity and highlights the need for expanded testing of patients with this condition.
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Affiliation(s)
- N Patel
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - A O Khan
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia.,Eye Institute, Cleveland Clinic Abu Dhabi, Abu Dhabi, United Arab Emirates
| | - S Alsahli
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - S R Nowilaty
- Vitreo-retinal Division, King Khaled Eye Specialist Hospital, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - A M Mansour
- Department of Ophthalmology, American University of Beirut, Beirut, Lebanon
| | - A Nabil
- Human Genetics Department, Medical Research Institute, Alexandria University, Alexandria, Egypt
| | - M Al-Owain
- Department of Medical Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - S Sogati
- Department of Medical Genetics, King Fahad General Hospital, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - M A Salih
- Division of Pediatrics Neurology, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - A M Kamal
- Department of Ophthalmology, Cairo University, Cairo, Egypt
| | - H Alsharif
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - H S Alsaif
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - S S Alzahrani
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - F Abdulwahab
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - N Ibrahim
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - M Hashem
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - T Faquih
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia.,Saudi Human Genome Project, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - Z A Shah
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia.,Saudi Human Genome Project, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - M Abouelhoda
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia.,Saudi Human Genome Project, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - D Monies
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia.,Saudi Human Genome Project, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
| | - M Dasouki
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - R Shaheen
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - S M Wakil
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - M A Aldahmesh
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia
| | - F S Alkuraya
- Department of Genetics, King Faisal Specialist Hospital and Research Center, Riyadh 11211, Saudi Arabia.,Saudi Human Genome Project, King Abdulaziz City for Science and Technology, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, College of Medicine, Alfaisal University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia
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30
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Alagia M, Cappuccio G, Pinelli M, Torella A, Brunetti-Pierri R, Simonelli F, Limongelli G, Oppido G, Nigro V, Brunetti-Pierri N. A child with Myhre syndrome presenting with corectopia and tetralogy of Fallot. Am J Med Genet A 2017; 176:426-430. [PMID: 29230941 PMCID: PMC5814867 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.38560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2017] [Revised: 10/31/2017] [Accepted: 11/07/2017] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Myhre syndrome is a rare autosomal dominant disorder caused by a narrow spectrum of missense mutations in the SMAD4 gene. Typical features of this disorder are distinctive facial appearance, deafness, intellectual disability, cardiovascular abnormalities, short stature, short hands and feet, compact build, joint stiffness, and skeletal anomalies. The clinical features generally appear during childhood and become more evident in older patients. Therefore, the diagnosis of this syndrome in the first years of life is challenging. We report a 2‐year‐old girl diagnosed with Myhre syndrome by whole exome sequencing (WES) that revealed the recurrent p.Ile500Val mutation in the SMAD4 gene. Our patient presented with growth deficiency, dysmorphic features, tetralogy of Fallot, and corectopia (also known as ectopia pupillae). The girl we described is the youngest patient with Myhre syndrome. Moreover, corectopia and tetralogy of Fallot have not been previously reported in this disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marianna Alagia
- Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University, Naples, Italy
| | - Gerarda Cappuccio
- Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Michele Pinelli
- Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
| | - Annalaura Torella
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Raffaella Brunetti-Pierri
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Francesca Simonelli
- Eye Clinic, Multidisciplinary Department of Medical, Surgical and Dental Sciences, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Giuseppe Limongelli
- Department of Cardiothoracic Science, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy.,Monaldi Hospital, AO Colli, Naples, Italy
| | | | - Vincenzo Nigro
- Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy.,Medical Genetics, Department of Biochemistry, Biophysics and General Pathology, University of Campania 'Luigi Vanvitelli', Naples, Italy
| | - Nicola Brunetti-Pierri
- Department of Translational Medicine, Federico II University, Naples, Italy.,Telethon Institute of Genetics and Medicine, Pozzuoli, Naples, Italy
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31
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Genes and pathways in optic fissure closure. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2017; 91:55-65. [PMID: 29198497 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2017.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2017] [Revised: 08/29/2017] [Accepted: 10/10/2017] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Embryonic development of the vertebrate eye begins with the formation of an optic vesicle which folds inwards to form a double-layered optic cup with a fissure on the ventral surface, known as the optic fissure. Closure of the optic fissure is essential for subsequent growth and development of the eye. A defect in this process can leave a gap in the iris, retina or optic nerve, known as a coloboma, which can lead to severe visual impairment. This review brings together current information about genes and pathways regulating fissure closure from human coloboma patients and animal models. It focuses especially on current understanding of the morphological changes and processes of epithelial remodelling occurring at the fissure margins.
