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Sala-Gaston J, Pérez-Villegas EM, Armengol JA, Rawlins LE, Baple EL, Crosby AH, Ventura F, Rosa JL. Autophagy dysregulation via the USP20-ULK1 axis in the HERC2-related neurodevelopmental disorder. Cell Death Discov 2024; 10:163. [PMID: 38570483 PMCID: PMC10991529 DOI: 10.1038/s41420-024-01931-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 03/18/2024] [Accepted: 03/25/2024] [Indexed: 04/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Sequence variants in the HERC2 gene are associated with a significant reduction in HERC2 protein levels and cause a neurodevelopmental disorder known as the HERC2-related disorder, which shares clinical features with Angelman syndrome, including global developmental delay, intellectual disability, autism, and movement disorders. Remarkably, the HERC2 gene is commonly deleted in individuals with Angelman syndrome, suggesting a potential contribution of HERC2 to the pathophysiology of this disease. Given the known critical role of autophagy in brain development and its implication in neurodevelopmental diseases, we undertook different experimental approaches to monitor autophagy in fibroblasts derived from individuals affected by the HERC2-related disorder. Our findings reveal alterations in the levels of the autophagy-related protein LC3. Furthermore, experiments with lysosomal inhibitors provide confirmation of an upregulation of the autophagy pathway in these patient-derived cells. Mechanistically, we corroborate an interaction between HERC2 and the deubiquitylating enzyme USP20; and demonstrate that HERC2 deficiency leads to increased USP20 protein levels. Notably, USP20 upregulation correlates with enhanced stability of the autophagy initiating kinase ULK1, highlighting the role of HERC2 as an autophagy regulator factor through the USP20-ULK1 axis. Moreover, we show that p38 acts as a modulator of this pathway, since p38 activation disrupts HERC2-USP20 interaction, leading to increased USP20 and LC3-II protein levels. Together, these findings uncover a previously unknown role for HERC2 in autophagy regulation and provide insights into the pathomolecular mechanisms underlying the HERC2-related disorder and Angelman syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Sala-Gaston
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Eva M Pérez-Villegas
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Pablo de Olavide, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - José A Armengol
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Pablo de Olavide, 41013, Seville, Spain
| | - Lettie E Rawlins
- RILD Wellcome Wolfson Medical Research Centre, RD&E (Wonford) NHS Foundation Trust, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
- Peninsula Clinical Genetics Service, Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Heavitree), Exeter, UK
| | - Emma L Baple
- RILD Wellcome Wolfson Medical Research Centre, RD&E (Wonford) NHS Foundation Trust, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
- Peninsula Clinical Genetics Service, Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Heavitree), Exeter, UK
| | - Andrew H Crosby
- Peninsula Clinical Genetics Service, Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Heavitree), Exeter, UK
| | - Francesc Ventura
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Rosa
- Department of Physiological Sciences, University of Barcelona (UB), Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
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2
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Mello AC, Leao D, Dias L, Colombelli F, Recamonde-Mendoza M, Turchetto-Zolet AC, Matte U. Broken silence: 22,841 predicted deleterious synonymous variants identified in the human exome through computational analysis. Genet Mol Biol 2024; 46:e20230125. [PMID: 38259032 PMCID: PMC10804382 DOI: 10.1590/1678-4685-gmb-2023-0125] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2023] [Accepted: 12/10/2023] [Indexed: 01/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Synonymous single nucleotide variants (sSNVs) do not alter the primary structure of a protein, thus it was previously accepted that they were neutral. Recently, several studies demonstrated their significance to a range of diseases. Still, variant prioritization strategies lack focus on sSNVs. Here, we identified 22,841 deleterious synonymous variants in 125,748 human exomes using two in silico predictors (SilVA and CADD). While 98.2% of synonymous variants are classified as neutral, 1.8% are predicted to be deleterious, yielding an average of 9.82 neutral and 0.18 deleterious sSNVs per exome. Further investigation of prediction features via Heterogeneous Ensemble Feature Selection revealed that impact on amino acid sequence and conservation carry the most weight for a deleterious prediction. Thirty nine detrimental sSNVs are not rare and are located on disease associated genes. Ten distinct putatively non-deleterious sSNVs are likely to be under positive selection in the North-Western European and East Asian populations. Taken together our analysis gives voice to the so-called silent mutations as we propose a robust framework for evaluating the deleteriousness of sSNVs in variant prioritization studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Carolina Mello
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Núcleo de Bioinformática,
Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Centro de Pesquisa
Experimental, Laboratório de Células, Tecidos e Genes, Porto Alegre, RS,
Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Programa de
Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Delva Leao
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Programa de
Pós-Graduação em Ciências Biológicas: Bioquímica, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Luis Dias
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Núcleo de Bioinformática,
Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Centro de Pesquisa
Experimental, Laboratório de Células, Tecidos e Genes, Porto Alegre, RS,
Brazil
| | - Felipe Colombelli
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Núcleo de Bioinformática,
Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de
Informática, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Mariana Recamonde-Mendoza
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Núcleo de Bioinformática,
Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Instituto de
Informática, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Andreia Carina Turchetto-Zolet
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Programa de
Pós-Graduação em Genética e Biologia Molecular, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de
Genética, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
| | - Ursula Matte
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Núcleo de Bioinformática,
Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
- Hospital de Clínicas de Porto Alegre, Centro de Pesquisa
Experimental, Laboratório de Células, Tecidos e Genes, Porto Alegre, RS,
Brazil
- Universidade Federal do Rio Grande do Sul, Departamento de
Genética, Porto Alegre, RS, Brazil
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Roy B, Amemasor E, Hussain S, Castro K. UBE3A: The Role in Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs) and a Potential Candidate for Biomarker Studies and Designing Therapeutic Strategies. Diseases 2023; 12:7. [PMID: 38248358 PMCID: PMC10814747 DOI: 10.3390/diseases12010007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2023] [Revised: 12/14/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
Published reports from the CDC's Autism and Development Disabilities Monitoring Networks have shown that an average of 1 in every 44 (2.3%) 8-year-old children were estimated to have ASD in 2018. Many of the ASDs exhibiting varying degrees of autism-like phenotypes have chromosomal anomalies in the Chr15q11-q13 region. Numerous potential candidate genes linked with ASD reside in this chromosomal segment. However, several clinical, in vivo, and in vitro studies selected one gene more frequently than others randomly and unbiasedly. This gene codes for UBE3A or Ubiquitin protein ligase E3A [also known as E6AP ubiquitin-protein ligase (E6AP)], an enzyme involved in the cellular degradation of proteins. This gene has been listed as one of the several genes with a high potential of causing ASD in the Autism Database. The gain of function mutations, triplication, or duplication in the UBE3A gene is also associated with ASDs like Angelman Syndrome (AS) and Dup15q Syndrome. The genetic imprinting of UBE3A in the brain and a preference for neuronal maternal-specific expression are the key features of various ASDs. Since the UBE3A gene is involved in two main important diseases associated with autism-like symptoms, there has been widespread research going on in understanding the link between this gene and autism. Additionally, since no universal methodology or mechanism exists for identifying UBE3A-mediated ASD, it continues to be challenging for neurobiologists, neuroscientists, and clinicians to design therapies or diagnostic tools. In this review, we focus on the structure and functional aspects of the UBE3A protein, discuss the primary relevance of the 15q11-q13 region in the cause of ASDs, and highlight the link between UBE3A and ASD. We try to broaden the knowledge of our readers by elaborating on the possible mechanisms underlying UBE3A-mediated ASDs, emphasizing the usage of UBE3A as a prospective biomarker in the preclinical diagnosis of ASDs and discuss the positive outcomes, advanced developments, and the hurdles in the field of therapeutic strategies against UBE3A-mediated ASDs. This review is novel as it lays a very detailed and comprehensive platform for one of the most important genes associated with diseases showing autistic-like symptoms. Additionally, this review also attempts to lay optimistic feedback on the possible steps for the diagnosis, prevention, and therapy of these UBE3A-mediated ASDs in the upcoming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bidisha Roy
- Life Science Centre, Department of Biological Sciences, Rutgers University-Newark, Newark, NJ 07102, USA; (E.A.); (S.H.); (K.C.)
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Camões dos Santos J, Appleton C, Cazaux Mateus F, Covas R, Bekman EP, da Rocha ST. Stem cell models of Angelman syndrome. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1274040. [PMID: 37928900 PMCID: PMC10620611 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1274040] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2023] [Accepted: 10/02/2023] [Indexed: 11/07/2023] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is an imprinted neurodevelopmental disorder that lacks a cure, characterized by developmental delay, intellectual impairment, seizures, ataxia, and paroxysmal laughter. The condition arises due to the loss of the maternally inherited copy of the UBE3A gene in neurons. The paternally inherited UBE3A allele is unable to compensate because it is silenced by the expression of an antisense transcript (UBE3A-ATS) on the paternal chromosome. UBE3A, encoding enigmatic E3 ubiquitin ligase variants, regulates target proteins by either modifying their properties/functions or leading them to degradation through the proteasome. Over time, animal models, particularly the Ube3a mat-/pat+ Knock-Out (KO) mice, have significantly contributed to our understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying AS. However, a shift toward human pluripotent stem cell models (PSCs), such as human embryonic stem cells (ESCs) and induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs), has gained momentum. These stem cell models accurately capture human genetic and cellular characteristics, offering an alternative or a complement to animal experimentation. Human stem cells possess the remarkable ability to recapitulate neurogenesis and generate "brain-in-a-dish" models, making them valuable tools for studying neurodevelopmental disorders like AS. In this review, we provide an overview of the current state-of-the-art human stem cell models of AS and explore their potential to become the preclinical models of choice for drug screening and development, thus propelling AS therapeutic advancements and improving the lives of affected individuals.
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Affiliation(s)
- João Camões dos Santos
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Carolina Appleton
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Department of Animal Biology, Faculdade de Ciências da Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Francisca Cazaux Mateus
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Rita Covas
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
| | - Evguenia Pavlovna Bekman
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- The Egas Moniz Center for Interdisciplinary Research (CiiEM), Caparica, Portugal
| | - Simão Teixeira da Rocha
- iBB—Institute for Bioengineering and Biosciences, Department of Bioengineering, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
- Associate Laboratory i4HB Institute for Health and Bioeconomy, Instituto Superior Técnico, Universidade de Lisboa, Lisbon, Portugal
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Tanaka T, Goto Y, Horie M, Masuda K, Shinno Y, Matsumoto Y, Okuma Y, Yoshida T, Horinouchi H, Motoi N, Yatabe Y, Watanabe S, Yamamoto N, Ohe Y. Whole Exome Sequencing of Thymoma Patients Exhibiting Exceptional Responses to Pemetrexed Monotherapy. Cancers (Basel) 2023; 15:4018. [PMID: 37627046 PMCID: PMC10452868 DOI: 10.3390/cancers15164018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2023] [Accepted: 08/01/2023] [Indexed: 08/27/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Pemetrexed is used for the chemotherapy of advanced thymoma. Exceptional responses of thymoma to pemetrexed treatment are not frequently observed. The underlying genetic mechanism of the exceptional responses remains unclear. We used whole-exome sequencing to explore the specific genomic aberrations that lead to an extreme and durable response. METHODS Whole-exome sequencing using NovaSeq6000 (150 bp paired-end sequencing) was performed on nine formalin-fixed paraffin-embedded tissues from patients with advanced thymomas treated with pemetrexed (two exceptional responders and seven typical responders). RESULTS We identified 284 somatic single-nucleotide variants (SNVs; 272 missense, 8 missense/splice-site, 3 stop-gain, and 1 stop-gain/splice-site), 34 insertions and deletions (Indels; 33 frameshift and one splice region), and 21 copy number variations (CNVs; 15 gains and six losses). No difference in the number of SNVs variants and distribution of deleterious Indels was observed between the exceptional and typical responders. Interestingly, arm-level chromosomal CNVs (15 gains and six losses) were detected in four patients, including an exceptional responder. The highest number of arm-level CNVs was observed in an exceptional responder. CONCLUSION Exceptional responders to pemetrexed for metastatic thymomas may be characterized by arm-level CNVs. Further, whole-genome and RNA sequencing studies should be performed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tomohiro Tanaka
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
- Department of Respiratory Medicine and Infectious Diseases, Niigata University Medical & Dental Hospital, Niigata 951-8510, Japan
| | - Yasushi Goto
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Masafumi Horie
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Pathology, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan
| | - Ken Masuda
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Yuki Shinno
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Yuji Matsumoto
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Yusuke Okuma
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Tatsuya Yoshida
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Hidehito Horinouchi
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Noriko Motoi
- Department of Pathology, Saitama Cancer Center, Saitama 362-0806, Japan
| | - Yasushi Yatabe
- Department of Pathology and Clinical Laboratory, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Shunichi Watanabe
- Department of Thoracic Surgery, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Noboru Yamamoto
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
| | - Yuichiro Ohe
- Department of Thoracic Oncology, National Cancer Center Hospital, Tokyo 104-0045, Japan
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Yagita Y, Zavodszky E, Peak-Chew SY, Hegde RS. Mechanism of orphan subunit recognition during assembly quality control. Cell 2023; 186:3443-3459.e24. [PMID: 37480851 PMCID: PMC10501995 DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2023.06.016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Revised: 05/16/2023] [Accepted: 06/22/2023] [Indexed: 07/24/2023]
Abstract
Cells contain numerous abundant molecular machines assembled from multiple subunits. Imbalances in subunit production and failed assembly generate orphan subunits that are eliminated by poorly defined pathways. Here, we determined how orphan subunits of the cytosolic chaperonin CCT are recognized. Several unassembled CCT subunits recruited the E3 ubiquitin ligase HERC2 using ZNRD2 as an adaptor. Both factors were necessary for orphan CCT subunit degradation in cells, sufficient for CCT subunit ubiquitination with purified factors, and necessary for optimal cell fitness. Domain mapping and structure prediction defined the molecular features of a minimal HERC2-ZNRD2-CCT module. The structural model, whose key elements were validated in cells using point mutants, shows why ZNRD2 selectively recognizes multiple orphaned CCT subunits without engaging assembled CCT. Our findings reveal how failures during CCT assembly are monitored and provide a paradigm for the molecular recognition of orphan subunits, the largest source of quality control substrates in cells.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yuichi Yagita
- MRC Laboratory of Molecular Biology, Cambridge CB2 0QH, UK
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7
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Sala-Gaston J, Costa-Sastre L, Pedrazza L, Martinez-Martinez A, Ventura F, Rosa JL. Regulation of MAPK Signaling Pathways by the Large HERC Ubiquitin Ligases. Int J Mol Sci 2023; 24:ijms24054906. [PMID: 36902336 PMCID: PMC10003351 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24054906] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2023] [Revised: 02/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein ubiquitylation acts as a complex cell signaling mechanism since the formation of different mono- and polyubiquitin chains determines the substrate's fate in the cell. E3 ligases define the specificity of this reaction by catalyzing the attachment of ubiquitin to the substrate protein. Thus, they represent an important regulatory component of this process. Large HERC ubiquitin ligases belong to the HECT E3 protein family and comprise HERC1 and HERC2 proteins. The physiological relevance of the Large HERCs is illustrated by their involvement in different pathologies, with a notable implication in cancer and neurological diseases. Understanding how cell signaling is altered in these different pathologies is important for uncovering novel therapeutic targets. To this end, this review summarizes the recent advances in how the Large HERCs regulate the MAPK signaling pathways. In addition, we emphasize the potential therapeutic strategies that could be followed to ameliorate the alterations in MAPK signaling caused by Large HERC deficiencies, focusing on the use of specific inhibitors and proteolysis-targeting chimeras.
