Generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell line (EURACi014-A) from a Parkinson's disease patient with an A53T mutation in the SNCA gene by an integration-free reprogramming method.

The SNCA gene encodes the presynaptic α-synuclein (aSyn) protein, and its mutations are associated with autosomal dominant Parkinson's disease (PD). We describe the generation of an induced pluripotent stem cell (iPSC) line of a patient carrying a pathogenic Ala53Thr missense mutation in the SNCA gene. Human dermal fibroblasts were reprogrammed using a non-integrating episomal method. The generated iPSC line (EURACi014-A; iPS-1.1) shows expression of pluripotency markers, the potential to differentiate into all three germ layers, and a stable karyotype. Hence, this line represents a valuable resource for the study and modeling of the processes directly controlled by aSyn.

Silencing of CCR4-NOT complex subunits affects heart structure and function.

The identification of genetic variants that predispose individuals to cardiovascular disease and a better understanding of their targets would be highly advantageous. Genome-wide association studies have identified variants that associate with QT-interval length (a measure of myocardial repolarization). Three of the strongest associating variants (single-nucleotide polymorphisms) are located in the putative promotor region of CNOT1, a gene encoding the central CNOT1 subunit of CCR4-NOT: a multifunctional, conserved complex regulating gene expression and mRNA stability and turnover. We isolated the minimum fragment of the CNOT1 promoter containing all three variants from individuals homozygous for the QT risk alleles and demonstrated that the haplotype associating with longer QT interval caused reduced reporter expression in a cardiac cell line, suggesting that reduced CNOT1 expression might contribute to abnormal QT intervals. Systematic siRNA-mediated knockdown of CCR4-NOT components in human induced pluripotent stem cell-derived cardiomyocytes (hiPSC-CMs) revealed that silencing CNOT1 and other CCR4-NOT genes reduced their proliferative capacity. Silencing CNOT7 also shortened action potential duration. Furthermore, the cardiac-specific knockdown of Drosophila orthologs of CCR4-NOT genes in vivo (CNOT1/Not1 and CNOT7/8/Pop2) was either lethal or resulted in dilated cardiomyopathy, reduced contractility or a propensity for arrhythmia. Silencing CNOT2/Not2, CNOT4/Not4 and CNOT6/6L/twin also affected cardiac chamber size and contractility. Developmental studies suggested that CNOT1/Not1 and CNOT7/8/Pop2 are required during cardiac remodeling from larval to adult stages. To summarize, we have demonstrated how disease-associated genes identified by GWAS can be investigated by combining human cardiomyocyte cell-based and whole-organism in vivo heart models. Our results also suggest a potential link of CNOT1 and CNOT7/8 to QT alterations and further establish a crucial role of the CCR4-NOT complex in heart development and function.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.

Compound heterozygous SZT2 mutations in two siblings with early-onset epilepsy, intellectual disability and macrocephaly.

PURPOSE: Mutations in SZT2 have been previously reported in several cases of early onset epilepsy and intellectual disability. In this study we investigate potential causal mutations in two male siblings affected by early onset epilepsy, intellectual disability and macrocephaly. METHODS: We use family-based whole-exome sequencing to identify candidate variants. RESULTS: We report the identification of two potential causal SZT2 mutations in compound heterozygous state. We observe considerable differences in the clinical phenotype severity of the two affected individuals. The cerebral MRI revealed no abnormalities in the older affected brother, while in the youngest one it revealed a right frontal polymicrogiria. Moreover, while good seizure control was achieved in the older affected individual the younger brother is affected by pharmacoresistant epilepsy, progressive spastic paraplegia, cortical myoclonus and a more severe intellectual disability. We also analyzed the relative location of the reported pathogenic mutations in the SZT2 protein. CONCLUSION: Variable phenotypic expressivity is observed for this condition, while the location and type of mutations in SZT2 also has a potential impact on epilepsy severity. These findings extend our knowledge of epileptogenic conditions related to SZT2 and mTOR signaling.

Derivation of human induced pluripotent stem cell line EURACi004-A from skin fibroblasts of a patient with Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy carrying the heterozygous PKP2 mutation c.2569_3018del50.

Arrhythmogenic Cardiomyopathy (ACM) is an inherited cardiac disease characterized by arrhythmias and fibro-fatty replacement in the ventricular myocardium. Causative mutations are mainly reported in desmosomal genes, especially in plakophilin2 (PKP2). Here, using a virus-free reprogramming approach, we generated induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) from skin fibroblasts of one ACM patient carrying the frameshift heterozygous PKP2 mutation c.2569_3018del50. The iPSC line (EURACi004-A) showed the typical morphology of pluripotent cells, possessed normal karyotype and exhibited pluripotency markers and trilineage differentiation potential, including cardiomyogenic capability. Thus, this line can represent a human in vitro model to study the molecular basis of ACM.

Primary familial brain calcification in the 'IBGC2' kindred: All linkage roads lead to SLC20A2.