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32
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Xie Z, Wu B, Shen G, Li X, Wu Q. Curcumin alleviates liver oxidative stress in type 1 diabetic rats. Mol Med Rep 2017; 17:103-108. [PMID: 29115468 PMCID: PMC5780069 DOI: 10.3892/mmr.2017.7911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2017] [Accepted: 10/13/2017] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The aim of the present study was to determine the effects of curcumin on antioxidants using a rat model of type 1 diabetes. Seven-week-old male Sprague-Dawley rats were injected with Streptozotocin (STZ) intraperitoneally to induce this model, and then treated with 1.0% curcumin (weight ratio) mixed in their diet for 21 days. The present study included three groups: Control group (NC), diabetic rat model group (DC) and a curcumin treated group (Diab-Cur). The results demonstrated that curcumin treatment markedly decreased the blood glucose levels, plasma malondialdehyde concentration and plasma activity of glutathione peroxidase (GSH-Px) and catalase (CAT); however, it increased the plasma superoxide dismutase (SOD) and insulin levels. Curcumin treatment increased the expression of the CAT, GSH-Px, HO-1 and norvegicus NAD(P)H quinone dehydrogenase 1, and decreased the SOD1 expression, which, led to a diminished oxidative stress status. In addition, curcumin treatment significantly increased the protein expression of Keap1 in the Diab-Cur group when compared with the DC group, decreased cytosolic concentrations of Nrf2 while increasing nuclear accumulation of Nrf2. The results provide evidence that oxidative stress in the STZ-induced diabetic rat model may be attenuated by curcumin via the activation of the Keap1-Nrf2-ARE signaling pathway, as evidenced by a decrease in the blood glucose concentration and an increase in the transcription of several antioxidant genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Zhenglu Xie
- Department of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Jinshan College of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China
| | - Binbin Wu
- Department of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Jinshan College of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China
| | - Guozhi Shen
- Department of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Jinshan College of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China
| | - Xiaqing Li
- Department of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Jinshan College of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China
| | - Qianying Wu
- Department of Agriculture and Biotechnology, Jinshan College of Fujian Agriculture and Forestry University, Fuzhou, Fujian 350002, P.R. China
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33
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Cvekl A, Zhang X. Signaling and Gene Regulatory Networks in Mammalian Lens Development. Trends Genet 2017; 33:677-702. [PMID: 28867048 DOI: 10.1016/j.tig.2017.08.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 120] [Impact Index Per Article: 17.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2017] [Revised: 07/27/2017] [Accepted: 08/01/2017] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
Ocular lens development represents an advantageous system in which to study regulatory mechanisms governing cell fate decisions, extracellular signaling, cell and tissue organization, and the underlying gene regulatory networks. Spatiotemporally regulated domains of BMP, FGF, and other signaling molecules in late gastrula-early neurula stage embryos generate the border region between the neural plate and non-neural ectoderm from which multiple cell types, including lens progenitor cells, emerge and undergo initial tissue formation. Extracellular signaling and DNA-binding transcription factors govern lens and optic cup morphogenesis. Pax6, c-Maf, Hsf4, Prox1, Sox1, and a few additional factors regulate the expression of the lens structural proteins, the crystallins. Extensive crosstalk between a diverse array of signaling pathways controls the complexity and order of lens morphogenetic processes and lens transparency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ales Cvekl
- Departments of Genetics and Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, Bronx, NY 10461, USA.
| | - Xin Zhang
- Departments of Ophthalmology, Pathology and Cell Biology, Columbia University Medical Center, New York, NY 10032, USA.
