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1.
Front Genet ; 12: 680217, 2021.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-34249098

RESUMEN

The identification of thalidomide-Cereblon-induced SALL4 degradation has brought new understanding for thalidomide embryopathy (TE) differences across species. Some questions, however, regarding species variability, still remain. The aim of this study was to detect sequence divergences between species, affected or not by TE, and to evaluate the regulated gene co-expression in a murine model. Here, we performed a comparative analysis of proteins experimentally established as affected by thalidomide exposure, evaluating 14 species. The comparative analysis, regarding synteny, neighborhood, and protein conservation, was performed in 42 selected genes. Differential co-expression analysis was performed, using a publicly available assay, GSE61306, which evaluated mouse embryonic stem cells (mESC) exposed to thalidomide. The comparative analyses evidenced 20 genes in the upstream neighborhood of NOS3, which are different between the species who develop, or not, the classic TE phenotype. Considering protein sequence alignments, RECQL4, SALL4, CDH5, KDR, and NOS2 proteins had the biggest number of variants reported in unaffected species. In co-expression analysis, Crbn was a gene identified as a driver of the co-expression of other genes implicated in genetic, non-teratogenic, limb reduction defects (LRD), such as Tbx5, Esco2, Recql4, and Sall4; Crbn and Sall4 were shown to have a moderate co-expression correlation, which is affected after thalidomide exposure. Hence, even though the classic TE phenotype is not identified in mice, a deregulatory Crbn-induced mechanism is suggested in this animal. Functional studies are necessary, especially evaluating the genes responsible for LRD syndromes and their interaction with thalidomide-Cereblon.

2.
Odontology ; 109(2): 336-348, 2021 Apr.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32869117

RESUMEN

The purpose of this study is to evaluate the effects of Methylphenidate exposure on mice odontogenesis and connect them by bioinformatics with human odontogenesis. Thirty-two pregnant Swiss mice were divided into treated group and control group, which received, respectively, 5 mg/kg of Methylphenidate and saline solution from the 5th to the 17th day of pregnancy. The mouse embryos tooth germs were analyzed through optical microscopy, and the data collected were analyzed statistically by Fisher's exact test. The presence and similarity of Methylphenidate-associated genes (Pharmgkb database) in both organisms and their interaction with dental development genes (AmiGO2 database) were verified on STRING database. Rates of tooth germ malformations were higher in treated than in control group (Control: 18; Treated: 27; p = 0.035). Mouse embryo malformations were connected with 238 interactions between 69 dental development genes with 35 Methylphenidate genes. Fourteen interactions for four Methylphenidate genes with four dental development genes, with human experimental data, were connected with mouse phenotype data. By homology, the interactions and conservation of proteins/genes may indicate similar outcomes for both organisms. The exposure to Methylphenidate during pregnancy affected odontogenesis in mouse embryos and may affect human odontogenesis. The study of malformations in mice, with a bioinformatics approach, could contribute to understanding of the Methylphenidate effect on embryo development. These results may provide novel hypotheses for further testing and reinforce the FDA protocol: as Methylphenidate is included in category C, its use during pregnancy should be considered if the benefits outweigh the risks.


Asunto(s)
Metilfenidato , Odontogénesis , Animales , Humanos , Proteínas de la Membrana , Metilfenidato/farmacología , Ratones , Proteínas del Tejido Nervioso , Fenotipo , Germen Dentario
3.
World J Biol Psychiatry ; 22(6): 456-467, 2021 07.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-33040684

RESUMEN

OBJECTIVES: MicroRNAs (miRNAs) play an important regulatory role in the expression of genes involved in brain functions during development. Genetic variants in miRNA genes may impact their regulatory function and lead to psychiatric disorders. To evaluate the role of genetic variants in genes of miRNAs differentially expressed during neurodevelopment on autism spectrum disorder (ASD), attention deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD), schizophrenia (SCZ), and major depressive disorder (MDD). METHODS: The miRNAs were identified in the literature. Summary statistics from the most recent genome-wide association studies to date were used to evaluate the association between the selected polymorphisms and each disorder in a look-up approach. In a global analysis, we compared the standardised risk effect of variants in neurodevelopment-related miRNAs with those in the remaining miRNAs from miRBase. RESULTS: The global analysis showed that variants in neurodevelopment-related miRNAs had higher risk effects compared to the other miRNAs for SCZ (p = 0.010) and ADHD (p = 0.001). MIR33B, MIR29B2, MIR29C, MIR137, and MIR135A1 were significantly associated with SCZ, while 55.9% of the miRNAs were at least nominally associated with one or more psychiatric disorders (p < 0.05). CONCLUSIONS: Genetic variants in neurodevelopment-related miRNAs play an important role in the genetic susceptibility of psychiatric disorders, mainly SCZ and ADHD.


