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Co M, O'Brien GK, Wright KM, O'Roak BJ. Detailed phenotyping of Tbr1-2A-CreER knock-in mice demonstrates significant impacts on TBR1 protein levels and axon development. bioRxiv 2024:2024.04.04.588147. [PMID: 38617321 PMCID: PMC11014564 DOI: 10.1101/2024.04.04.588147] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/16/2024]
Abstract
Spatiotemporal control of Cre-mediated recombination has been an invaluable tool for understanding key developmental processes. For example, knock-in of Cre into cell type marker gene loci drives Cre expression under endogenous promoter and enhancer sequences, greatly facilitating the study of diverse neuronal subtypes in the cerebral cortex. However, insertion of exogenous DNA into the genome can have unintended effects on local gene regulation or protein function that must be carefully considered. Here, we analyze a recently generated Tbr1-2A-CreER knock-in mouse line, where a 2A-CreER cassette was inserted in-frame just before the stop codon of the transcription factor gene Tbr1 . Heterozygous TBR1 mutations in humans and mice are known to cause autism or autism-like behavioral phenotypes accompanied by structural brain malformations, most frequently a reduction of the anterior commissure. Thus, it is critical for modified versions of Tbr1 to exhibit true wild-type-like activity. We evaluated the Tbr1-2A-CreER allele for its potential impact on Tbr1 function and complementation to Tbr1 loss-of-function alleles. In mice with one copy of the Tbr1-2A-CreER allele, we identified reduction of TBR1 protein in early postnatal cortex along with thinning of the anterior commissure, suggesting hypersensitivity of this structure to TBR1 dosage. Comparing Tbr1-2A-CreER and Tbr1 -null heterozygous and homozygous mice to Tbr1 -null complementation crosses showed reductions of TBR1 dosage ranging from 28.4% to 95.9%. Using these combinatorial genotypes, we found that low levels of TBR1 protein (∼16%) are sufficient to establish cortical layer positioning, while greater levels (>50%) are required for normal suppression of layer 5 identity. In total, these results strongly support the conclusion that Tbr1-2A-CreER is a hypomorphic allele. We advise caution when interpreting experiments using this allele, such as transcriptomic studies, considering the sensitivity of various corticogenic processes to TBR1 dosage and the association of heterozygous TBR1 mutations with complex neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Gao L, Gao S, Shan H, Wu Y, Zhou Q. GSK-3β inhibitor TWS119 promotes neuronal differentiation after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats. Neuroreport 2024; 35:200-207. [PMID: 38305107 PMCID: PMC10833190 DOI: 10.1097/wnr.0000000000002006] [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] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2023] [Accepted: 12/03/2023] [Indexed: 02/03/2024]
Abstract
Brain injury in preterm infants is a major cause of disability and mortality in children. GSK-3β is a common pathogenic factor for cognitive dysfunction and involves in neuronal proliferation and differentiation. However, GSK-3β affected neuronal differentiation and its molecular pathogenesis after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats remains unclear. This study investigated the effects of GSK-3β inhibitor (TWS119) on cell cycle regulatory proteins, a neuronal differentiation factor (CEND1), maturation neurons, T-box brain transcription factor 1 (TBR1)-positive neurons to clarify the mechanisms of hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats. We used hypoxic-ischemic Sprague-Dawley neonatal rats with brain damage as models. These rats were used for investigating the effect of GSK-3β on cell cycle regulatory proteins, neuronal differentiation factor (CEND1), maturation neurons, TBR1-positive neurons by western blot and immunofluorescence. Cyclin D1 (a positive cell cycle regulator) expression decreased, and p21 (a negative cell cycle regulator) expression increased in the TWS119 group compared to the hypoxia-ischemia (HI) group 7 days after HI. Additionally, compared to the HI group, TWS119 treatment up-regulated CEND1 expression and promoted neuronal differentiation and cortex development based on NeuN and TBR1 expression. Our study suggests that the GSK-3β inhibitor TWS119 promotes neuronal differentiation after hypoxic-ischemic brain damage in neonatal rats by inhibiting cell cycle pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Hailei Shan
- Neurology, The Affiliated Hospital of Chengde Medical University, Chengde City, Hebei Province, China
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3
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Wang N, Wan R, Tang K. Transcriptional regulation in the development and dysfunction of neocortical projection neurons. Neural Regen Res 2024; 19:246-254. [PMID: 37488873 PMCID: PMC10503610 DOI: 10.4103/1673-5374.379039] [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: 01/29/2023] [Revised: 04/10/2023] [Accepted: 05/17/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamatergic projection neurons generate sophisticated excitatory circuits to integrate and transmit information among different cortical areas, and between the neocortex and other regions of the brain and spinal cord. Appropriate development of cortical projection neurons is regulated by certain essential events such as neural fate determination, proliferation, specification, differentiation, migration, survival, axonogenesis, and synaptogenesis. These processes are precisely regulated in a tempo-spatial manner by intrinsic factors, extrinsic signals, and neural activities. The generation of correct subtypes and precise connections of projection neurons is imperative not only to support the basic cortical functions (such as sensory information integration, motor coordination, and cognition) but also to prevent the onset and progression of neurodevelopmental disorders (such as intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorders, anxiety, and depression). This review mainly focuses on the recent progress of transcriptional regulations on the development and diversity of neocortical projection neurons and the clinical relevance of the failure of transcriptional modulations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ningxin Wang
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Rong Wan
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
| | - Ke Tang
- Precise Genome Engineering Center, School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou University, Guangzhou, Guangdong Province, China
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4
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Nisar S, Haris M. Neuroimaging genetics approaches to identify new biomarkers for the early diagnosis of autism spectrum disorder. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:4995-5008. [PMID: 37069342 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02060-9] [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] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/01/2022] [Revised: 03/23/2023] [Accepted: 03/28/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023]
Abstract
Autism-spectrum disorders (ASDs) are developmental disabilities that manifest in early childhood and are characterized by qualitative abnormalities in social behaviors, communication skills, and restrictive or repetitive behaviors. To explore the neurobiological mechanisms in ASD, extensive research has been done to identify potential diagnostic biomarkers through a neuroimaging genetics approach. Neuroimaging genetics helps to identify ASD-risk genes that contribute to structural and functional variations in brain circuitry and validate biological changes by elucidating the mechanisms and pathways that confer genetic risk. Integrating artificial intelligence models with neuroimaging data lays the groundwork for accurate diagnosis and facilitates the identification of early diagnostic biomarkers for ASD. This review discusses the significance of neuroimaging genetics approaches to gaining a better understanding of the perturbed neurochemical system and molecular pathways in ASD and how these approaches can detect structural, functional, and metabolic changes and lead to the discovery of novel biomarkers for the early diagnosis of ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sabah Nisar
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar
- Department of Diagnostic Imaging, St Jude Children's Research Hospital, Memphis, TN, USA
| | - Mohammad Haris
- Laboratory of Molecular and Metabolic Imaging, Sidra Medicine, Doha, Qatar.