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8
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Lee D, Chen W, Kaku HN, Zhuo X, Chao ES, Soriano A, Kuncheria A, Flores S, Kim JH, Rivera A, Rigo F, Jafar-Nejad P, Beaudet AL, Caudill MS, Xue M. Antisense oligonucleotide therapy rescues disturbed brain rhythms and sleep in juvenile and adult mouse models of Angelman syndrome. eLife 2023; 12:e81892. [PMID: 36594817 PMCID: PMC9904759 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81892] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2022] [Accepted: 12/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
UBE3A encodes ubiquitin protein ligase E3A, and in neurons its expression from the paternal allele is repressed by the UBE3A antisense transcript (UBE3A-ATS). This leaves neurons susceptible to loss-of-function of maternal UBE3A. Indeed, Angelman syndrome, a severe neurodevelopmental disorder, is caused by maternal UBE3A deficiency. A promising therapeutic approach to treating Angelman syndrome is to reactivate the intact paternal UBE3A by suppressing UBE3A-ATS. Prior studies show that many neurological phenotypes of maternal Ube3a knockout mice can only be rescued by reinstating Ube3a expression in early development, indicating a restricted therapeutic window for Angelman syndrome. Here, we report that reducing Ube3a-ATS by antisense oligonucleotides in juvenile or adult maternal Ube3a knockout mice rescues the abnormal electroencephalogram (EEG) rhythms and sleep disturbance, two prominent clinical features of Angelman syndrome. Importantly, the degree of phenotypic improvement correlates with the increase of Ube3a protein levels. These results indicate that the therapeutic window of genetic therapies for Angelman syndrome is broader than previously thought, and EEG power spectrum and sleep architecture should be used to evaluate the clinical efficacy of therapies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dongwon Lee
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
- The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Wu Chen
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
- The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Heet Naresh Kaku
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
- The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Xinming Zhuo
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Eugene S Chao
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
- The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | | | - Allen Kuncheria
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Stephanie Flores
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Joo Hyun Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
- The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Armando Rivera
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
- The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Frank Rigo
- Ionis Pharmaceuticals, Carlsbad, United States
| | | | - Arthur L Beaudet
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
| | - Matthew S Caudill
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
| | - Mingshan Xue
- Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
- The Cain Foundation Laboratories, Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, United States
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States
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Pérez-Villegas EM, Ruiz R, Bachiller S, Ventura F, Armengol JA, Rosa JL. The HERC proteins and the nervous system. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2022; 132:5-15. [PMID: 34848147 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2021.11.017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2021] [Revised: 11/15/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
The HERC protein family is one of three subfamilies of Homologous to E6AP C-terminus (HECT) E3 ubiquitin ligases. Six HERC genes have been described in humans, two of which encode Large HERC proteins -HERC1 and HERC2- with molecular weights above 520 kDa that are constitutively expressed in the brain. There is a large body of evidence that mutations in these Large HERC genes produce clinical syndromes in which key neurodevelopmental events are altered, resulting in intellectual disability and other neurological disorders like epileptic seizures, dementia and/or signs of autism. In line with these consequences in humans, two mice carrying mutations in the Large HERC genes have been studied quite intensely: the tambaleante mutant for Herc1 and the Herc2+/530 mutant for Herc2. In both these mutant mice there are clear signs that autophagy is dysregulated, eliciting cerebellar Purkinje cell death and impairing motor control. The tambaleante mouse was the first of these mice to appear and is the best studied, in which the Herc1 mutation elicits: (i) delayed neural transmission in the peripheral nervous system; (ii) impaired learning, memory and motor control; and (iii) altered presynaptic membrane dynamics. In this review, we discuss the information currently available on HERC proteins in the nervous system and their biological activity, the dysregulation of which could explain certain neurodevelopmental syndromes and/or neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Eva M Pérez-Villegas
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain
| | - Rocío Ruiz
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, School of Pharmacy, University of Seville, Seville, Spain
| | - Sara Bachiller
- Clinical Unit of Infectious Diseases, Microbiology and Preventive Medicine, Institute of Biomedicine of Sevilla, Virgen del Rocío University Hospital, CSIC, University of Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Francesc Ventura
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IBIDELL, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose A Armengol
- Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Cell Biology, University Pablo de Olavide, Seville, Spain.
| | - Jose Luis Rosa
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IBIDELL, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.
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10
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Sala-Gaston J, Pedrazza L, Ramirez J, Martinez-Martinez A, Rawlins LE, Baple EL, Crosby AH, Mayor U, Ventura F, Rosa JL. HERC2 deficiency activates C-RAF/MKK3/p38 signalling pathway altering the cellular response to oxidative stress. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:548. [PMID: 36241744 PMCID: PMC9568463 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04586-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/27/2022] [Revised: 10/03/2022] [Accepted: 10/03/2022] [Indexed: 11/03/2022]
Abstract
HERC2 gene encodes an E3 ubiquitin ligase involved in several cellular processes by regulating the ubiquitylation of different protein substrates. Biallelic pathogenic sequence variants in the HERC2 gene are associated with HERC2 Angelman-like syndrome. In pathogenic HERC2 variants, complete absence or marked reduction in HERC2 protein levels are observed. The most common pathological variant, c.1781C > T (p.Pro594Leu), encodes an unstable HERC2 protein. A better understanding of how pathologic HERC2 variants affect intracellular signalling may aid definition of potential new therapies for these disorders. For this purpose, we studied patient-derived cells with the HERC2 Pro594Leu variant. We observed alteration of mitogen-activated protein kinase signalling pathways, reflected by increased levels of C-RAF protein and p38 phosphorylation. HERC2 knockdown experiments reproduced the same effects in other human and mouse cells. Moreover, we demonstrated that HERC2 and RAF proteins form molecular complexes, pull-down and proteomic experiments showed that HERC2 regulates C-RAF ubiquitylation and we found out that the p38 activation due to HERC2 depletion occurs in a RAF/MKK3-dependent manner. The displayed cellular response was that patient-derived and other human cells with HERC2 deficiency showed higher resistance to oxidative stress with an increase in the master regulator of the antioxidant response NRF2 and its target genes. This resistance was independent of p53 and abolished by RAF or p38 inhibitors. Altogether, these findings identify the activation of C-RAF/MKK3/p38 signalling pathway in HERC2 Angelman-like syndrome and highlight the inhibition of RAF activity as a potential therapeutic option for individuals affected with these rare diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joan Sala-Gaston
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), University of Barcelona (UB), C/ Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Leonardo Pedrazza
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), University of Barcelona (UB), C/ Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Juanma Ramirez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain
| | - Arturo Martinez-Martinez
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), University of Barcelona (UB), C/ Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Lettie E Rawlins
- RILD Wellcome Wolfson Medical Research Centre, RD&E (Wonford) NHS Foundation Trust, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK.,Peninsula Clinical Genetics Service, Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Heavitree), Exeter, UK
| | - Emma L Baple
- RILD Wellcome Wolfson Medical Research Centre, RD&E (Wonford) NHS Foundation Trust, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK.,Peninsula Clinical Genetics Service, Royal Devon & Exeter Hospital (Heavitree), Exeter, UK
| | - Andrew H Crosby
- RILD Wellcome Wolfson Medical Research Centre, RD&E (Wonford) NHS Foundation Trust, University of Exeter Medical School, Exeter, UK
| | - Ugo Mayor
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, UPV/EHU, Leioa, Bizkaia, Spain.,Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Francesc Ventura
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), University of Barcelona (UB), C/ Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Rosa
- Department of Physiological Sciences, Bellvitge Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBELL), University of Barcelona (UB), C/ Feixa Llarga s/n, 08907, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Spain.
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11
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Punt AM, Judson MC, Sidorov MS, Williams BN, Johnson NS, Belder S, den Hertog D, Davis CR, Feygin MS, Lang PF, Jolfaei MA, Curran PJ, van IJcken WF, Elgersma Y, Philpot BD. Molecular and behavioral consequences of Ube3a gene overdosage in mice. JCI Insight 2022; 7:158953. [PMID: 36134658 PMCID: PMC9675564 DOI: 10.1172/jci.insight.158953] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Accepted: 08/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/01/2022] Open
Abstract
Chromosome 15q11.2-q13.1 duplication syndrome (Dup15q syndrome) is a severe neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability, impaired motor coordination, and autism spectrum disorder. Chromosomal multiplication of the UBE3A gene is presumed to be the primary driver of Dup15q pathophysiology, given that UBE3A exhibits maternal monoallelic expression in neurons and that maternal duplications typically yield far more severe neurodevelopmental outcomes than paternal duplications. However, studies into the pathogenic effects of UBE3A overexpression in mice have yielded conflicting results. Here, we investigated the neurodevelopmental impact of Ube3a gene overdosage using bacterial artificial chromosome-based transgenic mouse models (Ube3aOE) that recapitulate the increases in Ube3a copy number most often observed in Dup15q. In contrast to previously published Ube3a overexpression models, Ube3aOE mice were indistinguishable from wild-type controls on a number of molecular and behavioral measures, despite suffering increased mortality when challenged with seizures, a phenotype reminiscent of sudden unexpected death in epilepsy. Collectively, our data support a model wherein pathogenic synergy between UBE3A and other overexpressed 15q11.2-q13.1 genes is required for full penetrance of Dup15q syndrome phenotypes.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. Mattijs Punt
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience and
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Matthew C. Judson
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and
| | - Michael S. Sidorov
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and
| | - Brittany N. Williams
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and
| | - Naomi S. Johnson
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and
| | - Sabine Belder
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience and
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Dion den Hertog
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience and
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Courtney R. Davis
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and
| | - Maximillian S. Feygin
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and
| | - Patrick F. Lang
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and
| | - Mehrnoush Aghadavoud Jolfaei
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience and
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Patrick J. Curran
- Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of North Carolina at Chapel Hill, Chapel Hill, North Carolina, USA
| | | | - Ype Elgersma
- Department of Clinical Genetics and Department of Neuroscience and
- ENCORE Expertise Center for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Benjamin D. Philpot
- Neuroscience Center, Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, and the Carolina Institute for Developmental Disabilities and
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12
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Lim ET, Chan Y, Dawes P, Guo X, Erdin S, Tai DJC, Liu S, Reichert JM, Burns MJ, Chan YK, Chiang JJ, Meyer K, Zhang X, Walsh CA, Yankner BA, Raychaudhuri S, Hirschhorn JN, Gusella JF, Talkowski ME, Church GM. Orgo-Seq integrates single-cell and bulk transcriptomic data to identify cell type specific-driver genes associated with autism spectrum disorder. Nat Commun 2022; 13:3243. [PMID: 35688811 PMCID: PMC9187732 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-30968-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/22/2020] [Accepted: 05/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Cerebral organoids can be used to gain insights into cell type specific processes perturbed by genetic variants associated with neuropsychiatric disorders. However, robust and scalable phenotyping of organoids remains challenging. Here, we perform RNA sequencing on 71 samples comprising 1,420 cerebral organoids from 25 donors, and describe a framework (Orgo-Seq) to integrate bulk RNA and single-cell RNA sequence data. We apply Orgo-Seq to 16p11.2 deletions and 15q11-13 duplications, two loci associated with autism spectrum disorder, to identify immature neurons and intermediate progenitor cells as critical cell types for 16p11.2 deletions. We further applied Orgo-Seq to identify cell type-specific driver genes. Our work presents a quantitative phenotyping framework to integrate multi-transcriptomic datasets for the identification of cell types and cell type-specific co-expressed driver genes associated with neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elaine T Lim
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA. .,Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA. .,NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA. .,Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.
