Genetic overlap between Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease at the MAPT locus.

We investigated the genetic overlap between Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD). Using summary statistics (P-values) from large recent genome-wide association studies (GWAS) (total n=89 904 individuals), we sought to identify single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) associating with both AD and PD. We found and replicated association of both AD and PD with the A allele of rs393152 within the extended MAPT region on chromosome 17 (meta analysis P-value across five independent AD cohorts=1.65 × 10(-7)). In independent datasets, we found a dose-dependent effect of the A allele of rs393152 on intra-cerebral MAPT transcript levels and volume loss within the entorhinal cortex and hippocampus. Our findings identify the tau-associated MAPT locus as a site of genetic overlap between AD and PD, and extending prior work, we show that the MAPT region increases risk of Alzheimer's neurodegeneration.

High-density SNP association study and copy number variation analysis of the AUTS1 and AUTS5 loci implicate the IMMP2L-DOCK4 gene region in autism susceptibility.

Autism spectrum disorders are a group of highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorders with a complex genetic etiology. The International Molecular Genetic Study of Autism Consortium previously identified linkage loci on chromosomes 7 and 2, termed AUTS1 and AUTS5, respectively. In this study, we performed a high-density association analysis in AUTS1 and AUTS5, testing more than 3000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in all known genes in each region, as well as SNPs in non-genic highly conserved sequences. SNP genotype data were also used to investigate copy number variation within these regions. The study sample consisted of 127 and 126 families, showing linkage to the AUTS1 and AUTS5 regions, respectively, and 188 gender-matched controls. Further investigation of the strongest association results was conducted in an independent European family sample containing 390 affected individuals. Association and copy number variant analysis highlighted several genes that warrant further investigation, including IMMP2L and DOCK4 on chromosome 7. Evidence for the involvement of DOCK4 in autism susceptibility was supported by independent replication of association at rs2217262 and the finding of a deletion segregating in a sib-pair family.

ABCB1 genotype and CSF beta-amyloid in Alzheimer disease.

The ABCB1 gene, coding for the efflux transporter P-glycoprotein (PGP), is a candidate gene for Alzheimer disease (AD). P-glycoprotein is heavily expressed at the blood-brain barrier, where it mediates the efflux of ß-amyloid (Aß) from the brain. In this study, we investigated a possible association between 2 common ABCB1 polymorphisms, G2677T/A (Ala893Ser/Thr) and C3435T, AD, and cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) levels of Aß. No strong evidence for association was found.

Mutations in the TSGA14 gene in families with autism spectrum disorders.

Linkage to 7q has been the most robust genetic finding in familial autism. A previous scan of multiplex families with autism spectrum disorders found a linkage signal of genome-wide significance at D7S530 on 7q32. We searched a candidate imprinted region at this location for genetic variants in families with positive linkage scores. Using exon resequencing, we identified three rare potentially pathogenic variants in the TSGA14 gene, which encodes a centrosomal protein. Two variants were missense mutations (c.664C>G; p.P206A and c.766T>G; p.C240G) that changed conserved residues in the same protein domain; the third variant (c.192+5G>A) altered splicing, which resulted in a protein with an internal deletion of 16 residues and a G33D substitution. These rare TSGA14 variants are enriched in the affected subjects (6/348 patients versus 2/670 controls, Fisher's exact two tailed P = 0.022). This is the first report of a possible link of a gene with a centrosomal function with familial autism.

Impaired dopaminergic neurotransmission and microtubule-associated protein tau alterations in human LRRK2 transgenic mice.