- Center for Advanced Metabolic Imaging in Precision Medicine, Department of Radiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA, USA.
- Laboratory Animal Research Center, Qatar University, Doha, Qatar.
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5
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Dorsey SG, Mocci E, Lane MV, Krueger BK. Rapid effects of valproic acid on the fetal brain transcriptome: Implications for brain development and autism. bioRxiv 2023:2023.05.01.538959. [PMID: 37205520 PMCID: PMC10187231 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.01.538959] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/21/2023]
Abstract
There is an increased incidence of autism among the children of women who take the anti-epileptic, mood stabilizing drug, valproic acid (VPA) during pregnancy; moreover, exposure to VPA in utero causes autistic-like symptoms in rodents and non-human primates. Analysis of RNAseq data obtained from fetal mouse brains 3 hr after VPA administration revealed that VPA significantly [p(FDR) ≤ 0.025] increased or decreased the expression of approximately 7,300 genes. No significant sex differences in VPA-induced gene expression were observed. Expression of genes associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism as well as neurogenesis, axon growth and synaptogenesis, GABAergic, glutaminergic and dopaminergic synaptic transmission, perineuronal nets, and circadian rhythms was dysregulated by VPA. Moreover, expression of 400 autism risk genes was significantly altered by VPA as was expression of 247 genes that have been reported to play fundamental roles in the development of the nervous system, but are not linked to autism by GWAS. The goal of this study was to identify mouse genes that are: (a) significantly up- or down-regulated by VPA in the fetal brain and (b) known to be associated with autism and/or to play a role in embryonic neurodevelopmental processes, perturbation of which has the potential to alter brain connectivity in the postnatal and adult brain. The set of genes meeting these criteria provides potential targets for future hypothesis-driven approaches to elucidating the proximal underlying causes of defective brain connectivity in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism.
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6
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Medina E, Peterson S, Ford K, Singletary K, Peixoto L. Critical periods and Autism Spectrum Disorders, a role for sleep. Neurobiol Sleep Circadian Rhythms 2023; 14:100088. [PMID: 36632570 PMCID: PMC9826922 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbscr.2022.100088] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/21/2022] [Revised: 12/16/2022] [Accepted: 12/19/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Brain development relies on both experience and genetically defined programs. Time windows where certain brain circuits are particularly receptive to external stimuli, resulting in heightened plasticity, are referred to as "critical periods". Sleep is thought to be essential for normal brain development. Importantly, studies have shown that sleep enhances critical period plasticity and promotes experience-dependent synaptic pruning in the developing mammalian brain. Therefore, normal plasticity during critical periods depends on sleep. Problems falling and staying asleep occur at a higher rate in Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) relative to typical development. In this review, we explore the potential link between sleep, critical period plasticity, and ASD. First, we review the importance of critical period plasticity in typical development and the role of sleep in this process. Next, we summarize the evidence linking ASD with deficits in synaptic plasticity in rodent models of high-confidence ASD gene candidates. We then show that the high-confidence rodent models of ASD that show sleep deficits also display plasticity deficits. Given how important sleep is for critical period plasticity, it is essential to understand the connections between synaptic plasticity, sleep, and brain development in ASD. However, studies investigating sleep or plasticity during critical periods in ASD mouse models are lacking. Therefore, we highlight an urgent need to consider developmental trajectory in studies of sleep and plasticity in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth Medina
- Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology, Sleep and Performance Research Center, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Sarah Peterson
- Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology, Sleep and Performance Research Center, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Kaitlyn Ford
- Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology, Sleep and Performance Research Center, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Kristan Singletary
- Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology, Sleep and Performance Research Center, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Lucia Peixoto
- Department of Translational Medicine and Physiology, Sleep and Performance Research Center, Elson S. Floyd College of Medicine, Washington State University, Spokane, WA, United States
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7
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Shen X, Li M, Shao K, Li Y, Ge Z. Post-ischemic inflammatory response in the brain: Targeting immune cell in ischemic stroke therapy. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1076016. [PMID: 37078089 PMCID: PMC10106693 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1076016] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2022] [Accepted: 03/13/2023] [Indexed: 04/05/2023] Open
Abstract