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34
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Abstract
The zebrafish (Danio rerio) possesses a vertebrate-type retina that is extraordinarily conserved in evolution. This well-organized and anatomically easily accessible part of the central nervous system has been widely investigated in zebrafish, promoting general understanding of retinal development, morphology, function and associated diseases. Over the recent years, genome and protein engineering as well as imaging techniques have experienced revolutionary advances and innovations, creating new possibilities and methods to study zebrafish development and function. In this review, we focus on some of these emerging technologies and how they may impact retinal research in the future. We place an emphasis on genetic techniques, such as transgenic approaches and the revolutionizing new possibilities in genome editing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Niklaus
- a Institute of Molecular Life Sciences , University of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland.,b Life Science Zurich Graduate Program - Neuroscience , Zurich , Switzerland
| | - Stephan C F Neuhauss
- a Institute of Molecular Life Sciences , University of Zurich , Zurich , Switzerland
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35
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Brockerhoff SE. Genome Editing to Study Ca 2+ Homeostasis in Zebrafish Cone Photoreceptors. ADVANCES IN EXPERIMENTAL MEDICINE AND BIOLOGY 2017; 1016:91-100. [PMID: 29130155 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-319-63904-8_5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Photoreceptors are specialized sensory neurons with unique biological features. Phototransduction is well understood due in part to the exclusive expression and function of the molecular components of this cascade. Many other processes are less well understood, but also extremely important for understanding photoreceptor function and for treating disease. One example is the role of Ca2+ in the cell body and overall compartmentalization and regulation of Ca2+ within the cell. The recent development of CRISPR/Cas9 genome editing techniques has made it possible to rapidly and cheaply alter specific genes. This will help to define the biological function of elusive processes that have been more challenging to study. CRISPR/Cas9 has been optimized in many systems including zebrafish, which already has some distinct advantages for studying photoreceptor biology and function. These new genome editing technologies and the continued use of the zebrafish model system will help advance our understanding of important understudied aspects of photoreceptor biology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susan E Brockerhoff
- Departments of Biochemistry and Ophthalmology, University of Washington, UW Medicine, 750 Republican St, Box 358058, Seattle, WA, 98109, USA.
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36
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Blanco-Sánchez B, Clément A, Phillips JB, Westerfield M. Zebrafish models of human eye and inner ear diseases. Methods Cell Biol 2016; 138:415-467. [PMID: 28129854 DOI: 10.1016/bs.mcb.2016.10.006] [Citation(s) in RCA: 35] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/27/2022]
Abstract
Eye and inner ear diseases are the most common sensory impairments that greatly impact quality of life. Zebrafish have been intensively employed to understand the fundamental mechanisms underlying eye and inner ear development. The zebrafish visual and vestibulo-acoustic systems are very similar to these in humans, and although not yet mature, they are functional by 5days post-fertilization (dpf). In this chapter, we show how the zebrafish has significantly contributed to the field of biomedical research and how researchers, by establishing disease models and meticulously characterizing their phenotypes, have taken the first steps toward therapies. We review here models for (1) eye diseases, (2) ear diseases, and (3) syndromes affecting eye and/or ear. The use of new genome editing technologies and high-throughput screening systems should increase considerably the speed at which knowledge from zebrafish disease models is acquired, opening avenues for better diagnostics, treatments, and therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - A Clément
- University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States
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37
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James A, Lee C, Williams AM, Angileri K, Lathrop KL, Gross JM. The hyaloid vasculature facilitates basement membrane breakdown during choroid fissure closure in the zebrafish eye. Dev Biol 2016; 419:262-272. [PMID: 27634568 DOI: 10.1016/j.ydbio.2016.09.008] [Citation(s) in RCA: 38] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2016] [Revised: 09/09/2016] [Accepted: 09/09/2016] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