Mutations in the Leucine Rich Repeat Kinase 2 (LRRK2) gene, first described in 2004 have now emerged as the most important genetic finding in both autosomal dominant and sporadic Parkinson's disease (PD). While a formidable research effort has ensued since the initial gene discovery, little is known of either the normal or the pathological role of LRRK2. We have created lines of mice that express human wild-type (hWT) or G2019S Lrrk2 via bacterial artificial chromosome (BAC) transgenesis. In vivo analysis of the dopaminergic system revealed abnormal dopamine neurotransmission in both hWT and G2019S transgenic mice evidenced by a decrease in extra-cellular dopamine levels, which was detected without pharmacological manipulation. Immunopathological analysis revealed changes in localization and increased phosphorylation of microtubule binding protein tau in G2019S mice. Quantitative biochemical analysis confirmed the presence of differential phospho-tau species in G2019S mice but surprisingly, upon dephosphorylation the tau isoform banding pattern in G2019S mice remained altered. This suggests that other post-translational modifications of tau occur in G2019S mice. We hypothesize that Lrrk2 may impact on tau processing which subsequently leads to increased phosphorylation. Our models will be useful for further understanding of the mechanistic actions of LRRK2 and future therapeutic screening.

Absence of linkage of chromosome 21q21 markers to familial Alzheimer's disease.

Alzheimer's disease is the most common form of dementia among the elderly population. Although the etiology is unknown, inheritance plays a role in the pathogenesis of the disease. Recent work indicates that an autosomal dominant gene for Alzheimer's disease is located on chromosome 21 at band q21. In the present study of a group of autopsy-documented kindreds, no evidence for linkage was found between familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) and chromosome 21q21 markers (D21S1/D21S72 and the amyloid beta gene). Linkage to the D21S1/D21S72 locus was excluded at recombination fractions (theta) up to 0.17. Linkage to the amyloid gene was excluded at theta = 0.10. Apparent recombinants were noted in two families for the amyloid gene and in five families for the D21S1/D21S72 locus. These data indicate that FAD is genetically heterogeneous.

A familial Alzheimer's disease locus on chromosome 1.

The Volga German kindreds are a group of seven related families with autosomal dominant early-onset Alzheimer's disease (AD). Linkage to known AD-related loci on chromosomes 21 and 14 has been excluded. Significant evidence for linkage to AD in these families was obtained with D1S479 and there was also positive evidence for linkage with other markers in the region. A 112-base pair allele of D1S479 co-segregated with the disease in five of seven families, which is consistent with a common genetic founder. This study demonstrates the presence of an AD locus on chromosome 1q31-42.

Genetic linkage evidence for a familial Alzheimer's disease locus on chromosome 14.

Linkage analysis was used to search the genome for chromosomal regions harboring familial Alzheimer's disease genes. Markers on chromosome 14 gave highly significant positive lod scores in early-onset non-Volga German kindreds; a Zmax of 9.15 (theta = 0.01) was obtained with the marker D14S43 at 14q24.3. One early-onset family yielded a lod score of 4.89 (theta = 0.0). When no assumptions were made about age-dependent penetrance, significant results were still obtained (Zmax = 5.94, theta = 0.0), despite the loss of power to detect linkage under these conditions. Results for the Volga German families were either negative or nonsignificant for markers in this region. Thus, evidence indicates a familial Alzheimer's disease locus on chromosome 14.

Positional cloning of the Werner's syndrome gene.

Werner's syndrome (WS) is an inherited disease with clinical symptoms resembling premature aging. Early susceptibility to a number of major age-related diseases is a key feature of this disorder. The gene responsible for WS (known as WRN) was identified by positional cloning. The predicted protein is 1432 amino acids in length and shows significant similarity to DNA helicases. Four mutations in WS patients were identified. Two of the mutations are splice-junction mutations, with the predicted result being the exclusion of exons from the final messenger RNA. One of the these mutations, which results in a frameshift and a predicted truncated protein, was found in the homozygous state in 60 percent of Japanese WS patients examined. The other two mutations are nonsense mutations. The identification of a mutated putative helicase as the gene product of the WS gene suggests that defective DNA metabolism is involved in the complex process of aging in WS patients.

Mutation-specific functional impairments in distinct tau isoforms of hereditary FTDP-17.

Tau proteins aggregate as cytoplasmic inclusions in a number of neurodegenerative diseases, including Alzheimer's disease and hereditary frontotemporal dementia and parkinsonism linked to chromosome 17 (FTDP-17). Over 10 exonic and intronic mutations in the tau gene have been identified in about 20 FTDP-17 families. Analyses of soluble and insoluble tau proteins from brains of FTDP-17 patients indicated that different pathogenic mutations differentially altered distinct biochemical properties and stoichiometry of brain tau isoforms. Functional assays of recombinant tau proteins with different FTDP-17 missense mutations implicated all but one of these mutations in disease pathogenesis by reducing the ability of tau to bind microtubules and promote microtubule assembly.