| | - Yingleong Chan
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.,NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Pepper Dawes
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.,NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.,Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Xiaoge Guo
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineerin, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Serkan Erdin
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Derek J C Tai
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02115, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA
| | - Songlei Liu
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineerin, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Julia M Reichert
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.,NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Mannix J Burns
- Program in Bioinformatics and Integrative Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.,Department of Neurology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.,NeuroNexus Institute, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA.,Department of Molecular, Cell and Cancer Biology, University of Massachusetts Chan Medical School, Worcester, MA, 01605, USA
| | - Ying Kai Chan
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineerin, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Jessica J Chiang
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineerin, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Katharina Meyer
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Xiaochang Zhang
- Department of Human Genetics, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.,The Grossman Neuroscience Institute, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Christopher A Walsh
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02115, USA.,Division of Genetics and Genomics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Manton Center for Orphan Disease Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Bruce A Yankner
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - Soumya Raychaudhuri
- Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02115, USA.,Center for Data Sciences, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Division of Rheumatology and Genetics, Brigham and Women's Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Centre for Genetics and Genomics Versus Arthritis, Manchester Academic Health Science Centre, University of Manchester, Manchester, M13 9PL, UK
| | - Joel N Hirschhorn
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02115, USA.,Division of Endocrinology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Center for Basic and Translational Obesity Research, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, 02115, USA
| | - James F Gusella
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02115, USA.,Harvard Stem Cell Institute, Harvard University, Cambridge, MA, 02138, USA
| | - Michael E Talkowski
- Psychiatric and Neurodevelopmental Genetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Molecular Neurogenetics Unit, Center for Genomic Medicine, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Program in Medical and Population Genetics, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02115, USA.,Department of Neurology, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, MA, 02114, USA.,Department of Neurology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.,Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, MA, 02115, USA
| | - George M Church
- Department of Genetics, Blavatnik Institute, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA, 02115, USA. .,Wyss Institute for Biologically Inspired Engineerin, Harvard University, Boston, MA, 02115, USA.
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13
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Mishra A, Prabha PK, Singla R, Kaur G, Sharma AR, Joshi R, Suroy B, Medhi B. Epigenetic Interface of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASDs): Implications of Chromosome 15q11-q13 Segment. ACS Chem Neurosci 2022; 13:1684-1696. [PMID: 35635007 DOI: 10.1021/acschemneuro.2c00060] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are multifactorial in nature and include both genetic and environmental factors. The increasing evidence advocates an important role of epigenetics in ASD etiology. One of the most common forms of epigenetic changes observed in the case of neurodevelopmental disorders is imprinting which is tightly regulated by developmental and tissue-specific mechanisms. Interestingly, many of these disorders that demonstrate autism-like phenotypes at varying degrees have found involvement of chromosome 15q11-q13 segment. Numerous studies demonstrate occurrence of ASD in the presence of chromosomal abnormalities located mainly in Chr15q11-q13 region. Several plausible candidate genes associated with ASD are in this chromosomal segment, including gamma aminobutyric acid A (GABAA) receptor genes GABRB3, GABRA5 and GABRG3, UBE3A, ATP 10A, MKRN3, ZNF, MAGEL2, Necdin (NDN), and SNRPN. The main objective of this review is to highlight the contribution of epigenetic modulations in chromosome 15q11-q13 segment toward the genetic etiology and pathophysiology of ASD. The present review reports the abnormalities in epigenetic regulation on genes and genomic regions located on chromosome 15 in relation to either syndromic (15q11-q13 maternal duplication) or nonsyndromic forms of ASD. Furthermore, studies reviewed in this article demonstrate conditions in which epigenetic dysregulation has been found to be a pathological factor for ASD development, thereby supporting a role for epigenetics in the multifactorial etiologies of ASD. Also, on the basis of the evidence found so far, we strongly emphasize the need to develop future therapeutic strategies as well as screening procedures for ASD that target mechanisms involving genes located on the chromosomal 15q11-q13 segment.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek Mishra
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Praisy K Prabha
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Rubal Singla
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Gurjeet Kaur
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Amit Raj Sharma
- Dept. of Neurology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Rupa Joshi
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Benjamin Suroy
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India
| | - Bikash Medhi
- Dept. of Pharmacology, Post Graduate Institute of Medical Education & Research (PGIMER), Chandigarh 160012, India
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14
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Yahia A, Ayed IB, Hamed AA, Mohammed IN, Elseed MA, Bakhiet AM, Guillot-Noel L, Abozar F, Adil R, Emad S, Abubaker R, Musallam MA, Eltazi IZM, Omer Z, Maaroof OM, Soussi A, Bouzid A, Kmiha S, Kamoun H, Salih MA, Ahmed AE, Elsayed L, Masmoudi S, Stevanin G. Genetic diagnosis in Sudanese and Tunisian families with syndromic intellectual disability through exome sequencing. Ann Hum Genet 2022; 86:181-194. [PMID: 35118659 DOI: 10.1111/ahg.12460] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/16/2021] [Revised: 11/24/2021] [Accepted: 01/17/2022] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND Intellectual disability is a form of neurodevelopmental disorders that begin in childhood and is characterized by substantial intellectual difficulties as well as difficulties in conceptual, social, and practical areas of living. Several genetic and nongenetic factors contribute to its development; however, its most severe forms are generally attributed to single-gene defects. High-throughput technologies and data sharing contributed to the diagnosis of hundreds of single-gene intellectual disability subtypes. METHOD We applied exome sequencing to identify potential variants causing syndromic intellectual disability in six Sudanese patients from four unrelated families. Data sharing through the Varsome portal corroborated the diagnosis of one of these patients and a Tunisian patient investigated through exome sequencing. Sanger sequencing validated the identified variants and their segregation with the phenotypes in the five studied families. RESULT We identified three pathogenic/likely pathogenic variants in CCDC82, ADAT3, and HUWE1 and variants of uncertain significance in HERC2 and ATP2B3. The patients with the CCDC82 variants had microcephaly and spasticity, two signs absent in the two previously reported families with CCDC82-related intellectual disability. CONCLUSION In conclusion, we report new patients with pathogenic mutations in the genes CCDC82, ADAT3, and HUWE1. We also highlight the possibility of extending the CCDC82-linked phenotype to include spastic paraplegia and microcephaly.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ashraf Yahia
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.,Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, National University, Khartoum, Sudan.,Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute, ICM, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, APHP, Paris, France.,Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, EPHE, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Ikhlas Ben Ayed
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Screening Processes (LPCMC), LR15CBS07, Center of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.,Medical Genetic Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Ahlam A Hamed
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Inaam N Mohammed
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Maha A Elseed
- Department of Pediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Aisha M Bakhiet
- Department of Psychiatry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Lena Guillot-Noel
- Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute, ICM, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, APHP, Paris, France.,Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, EPHE, PSL Research University, Paris, France
| | - Fatima Abozar
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Rawaa Adil
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Sara Emad
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Rayan Abubaker
- Institute of Endemic Diseases, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.,National University Biomedical Research Institute (NUBRI), National University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | | | - Isra Z M Eltazi
- Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Zulfa Omer
- Department of Hematology and Medical Oncology, University of Cincinnati Medical Center, Cincinnati, Ohio, USA
| | - Omer M Maaroof
- Council of Diagnostic Radiology, Sudan Medical Specialization Board, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Amal Soussi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Screening Processes (LPCMC), LR15CBS07, Center of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Amal Bouzid
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Screening Processes (LPCMC), LR15CBS07, Center of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Sana Kmiha
- Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, LR33ES99, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia.,Department of pediatrics, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Hassen Kamoun
- Medical Genetic Department, Hedi Chaker Hospital, Sfax, Tunisia.,Laboratory of Human Molecular Genetics, LR33ES99, Faculty of Medicine of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Mustafa A Salih
- Division of Pediatric Neurology, Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, King Saud University, Riyadh, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Pediatrics, College of Medicine, AlMughtaribeen University, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Ammar E Ahmed
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan
| | - Liena Elsayed
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Medicine, University of Khartoum, Khartoum, Sudan.,Department of Basic Sciences, College of Medicine, Princess Nourah bint Abdulrahman University, Riyadh, 11671, Saudi Arabia
| | - Saber Masmoudi
- Laboratory of Molecular and Cellular Screening Processes (LPCMC), LR15CBS07, Center of Biotechnology of Sfax, University of Sfax, Sfax, Tunisia
| | - Giovanni Stevanin
- Institut du Cerveau - Paris Brain Institute, ICM, Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, APHP, Paris, France.,Ecole Pratique des Hautes Etudes, EPHE, PSL Research University, Paris, France
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15
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Tian C, Duan L, Fu C, He J, Dai J, Zhu G. Study on the Correlation Between Iris Characteristics and Schizophrenia. Neuropsychiatr Dis Treat 2022; 18:811-820. [PMID: 35431547 PMCID: PMC9005354 DOI: 10.2147/ndt.s361614] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/15/2022] [Accepted: 04/01/2022] [Indexed: 11/23/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Recently, researchers have conducted many studies on the potential contribution of the retina and other eye structures on schizophrenia. This study aimed to evaluate differences in iris characteristics between patients with schizophrenia and healthy individuals so as to find more easily accessible and easily measurable biomarkers with a view to improving clinical assessments and furthering our understanding of the disease. METHODS Overall, 80 patients with schizophrenia and 52 healthy individuals were included in the case group and the control group, respectively. Iris images were collected from all subjects to compare differences in the structure and color of the iris. The Positive and Negative Symptom Scale (PANSS) and the Modified Overt Aggression Scale (MOAS) were used to evaluate the clinical symptoms and characteristics of 45 first-episode untreated schizophrenics, and analyzed correlations between iris characteristics and schizophrenia symptoms. RESULTS There were significant differences in iris crypts (P<0.05) and pigment spots (P<0.01) between the case and control group, but no significant difference was found in iris wrinkles (P<0.05). The logistic regression analysis demonstrated that the total iris crypts [odds ratio (OR) 1.166, 95% confidence interval (CI) 1.022-1.330] and total iris pigment spots (OR 1.815, 95% CI 1.186-2.775) increased the risk of suffering from schizophrenia. Furthermore, it was demonstrated that the number of iris crypts was positively associated with the MOAS score (r=0.474, P<0.01). Moreover, the number of the iris pigment spots (r=0.395, P<0.01) and wrinkles (r=0.309, P<0.05) were positively correlated with the subjects' negative symptom scores, respectively. CONCLUSION Iris crypts and pigment spots were identified as potential biomarkers for detecting schizophrenia. In patients with first-episode untreated schizophrenia, iris characteristics may help psychiatrists to identify the illness and its severity, and to detect characteristic clinical symptoms.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunsheng Tian
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, People's Republic of China.,Shenyang Mental Health Center, Shenyang, 110168, People's Republic of China
| | - Li Duan
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, People's Republic of China.,School of Nursing, Chengde Medical University, Chengde, 067000, People's Republic of China
| | - Chunfeng Fu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, People's Republic of China
| | - Juan He
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, People's Republic of China
| | - Jiali Dai
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, People's Republic of China
| | - Gang Zhu
- Department of Psychiatry, The First Affiliated Hospital of China Medical University, Shenyang, 110001, People's Republic of China
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16
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Nadeem MS, Hosawi S, Alshehri S, Ghoneim MM, Imam SS, Murtaza BN, Kazmi I. Symptomatic, Genetic, and Mechanistic Overlaps between Autism and Alzheimer's Disease. Biomolecules 2021; 11:1635. [PMID: 34827633 PMCID: PMC8615882 DOI: 10.3390/biom11111635] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2021] [Revised: 10/26/2021] [Accepted: 11/01/2021] [Indexed: 02/02/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) and Alzheimer's disease (AD) are neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders affecting two opposite ends of life span, i.e., childhood and old age. Both disorders pose a cumulative threat to human health, with the rate of incidences increasing considerably worldwide. In the context of recent developments, we aimed to review correlated symptoms and genetics, and overlapping aspects in the mechanisms of the pathogenesis of ASD and AD. Dementia, insomnia, and weak neuromuscular interaction, as well as communicative and cognitive impairments, are shared symptoms. A number of genes and proteins linked with both disorders have been tabulated, including MECP2, ADNP, SCN2A, NLGN, SHANK, PTEN, RELN, and FMR1. Theories about the role of neuron development, processing, connectivity, and levels of neurotransmitters in both disorders have been discussed. Based on the recent literature, the roles of FMRP (Fragile X mental retardation protein), hnRNPC (heterogeneous ribonucleoprotein-C), IRP (Iron regulatory proteins), miRNAs (MicroRNAs), and α-, β0, and γ-secretases in the posttranscriptional regulation of cellular synthesis and processing of APP (amyloid-β precursor protein) have been elaborated to describe the parallel and overlapping routes and mechanisms of ASD and AD pathogenesis. However, the interactive role of genetic and environmental factors, oxidative and metal ion stress, mutations in the associated genes, and alterations in the related cellular pathways in the development of ASD and AD needs further investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Muhammad Shahid Nadeem
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (M.S.N.); (S.H.)
| | - Salman Hosawi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (M.S.N.); (S.H.)
| | - Sultan Alshehri
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.); (S.S.I.)
| | - Mohammed M. Ghoneim
- Department of Pharmacy Practice, College of Pharmacy, AlMaarefa University, Ad Diriyah 13713, Saudi Arabia;
| | - Syed Sarim Imam
- Department of Pharmaceutics, College of Pharmacy, King Saud University, Riyadh 11451, Saudi Arabia; (S.A.); (S.S.I.)
| | - Bibi Nazia Murtaza
- Department of Zoology, Abbottabad University of Science and Technology (AUST), Abbottabad 22310, Pakistan;
| | - Imran Kazmi
- Department of Biochemistry, Faculty of Science, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah 21589, Saudi Arabia; (M.S.N.); (S.H.)