A critical aspect of vertebrate eye development is closure of the choroid fissure (CF). Defects in CF closure result in colobomas, which are a significant cause of childhood blindness worldwide. Despite the growing number of mutated loci associated with colobomas, we have a limited understanding of the cell biological underpinnings of CF closure. Here, we utilize the zebrafish embryo to identify key phases of CF closure and regulators of the process. Utilizing Laminin-111 as a marker for the basement membrane (BM) lining the CF, we determine the spatial and temporal patterns of BM breakdown in the CF, a prerequisite for CF closure. Similarly, utilizing a combination of in vivo time-lapse imaging, β-catenin immunohistochemistry and F-actin staining, we determine that tissue fusion, which serves to close the fissure, follows BM breakdown closely. Periocular mesenchyme (POM)-derived endothelial cells, which migrate through the CF to give rise to the hyaloid vasculature, possess distinct actin foci that correlate with regions of BM breakdown. Disruption of talin1, which encodes a regulator of the actin cytoskeleton, results in colobomas and these correlate with structural defects in the hyaloid vasculature and defects in BM breakdown. cloche mutants, which entirely lack a hyaloid vasculature, also possess defects in BM breakdown in the CF. Taken together, these data support a model in which the hyaloid vasculature and/or the POM-derived endothelial cells that give rise to the hyaloid vasculature contribute to BM breakdown during CF closure.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrea James
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin TX, 78712
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Chanjae Lee
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin TX, 78712
| | - Andre M Williams
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin TX, 78712
| | - Krista Angileri
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin TX, 78712
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Kira L Lathrop
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
- Department of Bioengineering, University of Pittsburgh Swanson School of Engineering, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
| | - Jeffrey M Gross
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, Institute for Cellular and Molecular Biology, The University of Texas at Austin, Austin TX, 78712
- Department of Ophthalmology, Louis J. Fox Center for Vision Restoration, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
- Department of Developmental Biology, The University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, PA 15213
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38
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de Oliveira Mann CC, Kiefersauer R, Witte G, Hopfner KP. Structural and biochemical characterization of the cell fate determining nucleotidyltransferase fold protein MAB21L1. Sci Rep 2016; 6:27498. [PMID: 27271801 PMCID: PMC4897736 DOI: 10.1038/srep27498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/02/2016] [Accepted: 05/20/2016] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
The exceptionally conserved metazoan MAB21 proteins are implicated in cell fate decisions and share considerable sequence homology with the cyclic GMP-AMP synthase. cGAS is the major innate immune sensor for cytosolic DNA and produces the second messenger 2′-5′, 3′-5′ cyclic GMP-AMP. Little is known about the structure and biochemical function of other proteins of the cGAS-MAB21 subfamily, such as MAB21L1, MAB21L2 and MAB21L3. We have determined the crystal structure of human full-length MAB21L1. Our analysis reveals high structural conservation between MAB21L1 and cGAS but also uncovers important differences. Although monomeric in solution, MAB21L1 forms a highly symmetric double-pentameric oligomer in the crystal, raising the possibility that oligomerization could be a feature of MAB21L1. In the crystal, MAB21L1 is in an inactive conformation requiring a conformational change - similar to cGAS - to develop any nucleotidyltransferase activity. Co-crystallization with NTP identified a putative ligand binding site of MAB21 proteins that corresponds to the DNA binding site of cGAS. Finally, we offer a structure-based explanation for the effects of MAB21L2 mutations in patients with eye malformations. The underlying residues participate in fold-stabilizing interaction networks and mutations destabilize the protein. In summary, we provide a first structural framework for MAB21 proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carina C de Oliveira Mann
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Gene Center and Dept. of Biochemistry, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Reiner Kiefersauer
- Proteros Biostructures GmbH, Bunsenstraße 7a, 82152 Martinsried, Germany
| | - Gregor Witte
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Gene Center and Dept. of Biochemistry, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25, 81377 Munich, Germany
| | - Karl-Peter Hopfner
- Ludwig-Maximilians-Universität München, Gene Center and Dept. of Biochemistry, Feodor-Lynen-Str. 25, 81377 Munich, Germany.,Center for Integrated Protein Science (CIPSM), Ludwig-Maximilians Universität München, Feodor-Lynen Str. 25, 81377 Munich, Germany