An ischemic stroke occurs when the blood supply is obstructed to the vascular basin, causing the death of nerve cells and forming the ischemic core. Subsequently, the brain enters the stage of reconstruction and repair. The whole process includes cellular brain damage, inflammatory reaction, blood–brain barrier destruction, and nerve repair. During this process, the proportion and function of neurons, immune cells, glial cells, endothelial cells, and other cells change. Identifying potential differences in gene expression between cell types or heterogeneity between cells of the same type helps to understand the cellular changes that occur in the brain and the context of disease. The recent emergence of single-cell sequencing technology has promoted the exploration of single-cell diversity and the elucidation of the molecular mechanism of ischemic stroke, thus providing new ideas and directions for the diagnosis and clinical treatment of ischemic stroke.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xueyang Shen
- Department of Neurology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Mingming Li
- Department of Neurology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu Provincial Neurology Clinical Medical Research Center, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Expert Workstation of Academician Wang Longde, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Kangmei Shao
- Department of Neurology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
| | - Yongnan Li
- Department of Cardiac Surgery, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Yongnan Li,
| | - Zhaoming Ge
- Department of Neurology, Lanzhou University Second Hospital, Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Gansu Provincial Neurology Clinical Medical Research Center, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- Expert Workstation of Academician Wang Longde, The Second Hospital of Lanzhou University, Lanzhou, China
- *Correspondence: Zhaoming Ge,
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8
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Weinschutz Mendes H, Neelakantan U, Liu Y, Fitzpatrick SE, Chen T, Wu W, Pruitt A, Jin DS, Jamadagni P, Carlson M, Lacadie CM, Enriquez KD, Li N, Zhao D, Ijaz S, Sakai C, Szi C, Rooney B, Ghosh M, Nwabudike I, Gorodezky A, Chowdhury S, Zaheer M, McLaughlin S, Fernandez JM, Wu J, Eilbott JA, Vander Wyk B, Rihel J, Papademetris X, Wang Z, Hoffman EJ. High-throughput functional analysis of autism genes in zebrafish identifies convergence in dopaminergic and neuroimmune pathways. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112243. [PMID: 36933215 PMCID: PMC10277173 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112243] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [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: 07/05/2022] [Revised: 11/15/2022] [Accepted: 02/23/2023] [Indexed: 03/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Advancing from gene discovery in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) to the identification of biologically relevant mechanisms remains a central challenge. Here, we perform parallel in vivo functional analysis of 10 ASD genes at the behavioral, structural, and circuit levels in zebrafish mutants, revealing both unique and overlapping effects of gene loss of function. Whole-brain mapping identifies the forebrain and cerebellum as the most significant contributors to brain size differences, while regions involved in sensory-motor control, particularly dopaminergic regions, are associated with altered baseline brain activity. Finally, we show a global increase in microglia resulting from ASD gene loss of function in select mutants, implicating neuroimmune dysfunction as a key pathway relevant to ASD biology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Uma Neelakantan
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Yunqing Liu
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Sarah E Fitzpatrick
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; MD-PhD Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Tianying Chen
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Weimiao Wu
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - April Pruitt
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - David S Jin
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neurology, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | | | - Marina Carlson
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Cheryl M Lacadie
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | | | - Ningshan Li
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; SJTU-Yale Joint Center for Biostatistics and Data Science, Department of Bioinformatics and Biostatistics, School of Life Sciences and Biotechnology, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, Shanghai 200240, China
| | - Dejian Zhao
- Department of Genetics, Yale Center for Genome Analysis, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Sundas Ijaz
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Catalina Sakai
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Christina Szi
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Brendan Rooney
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Marcus Ghosh
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Ijeoma Nwabudike
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Interdepartmental Neuroscience Program, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; MD-PhD Program, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Psychiatry, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Andrea Gorodezky
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Sumedha Chowdhury
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Meeraal Zaheer
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Sarah McLaughlin
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | | | - Jia Wu
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Jeffrey A Eilbott
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Brent Vander Wyk
- Department of Internal Medicine, Section of Geriatrics, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Jason Rihel
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, UK
| | - Xenophon Papademetris
- Department of Radiology and Biomedical Imaging, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Biomedical Engineering, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Zuoheng Wang
- Department of Biostatistics, Yale School of Public Health, New Haven, CT 06510, USA
| | - Ellen J Hoffman
- Child Study Center, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA; Department of Neuroscience, Yale School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA.