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Vincent KM, Eaton A, Yassaee VR, Miryounesi M, Hashemi-Gorji F, Rudichuk L, Goez H, Leonard N, Lazier J. Delineating the expanding phenotype of HERC2-related disorders: The impact of biallelic loss of function versus missense variation. Clin Genet 2021; 100:637-640. [PMID: 34370298 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14039] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/29/2021] [Revised: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 07/24/2021] [Indexed: 11/28/2022]
Abstract
HECT And RLD Domain-Containing E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase 2, or HERC2, codes an ubiquitin ligase that has an important role in key cellular processes including cell cycle regulation, DNA repair, mitochondrial functions, and spindle formation during mitosis. While HERC2 Neurodevelopmental Disorder in Old Order Amish is a well characterized human disorder involving HERC2, bi-allelic HERC2 loss of function has only been described in three families and results in a more severe neurodevelopmental disorder. Herein, we delineate the HERC2 loss of function phenotype by describing three previously unreported patients, and by summarizing the molecular and phenotypic information of all known HERC2 missense variants and biallelic loss of function patients. Collectively, these twelve individuals present with recurring features that define a syndrome with varying combinations of severe neurodevelopmental delay, structural brain anomalies, seizures, hypotonia, feeding difficulties, hearing and vision issues, and renal anomalies. This study describes a distinct neurodevelopmental disorder, emphasizing the importance of further characterization of HERC2-related disorders, as well as highlighting the importance of ongoing work into understanding these critical neurodevelopmental pathways.
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Affiliation(s)
- Krista M Vincent
- Department of Medical Genetics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Canada
| | - Alison Eaton
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Vahid Reza Yassaee
- Genomic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | - Mohammad Miryounesi
- Genomic Research Center, Shahid Beheshti University of Medical Sciences, Tehran, Iran
| | | | - Lauren Rudichuk
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Helly Goez
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Norma Leonard
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Women's and Children's Research Institute, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Joanna Lazier
- Department of Medical Genetics, Children's Hospital of Eastern Ontario, Ottawa, Canada.,Department of Medical Genetics, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada.,Women's and Children's Research Institute, Edmonton, Canada
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18
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Ueda K, Ogawa S, Matsuda K, Hasegawa Y, Nishi E, Yanagi K, Kaname T, Yamamoto T, Okamoto N. Blended phenotype of combination of HERC2 and AP3B2 deficiency and Angelman syndrome caused by paternal isodisomy of chromosome 15. Am J Med Genet A 2021; 185:3092-3098. [PMID: 34042275 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.62371] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/06/2020] [Revised: 03/11/2021] [Accepted: 04/01/2021] [Indexed: 01/26/2023]
Abstract
Angelman syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by intellectual disability (ID), a distinctive gait pattern, abnormal behaviors, severe impairment in language development, and characteristic facial features. Most cases are caused by the absence of a maternal contribution to the imprinted region on chromosome 15q11-q13. Here, we present the first reported case of a 3-year-old boy with an atypical phenotype of Angelman syndrome due to uniparental isodisomy with two recessive homozygous pathogenic variants: in HERC2 and AP3B2. Known phenotypes related to HERC2 and AP3B2 include ID and early infantile epileptic encephalopathy, respectively. The patient had severe global developmental delay and profound ID and showed a happy demeanor, stereotypic laughter, and hand-flapping movements, but also irritability. Craniofacial dysmorphic features, including brachycephaly, strabismus, wide ala nasi, short philtrum, wide open mouth, and slight hypopigmentation were seen. Progressive microcephaly was noted. Magnetic resonance imaging of the brain showed delayed myelination and cerebral atrophy. Trio whole exome sequencing and CGH-SNP array analysis revealed paternal uniparental isodisomy of chromosome 15 and two coexisting recessive diseases resulting from homozygous HERC2 and AP3B2 pathogenic variants. The pathogenic variant in HERC2 was inherited from his heterozygous-carrier father, and the variant in AP3B2 was de novo. We suppose that these unusual features were the combination of the effect of three concomitant disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kimiko Ueda
- Department of Medical Genetics, Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Satoru Ogawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Saiseikai Suita Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Keiko Matsuda
- Department of Medical Genetics, Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Yuiko Hasegawa
- Department of Medical Genetics, Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Eriko Nishi
- Department of Medical Genetics, Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital, Osaka, Japan
| | - Kumiko Yanagi
- Department of Genome Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tadashi Kaname
- Department of Genome Medicine, National Center for Child Health and Development, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Toshiyuki Yamamoto
- Institute of Medical Genetics, Tokyo Women's Medical University, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Nobuhiko Okamoto
- Department of Medical Genetics, Osaka Women's and Children's Hospital, Osaka, Japan
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19
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Algahtani H, Shirah B, Daghistani M, Al-Qahtani MH, Abdulkareem AA, Naseer MI. A Novel Mutation in HERC2 Gene in a Patient with Global Developmental Delay, Intellectual Disability, and Refractory Seizures. Neuropediatrics 2021; 52:150-152. [PMID: 33065750 DOI: 10.1055/s-0040-1712528] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/23/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Hussein Algahtani
- King Abdulaziz Medical City/King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Bader Shirah
- King Abdullah International Medical Research Center/King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mustafa Daghistani
- King Abdulaziz Medical City/King Saud bin Abdulaziz University for Health Sciences, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | - Mohammad H Al-Qahtani
- Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
| | | | - Muhammad Imran Naseer
- Center of Excellence in Genomic Medicine Research, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia.,Department of Medical Laboratory Technology, Faculty of Applied Medical Sciences, King Abdulaziz University, Jeddah, Saudi Arabia
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20
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Rossi FA, Calvo Roitberg EH, Enriqué Steinberg JH, Joshi MU, Espinosa JM, Rossi M. HERC1 Regulates Breast Cancer Cells Migration and Invasion. Cancers (Basel) 2021; 13:1309. [PMID: 33804079 DOI: 10.3390/cancers13061309] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/02/2021] [Revised: 02/23/2021] [Accepted: 03/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Simple Summary Breast cancer has the highest incidence and mortality in women worldwide, and, despite formidable advances in its prevention, detection, and treatment, the development of metastasis foci still represents a significant reduction in patients’ survival and life quality. The Ubiquitin-Proteasome System plays a fundamental role in the maintenance of protein balance, and its dysregulation has been associated with malignant transformation and tumor cells invasive potential. The objective of our work was focused on the identification of ubiquitination-related genes that could represent putative molecular targets for the treatment of breast cancer dissemination. For that purpose, we performed a genetic study and identified and validated HERC1 (HECT and RLD Domain Containing E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase Family Member 1) as a regulator of migration and invasion. We confirmed that its depletion reduces tumorigenicity and the appearance of metastasis foci and determined that HERC1 protein expression inversely correlates with breast cancer patients’ overall survival. Altogether, we demonstrate that HERC1 might represent a novel therapeutic target in breast cancer. Abstract Tumor cell migration and invasion into adjacent tissues is one of the hallmarks of cancer and the first step towards secondary tumors formation, which represents the leading cause of cancer-related deaths. This process is considered an unmet clinical need in the treatment of this disease, particularly in breast cancers characterized by high aggressiveness and metastatic potential. To identify and characterize genes with novel functions as regulators of tumor cell migration and invasion, we performed a genetic loss-of-function screen using a shRNA library directed against the Ubiquitin Proteasome System (UPS) in a highly invasive breast cancer derived cell line. Among the candidates, we validated HERC1 as a gene regulating cell migration and invasion. Furthermore, using animal models, our results indicate that HERC1 silencing affects primary tumor growth and lung colonization. Finally, we conducted an in silico analysis using publicly available protein expression data and observed an inverse correlation between HERC1 expression levels and breast cancer patients’ overall survival. Altogether, our findings demonstrate that HERC1 might represent a novel therapeutic target for the development or improvement of breast cancer treatment.
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21
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Kurosaki T, Imamachi N, Pröschel C, Mitsutomi S, Nagao R, Akimitsu N, Maquat LE. Loss of the fragile X syndrome protein FMRP results in misregulation of nonsense-mediated mRNA decay. Nat Cell Biol 2021; 23:40-8. [PMID: 33420492 DOI: 10.1038/s41556-020-00618-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 21] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/30/2019] [Accepted: 11/29/2020] [Indexed: 01/28/2023]
Abstract
Loss of the fragile X protein FMRP is a leading cause of intellectual disability and autism1,2, but the underlying mechanism remains poorly understood. We report that FMRP deficiency results in hyperactivated nonsense-mediated mRNA decay (NMD)3,4 in human SH-SY5Y neuroblastoma cells and fragile X syndrome (FXS) fibroblast-derived induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs). We examined the underlying mechanism and found that the key NMD factor UPF1 binds directly to FMRP, promoting FMRP binding to NMD targets. Our data indicate that FMRP acts as an NMD repressor. In the absence of FMRP, NMD targets are relieved from FMRP-mediated translational repression so that their half-lives are decreased and, for those NMD targets encoding NMD factors, increased translation produces abnormally high factor levels despite their hyperactivated NMD. Transcriptome-wide alterations caused by NMD hyperactivation have a role in the FXS phenotype. Consistent with this, small-molecule-mediated inhibition of hyperactivated NMD, which typifies iPSCs derived from patients with FXS, restores a number of neurodifferentiation markers, including those not deriving from NMD targets. Our mechanistic studies reveal that many molecular abnormalities in FMRP-deficient cells are attributable-either directly or indirectly-to misregulated NMD.
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22
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Zajicek A, Yao WD. Remodeling without destruction: non-proteolytic ubiquitin chains in neural function and brain disorders. Mol Psychiatry 2021; 26:247-64. [PMID: 32709994 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-020-0849-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/17/2020] [Revised: 07/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/14/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022]
Abstract
Ubiquitination is a fundamental posttranslational protein modification that regulates diverse biological processes, including those in the CNS. Several topologically and functionally distinct polyubiquitin chains can be assembled on protein substrates, modifying their fates. The classical and most prevalent polyubiquitin chains are those that tag a substrate to the proteasome for degradation, which has been established as a major mechanism driving neural circuit deconstruction and remodeling. In contrast, proteasome-independent non-proteolytic polyubiquitin chains regulate protein scaffolding, signaling complex formation, and kinase activation, and play essential roles in an array of signal transduction processes. Despite being a cornerstone in immune signaling and abundant in the mammalian brain, these non-proteolytic chains are underappreciated in neurons and synapses in the brain. Emerging studies have begun to generate exciting insights about some fundamental roles played by these non-degradative chains in neuronal function and plasticity. In addition, their roles in a number of brain diseases are being recognized. In this article, we discuss recent advances on these nonconventional ubiquitin chains in neural development, function, plasticity, and related pathologies.