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39
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Bruel AL, Masurel-Paulet A, Rivière JB, Duffourd Y, Lehalle D, Bensignor C, Huet F, Borgnon J, Roucher F, Kuentz P, Deleuze JF, Thauvin-Robinet C, Faivre L, Thevenon J. Autosomal recessive truncating MAB21L1 mutation associated with a syndromic scrotal agenesis. Clin Genet 2016; 91:333-338. [PMID: 27103078 DOI: 10.1111/cge.12794] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/08/2016] [Revised: 04/18/2016] [Accepted: 04/19/2016] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
We report on a boy with a rare malformative association of scrotum agenesis, ophthalmological anomalies, cerebellar malformation, facial dysmorphism and global development delay. The reported patient was carrying a homozygous frameshift in MAB21L1 detected by whole-exome sequencing, considered as the most likely disease-causing variant. Mab21l1 knockout mice present a strikingly similar malformative association of ophthalmological malformations of the anterior chamber and preputial glands hypoplasia. We hypothesize that MAB21L1 haploinsufficiency cause a previously undescribed syndrome with scrotal agenesis, ophthalmological anomalies, facial dysmorphism and gross psychomotor delay as remarkable hallmarks. Four cases from the literature were reported with features suggestive of a similar and recognizable clinical entity. We hypothesize that MAB21L1 should be the culprit gene in these patients.
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Affiliation(s)
- A-L Bruel
- Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Médecine Translationnelle et Anomalies du Développement (TRANSLAD), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France.,Génétique des Anomalies du Développement, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - A Masurel-Paulet
- Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Médecine Translationnelle et Anomalies du Développement (TRANSLAD), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France.,Centre de Génétique et Centre de Référence Anomalies du Développement et Syndromes Malformatifs de l'Inter-région Est, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - J-B Rivière
- Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Médecine Translationnelle et Anomalies du Développement (TRANSLAD), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France.,Génétique des Anomalies du Développement, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - Y Duffourd
- Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Médecine Translationnelle et Anomalies du Développement (TRANSLAD), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France.,Génétique des Anomalies du Développement, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - D Lehalle
- Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Médecine Translationnelle et Anomalies du Développement (TRANSLAD), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France.,Génétique des Anomalies du Développement, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.,Centre de Génétique et Centre de Référence Anomalies du Développement et Syndromes Malformatifs de l'Inter-région Est, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - C Bensignor
- Service de Pédiatrie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - F Huet
- Service de Pédiatrie, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - J Borgnon
- Chirurgie Pédiatrique, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - F Roucher
- Endocrinologie Moléculaire et Maladies Rares, Centre de Biologie et Pathologie Est, Hospices Civils de Lyon, Bron, France
| | - P Kuentz
- Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Médecine Translationnelle et Anomalies du Développement (TRANSLAD), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France.,Génétique des Anomalies du Développement, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France
| | - J-F Deleuze
- CEA/Institut de Génomique, Centre National de Génotypage, Evry, France
| | - C Thauvin-Robinet
- Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Médecine Translationnelle et Anomalies du Développement (TRANSLAD), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France.,Génétique des Anomalies du Développement, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.,Centre de Génétique et Centre de Référence Anomalies du Développement et Syndromes Malformatifs de l'Inter-région Est, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - L Faivre
- Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Médecine Translationnelle et Anomalies du Développement (TRANSLAD), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France.,Génétique des Anomalies du Développement, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.,Centre de Génétique et Centre de Référence Anomalies du Développement et Syndromes Malformatifs de l'Inter-région Est, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France
| | - J Thevenon