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9
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Co M, Barnard RA, Jahncke JN, Grindstaff S, Fedorov LM, Adey AC, Wright KM, O'Roak BJ. Shared and Distinct Functional Effects of Patient-Specific Tbr1 Mutations on Cortical Development. J Neurosci 2022; 42:7166-7181. [PMID: 35944998 PMCID: PMC9480892 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0409-22.2022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [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: 02/28/2022] [Revised: 07/06/2022] [Accepted: 07/30/2022] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
T-Box Brain Transcription Factor 1 (TBR1) plays essential roles in brain development, mediating neuronal migration, fate specification, and axon tract formation. While heterozygous loss-of-function and missense TBR1 mutations are associated with neurodevelopmental conditions, the effects of these heterogeneous mutations on brain development have yet to be fully explored. We characterized multiple mouse lines carrying Tbr1 mutations differing by type and exonic location, including the previously generated Tbr1 exon 2-3 knock-out (KO) line, and we analyzed male and female mice at neonatal and adult stages. The frameshift patient mutation A136PfsX80 (A136fs) caused reduced TBR1 protein in cortex similar to Tbr1 KO, while the missense patient mutation K228E caused significant TBR1 upregulation. Analysis of cortical layer formation found similar defects between KO and A136fs homozygotes in their CUX1+ and CTIP2+ layer positions, while K228E homozygosity produced layering defects distinct from these mutants. Meanwhile, the examination of cortical apoptosis found extensive cell death in KO homozygotes but limited cell death in A136fs or K228E homozygotes. Despite their discordant cortical phenotypes, these Tbr1 mutations produced several congruent phenotypes, including anterior commissure reduction in heterozygotes, which was previously observed in humans with TBR1 mutations. These results indicate that patient-specific Tbr1 mutant mice will be valuable translational models for pinpointing shared and distinct etiologies among patients with TBR1-related developmental conditions.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Mutations of the TBR1 gene increase the likelihood of neurodevelopmental conditions such as intellectual disability and autism. Therefore, the study of TBR1 can offer insights into the biological mechanisms underlying these conditions, which affect millions worldwide. To improve the modeling of TBR1-related conditions over current Tbr1 knock-out mice, we created mouse lines carrying Tbr1 mutations identical to those found in human patients. Mice with one mutant Tbr1 copy show reduced amygdalar connections regardless of mutation type, suggesting a core biomarker for TBR1-related disorders. In mice with two mutant Tbr1 copies, brain phenotypes diverge by mutation type, suggesting differences in Tbr1 gene functionality in different patients. These mouse models will serve as valuable tools for understanding genotype-phenotype relationships among patients with neurodevelopmental conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marissa Co
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
| | - Rebecca A Barnard
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
| | - Jennifer N Jahncke
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
| | - Sally Grindstaff
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
| | - Lev M Fedorov
- Transgenic Mouse Models Core, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
| | - Andrew C Adey
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
| | - Kevin M Wright
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
| | - Brian J O'Roak
- Department of Molecular and Medical Genetics, Oregon Health & Science University, Portland, Oregon 97239
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10
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Zhang W, Hu L, Huang X, Xie D, Wu J, Fu X, Liang D, Huang S. Whole-exome sequencing identified five novel de novo variants in patients with unexplained intellectual disability. J Clin Lab Anal 2022; 36:e24587. [PMID: 35837997 PMCID: PMC9459325 DOI: 10.1002/jcla.24587] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/10/2022] [Revised: 05/20/2022] [Accepted: 06/25/2022] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Intellectual disability (ID) represents a neurodevelopmental disorder, which is characterized by marked defects in the intellectual function and adaptive behavior, with an onset during the developmental period. ID is mainly caused by genetic factors, and it is extremely genetically heterogeneous. This study aims to identify the genetic cause of ID using trio‐WES analysis. Methods We recruited four pediatric patients with unexplained ID from non‐consanguineous families, who presented at the Department of Pediatrics, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital. Whole‐exome sequencing (WES) and Sanger sequencing validation were performed in the patients and their unaffected parents. Furthermore, conservative analysis and protein structural and functional prediction were performed on the identified pathogenic variants. Results We identified five novel de novo mutations from four known ID‐causing genes in the four included patients, namely COL4A1 (c.2786T>A, p.V929D and c.2797G>A, p.G933S), TBR1 (c.1639_1640insCCCGCAGTCC, p.Y553Sfs*124), CHD7 (c.7013A>T, p.Q2338L), and TUBA1A (c.1350del, p.E450Dfs*34). These mutations were all predicted to be deleterious and were located at highly conserved domains that might affect the structure and function of these proteins. Conclusion Our findings contribute to expanding the mutational spectrum of ID‐related genes and help to deepen the understanding of the genetic causes and heterogeneity of ID.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wenqiu Zhang
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China.,Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Guizhou Provincial People's hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Li Hu
- Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Guizhou Provincial People's hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Xinyi Huang
- School of Medical and Life Sciences, Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Chengdu, China
| | - Dan Xie
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China.,Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Guizhou Provincial People's hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Jiangfen Wu
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China.,Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Guizhou Provincial People's hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Xiaoling Fu
- Department of Pediatrics, Guizhou Provincial People's hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Daiyi Liang
- Department of Neurology, Guizhou Provincial People's hospital, Guiyang, China
| | - Shengwen Huang
- School of Medicine, Guizhou University, Guiyang, China.,Prenatal Diagnosis Center, Guizhou Provincial People's hospital, Guiyang, China.,NHC Key Laboratory of Pulmonary Immunological Diseases, Guizhou Provincial People's Hospital, Guiyang, China
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11