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23
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Abstract
Ubiquitination is a dynamic post-translational modification that regulates the fate of proteins and therefore modulates a myriad of cellular functions. At the last step of this sophisticated enzymatic cascade, E3 ubiquitin ligases selectively direct ubiquitin attachment to specific substrates. Altogether, the ∼800 distinct E3 ligases, combined to the exquisite variety of ubiquitin chains and types that can be formed at multiple sites on thousands of different substrates confer to ubiquitination versatility and infinite possibilities to control biological functions. E3 ubiquitin ligases have been shown to regulate behaviors of proteins, from their activation, trafficking, subcellular distribution, interaction with other proteins, to their final degradation. Largely known for tagging proteins for their degradation by the proteasome, E3 ligases also direct ubiquitinated proteins and more largely cellular content (organelles, ribosomes, etc.) to destruction by autophagy. This multi-step machinery involves the creation of double membrane autophagosomes in which engulfed material is degraded after fusion with lysosomes. Cooperating in sustaining homeostasis, actors of ubiquitination, proteasome and autophagy pathways are impaired or mutated in wide range of human diseases. From initial discovery of pathogenic mutations in the E3 ligase encoding for E6-AP in Angelman syndrome and Parkin in juvenile forms of Parkinson disease, the number of E3 ligases identified as causal gene for neurological diseases has considerably increased within the last years. In this review, we provide an overview of these diseases, by classifying the E3 ubiquitin ligase types and categorizing the neurological signs. We focus on the Gigaxonin-E3 ligase, mutated in giant axonal neuropathy and present a comprehensive analysis of the spectrum of mutations and the recent biological models that permitted to uncover novel mechanisms of action. Then, we discuss the common functions shared by Gigaxonin and the other E3 ligases in cytoskeleton architecture, cell signaling and autophagy. In particular, we emphasize their pivotal roles in controlling multiple steps of the autophagy pathway. In light of the various targets and extending functions sustained by a single E3 ligase, we finally discuss the challenge in understanding the complex pathological cascade underlying disease and in designing therapeutic approaches that can apprehend this complexity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Léa Lescouzères
- ATIP-Avenir Team, INM, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | - Pascale Bomont
- ATIP-Avenir Team, INM, INSERM, University of Montpellier, Montpellier, France
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24
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Folci A, Mirabella F, Fossati M. Ubiquitin and Ubiquitin-Like Proteins in the Critical Equilibrium between Synapse Physiology and Intellectual Disability. eNeuro 2020; 7:ENEURO.0137-20.2020. [PMID: 32719102 PMCID: PMC7544190 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0137-20.2020] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 06/08/2020] [Accepted: 06/17/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023] Open
Abstract
Posttranslational modifications (PTMs) represent a dynamic regulatory system that precisely modulates the functional organization of synapses. PTMs consist in target modifications by small chemical moieties or conjugation of lipids, sugars or polypeptides. Among them, ubiquitin and a large family of ubiquitin-like proteins (UBLs) share several features such as the structure of the small protein modifiers, the enzymatic cascades mediating the conjugation process, and the targeted aminoacidic residue. In the brain, ubiquitination and two UBLs, namely sumoylation and the recently discovered neddylation orchestrate fundamental processes including synapse formation, maturation and plasticity, and their alteration is thought to contribute to the development of neurological disorders. Remarkably, emerging evidence suggests that these pathways tightly interplay to modulate the function of several proteins that possess pivotal roles for brain homeostasis as well as failure of this crosstalk seems to be implicated in the development of brain pathologies. In this review, we outline the role of ubiquitination, sumoylation, neddylation, and their functional interplay in synapse physiology and discuss their implication in the molecular pathogenesis of intellectual disability (ID), a neurodevelopmental disorder that is frequently comorbid with a wide spectrum of brain pathologies. Finally, we propose a few outlooks that might contribute to better understand the complexity of these regulatory systems in regard to neuronal circuit pathophysiology.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alessandra Folci
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano (MI), Italy
| | - Filippo Mirabella
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, Humanitas University, Via Rita Levi Montalcini 4, 20090 Pieve 9 Emanuele - Milan, Italy
| | - Matteo Fossati
- Humanitas Clinical and Research Center-IRCCS, via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano (MI), Italy
- CNR-Institute of Neuroscience, via Manzoni 56, 20089, Rozzano (MI), Italy
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25
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Elpidorou M, Best S, Poulter JA, Hartill V, Hobson E, Sheridan E, Johnson CA. Novel loss-of-function mutation in HERC2 is associated with severe developmental delay and paediatric lethality. J Med Genet 2020; 58:334-341. [PMID: 32571899 PMCID: PMC8086253 DOI: 10.1136/jmedgenet-2020-106873] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2020] [Revised: 05/06/2020] [Accepted: 05/09/2020] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The HERC2 gene encodes a 527 kDa E3 ubiquitin protein ligase that has key roles in cell cycle regulation, spindle formation during mitosis, mitochondrial functions and DNA damage responses. It has essential roles during embryonic development, particularly for neuronal and muscular functions. To date, missense mutations in HERC2 have been associated with an autosomal recessive neurodevelopmental disorder with some phenotypical similarities to Angelman syndrome, and a homozygous deletion spanning HERC2 and OCA2 causing a more severe neurodevelopmental phenotype. METHODS AND RESULTS We ascertained a consanguineous family with a presumed autosomal recessive severe neurodevelopmental disorder that leads to paediatric lethality. In affected individuals, we identified a homozygous HERC2 frameshift variant that results in a premature stop codon and complete loss of HERC2 protein. Functional characterisation of this variant in fibroblasts, from one living affected individual, revealed impaired mitochondrial network and function as well as disrupted levels of known interacting proteins such as XPA. CONCLUSION This study extends the genotype-phenotype correlation for HERC2 variants to include a distinct lethal neurodevelopmental disorder, highlighting the importance of further characterisation for HERC2-related disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marilena Elpidorou
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
| | - Sunayna Best
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.,Yorkshire Clinical Genetics Service, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
| | - James A Poulter
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
| | - Verity Hartill
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.,Yorkshire Clinical Genetics Service, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
| | - Emma Hobson
- Yorkshire Clinical Genetics Service, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
| | - Eamonn Sheridan
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK.,Yorkshire Clinical Genetics Service, Chapel Allerton Hospital, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
| | - Colin A Johnson
- Division of Molecular Medicine, Leeds Institute of Medical Research, University of Leeds, Leeds, West Yorkshire, UK
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Labonne JDJ, Driessen TM, Harris ME, Kong IK, Brakta S, Theisen J, Sangare M, Layman LC, Kim CH, Lim J, Kim HG. Comparative Genomic Mapping Implicates LRRK2 for Intellectual Disability and Autism at 12q12, and HDHD1, as Well as PNPLA4, for X-Linked Intellectual Disability at Xp22.31. J Clin Med 2020; 9:jcm9010274. [PMID: 31963867 PMCID: PMC7019335 DOI: 10.3390/jcm9010274] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2019] [Revised: 11/28/2019] [Accepted: 12/06/2019] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
We report a genomic and phenotypic delineation for two chromosome regions with candidate genes for syndromic intellectual disability at 12q12 and Xp22.31, segregating independently in one family with four affected members. Fine mapping of three affected members, along with six unreported small informative CNVs, narrowed down the candidate chromosomal interval to one gene LRRK2 at 12q12. Expression studies revealed high levels of LRRK2 transcripts in the whole human brain, cerebral cortex and hippocampus. RT-qPCR assays revealed that LRRK2 transcripts were dramatically reduced in our microdeletion patient DGDP289A compared to his healthy grandfather with no deletion. The decreased expression of LRRK2 may affect protein–protein interactions between LRRK2 and its binding partners, of which eight have previously been linked to intellectual disability. These findings corroborate with a role for LRRK2 in cognitive development, and, thus, we propose that intellectual disability and autism, displayed in the 12q12 microdeletions, are likely caused by LRRK2. Using another affected member, DGDP289B, with a microdeletion at Xp22.31, in this family, we performed the genomic and clinical delineation with six published and nine unreported cases. We propose HDHD1 and PNPLA4 for X-linked intellectual disability in this region, since their high transcript levels in the human brain substantiate their role in intellectual functioning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jonathan D. J. Labonne
- Section of Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility & Genetics, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA (M.E.H.); (S.B.); (J.T.); (L.C.L.)
| | - Terri M. Driessen
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (T.M.D.); (J.L.)
| | - Marvin E. Harris
- Section of Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility & Genetics, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA (M.E.H.); (S.B.); (J.T.); (L.C.L.)
| | - Il-Keun Kong
- Department of Animal Science, Division of Applied Life Science (BK21plus), Institute of Agriculture and Life Science, Gyeongsang National University, Jinju 52828, Korea;
| | - Soumia Brakta
- Section of Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility & Genetics, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA (M.E.H.); (S.B.); (J.T.); (L.C.L.)
| | - John Theisen
- Section of Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility & Genetics, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA (M.E.H.); (S.B.); (J.T.); (L.C.L.)
| | - Modibo Sangare
- Faculty of Medicine and Odontostomatology (FMOS), University of Sciences, Techniques and Technologies of Bamako (USTTB), Bamako, Mali;
| | - Lawrence C. Layman
- Section of Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility & Genetics, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA (M.E.H.); (S.B.); (J.T.); (L.C.L.)
- Department of Neuroscience and Regenerative Medicine, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA
| | - Cheol-Hee Kim
- Department of Biology, Chungnam National University, Daejeon 34134, Korea;
| | - Janghoo Lim
- Department of Genetics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; (T.M.D.); (J.L.)
- Department of Neuroscience, Program in Cellular Neuroscience, Neurodegeneration and Repair, Yale Stem Cell Center, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Hyung-Goo Kim
- Section of Reproductive Endocrinology, Infertility & Genetics, Department of Obstetrics & Gynecology, Augusta University, Augusta, GA 30912, USA (M.E.H.); (S.B.); (J.T.); (L.C.L.)
- Neurological Disorders Research Center, Qatar Biomedical Research Institute, Hamad Bin Khalifa University, Doha P.O. Box 34110, Qatar
- Correspondence:
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27
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Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a highly heritable, heterogeneous, and complex pervasive neurodevelopmental disorder (PND) characterized by distinctive abnormalities of human cognitive functions, social interaction, and speech development.Nowadays, several genetic changes including chromosome abnormalities, genetic variations, transcriptional epigenetics, and noncoding RNA have been identified in ASD. However, the association between these genetic modifications and ASDs has not been confirmed yet.The aim of this review is to summarize the key findings in ASD from genetic viewpoint that have been identified from the last few decades of genetic and molecular research.
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García‐Cano J, Sánchez‐Tena S, Sala‐Gaston J, Figueras A, Viñals F, Bartrons R, Ventura F, Rosa JL. Regulation of the MDM2-p53 pathway by the ubiquitin ligase HERC2. Mol Oncol 2020; 14:69-86. [PMID: 31665549 PMCID: PMC6944118 DOI: 10.1002/1878-0261.12592] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/22/2019] [Revised: 09/30/2019] [Accepted: 10/28/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
The p53 tumor suppressor protein is a transcription factor that plays a prominent role in protecting cells from malignant transformation. Protein levels of p53 and its transcriptional activity are tightly regulated by the ubiquitin E3 ligase MDM2, the gene expression of which is transcriptionally regulated by p53 in a negative feedback loop. The p53 protein is transcriptionally active as a tetramer, and this oligomerization state is modulated by a complex formed by NEURL4 and the ubiquitin E3 ligase HERC2. Here, we report that MDM2 forms a complex with oligomeric p53, HERC2, and NEURL4. HERC2 knockdown results in a decline in MDM2 protein levels without affecting its protein stability, as it reduces its mRNA expression by inhibition of its promoter activation. DNA damage induced by bleomycin dissociates MDM2 from the p53/HERC2/NEURL4 complex and increases the phosphorylation and acetylation of oligomeric p53 bound to HERC2 and NEURL4. Moreover, the MDM2 promoter, which contains p53-response elements, competes with HERC2 for binding of oligomeric, phosphorylated and acetylated p53. We integrate these findings in a model showing the pivotal role of HERC2 in p53-MDM2 loop regulation. Altogether, these new insights in p53 pathway regulation are of great interest in cancer and may provide new therapeutic targets.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús García‐Cano
- Departament de Ciències FisiològiquesInstitut d’Investigació de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)Universitat de Barcelona: Pavelló de GovernSpain
| | - Susana Sánchez‐Tena
- Departament de Ciències FisiològiquesInstitut d’Investigació de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)Universitat de Barcelona: Pavelló de GovernSpain
| | - Joan Sala‐Gaston
- Departament de Ciències FisiològiquesInstitut d’Investigació de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)Universitat de Barcelona: Pavelló de GovernSpain
| | - Agnès Figueras
- Departament de Ciències FisiològiquesInstitut d’Investigació de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)Universitat de Barcelona: Pavelló de GovernSpain
| | - Francesc Viñals
- Departament de Ciències FisiològiquesInstitut d’Investigació de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)Universitat de Barcelona: Pavelló de GovernSpain
| | - Ramon Bartrons
- Departament de Ciències FisiològiquesInstitut d’Investigació de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)Universitat de Barcelona: Pavelló de GovernSpain
| | - Francesc Ventura
- Departament de Ciències FisiològiquesInstitut d’Investigació de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)Universitat de Barcelona: Pavelló de GovernSpain
| | - Jose Luis Rosa
- Departament de Ciències FisiològiquesInstitut d’Investigació de Bellvitge (IDIBELL)Universitat de Barcelona: Pavelló de GovernSpain
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Werling AM, Grünblatt E, Oneda B, Bobrowski E, Gundelfinger R, Taurines R, Romanos M, Rauch A, Walitza S. High-resolution chromosomal microarray analysis for copy-number variations in high-functioning autism reveals large aberration typical for intellectual disability. J Neural Transm (Vienna) 2020; 127:81-94. [PMID: 31838600 DOI: 10.1007/s00702-019-02114-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/05/2019] [Accepted: 12/03/2019] [Indexed: 10/25/2022]
Abstract
Copy-number variants (CNVs), in particular rare, small and large ones (< 1% frequency) and those encompassing brain-related genes, have been shown to be associated with neurodevelopmental disorders like autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), attention deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), and intellectual disability (ID). However, the vast majority of CNV findings lack specificity with respect to autistic or developmental-delay phenotypes. Therefore, the aim of the study was to investigate the size and frequency of CNVs in high-functioning ASD (HFA) without ID compared with a random population sample and with published findings in ASD and ID. To investigate the role of CNVs for the "core symptoms" of high-functioning autism, we included in the present exploratory study only patients with HFA without ID. The aim was to test whether HFA have similar large rare (> 1 Mb) CNVs as reported in ASD and ID. We performed high-resolution chromosomal microarray analysis in 108 children and adolescents with HFA without ID. There was no significant difference in the overall number of rare CNVs compared to 124 random population samples. However, patients with HFA carried significantly more frequently CNVs containing brain-related genes. Surprisingly, six HFA patients carried very large CNVs known to be typically present in ID. Our findings provide new evidence that not only small, but also large CNVs affecting several key genes contribute to the genetic etiology/risk of HFA without affecting their intellectual ability.