- Fédération Hospitalo-Universitaire Médecine Translationnelle et Anomalies du Développement (TRANSLAD), Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France.,Génétique des Anomalies du Développement, Université de Bourgogne, Dijon, France.,Centre de Génétique et Centre de Référence Anomalies du Développement et Syndromes Malformatifs de l'Inter-région Est, Centre Hospitalier Universitaire Dijon, Dijon, France
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40
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Raikwar SP, Raikwar AS, Chaurasia SS, Mohan RR. Gene editing for corneal disease management. World J Transl Med 2016; 5:1-13. [PMID: 35757280 PMCID: PMC9221704 DOI: 10.5528/wjtm.v5.i1.1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2016] [Accepted: 03/09/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Gene editing has recently emerged as a promising technology to engineer genetic modifications precisely in the genome to achieve long-term relief from corneal disorders. Recent advances in the molecular biology leading to the development of Clustered Regularly Interspaced Short Palindromic Repeats (CRISPRs) and CRISPR-associated systems, zinc finger nucleases and transcription activator like effector nucleases have ushered in a new era for high throughput in vitro and in vivo genome engineering. Genome editing can be successfully used to decipher complex molecular mechanisms underlying disease pathophysiology, develop innovative next generation gene therapy, stem cell-based regenerative therapy, and personalized medicine for corneal and other ocular diseases. In this review we describe latest developments in the field of genome editing, current challenges, and future prospects for the development of personalized gene-based medicine for corneal diseases. The gene editing approach is expected to revolutionize current diagnostic and treatment practices for curing blindness.
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41
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Greenlees R, Mihelec M, Yousoof S, Speidel D, Wu SK, Rinkwitz S, Prokudin I, Perveen R, Cheng A, Ma A, Nash B, Gillespie R, Loebel DA, Clayton-Smith J, Lloyd IC, Grigg JR, Tam PP, Yap AS, Becker TS, Black GC, Semina E, Jamieson RV. Mutations inSIPA1L3cause eye defects through disruption of cell polarity and cytoskeleton organization. Hum Mol Genet 2015; 24:5789-804. [DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddv298] [Citation(s) in RCA: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/02/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 01/27/2023] Open
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42
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Deml B, Reis LM, Lemyre E, Clark RD, Kariminejad A, Semina EV. Novel mutations in PAX6, OTX2 and NDP in anophthalmia, microphthalmia and coloboma. Eur J Hum Genet 2015; 24:535-41. [PMID: 26130484 PMCID: PMC4929874 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2015.155] [Citation(s) in RCA: 55] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Revised: 04/17/2015] [Accepted: 06/03/2015] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
Anophthalmia and microphthalmia (A/M) are developmental ocular malformations defined as the complete absence or reduction in size of the eye. A/M is a highly heterogeneous disorder with SOX2 and FOXE3 playing major roles in dominant and recessive pedigrees, respectively; however, the majority of cases lack a genetic etiology. We analyzed 28 probands affected with A/M spectrum (without mutations in SOX2/FOXE3) by whole-exome sequencing. Analysis of 83 known A/M factors identified pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in PAX6, OTX2 and NDP in three patients. A novel heterozygous likely pathogenic variant in PAX6, c.767T>C, p.(Val256Ala), was identified in two brothers with bilateral microphthalmia, coloboma, primary aphakia, iris hypoplasia, sclerocornea and congenital glaucoma; the unaffected mother appears to be a mosaic carrier. While A/M has been reported as a rare feature, this is the first report of congenital primary aphakia in association with PAX6 and the identified allele represents the first variant in the PAX6 homeodomain to be associated with A/M. A novel pathogenic variant in OTX2, c.651delC, p.(Thr218Hisfs*76), in a patient with syndromic bilateral anophthalmia and a hemizygous pathogenic variant in NDP, c.293 C>T, p.(Pro98Leu), in two brothers with isolated bilateral microphthalmia and sclerocornea were also identified. Pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants were not discovered in the 25 remaining A/M cases. This study underscores the utility of whole-exome sequencing for identification of causative mutations in highly variable ocular phenotypes as well as the extreme genetic heterogeneity of A/M conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Deml
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, WI, USA
| | - Linda M Reis
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA
| | - Emmanuelle Lemyre
- Service de Génétique médicale, CHU Ste-Justine, Département de Pédiatrie, Université de Montréal, Montréal, Canada
| | - Robin D Clark
- Division of Medical Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Loma Linda University Children's Hospital, Loma Linda, CA 92354
| | | | - Elena V Semina