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Crespo I, Pignatelli J, Kinare V, Méndez-Gómez HR, Esgleas M, Román MJ, Canals JM, Tole S, Vicario C. Tbr1 Misexpression Alters Neuronal Development in the Cerebral Cortex. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:5750-5765. [PMID: 35781633 PMCID: PMC9395452 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02936-x] [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] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/01/2021] [Accepted: 06/10/2022] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Changes in the transcription factor (TF) expression are critical for brain development, and they may also underlie neurodevelopmental disorders. Indeed, T-box brain1 (Tbr1) is a TF crucial for the formation of neocortical layer VI, and mutations and microdeletions in that gene are associated with malformations in the human cerebral cortex, alterations that accompany autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Interestingly, Tbr1 upregulation has also been related to the occurrence of ASD-like symptoms, although limited studies have addressed the effect of increased Tbr1 levels during neocortical development. Here, we analysed the impact of Tbr1 misexpression in mouse neural progenitor cells (NPCs) at embryonic day 14.5 (E14.5), when they mainly generate neuronal layers II–IV. By E18.5, cells accumulated in the intermediate zone and in the deep cortical layers, whereas they became less abundant in the upper cortical layers. In accordance with this, the proportion of Sox5+ cells in layers V–VI increased, while that of Cux1+ cells in layers II–IV decreased. On postnatal day 7, fewer defects in migration were evident, although a higher proportion of Sox5+ cells were seen in the upper and deep layers. The abnormal neuronal migration could be partially due to the altered multipolar-bipolar neuron morphologies induced by Tbr1 misexpression, which also reduced dendrite growth and branching, and disrupted the corpus callosum. Our results indicate that Tbr1 misexpression in cortical NPCs delays or disrupts neuronal migration, neuronal specification, dendrite development and the formation of the callosal tract. Hence, genetic changes that provoke ectopic Tbr1 upregulation during development could provoke cortical brain malformations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Inmaculada Crespo
- Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERNED-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.,CES Cardenal Cisneros, Madrid, Spain
| | - Jaime Pignatelli
- Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERNED-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Veena Kinare
- Department of Life Sciences, Sophia College for Women, Mumbai, 400026, India
| | - Héctor R Méndez-Gómez
- Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERNED-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Miriam Esgleas
- CIBERNED-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.,Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creatio, Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi I Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - María José Román
- Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain.,CIBERNED-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain
| | - Josep M Canals
- CIBERNED-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.,Laboratory of Stem Cells and Regenerative Medicine, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Creatio, Production and Validation Center of Advanced Therapies, Faculty of Medicine and Health Sciences, Institute of Neurosciences, University of Barcelona, Barcelona, Spain.,August Pi I Sunyer Biomedical Research Institute (IDIBAPS), Barcelona, Spain
| | - Shubha Tole
- Department of Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Mumbai, 400005, India
| | - Carlos Vicario
- Instituto Cajal-Consejo Superior de Investigaciones Científicas (CSIC), Avenida Doctor Arce 37, 28002, Madrid, Spain. .,CIBERNED-Instituto de Salud Carlos III (ISCIII), Madrid, Spain.
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12
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Lee K, Jung Y, Vyas Y, Skelton I, Abraham WC, Hsueh YP, Montgomery JM. Dietary zinc supplementation rescues fear-based learning and synaptic function in the Tbr1 +/- mouse model of autism spectrum disorders. Mol Autism 2022; 13:13. [PMID: 35303947 PMCID: PMC8932001 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-022-00494-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [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: 11/11/2021] [Accepted: 03/07/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by a dyad of behavioural symptoms—social and communication deficits and repetitive behaviours. Multiple aetiological genetic and environmental factors have been identified as causing or increasing the likelihood of ASD, including serum zinc deficiency. Our previous studies revealed that dietary zinc supplementation can normalise impaired social behaviours, excessive grooming, and heightened anxiety in a Shank3 mouse model of ASD, as well as the amelioration of synapse dysfunction. Here, we have examined the efficacy and breadth of dietary zinc supplementation as an effective therapeutic strategy utilising a non-Shank-related mouse model of ASD—mice with Tbr1 haploinsufficiency. Methods We performed behavioural assays, amygdalar slice whole-cell patch-clamp electrophysiology, and immunohistochemistry to characterise the synaptic mechanisms underlying the ASD-associated behavioural deficits observed in Tbr1+/− mice and the therapeutic potential of dietary zinc supplementation. Two-way analysis of variance (ANOVA) with Šídák's post hoc test and one-way ANOVA with Tukey’s post hoc multiple comparisons were performed for statistical analysis. Results Our data show that dietary zinc supplementation prevents impairments in auditory fear memory and social interaction, but not social novelty, in the Tbr1+/− mice. Tbr1 haploinsufficiency did not induce excessive grooming nor elevate anxiety in mice. At the synaptic level, dietary zinc supplementation reversed α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) and N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) hypofunction and normalised presynaptic function at thalamic-lateral amygdala (LA) synapses that are crucial for auditory fear memory. In addition, the zinc supplemented diet significantly restored the synaptic puncta density of the GluN1 subunit essential for functional NMDARs as well as SHANK3 expression in both the basal and lateral amygdala (BLA) of Tbr1+/− mice. Limitations The therapeutic effect of dietary zinc supplementation observed in rodent models may not reproduce the same effects in human patients. The effect of dietary zinc supplementation on synaptic function in other brain structures affected by Tbr1 haploinsufficiency including olfactory bulb and anterior commissure will also need to be examined. Conclusions Our data further the understanding of the molecular mechanisms underlying the effect of dietary zinc supplementation and verify the efficacy and breadth of its application as a potential treatment strategy for ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kevin Lee
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Yewon Jung
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Yukti Vyas
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand.,INSERM, Neurocentre Magendie, U1215, Bordeaux, France
| | - Imogen Skelton
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand
| | - Wickliffe C Abraham
- Department of Psychology and Brain Health Research Centre, University of Otago, Dunedin, New Zealand
| | - Yi-Ping Hsueh
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, 128, Section 2, Academia Rd., Taipei, 11529, Taiwan
| | - Johanna M Montgomery
- Department of Physiology and Centre for Brain Research, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, 85 Park Road, Grafton, Auckland, 1023, New Zealand.