BACKGROUND: Linkage analyses of families with primary familial brain calcification (formerly idiopathic basal ganglia calcification [IBGC]) identified 3 candidate loci (IBGC1-3). Recently, SLC20A2 mutations were found in the IBGC1 and IBGC3 families, merging these 2 loci. We here elucidate the genetic cause of primary familial brain calcification in the 'IBGC2' kindred. METHODS: We sequenced known primary familial brain calcification genes and quantified SLC20A2 and PDGFB. Moreover, CT scans of affected and unaffected family members were evaluated by 2 blinded neuroradiologists for distribution of brain calcification. RESULTS: A heterozygous multiexonic SLC20A2 deletion was detected in several affected family members. A reevaluation of neuroimaging data revealed a subset of mutation-negative individuals with only mild and/or unilateral calcification. CONCLUSIONS: The identified SLC20A2 mutation resolves the genetic cause of primary familial brain calcification in the 'IBGC2' kindred, collapsing 'IBGC2' into IBGC1. We suggest an algorithm for predicting the chances of finding genetic mutations that has to be validated in further studies. Our study enhances criteria for the evaluation of neuroimaging data, contributing further to the much needed harmonization of diagnostic and research data collection in primary familial brain calcification. © 2016 International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

A meta-analysis of thyroid-related traits reveals novel loci and gender-specific differences in the regulation of thyroid function.

Thyroid hormone is essential for normal metabolism and development, and overt abnormalities in thyroid function lead to common endocrine disorders affecting approximately 10% of individuals over their life span. In addition, even mild alterations in thyroid function are associated with weight changes, atrial fibrillation, osteoporosis, and psychiatric disorders. To identify novel variants underlying thyroid function, we performed a large meta-analysis of genome-wide association studies for serum levels of the highly heritable thyroid function markers TSH and FT4, in up to 26,420 and 17,520 euthyroid subjects, respectively. Here we report 26 independent associations, including several novel loci for TSH (PDE10A, VEGFA, IGFBP5, NFIA, SOX9, PRDM11, FGF7, INSR, ABO, MIR1179, NRG1, MBIP, ITPK1, SASH1, GLIS3) and FT4 (LHX3, FOXE1, AADAT, NETO1/FBXO15, LPCAT2/CAPNS2). Notably, only limited overlap was detected between TSH and FT4 associated signals, in spite of the feedback regulation of their circulating levels by the hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis. Five of the reported loci (PDE8B, PDE10A, MAF/LOC440389, NETO1/FBXO15, and LPCAT2/CAPNS2) show strong gender-specific differences, which offer clues for the known sexual dimorphism in thyroid function and related pathologies. Importantly, the TSH-associated loci contribute not only to variation within the normal range, but also to TSH values outside the reference range, suggesting that they may be involved in thyroid dysfunction. Overall, our findings explain, respectively, 5.64% and 2.30% of total TSH and FT4 trait variance, and they improve the current knowledge of the regulation of hypothalamic-pituitary-thyroid axis function and the consequences of genetic variation for hypo- or hyperthyroidism.

Genetic associations for activated partial thromboplastin time and prothrombin time, their gene expression profiles, and risk of coronary artery disease.

Activated partial thromboplastin time (aPTT) and prothrombin time (PT) are clinical tests commonly used to screen for coagulation-factor deficiencies. One genome-wide association study (GWAS) has been reported previously for aPTT, but no GWAS has been reported for PT. We conducted a GWAS and meta-analysis to identify genetic loci for aPTT and PT. The GWAS for aPTT was conducted in 9,240 individuals of European ancestry from the Atherosclerosis Risk in Communities (ARIC) study, and the GWAS for PT was conducted in 2,583 participants from the Genetic Study of Three Population Microisolates in South Tyrol (MICROS) and the Lothian Birth Cohorts (LBC) of 1921 and 1936. Replication was assessed in 1,041 to 3,467 individuals. For aPTT, previously reported associations with KNG1, HRG, F11, F12, and ABO were confirmed. A second independent association in ABO was identified and replicated (rs8176704, p = 4.26 × 10(-24)). Pooling the ARIC and replication data yielded two additional loci in F5 (rs6028, p = 3.22 × 10(-9)) and AGBL1 (rs2469184, p = 3.61 × 10(-8)). For PT, significant associations were identified and confirmed in F7 (rs561241, p = 3.71 × 10(-56)) and PROCR/EDEM2 (rs2295888, p = 5.25 × 10(-13)). Assessment of existing gene expression and coronary artery disease (CAD) databases identified associations of five of the GWAS loci with altered gene expression and two with CAD. In summary, eight genetic loci that account for ∼29% of the variance in aPTT and two loci that account for ∼14% of the variance in PT were detected and supported by functional data.

Linkage and association analysis of hyperthyrotropinaemia in an Alpine population reveal two novel loci on chromosomes 3q28-29 and 6q26-27.