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Meloche J, Brunet V, Gagnon PA, Lavoie MÈ, Bouchard JB, Nadaf J, Majewski J, Morin C, Laprise C. Exome sequencing study of partial agenesis of the corpus callosum in men with developmental delay, epilepsy, and microcephaly. Mol Genet Genomic Med 2019; 8:e992. [PMID: 31578829 PMCID: PMC6978259 DOI: 10.1002/mgg3.992] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2018] [Revised: 08/28/2019] [Accepted: 09/03/2019] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Background This study reports the genetic features of four Caucasian males from the Saguenay‒Lac‐St‐Jean region affected by partial agenesis of the corpus callosum (ACC) with hypotonia, epilepsy, developmental delay, microcephaly, hypoplasia, and autistic behavior. Methods We performed whole exome sequencing (WES) to identify new genes involved in this pathological phenotype. The regions of interest were subsequently sequenced for family members. Results Single‐nucleotide variations (SNVs) and insertions or deletions were detected in genes potentially implicated in brain defects observed in these patients. One patient did not have mutations in genes related to ACC, but carried a de novo pathogenic mutation in Mucolipin‐1 (MCOLN1) and was diagnosed with mucolipidosis type IV. Among the other probands, missense SNVs were observed in DCLK2 (Doublecortin Like Kinase 2), HERC2 (HECT And RLD Domain Containing E3 Ubiquitin Protein Ligase 2), and KCNH3 (Potassium channel, voltage‐gated, subfamily H, member 3). One patient also carried a non‐frameshift insertion in CACNA1A (Cav2.1(P/Q‐type) calcium channels). Conclusion Although no common genetic defect was observed in this study, we provide evidence for new avenues of investigation for ACC, such as molecular pathways involving HERC2, CACNA1A, KCNH3, and more importantly DCLK2. We also allowed to diagnose an individual with mucolipidosis type IV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jolyane Meloche
- Centre intersectoriel en santé durable, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada.,Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada
| | - Vanessa Brunet
- Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada
| | - Pierre-Alexandre Gagnon
- Centre intersectoriel en santé durable, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada.,Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada
| | - Marie-Ève Lavoie
- Centre intersectoriel en santé durable, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada.,Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada
| | | | - Javad Nadaf
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Jacek Majewski
- Department of Human Genetics, McGill University and Genome Quebec Innovation Centre, Montreal, QC, Canada
| | - Charles Morin
- Centre de Santé et de Services Sociaux de Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada
| | - Catherine Laprise
- Centre intersectoriel en santé durable, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada.,Département des Sciences Fondamentales, Université du Québec à Chicoutimi, Saguenay, QC, Canada
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31
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García-Cano J, Martinez-Martinez A, Sala-Gaston J, Pedrazza L, Rosa JL. HERCing: Structural and Functional Relevance of the Large HERC Ubiquitin Ligases. Front Physiol 2019; 10:1014. [PMID: 31447701 PMCID: PMC6692442 DOI: 10.3389/fphys.2019.01014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 25] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2018] [Accepted: 07/23/2019] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Homologous to the E6AP carboxyl terminus (HECT) and regulator of chromosome condensation 1 (RCC1)-like domain-containing proteins (HERCs) belong to the superfamily of ubiquitin ligases. HERC proteins are divided into two subfamilies, Large and Small HERCs. Despite their similarities in terms of both structure and domains, these subfamilies are evolutionarily very distant and result from a convergence phenomenon rather than from a common origin. Large HERC genes, HERC1 and HERC2, are present in most metazoan taxa. They encode very large proteins (approximately 5,000 amino acid residues in a single polypeptide chain) that contain more than one RCC1-like domain as a structural characteristic. Accumulating evidences show that these unusually large proteins play key roles in a wide range of cellular functions which include neurodevelopment, DNA damage repair, and cell proliferation. To better understand the origin, evolution, and function of the Large HERC family, this minireview provides with an integrated overview of their structure and function and details their physiological implications. This study also highlights and discusses how dysregulation of these proteins is associated with severe human diseases such as neurological disorders and cancer.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jesús García-Cano
- Ubiquitylation and Cell Signalling Lab, IDIBELL, Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Arturo Martinez-Martinez
- Ubiquitylation and Cell Signalling Lab, IDIBELL, Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Joan Sala-Gaston
- Ubiquitylation and Cell Signalling Lab, IDIBELL, Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leonardo Pedrazza
- Ubiquitylation and Cell Signalling Lab, IDIBELL, Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Rosa
- Ubiquitylation and Cell Signalling Lab, IDIBELL, Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, Universitat de Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain
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32
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Crowgey EL, Washburn MC, Kolb EA, Puffenberger EG. Development of a Novel Next-Generation Sequencing Assay for Carrier Screening in Old Order Amish and Mennonite Populations of Pennsylvania. J Mol Diagn 2019; 21:687-694. [PMID: 31028937 PMCID: PMC7338886 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmoldx.2019.03.004] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/25/2018] [Revised: 01/15/2019] [Accepted: 03/13/2019] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetically isolated populations, such as the Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonite communities, have an increased incidence of specific autosomal recessive disorders caused by the founder effect. In these populations, robust expanded carrier screening and diagnostic testing have the potential to reduce overall medical costs and improve patient outcomes. A novel next-generation sequencing assay was developed using anchored multiplex PCR technology (ArcherDX) for 162 different genetic syndromes caused by 202 pathogenic variants consisting of 150 single-nucleotide changes, 43 small insertion/deletions, and 9 large deletions (>20 nucleotides). To assess the accuracy of the screening panel results, 48 samples were selected on the basis of prior whole exome sequencing results. An additional 15 samples were chosen specifically to validate SMN1 and SMN2 copy number analyses. Collectively, the screening panel detected 273 pathogenic single-nucleotide or small insertion/deletion variants, 35 copy number variations, and 1 chromosomal abnormality (Klinefelter syndrome). Concordance with prior whole exome sequencing was 100%. By using a novel next-generation sequencing workflow, a successful targeted gene variant panel was developed for the Old Order Amish and Old Order Mennonite populations of Lancaster County, Pennsylvania. Population-wide carrier screening may help decrease the morbidity and mortality of these conditions in the high-risk populations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erin L Crowgey
- Nemours Biomedical Research Department, Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware
| | | | - E Anders Kolb
- Nemours Biomedical Research Department, Nemours Alfred I. duPont Hospital for Children, Wilmington, Delaware
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33
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Abraham JR, Barnard J, Wang H, Noritz GH, Yeganeh M, Buhas D, Natowicz MR. Proteomic investigations of human HERC2 mutants: Insights into the pathobiology of a neurodevelopmental disorder. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2019; 512:421-427. [PMID: 30902390 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2019.02.149] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/13/2019] [Accepted: 02/27/2019] [Indexed: 01/11/2023]
Abstract
HERC2 is a giant protein with E3 ubiquitin ligase activity and other known and suspected functions. Mutations of HERC2 are implicated in the pathogenesis of various cancers and result in severe neurological conditions in Herc2-mutant mice. Recently, a pleotropic autosomal recessive HERC2-associated syndrome of intellectual disability, autism and variable neurological deficits was described; its pathogenetic basis is largely unknown. Using peripheral blood-derived lymphoblasts from 3 persons with homozygous HERC2 variants and 14 age- and gender-matched controls, we performed label-free unbiased HPLC-tandem mass spectrometry-based proteomic analyses to provide insights into HERC2-mediated pathobiology. We found that out of 3427 detected proteins, there were 812 differentially expressed proteins between HERC2-cases vs. controls. 184 canonical pathways were enriched after FDR adjustment, including mitochondrial function, energy metabolism, EIF2 signaling, immune functions, ubiquitination and DNA repair. Ingenuity Pathway Analysis® identified 209 upstream regulators that could drive the differential expression, prominent amongst which were neurodegeneration-associated proteins. Differentially expressed protein interaction networks highlighted themes of immune function/dysfunction, regulation of cell cycle/cell death, and energy metabolism. Overall, the analysis of the HERC2-associated proteome revealed striking differential protein expression between cases and controls. The large number of differentially expressed proteins likely reflects HERC2's multiple domains and numerous interacting proteins. Our canonical pathway and protein interaction network findings suggest derangements of multiple pathways in HERC2-associated disease.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joseph R Abraham
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - John Barnard
- Department of Quantitative Health Sciences, Lerner Research Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA
| | - Heng Wang
- DDC Clinic, Center for Special Needs Children, Middlefield, OH, USA
| | - Garey H Noritz
- Complex Health Care Program, Nationwide Children's Hospital, Columbus, OH, USA
| | - Mehdi Yeganeh
- Department of Medical Genetics, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Daniela Buhas
- Department of Medical Genetics, McGill University Health Centre, Montreal, Canada
| | - Marvin R Natowicz
- Cleveland Clinic Lerner College of Medicine of Case Western Reserve University, Cleveland, OH, USA; Pathology and Laboratory Medicine, Genomic Medicine, Neurological and Pediatrics Institutes, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, OH, USA.
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34
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Alagoz M, Kherad N, Gavaz M, Yuksel A. New Genetic Approaches for Early Diagnosis and Treatment of Autism Spectrum Disorders. Rev J Autism Dev Disord 2019. [DOI: 10.1007/s40489-019-00167-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/27/2022]
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35
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Wiśniowiecka-Kowalnik B, Nowakowska BA. Genetics and epigenetics of autism spectrum disorder-current evidence in the field. J Appl Genet 2019; 60:37-47. [PMID: 30627967 PMCID: PMC6373410 DOI: 10.1007/s13353-018-00480-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 109] [Impact Index Per Article: 21.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2018] [Revised: 12/14/2018] [Accepted: 12/18/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) is a heterogenous group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by problems in social interaction and communication as well as the presence of repetitive and stereotyped behavior. It is estimated that the prevalence of ASD is 1–2% in the general population with the average male to female ratio 4–5:1. Although the causes of ASD remain largely unknown, the studies have shown that both genetic and environmental factors play an important role in the etiology of these disorders. Array comparative genomic hybridization and whole exome/genome sequencing studies identified common and rare copy number or single nucleotide variants in genes encoding proteins involved in brain development, which play an important role in neuron and synapse formation and function. The genetic etiology is recognized in ~ 25–35% of patients with ASD. In this article, we review the current state of knowledge about the genetic etiology of ASD and also propose a diagnostic algorithm for patients.
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36
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Kühnle S, Martínez-Noël G, Leclere F, Hayes SD, Harper JW, Howley PM. Angelman syndrome-associated point mutations in the Zn 2+-binding N-terminal (AZUL) domain of UBE3A ubiquitin ligase inhibit binding to the proteasome. J Biol Chem 2018; 293:18387-18399. [PMID: 30257870 PMCID: PMC6254356 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra118.004653] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/28/2018] [Revised: 08/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Deregulation of the HECT ubiquitin ligase UBE3A/E6AP has been implicated in Angelman syndrome as well as autism spectrum disorders. We and others have previously identified the 26S proteasome as one of the major UBE3A-interacting protein complexes. Here, we characterize the interaction of UBE3A and the proteasomal subunit PSMD4 (Rpn10/S5a). We map the interaction to the highly conserved Zn2+-binding N-terminal (AZUL) domain of UBE3A, the integrity of which is crucial for binding to PSMD4. Interestingly, two Angelman syndrome point mutations that affect the AZUL domain show an impaired ability to bind PSMD4. Although not affecting the ubiquitin ligase or the estrogen receptor α-mediated transcriptional regulation activities, these AZUL domain mutations prevent UBE3A from stimulating the Wnt/β-catenin signaling pathway. Taken together, our data indicate that impaired binding to the 26S proteasome and consequential deregulation of Wnt/β-catenin signaling might contribute to the functional defect of these mutants in Angelman syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Simone Kühnle
- From the Departments of Microbiology and Immunobiology and
| | | | | | | | - J Wade Harper
- Cell Biology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, Massachusetts 02115
| | - Peter M Howley
- From the Departments of Microbiology and Immunobiology and.
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37
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Osinalde N, Duarri A, Ramirez J, Barrio R, Perez de Nanclares G, Mayor U. Impaired proteostasis in rare neurological diseases. Semin Cell Dev Biol 2018; 93:164-177. [PMID: 30355526 DOI: 10.1016/j.semcdb.2018.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 10/16/2018] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Rare diseases are classified as such when their prevalence is 1:2000 or lower, but even if each of them is so infrequent, altogether more than 300 million people in the world suffer one of the ∼7000 diseases considered as rare. Over 1200 of these disorders are known to affect the brain or other parts of our nervous system, and their symptoms can affect cognition, motor function and/or social interaction of the patients; we refer collectively to them as rare neurological disorders or RNDs. We have focused this review on RNDs known to have compromised protein homeostasis pathways. Proteostasis can be regulated and/or altered by a chain of cellular mechanisms, from protein synthesis and folding, to aggregation and degradation. Overall, we provide a list comprised of above 215 genes responsible for causing more than 170 distinct RNDs, deepening on some representative diseases, including as well a clinical view of how those diseases are diagnosed and dealt with. Additionally, we review existing methodologies for diagnosis and treatment, discussing the potential of specific deubiquitinating enzyme inhibition as a future therapeutic avenue for RNDs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nerea Osinalde
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Pharmacy, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 01006 Vitoria-Gasteiz, Spain
| | - Anna Duarri
- Barcelona Stem Cell Bank, Center of Regenerative Medicine in Barcelona, 08908 Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Juanma Ramirez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain
| | - Rosa Barrio
- Functional Genomics Unit, CIC bioGUNE, 48160 Derio, Spain
| | - Guiomar Perez de Nanclares
- Molecular (Epi)Genetics Laboratory, BioAraba National Health Institute, Hospital Universitario Araba-Txagorritxu, Vitoria-Gasteiz, Alava, Spain
| | - Ugo Mayor
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Science and Technology, University of the Basque Country (UPV/EHU), 48940 Leioa, Spain; Ikerbasque, Basque Foundation for Science, 48013 Bilbao, Spain.