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13
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Leifsdottir K, Jost K, Siljehav V, Thelin EP, Lassarén P, Nilsson P, Haraldsson Á, Eksborg S, Herlenius E. The cerebrospinal fluid proteome of preterm infants predicts neurodevelopmental outcome. Front Pediatr 2022; 10:921444. [PMID: 35928685 PMCID: PMC9343678 DOI: 10.3389/fped.2022.921444] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/29/2022] [Indexed: 12/03/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Survival rate increases for preterm infants, but long-term neurodevelopmental outcome predictors are lacking. Our primary aim was to determine whether a specific proteomic profile in cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) of preterm infants differs from that of term infants and to identify novel biomarkers of neurodevelopmental outcome in preterm infants. METHODS Twenty-seven preterm infants with median gestational age 27 w + 4 d and ten full-term infants were enrolled prospectively. Protein profiling of CSF were performed utilizing an antibody suspension bead array. The relative levels of 178 unique brain derived proteins and inflammatory mediators, selected from the Human Protein Atlas, were measured. RESULTS The CSF protein profile of preterm infants differed from that of term infants. Increased levels of brain specific proteins that are associated with neurodevelopment and neuroinflammatory pathways made up a distinct protein profile in the preterm infants. The most significant differences were seen in proteins involved in neurodevelopmental regulation and synaptic plasticity, as well as components of the innate immune system. Several proteins correlated with favorable outcome in preterm infants at 18-24 months corrected age. Among the proteins that provided strong predictors of outcome were vascular endothelial growth factor C, Neurocan core protein and seizure protein 6, all highly important in normal brain development. CONCLUSION Our data suggest a vulnerability of the preterm brain to postnatal events and that alterations in protein levels may contribute to unfavorable neurodevelopmental outcome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kristin Leifsdottir
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,The Children's Hospital of Iceland, Reykjavik, Iceland
| | - Kerstin Jost
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Veronica Siljehav
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eric P Thelin
- Department of Neurology, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden.,Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Philipp Lassarén
- Department of Clinical Neuroscience, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Peter Nilsson
- SciLifeLab, Department of Protein Science, KTH Royal Institute of Technology, Solna, Sweden
| | | | - Staffan Eksborg
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Eric Herlenius
- Department of Women's and Children's Health, Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.,Astrid Lindgren Children's Hospital, Karolinska University Hospital, Stockholm, Sweden
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14
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Bonsi P, De Jaco A, Fasano L, Gubellini P. Postsynaptic autism spectrum disorder genes and synaptic dysfunction. Neurobiol Dis 2022; 162:105564. [PMID: 34838666 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2021.105564] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2021] [Revised: 11/17/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022] Open
Abstract
This review provides an overview of the synaptic dysfunction of neuronal circuits and the ensuing behavioral alterations caused by mutations in autism spectrum disorder (ASD)-linked genes directly or indirectly affecting the postsynaptic neuronal compartment. There are plenty of ASD risk genes, that may be broadly grouped into those involved in gene expression regulation (epigenetic regulation and transcription) and genes regulating synaptic activity (neural communication and neurotransmission). Notably, the effects mediated by ASD-associated genes can vary extensively depending on the developmental time and/or subcellular site of expression. Therefore, in order to gain a better understanding of the mechanisms of disruptions in postsynaptic function, an effort to better model ASD in experimental animals is required to improve standardization and increase reproducibility within and among studies. Such an effort holds promise to provide deeper insight into the development of these disorders and to improve the translational value of preclinical studies.
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15
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Jin C, Qian H, Xu T, Chen J, Li X, Gu Z. Prenatal diagnosis by whole exome sequencing in a family with a novel TBR1 mutation causing intellectual disability. Taiwan J Obstet Gynecol 2021; 60:1094-7. [PMID: 34794744 DOI: 10.1016/j.tjog.2021.09.023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 06/15/2021] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE To provide prenatal diagnosis for a pregnant woman with genetic history of intellectual disability. CASE REPORT A Chinese pedigree with intellectual disability was collected in this study. Cytogenetic analysis, chromosomal microarray analysis (CMA) and whole exome sequencing (WES) followed by Sanger validation were conducted to identify the genetic pathogenesis. A novel heterozygous deletion c.370_374delTTCCC in TBR1 gene was identified, leading to a frameshift mutation starting at Phe124 followed by a premature stop codon at position 141 (p.Phe124Valfs∗18). Segregation analysis identified that this novel mutation is co-segregated among the affected family members but absent in unaffected family members. Prenatal diagnosis indicated the absence of this mutation, and the family decided to continue the pregnancy after genetic counseling. CONCLUSION Our findings demonstrated the significance of genetic testing in the diagnosis of intellectual disability. This work also confirmed the effectiveness of WES in prenatal diagnosis.
