1H-13C NMR-based urine metabolic profiling in autism spectrum disorders.

International audienceAutism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are a group of developmental disorders caused by environmental and genetic factors. Diagnosis is based on behavioral and developmental signs detected before 3 years of age with no reliable biological marker. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the potential use of a 2D NMR-based approach to express the global biochemical signature of autistic individuals compared to normal controls. This technique has greater spectral resolution than to 1D (1)H NMR spectroscopy, which is limited by overlapping signals. The urinary metabolic profiles of 30 autistic and 28 matched healthy children were obtained using a (1)H-(13)C NMR-based approach. The data acquired were processed by multivariate orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA). Some discriminating metabolites were identified: β-alanine, glycine, taurine and succinate concentrations were significatively higher, and creatine and 3-methylhistidine concentrations were lower in autistic children than in controls. We also noted differences in several other metabolites that were unidentified but characterized by a cross peak correlation in (1)H-(13)C HSQC. Statistical models of (1)H and (1)H-(13)C analyses were compared and only 2D spectra allowed the characterization of statistically relevant changes [R(2)Y(cum)=0.78 and Q(2)(cum)=0.60] in the low abundance metabolites. This method has the potential to contribute to the diagnosis of neurodevelopment disorders but needs to be validated on larger cohorts and on other developmental disorders to define its specificity

GC-MS-based urine metabolic profiling of autism spectrum disorders.: GC-MS-based Urine Metabolic Profiling in ASD

International audienceAutism spectrum disorders (ASD) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders resulting from multiple factors. Diagnosis is based on behavioural and developmental signs detected before 3 years of age, and there is no reliable biological marker. The purpose of this study was to evaluate the value of gas chromatography combined with mass spectroscopy (GC-MS) associated with multivariate statistical modeling to capture the global biochemical signature of autistic individuals. GC-MS urinary metabolic profiles of 26 autistic and 24 healthy children were obtained by liq/liq extraction, and were or were not subjected to an oximation step, and then were subjected to a persilylation step. These metabolic profiles were then processed by multivariate analysis, in particular orthogonal partial least-squares discriminant analysis (OPLS-DA, R(2)Y(cum) = 0.97, Q(2)(cum) = 0.88). Discriminating metabolites were identified. The relative concentrations of the succinate and glycolate were higher for autistic than healthy children, whereas those of hippurate, 3-hydroxyphenylacetate, vanillylhydracrylate, 3-hydroxyhippurate, 4-hydroxyphenyl-2-hydroxyacetate, 1H-indole-3-acetate, phosphate, palmitate, stearate, and 3-methyladipate were lower. Eight other metabolites, which were not identified but characterized by a retention time plus a quantifier and its qualifier ion masses, were found to differ between the two groups. Comparison of statistical models leads to the conclusion that the combination of data obtained from both derivatization techniques leads to the model best discriminating between autistic and healthy groups of children

Rescue of fragile X syndrome phenotypes in Fmr1 KO mice by a BKCa channel opener molecule.

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Mutation screening of ASMT, the last enzyme of the melatonin pathway, in a large sample of patients with intellectual disability.

International audienceBACKGROUND: Intellectual disability (ID) is frequently associated with sleep disorders. Treatment with melatonin demonstrated efficacy, suggesting that, at least in a subgroup of patients, the endogenous melatonin level may not be sufficient to adequately set the sleep-wake cycles. Mutations in ASMT gene, coding the last enzyme of the melatonin pathway have been reported as a risk factor for autism spectrum disorders (ASD), which are often comorbid with ID. Thus the aim of the study was to ascertain the genetic variability of ASMT in a large cohort of patients with ID and controls. METHODS: Here, we sequenced all exons of ASMT in a sample of 361 patients with ID and 440 controls. We then measured the ASMT activity in B lymphoblastoid cell lines (BLCL) of patients with ID carrying an ASMT variant and compared it to controls. RESULTS: We could identify eleven variations modifying the protein sequence of ASMT (ID only: N13H, N17K, V171M, E288D; controls only: E61Q, D210G, K219R, P243L, C273S, R291Q; ID and controls: L298F) and two deleterious splice site mutations (IVS5+2T>C and IVS7+1G>T) only observed in patients with ID. We then ascertained ASMT activity in B lymphoblastoid cell lines from patients carrying the mutations and showed significantly lower enzyme activity in patients carrying mutations compared to controls (p = 0.004). CONCLUSIONS: We could identify patients with deleterious ASMT mutations as well as decreased ASMT activity. However, this study does not support ASMT as a causative gene for ID since we observed no significant enrichment in the frequency of ASMT variants in ID compared to controls. Nevertheless, given the impact of sleep difficulties in patients with ID, melatonin supplementation might be of great benefit for a subgroup of patients with low melatonin synthesis