A novel progranulin mutation associated with variable clinical presentation and tau, TDP43 and alpha-synuclein pathology.

Mutations in the progranulin (GRN) gene have recently been reported as a cause of the frontotemporal dementia (FTD) syndrome. We performed a clinical, neuropathological and molecular genetic study of two families with FTD and the same novel mutation in GRN. Age of onset ranged from 35 to 75 years and all individuals progressed to a severe dementia syndrome with a mean disease duration of approximately 6-10 years. Variable clinical presentations included language impairment, behaviour change or parkinsonism. Seven total autopsies in the families (five in Family 1, two in Family 2) showed gross and microscopic evidence of neuronal loss in the neocortex, striatum, hippocampus and substantia nigra. All cases with material available for immunohistochemistry had cytoplasmic and intranuclear ubiquitin positive, tau negative inclusions that stained best with an antibody to the TDP43 protein. In addition, all but one had evidence of distinctive tau pathology. Two cases in Family 1 also had alpha-synuclein (SNCA) pathology, one with diffuse neocortical inclusions and neurites and unusual striatal cytoplasmic inclusions. Affected persons in both families had the same mutation in GRN (c.709-2A>G). A minigene construct showed that this mutation alters splicing of exon 7 and results in reduced mRNA message in brain. A single GRN mutation in these two families was associated with variable clinical presentations consistent with the FTD syndrome. All cases had ubiquitin/TDP43 immuno-positive inclusions and most had additional tau pathology. Two cases had SNCA pathology. These findings suggest a link between mutations in GRN and aggregation of tau, TDP43 and SNCA.

Effects of intranasal insulin on cognition in memory-impaired older adults: modulation by APOE genotype.

Raising insulin acutely in the periphery and in brain improves verbal memory. Intranasal insulin administration, which raises insulin acutely in the CNS without raising plasma insulin levels, provides an opportunity to determine whether these effects are mediated by central insulin or peripheral processes. Based on prior research with intravenous insulin, we predicted that the treatment response would differ between subjects with (epsilon4+) and without (epsilon4-) the APOE-epsilon4 allele. On separate mornings, 26 memory-impaired subjects (13 with early Alzheimer's disease and 13 with amnestic mild cognitive impairment) and 35 normal controls each underwent three intranasal treatment conditions consisting of saline (placebo) or insulin (20 or 40 IU). Cognition was tested 15 min post-treatment, and blood was acquired at baseline and 45 min after treatment. Intranasal insulin treatment did not change plasma insulin or glucose levels. Insulin treatment facilitated recall on two measures of verbal memory in memory-impaired epsilon4- adults. These effects were stronger for memory-impaired epsilon4- subjects than for memory-impaired epsilon4+ subjects and normal adults. Unexpectedly, memory-impaired epsilon4+ subjects showed poorer recall following insulin administration on one test of memory. These findings suggest that intranasal insulin administration may have therapeutic benefit without the risk of peripheral hypoglycemia and provide further evidence for apolipoprotein E (APOE) related differences in insulin metabolism.

Solubilization and reconstitution of membranes containing the Na+ -Ca2+ exchange carrier from rat brain.

The Na+ -Ca2+ exchange carrier from brain plasmalemma was solubilized in cholate and reconstituted into asolectin vesicles by the cholate dilution method. Optimal solubilization and reconstitution required the presence of high NaCl (greater than or equal to 1.3 M). The reconstituted vesicles rapidly accumulated 45Ca2+ in the presence of an outward directed Na+ gradient. Other monovalent ion gradients (K+, Li+ or cholate+) did not drive transport. Further, Mg2+ X ATP did not drive Ca2+ uptake in the reconstituted vesicles. Uptake was temperature dependent with highest uptake occurring at 37 degrees C. Intravesicular Ca2+ accumulated by the Na+ -dependent process could be released by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 or by extravesicular Na+ but not by external EGTA. Ca2+ uptake was inhibited by extravesicular Li+ or Na+. The Ki for Na+ inhibition was 35 mM for both the original membrane vesicles from brain plasmalemma and for the reconstituted vesicles. Ca2+ uptake was saturable with respect to extravesicular Ca2+ (Km(Ca2+) = 27 microM).