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16
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Lee S, Kang H, Jung H, Kim E, Lee E. Gene Dosage- and Age-Dependent Differential Transcriptomic Changes in the Prefrontal Cortex of Shank2-Mutant Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 14:683196. [PMID: 34177464 PMCID: PMC8226033 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2021.683196] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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: 03/20/2021] [Accepted: 05/18/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Shank2 is an abundant postsynaptic scaffolding protein that is known to regulate excitatory synapse assembly and synaptic transmission and has been implicated in various neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Previous studies on Shank2-mutant mice provided mechanistic insights into their autistic-like phenotypes, but it remains unclear how transcriptomic patterns are changed in brain regions of the mutant mice in age- and gene dosage-dependent manners. To this end, we performed RNA-Seq analyses of the transcripts from the prefrontal cortex (PFC) of heterozygous and homozygous Shank2-mutant mice lacking exons 6 and 7 at juvenile (week 3) and adult (week 12) stages. Juvenile heterozygous Shank2-mutant mice showed upregulation of glutamate synapse-related genes, downregulation of ribosomal and mitochondrial genes, and transcriptomic changes that are opposite to those observed in ASD (anti-ASD) such as upregulation of ASD_down (downregulated in ASD), GABA neuron-related, and oligodendrocyte-related genes. Juvenile homozygous Shank2 mice showed upregulation of chromatin-related genes and transcriptomic changes that are in line with those occurring in ASD (pro-ASD) such as downregulation of ASD_down, GABA neuron-related, and oligodendrocyte-related genes. Adult heterozygous and homozygous Shank2-mutant mice both exhibited downregulation of ribosomal and mitochondrial genes and pro-ASD transcriptomic changes. Therefore, the gene dosage- and age-dependent effects of Shank2 deletions in mice include differential transcriptomic changes across distinct functional contexts, including synapses, chromatin, ribosomes, mitochondria, GABA neurons, and oligodendrocytes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Seungjoon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hyojin Kang
- Division of National Supercomputing, KISTI, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hwajin Jung
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, South Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunee Lee
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, South Korea.,Department of Anatomy, School of Medicine, Yonsei University, Seoul, South Korea
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17
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Lu MH, Hsueh YP. Protein synthesis as a modifiable target for autism-related dendritic spine pathophysiologies. FEBS J 2021; 289:2282-2300. [PMID: 33511762 DOI: 10.1111/febs.15733] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [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] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2020] [Revised: 01/04/2021] [Accepted: 01/26/2021] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is increasingly recognized as a condition of altered brain connectivity. As synapses are fundamental subcellular structures for neuronal connectivity, synaptic pathophysiology has become one of central themes in autism research. Reports disagree upon whether the density of dendritic spines, namely excitatory synapses, is increased or decreased in ASD and whether the protein synthesis that is critical for dendritic spine formation and function is upregulated or downregulated. Here, we review recent evidence supporting a subgroup of ASD models with decreased dendritic spine density (hereafter ASD-DSD), including Nf1 and Vcp mutant mice. We discuss the relevance of branched-chain amino acid (BCAA) insufficiency in relation to unmet protein synthesis demand in ASD-DSD. In contrast to ASD-DSD, ASD models with hyperactive mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) may represent the opposite end of the disease spectrum, often characterized by increases in protein synthesis and dendritic spine density (denoted ASD-ISD). Finally, we propose personalized dietary leucine as a strategy tailored to balancing protein synthesis demand, thereby ameliorating dendritic spine pathophysiologies and autism-related phenotypes in susceptible patients, especially those with ASD-DSD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ming-Hsuan Lu
- Department of Medical Education, National Taiwan University Hospital, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
| | - Yi-Ping Hsueh
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan, ROC
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18
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Joseph DJ, Von Deimling M, Hasegawa Y, Cristancho AG, Ahrens-Nicklas RC, Rogers SL, Risbud R, McCoy AJ, Marsh ED. Postnatal Arx transcriptional activity regulates functional properties of PV interneurons. iScience 2020; 24:101999. [PMID: 33490907 PMCID: PMC7807163 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2020.101999] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/17/2020] [Revised: 12/08/2020] [Accepted: 12/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/16/2022] Open
Abstract
The transcription factor Aristaless-related X-linked gene (Arx) is a monogenic factor in early onset epileptic encephalopathies (EOEEs) and a fundamental regulator of early stages of brain development. However, Arx expression persists in mature GABAergic neurons with an unknown role. To address this issue, we generated a conditional knockout (CKO) mouse in which postnatal Arx was ablated in parvalbumin interneurons (PVIs). Electroencephalogram (EEG) recordings in CKO mice revealed an increase in theta oscillations and the occurrence of occasional seizures. Behavioral analysis uncovered an increase in anxiety. Genome-wide sequencing of fluorescence activated cell sorted (FACS) PVIs revealed that Arx impinged on network excitability via genes primarily associated with synaptic and extracellular matrix pathways. Whole-cell recordings revealed prominent hypoexcitability of various intrinsic and synaptic properties. These results revealed important roles for postnatal Arx expression in PVIs in the control of neural circuits and that dysfunction in those roles alone can cause EOEE-like network abnormalities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Donald J Joseph
- Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Abramson Research Center, Rm. 502, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Markus Von Deimling
- Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Abramson Research Center, Rm. 502, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Klinik für Urologie, Städtisches Klinikum Lüneburg, Bögelstraße 1, 21339 Lüneburg, Germany
| | - Yuiko Hasegawa
- Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Abramson Research Center, Rm. 502, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Ana G Cristancho
- Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Abramson Research Center, Rm. 502, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Rebecca C Ahrens-Nicklas
- Division of Metabolism, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Stephanie L Rogers
- Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Abramson Research Center, Rm. 502, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Rashmi Risbud
- Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Abramson Research Center, Rm. 502, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Almedia J McCoy
- Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Abramson Research Center, Rm. 502, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Eric D Marsh
- Division of Child Neurology, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Abramson Research Center, Rm. 502, 3615 Civic Center Boulevard, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.,Department of Neurology, Perelman School of Medicine at the University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
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Garcia-Forn M, Boitnott A, Akpinar Z, De Rubeis S. Linking Autism Risk Genes to Disruption of Cortical Development. Cells 2020; 9:cells9112500. [PMID: 33218123 PMCID: PMC7698947 DOI: 10.3390/cells9112500] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [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] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/21/2020] [Revised: 11/10/2020] [Accepted: 11/15/2020] [Indexed: 02/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a prevalent neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by impairments in social communication and social interaction, and the presence of repetitive behaviors and/or restricted interests. In the past few years, large-scale whole-exome sequencing and genome-wide association studies have made enormous progress in our understanding of the genetic risk architecture of ASD. While showing a complex and heterogeneous landscape, these studies have led to the identification of genetic loci associated with ASD risk. The intersection of genetic and transcriptomic analyses have also begun to shed light on functional convergences between risk genes, with the mid-fetal development of the cerebral cortex emerging as a critical nexus for ASD. In this review, we provide a concise summary of the latest genetic discoveries on ASD. We then discuss the studies in postmortem tissues, stem cell models, and rodent models that implicate recently identified ASD risk genes in cortical development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marta Garcia-Forn
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (M.G.-F.); (A.B.); (Z.A.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Andrea Boitnott
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (M.G.-F.); (A.B.); (Z.A.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
| | - Zeynep Akpinar
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (M.G.-F.); (A.B.); (Z.A.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Department of Psychology, College of Arts and Sciences, New York University, New York, NY 10003, USA
| | - Silvia De Rubeis
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA; (M.G.-F.); (A.B.); (Z.A.)