Translational Research Methods in Neurodevelopmental Disorders

International audienceIntellectual disability (ID) and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are frequently associated neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs), which affect more than 1% of the general popula- tion, and consequently represent a major public health issue. These conditions are characterized by compromised brain and cognitive functions and impaired social behaviors, representing a leading cause of handicap in children. NDDs often result from genetic mutations leading to neurodevelopmental alterations characterized by structural neuronal network defects, which is associated with aberrant synaptic communication and plasticity.Translational research is absolutely central to better understand human brain patholo- gies. Indeed, the genetic analysis of patients associated with the integration of preclinical data obtained from engineered cellular and/or animal models bearing the identified human mutations in their genome, alongside a detailed characterization of the impact that these mutations pose to neuronal development, plasticity and brain connectivity is a promising strategy to envisage the development of novel therapies for NDDs.This volume of translational research methods applied to the neurodevelopmental disease research fields presents advanced technical developments and their applications associated with more classical techniques that are ranging from molecular aspects to integrated research approaches and brain imaging in living rodents.Briefly, Chap. 1 exposes the protocol to deliver shRNA in vitro or in vivo using lentiviral particles to knock down specific protein expression; Chap. 2 presents the different methods to purify synaptosomes from rodent and human brain tissues as well as a way to enrich the preparations in pre- and post-synaptic compartments. Chapter 3 depicts the experimental procedures to use recombinant fluorescent probes to visualize endogenous proteins at the mammalian synapse. Chapter 4 reports an advanced method to characterize specific sub-neuronal populations in the developing brain. Chapter 5 details a CRISPR/Cas9 toolkit to assess either gain or loss of gene function in brain organoids. Chapter 6 is devoted to a quantitative histological assessment method to precisely assess the neuroanatomical pheno- types of mouse brain. Chapter 7 highlights how to use microelectrode array technology for phenotyping stem cell–derived neurodevelopmental disease models. Chapter 8 presents the use of humanized mouse models to investigate human neural development in health and disease. Chapter 9 reports a detailed protocol to use in vivo manipulations to correct the behavioral phenotypes in cognitive disorder mouse lines. Chapter 10 presents the protocols to measure dyadic social interaction in rodent models of NDDs. The detailed method of how metabolomics is used to study brain metabolic signatures associated with NDDs is detailed in Chap. 11. Chapter 12 gives established experimental approaches to genetically engineer macaque models of NDDs and investigates how genetic predisposition may cause neural and functional alterations.Since alterations in neuronal network formation and/or regulation are also centrally involved in other neurological conditions, such as stroke and epilepsy, as well as in neurode- generative disorders and psychiatric diseases, including, but not restricted to, Parkinson’s, Huntington’s and Alzheimer’s diseases, schizophrenia, or depression, the whole range of step-by-step procedures described in this volume will be of broad interest to any novice or expert neuroscientist.Finally, we would like to thank all the contributors for their outstanding contributions to this volume of Neuromethods

Etude de la correspondance génotype/phénotype dans la dyslexie de développement (recherche de facteurs de prédisposition génétique à partir de l'étude de familles multiplex)

La dyslexie est le plus fréquent des troubles neurodéveloppementaux de l enfant. A ce jour, 9 loci de susceptibilité ont été identifiés parmi lesquels DYX 9 en Xq27. Nous avons réalisé la première étude de liaison française suivie de l analyse de gènes candidats sur l ensemble du génome de 58 sujets issus de 12 familles multiplex pour la dyslexie, en utilisant un phénotype catégoriel. Des résultats significatifs sont apparus pour la région Xq27.3, au sein de DYX9. Le Lod score multipoint maximal obtenu était 3.884 entre rs12558359 et rs454992. Dans cette région, les séquences codantes de 7 gènes candidats ayant un rôle dans le développement cérébral (CXORF1, CXORF51, SLITRK2, FMR1, FMR2, ASFMR1, FMR1NB), ont été étudiées à la recherche de mutations. Nous avons également étudié les séquences 5 non codantes des gènes FMR1 et FMR2. Aucune mutation n a été retrouvée. Ces résultats de liaison de la région Xq27.3, au locus XFRA, dans une population française confirment la région DYX9 comme région d intérêt dans la dyslexie de développement.Dyslexia is a frequent neurodevelopmental learning disorder. To date, 9 susceptibility loci have been determined among which DYX9 located in Xq27. We performed the first French SNP linkage study followed by candidate gene investigation in dyslexia by studying 12 multiplex families (58 subjects) with at least two children affected, according to categorical restrictive criteria for phenotype definition. Significant results emerged on Xq27.3 within DYX9. The maximum multipoint LOD score reached 3,884 between rs12558359 and rs454992. Within this region, 7 candidate genes were investigated for mutations in exonic sequences (CXORF1, CXORF51, SLITRK2, FMR1, FMR2, ASFMR1, FMR1NB), all having a role during brain development. We further looked for 5 UTR trinucleotide repeats in FMR1 and FMR2 genes. No mutation or polymorphism co-segregating with dyslexia was found. This finding in French families with Dyslexia showed significant linkage on Xq27.3 enclosing FRAXA, and consequently confirmed the DYX9 region as a robust susceptibility locus. We reduced the previously described interval from 6.8 Mb (DXS1227- DXS8091) to 4Mb also disclosing a higher Lod score.TOURS-Bibl.électronique (372610011) / SudocSudocFranceF