Sodium-dependent and calcium-dependent calcium transport by rat brain microsomes.

Microsomal vesicles prepared from rat brain contain a Na+-Ca2+ exchange transport system capable of accumulating Ca2+ in a time- and temperature-dependent manner. The Ca2+ accumulated by these vesicles was released by the Ca2+ ionophore A23187 but not by EGTA. The Km value for Ca2+ uptake was 23 microM with a maximal velocity of 21 nmol Ca2+/mg per min. Ca2+ uptake was significantly inhibited by La3+, Sr2+, Mn2+ and Ba2+ and to a lesser extent by Mg2+. 45Ca2+ accumulated by Na+-dependent uptake could be released by 40Ca2+, indicating the presence of a Ca2+-Ca2+ exchange activity in the microsomes. Ca2+-Ca2+ exchange was stimulated in Li+- and K+-containing media as compared to choline+ media. Microsomes also catalyzed ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake (in the absence of Na+ gradient). The Ca2+ sequestered by this mechanism could be released by extravesicular Na+, indicating that both the ATP-dependent and the Na+-dependent Ca2+ uptake systems are present in the same membrane. The microsomal preparation used did not contain measurable amounts of succinate dehydrogenase activity or oligomycin-azide-dinitrophenol sensitive ATP-dependent Ca2+ uptake. Thus, the Ca2+ accumulation observed was not due to contaminating mitochondria. The preparation was enriched for 5'-nucleotidase and (Na+ + K+)-ATPase (plasma membrane markers) as well as antimycin A-resistant NADPH-dependent cytochrome c reductase activity (an endoplasmic reticulum marker).

Immunoreactivity of subunits of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase. Cross-reactivity of the alpha, alpha + and beta forms in different organs and species.

The immunologic cross-reactivity of the alpha and alpha + forms of the large subunit and the beta subunit of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase from brain and kidney preparations was examined using rabbit antiserum prepared against the purified holo lamb kidney enzyme. As previously reported by Sweadner ((1979) J. Biol. Chem. 254, 6060-6067) phosphorylation of the large subunit of the (Na+ + K+)-ATPase in the presence of Na+, Mg2+, and [gamma-32P]ATP revealed that dog and, very likely, rat brain contain two forms of the large subunit (designated alpha and alpha +) while dog, rat, and lamb kidney contain only one form (alpha). The cross-reactivity of the alpha and alpha + forms in these preparations was investigated by resolving the subunits by SDS-polyacrylamide gel electrophoresis. The separated polypeptides were transferred to unmodified nitrocellulose paper and reacted with rabbit anti-lamb kidney serum, followed by detection of the antigen-antibody complex with 125I-labeled protein A and autoradiography. By this method, the alpha and alpha + forms of rat and dog brain, as well as the alpha form found in kidney, were shown to cross-react. In addition, membranes from human cerebral cortex were shown to contain two immunoreactive bands corresponding to the alpha and alpha + forms of dog brain. In contrast, the brain of the insect Manduca sexta contains only one immunoreactive polypeptide with a molecular weight intermediate to the alpha and alpha + forms of dog brain. The beta subunit from lamb, dog and rat kidney and from dog and rat brain cross-reacts with anti-lamb kidney (Na+ + K+)-ATPase serum. The mobility of the beta subunit from dog and rat brain on SDS-polyacrylamide electrophoresis gels is greater than the mobility of the beta subunit from lamb, rat or dog kidney.

Paraoxonase (PON1) phenotype is a better predictor of vascular disease than is PON1(192) or PON1(55) genotype.