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- The Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY 10029, USA
- Correspondence: ; Tel.: +1-212-241-0179
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20
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Hsu TT, Huang TN, Hsueh YP. Anterior Commissure Regulates Neuronal Activity of Amygdalae and Influences Locomotor Activity, Social Interaction and Fear Memory in Mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:47. [PMID: 32296306 PMCID: PMC7136557 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00047] [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] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/23/2020] [Accepted: 03/06/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022] Open
Abstract
The two hemispheres of the vertebrate brain are connected through several commissures. Although the anterior commissure (AC) is the most conserved white matter structure in the brains of different vertebrates, its complete physiological functionality remains elusive. Since the AC is involved in the connection between two amygdalae and because amygdalae are critical for emotional behaviors and social interaction, we assessed amygdalar activity and function to investigate the physiological role of the AC. We first performed ex vivo electrophysiological recording on mouse brains to demonstrate that the AC delivers a positive signal to facilitate synaptic responses and to recruit basolateral amygdalar neurons via glutamatergic synapses. Transection was then undertaken to investigate the role of the AC in vivo. Results from in vivo optogenetic stimulation suggest that AC transection impairs mutual activation between two basolateral amygdalae. Behavioral analyses were then used to assess if AC surgical lesioning results in hyperactivity, anxiety, social reduction or learning/memory impairment, which are behavioral features associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, such as autism spectrum disorders. We found that AC transection results in higher locomotor activity, aberrant social interaction and reduced associative memory, but not anxiety. Moreover, systemic administration of D-cycloserine, a coagonist of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor, ameliorated auditory fear memory in AC-transected mice, reinforcing our evidence that the AC potentiates the activity of basolateral amygdalae. Our study suggests that the AC regulates basolateral amygdalar activity and influences neuropsychiatry-related behaviors in mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tsan-Ting Hsu
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Tzyy-Nan Huang
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
| | - Yi-Ping Hsueh
- Institute of Molecular Biology, Academia Sinica, Taipei, Taiwan
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Yoo T, Kim SG, Yang SH, Kim H, Kim E, Kim SY. A DLG2 deficiency in mice leads to reduced sociability and increased repetitive behavior accompanied by aberrant synaptic transmission in the dorsal striatum. Mol Autism 2020; 11:19. [PMID: 32164788 PMCID: PMC7069029 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00324-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [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: 11/29/2019] [Accepted: 03/02/2020] [Indexed: 02/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Background DLG2, also known as postsynaptic density protein-93 (PSD-93) or chapsyn-110, is an excitatory postsynaptic scaffolding protein that interacts with synaptic surface receptors and signaling molecules. A recent study has demonstrated that mutations in the DLG2 promoter region are significantly associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Although DLG2 is well known as a schizophrenia-susceptibility gene, the mechanisms that link DLG2 gene disruption with ASD-like behaviors remain unclear. Methods Mice lacking exon 14 of the Dlg2 gene (Dlg2–/– mice) were used to investigate whether Dlg2 deletion leads to ASD-like behavioral abnormalities. To this end, we performed a battery of behavioral tests assessing locomotion, anxiety, sociability, and repetitive behaviors. In situ hybridization was performed to determine expression levels of Dlg2 mRNA in different mouse brain regions during embryonic and postnatal brain development. We also measured excitatory and inhibitory synaptic currents to determine the impacts of Dlg2 deletion on synaptic transmission in the dorsolateral striatum. Results Dlg2–/– mice showed hypoactivity in a novel environment. They also exhibited decreased social approach, but normal social novelty recognition, compared with wild-type animals. In addition, Dlg2–/– mice displayed strong self-grooming, both in home cages and novel environments. Dlg2 mRNA levels in the striatum were heightened until postnatal day 7 in mice, implying potential roles of DLG2 in the development of striatal connectivity. In addition, the frequency of excitatory, but not inhibitory, spontaneous postsynaptic currents in the Dlg2–/– dorsolateral striatum was significantly reduced. Conclusion These results suggest that homozygous Dlg2 deletion in mice leads to ASD-like behavioral phenotypes, including social deficits and increased repetitive behaviors, as well as reductions in excitatory synaptic input onto dorsolateral spiny projection neurons, implying that the dorsal striatum is one of the brain regions vulnerable to the developmental dysregulation of DLG2.
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Affiliation(s)
- Taesun Yoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Sun-Gyun Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Soo Hyun Yang
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, 02841, Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, 34141, Korea.,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS), Daejeon, 34141, Korea
| | - Soo Young Kim
- College of Pharmacy, Yeungnam University, Gyeongsan, 38541, Korea.
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