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38
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Wu W, Rokutanda N, Takeuchi J, Lai Y, Maruyama R, Togashi Y, Nishikawa H, Arai N, Miyoshi Y, Suzuki N, Saeki Y, Tanaka K, Ohta T. HERC2 Facilitates BLM and WRN Helicase Complex Interaction with RPA to Suppress G-Quadruplex DNA. Cancer Res 2018; 78:6371-6385. [PMID: 30279242 DOI: 10.1158/0008-5472.can-18-1877] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/19/2018] [Revised: 08/21/2018] [Accepted: 09/18/2018] [Indexed: 11/16/2022]
Abstract
BLM and WRN are RecQ DNA helicasesessential for genomic stability. Here, we demonstrate that HERC2, a HECT E3 ligase, is critical for their functions to suppress G-quadruplex (G4) DNA. HERC2 interacted with BLM, WRN, and replication protein A (RPA) complexes during the S-phase of the cell cycle. Depletion of HERC2 dissociated RPA from BLM and WRN complexes and significantly increased G4 formation. Triple depletion revealed that HERC2 has an epistatic relationship with BLM and WRN in their G4-suppressing function. In vitro, HERC2 released RPA onto single-stranded DNA (ssDNA) rather than anchoring onto RPA-coated ssDNA. CRISPR/Cas9-mediated deletion of the catalytic ubiquitin-binding site of HERC2 inhibited ubiquitination of RPA2, caused RPA accumulation in the helicase complexes, and increased G4, indicating an essential role for E3 activity in the suppression of G4. Both depletion of HERC2 and inactivation of E3 sensitized cells to the G4-interacting compounds telomestatin and pyridostatin. Overall, these results indicate that HERC2 is a master regulator of G4 suppression that affects the sensitivity of cells to G4 stabilizers. Given that HERC2 expression is frequently reduced in many types of cancers, G4 accumulation as a result of HERC2 deficiency may provide a therapeutic target for G4 stabilizers.Significance: HERC2 is revealed as a master regulator of G-quadruplex, a DNA secondary structure that triggers genomic instability and may serve as a potential molecular target in cancer therapy.Graphical Abstract: http://cancerres.aacrjournals.org/content/canres/78/22/6371/F1.large.jpg Cancer Res; 78(22); 6371-85. ©2018 AACR.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenwen Wu
- Department of Translational Oncology, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Nana Rokutanda
- Department of Translational Oncology, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Jun Takeuchi
- Department of Translational Oncology, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.,Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yongqiang Lai
- Department of Translational Oncology, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.,Department of General Surgery, Gaoming People's Hospital in Foshan, Foshan City, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Reo Maruyama
- Project for Cancer Epigenomics, Cancer Institute, Japanese Foundation for Cancer Research, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yukiko Togashi
- Department of Translational Oncology, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Nishikawa
- Institute of Advanced Medical Science, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Naoko Arai
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Yasuo Miyoshi
- Division of Breast and Endocrine Surgery, Department of Surgery, Hyogo College of Medicine, Hyogo, Japan
| | - Nao Suzuki
- Department of Obstetrics and Gynecology, St. Marianna University School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan
| | - Yasushi Saeki
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Keiji Tanaka
- Laboratory of Protein Metabolism, Tokyo Metropolitan Institute of Medical Science, Tokyo, Japan
| | - Tomohiko Ohta
- Department of Translational Oncology, St. Marianna University Graduate School of Medicine, Kawasaki, Japan.
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Martínez-Noël G, Luck K, Kühnle S, Desbuleux A, Szajner P, Galligan JT, Rodriguez D, Zheng L, Boyland K, Leclere F, Zhong Q, Hill DE, Vidal M, Howley PM. Network Analysis of UBE3A/E6AP-Associated Proteins Provides Connections to Several Distinct Cellular Processes. J Mol Biol 2018; 430:1024-1050. [PMID: 29426014 PMCID: PMC5866790 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2018.01.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/08/2017] [Revised: 01/28/2018] [Accepted: 01/30/2018] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Perturbations in activity and dosage of the UBE3A ubiquitin-ligase have been linked to Angelman syndrome and autism spectrum disorders. UBE3A was initially identified as the cellular protein hijacked by the human papillomavirus E6 protein to mediate the ubiquitylation of p53, a function critical to the oncogenic potential of these viruses. Although a number of substrates have been identified, the normal cellular functions and pathways affected by UBE3A are largely unknown. Previously, we showed that UBE3A associates with HERC2, NEURL4, and MAPK6/ERK3 in a high-molecular-weight complex of unknown function that we refer to as the HUN complex (HERC2, UBE3A, and NEURL4). In this study, the combination of two complementary proteomic approaches with a rigorous network analysis revealed cellular functions and pathways in which UBE3A and the HUN complex are involved. In addition to finding new UBE3A-associated proteins, such as MCM6, SUGT1, EIF3C, and ASPP2, network analysis revealed that UBE3A-associated proteins are connected to several fundamental cellular processes including translation, DNA replication, intracellular trafficking, and centrosome regulation. Our analysis suggests that UBE3A could be involved in the control and/or integration of these cellular processes, in some cases as a component of the HUN complex, and also provides evidence for crosstalk between the HUN complex and CAMKII interaction networks. This study contributes to a deeper understanding of the cellular functions of UBE3A and its potential role in pathways that may be affected in Angelman syndrome, UBE3A-associated autism spectrum disorders, and human papillomavirus-associated cancers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gustavo Martínez-Noël
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Katja Luck
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Simone Kühnle
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Alice Desbuleux
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; GIGA-R, University of Liège, Liège 4000, Belgium
| | - Patricia Szajner
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jeffrey T Galligan
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Diana Rodriguez
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Leon Zheng
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kathleen Boyland
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Flavian Leclere
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Quan Zhong
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - David E Hill
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Cancer Biology, Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Marc Vidal
- Center for Cancer Systems Biology (CCSB), Dana-Farber Cancer Institute, Boston, MA 02115, USA; Department of Genetics, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Peter M Howley
- Department of Microbiology and Immunobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
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George AJ, Hoffiz YC, Charles AJ, Zhu Y, Mabb AM. A Comprehensive Atlas of E3 Ubiquitin Ligase Mutations in Neurological Disorders. Front Genet 2018; 9:29. [PMID: 29491882 PMCID: PMC5817383 DOI: 10.3389/fgene.2018.00029] [Citation(s) in RCA: 92] [Impact Index Per Article: 15.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2017] [Accepted: 01/22/2018] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Protein ubiquitination is a posttranslational modification that plays an integral part in mediating diverse cellular functions. The process of protein ubiquitination requires an enzymatic cascade that consists of a ubiquitin activating enzyme (E1), ubiquitin conjugating enzyme (E2) and an E3 ubiquitin ligase (E3). There are an estimated 600-700 E3 ligase genes representing ~5% of the human genome. Not surprisingly, mutations in E3 ligase genes have been observed in multiple neurological conditions. We constructed a comprehensive atlas of disrupted E3 ligase genes in common (CND) and rare neurological diseases (RND). Of the predicted and known human E3 ligase genes, we found ~13% were mutated in a neurological disorder with 83 total genes representing 70 different types of neurological diseases. Of the E3 ligase genes identified, 51 were associated with an RND. Here, we provide an updated list of neurological disorders associated with E3 ligase gene disruption. We further highlight research in these neurological disorders and discuss the advanced technologies used to support these findings.
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Affiliation(s)
- Arlene J. George
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Yarely C. Hoffiz
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | | | - Ying Zhu
- Creative Media Industries Institute & Department of Computer Science, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
| | - Angela M. Mabb
- Neuroscience Institute, Georgia State University, Atlanta, GA, United States
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41
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Cheon S, Dean M, Chahrour M. The ubiquitin proteasome pathway in neuropsychiatric disorders. Neurobiol Learn Mem 2018; 165:106791. [PMID: 29398581 DOI: 10.1016/j.nlm.2018.01.012] [Citation(s) in RCA: 20] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/14/2017] [Revised: 01/19/2018] [Accepted: 01/26/2018] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
The ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS) is a highly conserved pathway that tightly regulates protein turnover in cells. This process is integral to neuronal development, differentiation, and function. Several members of the UPS are disrupted in neuropsychiatric disorders, highlighting the importance of this pathway in brain development and function. In this review, we discuss some of these pathway members, the molecular processes they regulate, and the potential for targeting the UPS in an effort to develop therapeutic strategies in neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Solmi Cheon
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Milan Dean
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA
| | - Maria Chahrour
- Eugene McDermott Center for Human Growth and Development, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA; Departments of Neuroscience and Psychiatry, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, TX 75390, USA.
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Urraca N, Hope K, Victor AK, Belgard TG, Memon R, Goorha S, Valdez C, Tran QT, Sanchez S, Ramirez J, Donaldson M, Bridges D, Reiter LT. Significant transcriptional changes in 15q duplication but not Angelman syndrome deletion stem cell-derived neurons. Mol Autism 2018; 9:6. [PMID: 29423132 PMCID: PMC5787244 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-018-0191-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2017] [Accepted: 01/15/2018] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Background The inability to analyze gene expression in living neurons from Angelman (AS) and Duplication 15q (Dup15q) syndrome subjects has limited our understanding of these disorders at the molecular level. Method Here, we use dental pulp stem cells (DPSC) from AS deletion, 15q Duplication, and neurotypical control subjects for whole transcriptome analysis. We identified 20 genes unique to AS neurons, 120 genes unique to 15q duplication, and 3 shared transcripts that were differentially expressed in DPSC neurons vs controls. Results Copy number correlated with gene expression for most genes across the 15q11.2-q13.1 critical region. Two thirds of the genes differentially expressed in 15q duplication neurons were downregulated compared to controls including several transcription factors, while in AS differential expression was restricted primarily to the 15q region. Here, we show significant downregulation of the transcription factors FOXO1 and HAND2 in neurons from 15q duplication, but not AS deletion subjects suggesting that disruptions in transcriptional regulation may be a driving factor in the autism phenotype in Dup15q syndrome. Downstream analysis revealed downregulation of the ASD associated genes EHPB2 and RORA, both genes with FOXO1 binding sites. Genes upregulated in either Dup15q cortex or idiopathic ASD cortex both overlapped significantly with the most upregulated genes in Dup15q DPSC-derived neurons. Conclusions Finding a significant increase in both HERC2 and UBE3A in Dup15q neurons and significant decrease in these two genes in AS deletion neurons may explain differences between AS deletion class and UBE3A specific classes of AS mutation where HERC2 is expressed at normal levels. Also, we identified an enrichment for FOXO1-regulated transcripts in Dup15q neurons including ASD-associated genes EHPB2 and RORA indicating a possible connection between this syndromic form of ASD and idiopathic cases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nora Urraca
- Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 855 Monroe Ave., Link 415, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
| | - Kevin Hope
- Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 855 Monroe Ave., Link 415, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
- IPBS Program, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
| | - A. Kaitlyn Victor
- Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 855 Monroe Ave., Link 415, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
- IPBS Program, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
| | - T. Grant Belgard
- MRC Functional Genomics Unit, Department of Physiology, Anatomy and Genetics, University of Oxford, Oxford, OX1 3QX UK
| | - Rawaha Memon
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
| | - Sarita Goorha
- Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 855 Monroe Ave., Link 415, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
| | - Colleen Valdez
- Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 855 Monroe Ave., Link 415, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
| | - Quynh T. Tran
- Department of Preventive Medicine, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
| | - Silvia Sanchez
- Instituto Nacional de Pediatria, 04530 Mexico City, Mexico
| | - Juanma Ramirez
- Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, University of Basque Country, Bilbao, Spain
| | - Martin Donaldson
- Department of Pediatric Dentistry, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
| | - Dave Bridges
- Department of Nutritional Sciences, University of Michigan School of Public Health, 1415 Washington Heights, Ann Arbor, MI 48109 USA
| | - Lawrence T. Reiter
- Department of Neurology, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, 855 Monroe Ave., Link 415, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
- Department of Pediatrics, The University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163 USA
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Cubillos-Rojas M, Schneider T, Hadjebi O, Pedrazza L, de Oliveira JR, Langa F, Guénet JL, Duran J, de Anta JM, Alcántara S, Ruiz R, Pérez-Villegas EM, Aguilar-Montilla FJ, Carrión ÁM, Armengol JA, Baple E, Crosby AH, Bartrons R, Ventura F, Rosa JL. The HERC2 ubiquitin ligase is essential for embryonic development and regulates motor coordination. Oncotarget 2018; 7:56083-56106. [PMID: 27528230 PMCID: PMC5302898 DOI: 10.18632/oncotarget.11270] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2016] [Accepted: 08/01/2016] [Indexed: 01/22/2023] Open
Abstract
A mutation in the HERC2 gene has been linked to a severe neurodevelopmental disorder with similarities to the Angelman syndrome. This gene codifies a protein with ubiquitin ligase activity that regulates the activity of tumor protein p53 and is involved in important cellular processes such as DNA repair, cell cycle, cancer, and iron metabolism. Despite the critical role of HERC2 in these physiological and pathological processes, little is known about its relevance in vivo. Here, we described a mouse with targeted inactivation of the Herc2 gene. Homozygous mice were not viable. Distinct from other ubiquitin ligases that interact with p53, such as MDM2 or MDM4, p53 depletion did not rescue the lethality of homozygous mice. The HERC2 protein levels were reduced by approximately one-half in heterozygous mice. Consequently, HERC2 activities, including ubiquitin ligase and stimulation of p53 activity, were lower in heterozygous mice. A decrease in HERC2 activities was also observed in human skin fibroblasts from individuals with an Angelman-like syndrome that express an unstable mutant protein of HERC2. Behavioural analysis of heterozygous mice identified an impaired motor synchronization with normal neuromuscular function. This effect was not observed in p53 knockout mice, indicating that a mechanism independent of p53 activity is involved. Morphological analysis showed the presence of HERC2 in Purkinje cells and a specific loss of these neurons in the cerebella of heterozygous mice. In these animals, an increase of autophagosomes and lysosomes was observed. Our findings establish a crucial role of HERC2 in embryonic development and motor coordination.