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI, USA.,Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, WI, USA
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43
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Deml B, Reis LM, Muheisen S, Bick D, Semina EV. EFTUD2 deficiency in vertebrates: Identification of a novel human mutation and generation of a zebrafish model. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 103:630-40. [PMID: 26118977 DOI: 10.1002/bdra.23397] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/06/2015] [Revised: 04/30/2015] [Accepted: 05/26/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Congenital microphthalmia and coloboma are severe developmental defects that are frequently associated with additional systemic anomalies and display a high level of genetic heterogeneity. METHODS To identify the pathogenic variant in a patient with microphthalmia, coloboma, retinal dystrophy, microcephaly, and other features, whole exome sequencing analysis of the patient and parental samples was undertaken. To further explore the identified variant/gene, expression and functional studies in zebrafish were performed. RESULTS Whole exome sequencing revealed a de novo variant, c.473_474delGA, p.(Arg158Lysfs*4), in EFTUD2 which encodes a component of the spliceosome complex. Dominant mutations in EFTUD2 cause Mandibulofacial Dysostosis, Guion-Almeida type, which does not involve microphthalmia, coloboma, or retinal dystrophy; analysis of genes known to cause these ocular phenotypes identified several variants of unknown significance but no causal alleles in the affected patient. Zebrafish eftud2 demonstrated high sequence conservation with the human gene and broad embryonic expression. TALEN-mediated disruption was employed to generate a c.378_385 del, p.(Ser127Aspfs*23) truncation mutation in eftud2. Homozygous mutants displayed a reduced head size, small eye, curved body, and early embryonic lethality. Apoptosis assays demonstrated a striking increase in terminal deoxynucleotidyl transferase-mediated deoxyuridine triphosphate nick end-labeling (TUNEL)-positive cells in the developing brain, eye, spinal cord, and other tissues starting at 30 hours postfertilization. CONCLUSION This study reports a novel mutation in EFTUD2 in a Mandibulofacial Dysostosis, Guion-Almeida type patient with unusual ocular features and the generation of a first animal model of eftud2 deficiency. The severe embryonic phenotype observed in eftud2 mutants indicates an important conserved role during development of diverse tissues in vertebrates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brett Deml
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.,Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Linda M Reis
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Sanaa Muheisen
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - David Bick
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Elena V Semina
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute at the Medical College of Wisconsin and Children's Hospital of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.,Department of Cell Biology, Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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44
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Reis LM, Semina EV. Conserved genetic pathways associated with microphthalmia, anophthalmia, and coloboma. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2015; 105:96-113. [PMID: 26046913 DOI: 10.1002/bdrc.21097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/01/2015] [Accepted: 05/13/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
The human eye is a complex organ whose development requires extraordinary coordination of developmental processes. The conservation of ocular developmental steps in vertebrates suggests possible common genetic mechanisms. Genetic diseases involving the eye represent a leading cause of blindness in children and adults. During the last decades, there has been an exponential increase in genetic studies of ocular disorders. In this review, we summarize current success in identification of genes responsible for microphthalmia, anophthalmia, and coloboma (MAC) phenotypes, which are associated with early defects in embryonic eye development. Studies in animal models for the orthologous genes identified overlapping phenotypes for most factors, confirming the conservation of their function in vertebrate development. These animal models allow for further investigation of the mechanisms of MAC, integration of various identified genes into common developmental pathways and finally, provide an avenue for the development and testing of therapeutic interventions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linda M Reis
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
| | - Elena V Semina
- Department of Pediatrics and Children's Research Institute, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.,Department of Ophthalmology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin.,Department of Cell Biology Neurobiology, and Anatomy, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, Wisconsin
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