1
|
Ahmed R, Sarwar S, Hu J, Cardin V, Qiu LR, Zapata G, Vandeleur L, Yan K, Lerch JP, Corbett MA, Gecz J, Picketts DJ. Transgenic mice with an R342X mutation in Phf6 display clinical features of Börjeson-Forssman-Lehmann Syndrome. Hum Mol Genet 2021; 30:575-594. [PMID: 33772537 PMCID: PMC8120135 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddab081] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/28/2020] [Revised: 02/24/2021] [Accepted: 03/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
The PHF6 mutation c.1024C > T; p.R342X, is a recurrent cause of Börjeson-Forssman-Lehmann Syndrome (BFLS), a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by moderate-severe intellectual disability, truncal obesity, gynecomastia, hypogonadism, long tapering fingers and large ears (MIM#301900). Here, we generated transgenic mice with the identical substitution (R342X mice) using CRISPR technology. We show that the p.R342X mutation causes a reduction in PHF6 protein levels, in both human and mice, from nonsense-mediated decay and nonsense-associated alternative splicing, respectively. Magnetic resonance imaging studies indicated that R342X mice had a reduced brain volume on a mixed genetic background but developed hydrocephaly and a high incidence of postnatal death on a C57BL/6 background. Cortical development proceeded normally, while hippocampus and hypothalamus relative brain volumes were altered. A hypoplastic anterior pituitary was also observed that likely contributes to the small size of the R342X mice. Behavior testing demonstrated deficits in associative learning, spatial memory and an anxiolytic phenotype. Taken together, the R342X mice represent a good preclinical model of BFLS that will allow further dissection of PHF6 function and disease pathogenesis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Raies Ahmed
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada
- Departments of Biochemistry, Microbiology, & Immunology, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Shihab Sarwar
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Jinghua Hu
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Valérie Cardin
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada
- Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Lily R Qiu
- Mouse Imaging Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3H7, Canada
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
| | - Gerardo Zapata
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada
- Departments of Biochemistry, Microbiology, & Immunology, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
| | - Lucianne Vandeleur
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Keqin Yan
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada
| | - Jason P Lerch
- Mouse Imaging Centre, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario M5T 3H7, Canada
- Wellcome Centre for Integrative Neuroimaging, FMRIB, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Oxford OX3 9DU, UK
- Department of Medical Biophysics, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario M5G 1L7, Canada
| | - Mark A Corbett
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Jozef Gecz
- Robinson Research Institute and Adelaide Medical School, University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
- South Australian Health and Medical Research Institute, Adelaide, SA 5000, Australia
| | - David J Picketts
- Regenerative Medicine Program, Ottawa Hospital Research Institute, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8L6, Canada
- Departments of Biochemistry, Microbiology, & Immunology, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
- Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
- Medicine, University of Ottawa, Ottawa, Ontario K1H 8M5, Canada
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
McRae HM, Eccles S, Whitehead L, Alexander WS, Gécz J, Thomas T, Voss AK. Downregulation of the GHRH/GH/IGF1 axis in a mouse model of Börjeson-Forssman-Lehman syndrome. Development 2020; 147:dev.187021. [PMID: 32994169 DOI: 10.1242/dev.187021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/28/2022]
Abstract
Börjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome (BFLS) is an intellectual disability and endocrine disorder caused by plant homeodomain finger 6 (PHF6) mutations. Individuals with BFLS present with short stature. We report a mouse model of BFLS, in which deletion of Phf6 causes a proportional reduction in body size compared with control mice. Growth hormone (GH) levels were reduced in the absence of PHF6. Phf6 - /Y animals displayed a reduction in the expression of the genes encoding GH-releasing hormone (GHRH) in the brain, GH in the pituitary gland and insulin-like growth factor 1 (IGF1) in the liver. Phf6 deletion specifically in the nervous system caused a proportional growth defect, indicating a neuroendocrine contribution to the phenotype. Loss of suppressor of cytokine signaling 2 (SOCS2), a negative regulator of growth hormone signaling partially rescued body size, supporting a reversible deficiency in GH signaling. These results demonstrate that PHF6 regulates the GHRH/GH/IGF1 axis.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Helen M McRae
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Samantha Eccles
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Lachlan Whitehead
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Warren S Alexander
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia.,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Jozef Gécz
- Adelaide Medical School and the Robinson Research Institute, The University of Adelaide, Adelaide, SA 5005, Australia
| | - Tim Thomas
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia .,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| | - Anne K Voss
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia .,Department of Medical Biology, The University of Melbourne, Victoria 3052, Australia
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Zhang X, Fan Y, Liu X, Zhu MA, Sun Y, Yan H, He Y, Ye X, Gu X, Yu Y. A Novel Nonsense Mutation of PHF6 in a Female with Extended Phenotypes of Borjeson-Forssman-Lehmann Syndrome. J Clin Res Pediatr Endocrinol 2019; 11:419-425. [PMID: 30630810 PMCID: PMC6878345 DOI: 10.4274/jcrpe.galenos.2019.2018.0220] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/28/2022] Open
Abstract
Borjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome (BFLS) is a rare X-linked disease caused by PHF6 mutations. Classic BFLS has been associated with intellectual disability (ID), developmental delay (DD), obesity, epilepsy, typical facial features and anomalies of fingers and toes. Endocrinological phenotypes and outcome of treatment in this condition remain to be delineated. Here we report a patient who exhibited complete growth hormone deficiency who responded to hormonal treatment but with adverse effects. Horseshoe kidney was present in this patient, which is also atypical in BFLS. A heterozygous nonsense mutation c.673C>T (p.R225X) of PHF6 gene was identified in the patient, inherited from her unaffected mother. Both the patient and her mother showed highly skewed X-inactivation. We reviewed the phenotypes of all reported BFLS cases, and summarized their endocrine presentations. This first report of an Asian patient with BFLS further delineated the genetic and phenotypic spectrum of the syndrome. The adverse effect experienced by the patient suggests caution in the use of growth hormone treatment in this condition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Xia Zhang
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Shanghai, China,These authors contributed equally to this work
| | - Yanjie Fan
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Shanghai, China,These authors contributed equally to this work.,* Address for Correspondence: Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Shanghai, China Phone: +862125076466, +862125076453 E-mail:,
| | - Xiaomin Liu
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Ming-Ang Zhu
- Shanghai Jiaotong University School of Medicine, Pediatric Translational Medicine Institute, Shanghai Children’s Medical Center, The Laboratory of Pediatric Infectious Diseases, Shanghai, China
| | - Yu Sun
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Hui Yan
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Yunjuan He
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiantao Ye
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Xuefan Gu
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Shanghai, China
| | - Yongguo Yu
- Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Shanghai, China,* Address for Correspondence: Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Xinhua Hospital, Shanghai Institute for Pediatric Research, Department of Pediatric Endocrinology and Genetics, Shanghai, China Phone: +862125076466, +862125076453 E-mail:,
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Berland S, Alme K, Brendehaug A, Houge G, Hovland R. PHF6 Deletions May Cause Borjeson-Forssman-Lehmann Syndrome in Females. Mol Syndromol 2011; 1:294-300. [PMID: 22190899 DOI: 10.1159/000330111] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 05/24/2011] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
In a 16-year-old girl with intellectual disability, irregular teeth, slight body asymmetry, and striated skin pigmentation, highly skewed X-inactivation increased the likelihood of an X-linked cause of her condition. Among these, prominent supraorbital ridges and hearing loss suggested a filaminopathy, but no filamin A mutation was found. The correct diagnosis, Borjeson-Forssman-Lehmann syndrome (BFLS, MIM#301900), was first made when a copy number array identified a de novo 15-kb deletion of the terminal 3 exons of the PHF6 gene. In retrospect, her phenotype resembled that of males with BFLS. Such deletions of PHF6 have not been reported previously. This might be because PHF6 mutations are rarely looked for in females since classical BFLS so far has been thought to be a male-specific syndrome, and large PHF6 deletions might be incompatible with male fetal survival. If this is the case, sporadic BFLS could be more frequent in females than in males.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- S Berland
- Center for Medical Genetics and Molecular Medicine, Haukeland University Hospital, Bergen
| | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|
5
|
Voss AK, Gamble R, Collin C, Shoubridge C, Corbett M, Gécz J, Thomas T. Protein and gene expression analysis of Phf6, the gene mutated in the Börjeson-Forssman-Lehmann Syndrome of intellectual disability and obesity. Gene Expr Patterns 2007; 7:858-71. [PMID: 17698420 DOI: 10.1016/j.modgep.2007.06.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.1] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/28/2007] [Revised: 06/14/2007] [Accepted: 06/29/2007] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Abstract
The Plant homeodomain finger gene 6 (PHF6) was identified as the gene mutated in patients suffering from the Börjeson-Forssman-Lehmann Syndrome (BFLS), an X-linked mental retardation disorder. BFLS mental disability is evident from an early age, suggesting a developmental brain defect. The PHF6 protein contains four nuclear localisation signals and two imperfect plant homeodomain (PHD) fingers similar to the third, imperfect PHD fingers in members of the trithorax family of transcriptional regulators. The PHF6 gene is highly conserved in vertebrate species. Despite the devastating effects of mutation of the PHF6 gene, nothing is known about the cellular function of PHF6. In order to lay the base for functional studies, we identify here the cell types that express the murine Phf6 gene and protein during prenatal and postnatal development. The Phf6 gene and protein are expressed widely. However, expression levels vary from strong to barely detectable. Strongest Phf6 gene expression and nuclear localisation of Phf6 protein were observed in the developing central nervous system, the anterior pituitary gland, the primordia of facial structures and the limb buds. Expression levels of both mRNA and protein decline over the course of development. In the adult brain moderate Phf6 expression is maintained in projection neurons, such as mitral cells in the olfactory bulb, cerebrocortical pyramidal cells and cerebellar Purkinje cells. Phf6 gene expression and nuclear localisation of Phf6 protein correlate with clinical symptoms in BFLS patients, namely mental disability, pan-anterior pituitary hormonal deficiency and facial as well digit abnormalities.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Anne K Voss
- Walter and Eliza Hall Institute of Medical Research, 1G Royal Parade, Parkville, Vic. 3050, Australia.
| | | | | | | | | | | | | |
Collapse
|