The Role of Neuronal Complexes in Human X-Linked Brain Diseases

Beyond finding individual genes that are involved in medical disorders, an important challenge is the integration of sets of disease genes with the complexities of basic biological processes. We examine this issue by focusing on neuronal multiprotein complexes and their components encoded on the human X chromosome. Multiprotein signaling complexes in the postsynaptic terminal of central nervous system synapses are essential for the induction of neuronal plasticity and cognitive processes in animals. The prototype complex is the N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor complex/membrane-associated guanylate kinase–associated signaling complex (NRC/MASC) comprising 185 proteins and embedded within the postsynaptic density (PSD), which is a set of complexes totaling ∼1,100 proteins. It is striking that 86% (6 of 7) of X-linked NRC/MASC genes and 49% (19 of 39) of X-chromosomal PSD genes are already known to be involved in human psychiatric disorders. Moreover, of the 69 known proteins mutated in X-linked mental retardation, 19 (28%) encode postsynaptic proteins. The high incidence of involvement in cognitive disorders is also found in mouse mutants and indicates that the complexes are functioning as integrated entities or molecular machines and that disruption of different components impairs their overall role in cognitive processes. We also noticed that NRC/MASC genes appear to be more strongly associated with mental retardation and autism spectrum disorders. We propose that systematic studies of PSD and NRC/MASC genes in mice and humans will give a high yield of novel genes important for human disease and new mechanistic insights into higher cognitive functions

LIMK2d, a truncated isoform of Lim kinase 2 regulates neurite growth in absence of the LIM kinase domain

Lim kinase 2 isoforms, LIMK2a and LIMK2b, phosphorylate cofilin leading to remodeling of actin cytoskeleton during neuronal differentiation. The expression and function of the LIMK2d isoform, missing the kinase domain, remain unknown. We analyzed the expression of LIMK2 splice variants in adult rat brain and in cultures of rat neural stem cells by RT-QPCR. All three splice variants were expressed in adult cortex, hippocampus and cerebellum. Limk2a and Limk2d expression, but not Limk2b, increased during neuronal differentiation. We studied the localization and function of LIMK2d isoform by transfecting Hela, NSC-34, and hippocampal rat neuron cultures. Similarly to LIMK2b, LIMK2d was expressed in the cytoplasm, neurites and dendritic spines, but not in the nucleus. Similarly to LIMK2a, LIMK2d over-expression in NSC-34 cells increased neurite length, but independently of cofilin phosphorylation or of direct interaction with actin. Overall, these results indicate that LIMK2d is a third LIMK2 isoform which regulates neurite extension and highlights the possible existence of a kinase independent function of LIMK2

The Roles of NEDD4 Subfamily of HECT E3 Ubiquitin Ligases in Neurodevelopment and Neurodegeneration

The ubiquitin pathway regulates the function of many proteins and controls cellular protein homeostasis. In recent years, it has attracted great interest in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative diseases. Here, we have presented the first review on the roles of the 9 proteins of the HECT E3 ligase NEDD4 subfamily in the development and function of neurons in the central nervous system (CNS). We discussed their regulation and their direct or indirect involvement in neurodevelopmental diseases, such as intellectual disability, and neurodegenerative diseases, such as Alzheimer’s disease, Parkinson’s disease or Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis. Further studies on the roles of these proteins, their regulation and their targets in neurons will certainly contribute to a better understanding of neuronal function and dysfunction, and will also provide interesting information for the development of therapeutics targeting them