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Affiliation(s)
- Monica Cubillos-Rojas
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IDIBELL, Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Taiane Schneider
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IDIBELL, Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Ouadah Hadjebi
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IDIBELL, Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Leonardo Pedrazza
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IDIBELL, Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain.,Laboratório de Pesquisa em Biofísica Celular e Inflamação, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Jarbas Rodrigues de Oliveira
- Laboratório de Pesquisa em Biofísica Celular e Inflamação, Pontifícia Universidade Católica do Rio Grande do Sul, Porto Alegre, Rio Grande do Sul, Brazil
| | - Francina Langa
- Département de Biologie du Développement, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Jean-Louis Guénet
- Département de Biologie du Développement, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
| | - Joan Duran
- Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Josep Maria de Anta
- Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Soledad Alcántara
- Departament de Patologia i Terapèutica Experimental, Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Rocio Ruiz
- Departamento de Bioquímica y Biología Molecular, Facultad de Farmacia, Universidad de Sevilla, Sevilla, Spain.,Departamento de Fisiología, Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Eva María Pérez-Villegas
- Departamento de Fisiología, Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | | | - Ángel M Carrión
- Departamento de Fisiología, Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Jose Angel Armengol
- Departamento de Fisiología, Anatomía y Biología Celular, Universidad Pablo de Olavide, Sevilla, Spain
| | - Emma Baple
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, RILD Wellcome Wolfson Centre, Exeter, UK
| | - Andrew H Crosby
- Institute of Biomedical and Clinical Science, University of Exeter Medical School, RILD Wellcome Wolfson Centre, Exeter, UK
| | - Ramon Bartrons
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IDIBELL, Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Francesc Ventura
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IDIBELL, Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
| | - Jose Luis Rosa
- Departament de Ciències Fisiològiques, IDIBELL, Campus de Bellvitge, Universitat de Barcelona, L'Hospitalet de Llobregat, Barcelona, Spain
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Valnegri P, Huang J, Yamada T, Yang Y, Mejia LA, Cho HY, Oldenborg A, Bonni A. RNF8/UBC13 ubiquitin signaling suppresses synapse formation in the mammalian brain. Nat Commun 2017; 8:1271. [PMID: 29097665 PMCID: PMC5668370 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-017-01333-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 33] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2016] [Accepted: 09/08/2017] [Indexed: 11/09/2022] Open
Abstract
Although ubiquitin ligases have been implicated in autism, their roles and mechanisms in brain development remain incompletely understood. Here, we report that in vivo knockdown or conditional knockout of the autism-linked ubiquitin ligase RNF8 or associated ubiquitin-conjugating enzyme UBC13 in rodent cerebellar granule neurons robustly increases the number of parallel fiber presynaptic boutons and functional parallel fiber/Purkinje cell synapses. In contrast to the role of nuclear RNF8 in proliferating cells, RNF8 operates in the cytoplasm in neurons to suppress synapse differentiation in vivo. Proteomics analyses reveal that neuronal RNF8 interacts with the HECT domain protein HERC2 and scaffold protein NEURL4, and knockdown of HERC2 or NEURL4 phenocopies the inhibition of RNF8/UBC13 signaling on synapse differentiation. In behavior analyses, granule neuron-specific knockout of RNF8 or UBC13 impairs cerebellar-dependent learning. Our study defines RNF8 and UBC13 as components of a novel cytoplasmic ubiquitin-signaling network that suppresses synapse formation in the brain.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pamela Valnegri
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Ju Huang
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Tomoko Yamada
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.,Faculty of Medicine, University of Tsukuba, Tsukuba, Ibaraki, 305-8575, Japan
| | - Yue Yang
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Luis A Mejia
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Ha Y Cho
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Anna Oldenborg
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA
| | - Azad Bonni
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, MO, 63110, USA.
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45
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Chen CH, Chen HI, Chien WH, Li LH, Wu YY, Chiu YN, Tsai WC, Gau SSF. High resolution analysis of rare copy number variants in patients with autism spectrum disorder from Taiwan. Sci Rep 2017; 7:11919. [PMID: 28931914 PMCID: PMC5607249 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-017-12081-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2017] [Accepted: 09/04/2017] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Rare genomic copy number variations (CNVs) (frequency <1%) contribute a part to the genetic underpinnings of autism spectrum disorders (ASD). The study aimed to understand the scope of rare CNV in Taiwanese patients with ASD. We conducted a genome-wide CNV screening of 335 ASD patients (299 males, 36 females) from Taiwan using Affymetrix Genome-Wide Human SNP Array 6.0 and compared the incidence of rare CNV with that of 1093 control subjects (525 males, 568 females). We found a significantly increased global burden of rare CNVs in the ASD group compared to the controls as a whole or when the rare CNVs were classified by the size and types of CNV. Further analysis confirmed the presence of several rare CNVs at regions strongly associated with ASD as reported in the literature in our sample. Additionally, we detected several new private pathogenic CNVs in our samples and five patients carrying two pathogenic CNVs. Our data indicate that rare genomic CNVs contribute a part to the genetic landscape of our ASD patients. These CNVs are highly heterogeneous, and the clinical interpretation of the pathogenic CNVs of ASD is not straightforward in consideration of the incomplete penetrance, varied expressivity, and individual genetic background.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chia-Hsiang Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan.,Department and Graduate Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Chang Gung University, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Hsin-I Chen
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wei-Hsien Chien
- Department of Occupational Therapy, College of Medicine, Fu Jen Catholic University, New Taipei City, Taiwan
| | - Ling-Hui Li
- Institute of Biomedical Sciences, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yu-Yu Wu
- Department of Psychiatry, Chang Gung Memorial Hospital-Linkou, Taoyuan, Taiwan
| | - Yen-Nan Chiu
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Wen-Che Tsai
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Susan Shur-Fen Gau
- Department of Psychiatry, National Taiwan University Hospital and College of Medicine, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Brain and Mind Sciences, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan. .,Graduate Institute of Epidemiology and Preventive Medicine, National Taiwan University, Taipei, Taiwan.
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46
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Jehee FS, de Oliveira VT, Gurgel-Giannetti J, Pietra RX, Rubatino FVM, Carobin NV, Vianna GS, de Freitas ML, Fernandes KS, Ribeiro BSV, Brüggenwirth HT, Ali-Amin R, White JJ, Akdemir ZC, Jhangiani SN, Gibbs RA, Lupski JR, Varela MC, Koiffmann C, Rosenberg C, Carvalho CMB. Dual molecular diagnosis contributes to atypical Prader-Willi phenotype in monozygotic twins. Am J Med Genet A 2017. [PMID: 28631899 DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.38315] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
We describe monozygotic twin girls with genetic variation at two separate loci resulting in a blended phenotype of Prader-Willi syndrome and Pitt-Hopkins syndrome. These girls were diagnosed in early infancy with Prader-Willi syndrome, but developed an atypical phenotype, with apparent intellectual deficiency and lack of obesity. Array-comparative genomic hybridization confirmed a de novo paternal deletion of the 15q11.2q13 region and exome sequencing identified a second mutational event in both girls, which was a novel variant c.145+1G>A affecting a TCF4 canonical splicing site inherited from the mosaic mother. RNA studies showed that the variant abolished the donor splicing site, which was accompanied by activation of an alternative non-canonical splicing-site which then predicts a premature stop codon in the following exon. Clinical re-evaluation of the twins indicated that both variants are likely contributing to the more severe phenotypic presentation. Our data show that atypical clinical presentations may actually be the expression of blended clinical phenotypes arising from independent pathogenic events at two loci.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fernanda S Jehee
- Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Valdirene T de Oliveira
- Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Juliana Gurgel-Giannetti
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Rafaella X Pietra
- Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Fernando V M Rubatino
- Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Natália V Carobin
- Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Gabrielle S Vianna
- Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Mariana L de Freitas
- Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Karla S Fernandes
- Instituto de Ensino e Pesquisa Santa Casa de Belo Horizonte, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Beatriz S V Ribeiro
- Faculdade de Medicina da Universidade Federal de Minas Gerais, Belo Horizonte, Minas Gerais, Brazil
| | - Hennie T Brüggenwirth
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | - Roza Ali-Amin
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus University Medical Center, Rotterdam, The Netherlands
| | | | - Janson J White
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Zeynep C Akdemir
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | | | - Richard A Gibbs
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - James R Lupski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Human Genome Sequencing Center, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas.,Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, Texas.,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Monica C Varela
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Célia Koiffmann
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Carla Rosenberg
- Department of Genetics and Evolutionary Biology, Institute of Biosciences, University of São Paulo, São Paulo, Brazil
| | - Cláudia M B Carvalho
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
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O'Connor HF, Huibregtse JM. Enzyme-substrate relationships in the ubiquitin system: approaches for identifying substrates of ubiquitin ligases. Cell Mol Life Sci 2017; 74:3363-3375. [PMID: 28455558 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-017-2529-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/01/2017] [Revised: 04/05/2017] [Accepted: 04/18/2017] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
Protein ubiquitylation is an important post-translational modification, regulating aspects of virtually every biochemical pathway in eukaryotic cells. Hundreds of enzymes participate in the conjugation and deconjugation of ubiquitin, as well as the recognition, signaling functions, and degradation of ubiquitylated proteins. Regulation of ubiquitylation is most commonly at the level of recognition of substrates by E3 ubiquitin ligases. Characterization of the network of E3-substrate relationships is a major goal and challenge in the field, as this expected to yield fundamental biological insights and opportunities for drug development. There has been remarkable success in identifying substrates for some E3 ligases, in many instances using the standard protein-protein interaction techniques (e.g., two-hybrid screens and co-immunoprecipitations paired with mass spectrometry). However, some E3s have remained refractory to characterization, while others have simply not yet been studied due to the sheer number and diversity of E3s. This review will discuss the range of tools and techniques that can be used for substrate profiling of E3 ligases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hazel F O'Connor
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA
| | - Jon M Huibregtse
- Department of Molecular Biosciences, University of Texas at Austin, Austin, TX, 78712, USA.
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Yeh E, Weiss LA. If genetic variation could talk: What genomic data may teach us about the importance of gene expression regulation in the genetics of autism. Mol Cell Probes 2016; 30:346-356. [PMID: 27751841 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcp.2016.10.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2016] [Revised: 10/09/2016] [Accepted: 10/13/2016] [Indexed: 11/25/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) has been long known to have substantial genetic etiology. Much research has attempted to identify specific genes contributing to ASD risk with the goal of tying gene function to a molecular pathological explanation for ASD. A unifying molecular pathology would potentially increase understanding of what is going wrong during development, and could lead to diagnostic biomarkers or targeted preventative or therapeutic directions. We review past and current genetic mapping approaches and discuss major results, leading to the hypothesis that global dysregulation of gene or protein expression may be implicated in ASD rather than disturbance of brain-specific functions. If substantiated, this hypothesis might indicate the need for novel experimental and analytical approaches in order to understand this neurodevelopmental disorder, develop biomarkers, or consider treatment approaches.
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Affiliation(s)
- Erika Yeh
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA
| | - Lauren A Weiss
- Department of Psychiatry, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA; Institute for Human Genetics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, 94143, USA.
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Morice-Picard F, Benard G, Rezvani HR, Lasseaux E, Simon D, Moutton S, Rooryck C, Lacombe D, Baumann C, Arveiler B. Complete loss of function of the ubiquitin ligase HERC2 causes a severe neurodevelopmental phenotype. Eur J Hum Genet 2016; 25:52-8. [PMID: 27759030 DOI: 10.1038/ejhg.2016.139] [Citation(s) in RCA: 22] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/29/2016] [Revised: 08/28/2016] [Accepted: 09/13/2016] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin-proteasome pathway is involved in the pathogenesis of several neurogenetic diseases. We describe a Mauritanian patient harboring a homozygous deletion restricted to two contiguous genes HERC2 and OCA2 and presenting with severe developmental abnormalities. The deletion causes the complete loss of HERC2 protein function, an E3-ubiquitin ligase. HERC2 is known to target XPA and BRCA1 for degradation and a mechanism whereby it is involved in DNA repair and cell cycle regulation. We showed that loss of HERC2 function leads to the accumulation of XPA and BRCA1 in the patient's fibroblasts and generates decreased sensitivity to apoptosis and increased level of DNA repair. Our data describe for the first time the phenotypic consequences, both at the clinical and cellular levels, of a complete loss of HERC2 function in a patient. They strongly suggest that profound ubiquitin ligase - associated dysfunction is responsible for the severe phenotype in this patient, and that dysfunction of this pathway may be involved in other patients with similar neurodevelopmental diseases.
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