BACKGROUND: Thyroid hormones have important roles in growth, development and control of metabolism, and their dysregulation can lead to disease. OBJECTIVES: To identify genes contributing to hyperthyrotropinaemia. DESIGN, SETTING, PARTICIPANTS: Linkage and association analyses using 1258 individuals from three Alpine villages. OUTCOME MEASURES: The study applied two different upper limits of the reference range (URR) for serum thyroid stimulating hormone (TSH) values (TSH ≥4.6 mU/l and TSH >3.0 mU/l), along with normal or low fT4 (free thyroxine) values or thyroid medical treatment to define two groups of individuals for analysis: one hyperthyrotropinaemic or high-TSH (H-TSH) (TSH ≥4.6 mU/l) group; and a larger group (TSH >3.0 mU/l) called hyperthyrotropinaemic and upper reference range TSH (H+URR-TSH). RESULTS: Non-parametric genome-wide linkage analysis was performed on pedigrees generated from the two groups. Linkage analysis in the H+URR-TSH group revealed a significant peak on chromosome 3q28-q29 (LOD 3.34) and a suggestive linkage peak on chromosome 6q26-27 (LOD 2.66). Analysis in the smaller hyperthyrotropinaemic (H-TSH) group supported linkage to chromosome 6q26-27. Single SNP and gene based SNP association analyses under the linkage peaks identified the PDE10A and DACT2 genes as candidates at the chromosome 6 locus. CONCLUSIONS: PDE10A or DACT2 were identified as candidate genes contributing to hyperthyrotropinaemia (and possibly hypothyroidism) in this sample. Studies in additional populations support association of variants at this locus with TSH values, especially in the PDE10A gene. Genetic linkage in families with hyperthyrotropinaemia suggests the presence of functional variants that contribute to pathological disruption of the hypothalamus-pituitary-thyroid axis.

Variation in the uric acid transporter gene SLC2A9 and its association with AAO of Parkinson's disease.

Based on the observed inverse association between hyperuricemia and Parkinson's disease (PD) risk, the natural antioxidant activity of uric acid has been suggested to play a protective role. SLC2A9 has been indicated as the most effective of all uric acid transporters, and SLC2A9 variants have been shown to influence circulating uric acid levels. With this study, we aimed to test the association between such SLC2A9 polymorphisms and age at onset (AAO) of PD. Variants rs733175, rs737267, rs1014290, and rs6449213 within SLC2A9 were genotyped in 664 PD individuals from three European centers. The effect of each polymorphism on AAO was estimated within each center using a linear regression model adjusted for gender and genotype at the other SNPs and assuming an additive genetic model. Results across centers were combined using inverse-variance weighted fixed-effect meta-analysis. The minor allele of rs1014290, previously shown to be associated with lower serum uric acid levels, was found to be associated with a lower AAO of PD (pooled estimate -4.56 years; 95% CI -8.13, -1.00; p=0.012). The association remained significant after adjustment for multiple comparisons and was highly consistent across centers (heterogeneity, I (2) 0%). No gender differences were observed. Our study suggests that SLC2A9 genetic variants influence age of onset of Parkinson's disease.

The genetic study of three population microisolates in South Tyrol (MICROS): study design and epidemiological perspectives.

BACKGROUND: There is increasing evidence of the important role that small, isolated populations could play in finding genes involved in the etiology of diseases. For historical and political reasons, South Tyrol, the northern most Italian region, includes several villages of small dimensions which remained isolated over the centuries. METHODS: The MICROS study is a population-based survey on three small, isolated villages, characterized by: old settlement; small number of founders; high endogamy rates; slow/null population expansion. During the stage-1 (2002/03) genealogical data, screening questionnaires, clinical measurements, blood and urine samples, and DNA were collected for 1175 adult volunteers. Stage-2, concerning trait diagnoses, linkage analysis and association studies, is ongoing. The selection of the traits is being driven by expert clinicians. Preliminary, descriptive statistics were obtained. Power simulations for finding linkage on a quantitative trait locus (QTL) were undertaken. RESULTS: Starting from participants, genealogies were reconstructed for 50,037 subjects, going back to the early 1600s. Within the last five generations, subjects were clustered in one pedigree of 7049 subjects plus 178 smaller pedigrees (3 to 85 subjects each). A significant probability of familial clustering was assessed for many traits, especially among the cardiovascular, neurological and respiratory traits. Simulations showed that the MICROS pedigree has a substantial power to detect a LOD score > or = 3 when the QTL specific heritability is > or = 20%. CONCLUSION: The MICROS study is an extensive, ongoing, two-stage survey aimed at characterizing the genetic epidemiology of Mendelian and complex diseases. Our approach, involving different scientific disciplines, is an advantageous strategy to define and to study population isolates. The isolation of the Alpine populations, together with the extensive data collected so far, make the MICROS study a powerful resource for the study of diseases in many fields of medicine. Recent successes and simulation studies give us confidence that our pedigrees can be valuable both in finding new candidates loci and to confirm existing candidate genes.