The paraoxonase (PON1) PON1-Q192R and PON1-L55M polymorphisms have been inconsistently associated with vascular disease. Plasma PON1 activity phenotypes vary markedly within genotypes and were, therefore, expected to add to the informativeness of genotype for predicting vascular disease. The case-control sample included 212 age- and race-matched men (mean age 66.4 years). The 106 carotid artery disease (CAAD) cases had >80% carotid stenosis, and the 106 controls had <15%. Two PON1 substrate hydrolysis rates (paraoxon [POase] and diazoxon [DZOase]) were significantly lower in cases than in controls and were significant predictors of CAAD by use of logistic regression (POase, P=0.005; DZOase, P=0.019). DZOase predicted vascular disease independently of lipoprotein profile, high density lipoprotein subfractions, apolipoprotein A-I, and smoking. PON1-192 and PON1-55 genotypes or haplotypes did not predict case-control status unless the activity phenotype was also included as a predictor by use of logistic regression. When phenotype was included as a predictor, PON1-192 and PON1-55 genotypes or combined haplotypes were significant predictors (P<0.05). In conclusion, examining PON1-192 and/or PON1-55 genotypes alone may mistakenly lead to the conclusion that there is no role of PON1 in CAAD. These results support the benefit of a "level crossing" approach that includes intervening phenotypes in the study of complexly inherited disease.

Inhibition of brain mitochondrial Ca2+ transport by amiloride analogues.

Rat brain mitochondrial Ca2+ uptake and release were examined in the presence of amiloride (3,5-diamino-6-chloro-N-(diaminomethylene)-pyrazinecarboxamide) and nineteen amiloride analogues. Amiloride, an inhibitor of Na+-Ca2+ exchange in plasmalemma membranes, did not affect energy-dependent Ca2+ uptake, whereas several other analogues were inhibitors. Similarly, amiloride did not alter Ca2+ release in the presence or absence of Na+. However, some analogues were found that stimulated and others that inhibited Ca2+ release. While many of these analogues reduced mitochondrial respiratory control ratios, two analogues were identified which inhibited Ca2+ uptake but did not alter mitochondrial respiratory control. Similarly two analogues were identified which inhibited Ca2+ efflux without affecting respiratory control.

Analysis of paraoxonase (PON1) L55M status requires both genotype and phenotype.

Paraoxonase (PON1) is tightly associated with high-density lipoprotein particles and is believed to contribute to the prevention of atherosclerosis by metabolizing oxidized lipids. PON1 also hydrolyses the bioactive oxon forms of organophosphorus pesticides such as parathion, diazinon and chlorpyrifos. Two common polymorphisms have been identified in the coding sequence of human PON1: L55M and R192Q. Several previous studies have found that the presence of the PON1R192 allele raises the risk of cardiovascular disease while others found no correlation. The studies, however, have focused on the genotype of PON1 and not the expression level of the protein. We found that the PON1 expression level in plasma, as determined by the rates of paraoxon and diazoxon hydrolysis, varies widely among individuals and within a genotype. Previous studies found that individuals having Met at PON155 have lower levels of both PON1 mRNA and activity. In this study, we determined the plasma activity levels of PON1 and examined the relationships between PON155 genotype and PON1 level. As with PON1192, we found considerable overlap in activity among the PON155 genotypes. Of the 317 individuals whose PON1 status was determined in this study, 48.9% were PON1Q192 homozygotes. Analysis of the PON1QQ192 population showed that while the average PON1 activity (diazoxon hydrolysis) was 12266 U/L for PON1LL55 and 7777 U/L for PON1MM55, a given PONMM55 individual could have more than twice the activity of a PON1LL55 individual. PON1 status, which includes PON1 level as well as PON1192 genotype, may be a better predictor for cardiovascular disease or organophosphate susceptibility than PON1 genotype alone.

Evidence for etiologic heterogeneity in Alzheimer's disease.

We briefly describe the evidence for etiologic heterogeneity in Alzheimer's disease. Several different genetic and environmental factors may act separately or in combination to produce the AD phenotype. This potential heterogeneity presents special challenges to those attempting to identify specific genetic influences in the pathogenesis of AD.