Asunto(s)
Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad , Trastorno del Espectro Autista , Trastorno Depresivo Mayor , MicroARNs , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/genética , Trastorno del Espectro Autista/genética , Encéfalo/crecimiento & desarrollo , Trastorno Depresivo Mayor/genética , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad , Estudio de Asociación del Genoma Completo , Humanos , MicroARNs/genética
4.
Infect Genet Evol ; 84: 104364, 2020 10.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-32422351

RESUMEN

Despite worldwide research efforts since 2015, Zika virus infection and its consequences are not fully understood yet. Nowadays, it is known that microcephaly is only one of the possible outcomes of being infected by ZIKV during the early stages of life. Musashi 1 (MSI1) is an RNA-binding protein that is involved in neurodevelopmental processes. Also, ZIKV genome (a single-stranded positive-sense RNA) uses MSI1 for its replication. Here we perform an evolutionary analysis of MSI1 coding sequence and their orthologs in vertebrate species. We added original sequencing data from selected regions of interest (RNA-binding domains-RBDs of MSI1) of sixteen Platyrrhini (or New World monkeys), known to have high evolutionary rates. The Musashi family (MF) includes MSI2, TARDBP, DAZAP1, HNRNPD, HNRNPDL, and HNRNPAB, which do not interact with the virus but are critical RNA-binding proteins that act on many regulatory processes ubiquitously. We found that all sixteen primate species have the RBD1 of MSI1 conserved. While the general code sequences of MF genes are under purifying selection, the evolution of regulatory mechanisms, especially alternative splicing, seems to be a frequent phenomenon in these genes. Different isoforms differ in the N-terminal region and it affects protein size. Existing MSI1 isoforms probably diverge in their binding affinity, the kinetics of interaction, and other aspects when in the MSI1-ZIKV complex. It is a signal that some RBD-containing MSI1 isoforms can be incompatible to ZIKV binding and replication. Consequently, the chance of ZIKV successfully infecting host cells could also be associated with alternative splicing and expression of ZIKV-compatible MSI1 isoforms in both inter and intraspecific levels.


Asunto(s)
Evolución Molecular , Proteínas del Tejido Nervioso/genética , Proteínas de Unión al ARN/genética , Virus Zika/patogenicidad , Empalme Alternativo , Animales , Sitios de Unión , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Interacciones Huésped-Patógeno , Humanos , Proteínas del Tejido Nervioso/metabolismo , Platirrinos , Proteínas de Unión al ARN/metabolismo , Alineación de Secuencia , Infección por el Virus Zika/etiología
5.
Sci Rep ; 10(1): 851, 2020 01 21.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-31964914

RESUMEN

The Cereblon-CRL4 complex has been studied predominantly with regards to thalidomide treatment of multiple myeloma. Nevertheless, the role of Cereblon-CRL4 in Thalidomide Embryopathy (TE) is still not understood. Not all embryos exposed to thalidomide develop TE, hence here we evaluate the role of the CRL4-Cereblon complex in TE variability and susceptibility. We sequenced CRBN, DDB1, CUL4A, IKZF1, and IKZF3 in individuals with TE. To better interpret the variants, we suggested a score and a heatmap comprising their regulatory effect. Differential gene expression after thalidomide exposure and conservation of the CRL4-Cereblon protein complex were accessed from public repositories. Results suggest a summation effect of Cereblon variants on pre-axial longitudinal limb anomalies, and heatmap scores identify the CUL4A variant rs138961957 as potentially having an effect on TE susceptibility. CRL4-Cereblon gene expression after thalidomide exposure and CLR4-Cereblon protein conservation does not explain the difference in Thalidomide sensitivity between species. In conclusion, we suggest that CRL4-Cereblon variants act through several regulatory mechanisms, which may influence CRL4-Cereblon complex assembly and its ability to bind thalidomide. Human genetic variability must be addressed not only to further understand the susceptibility to TE, but as a crucial element in therapeutics, including in the development of pharmacogenomics strategies.


Asunto(s)
Proteínas Adaptadoras Transductoras de Señales/genética , Desarrollo Embrionario/genética , Enfermedades Fetales/inducido químicamente , Enfermedades Fetales/genética , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad/genética , Talidomida/efectos adversos , Ubiquitina-Proteína Ligasas/genética , Deformidades Congénitas de las Extremidades Superiores/inducido químicamente , Deformidades Congénitas de las Extremidades Superiores/genética , Proteínas Adaptadoras Transductoras de Señales/metabolismo , Adolescente , Adulto , Niño , Embrión de Mamíferos , Femenino , Expresión Génica , Variación Genética , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Unión Proteica , Talidomida/metabolismo , Ubiquitina-Proteína Ligasas/metabolismo , Adulto Joven
6.
J Community Genet ; 10(1): 121-128, 2019 Jan.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29860645

RESUMEN

The aim of this paper is to present a database of isolated communities (CENISO) with high prevalence of genetic disorders or congenital anomalies in Brazil. We used two strategies to identify such communities: (1) a systematic literature review and (2) a "rumor strategy" based on anecdotal accounts. All rumors and reports were validated in a stepwise process. The bibliographical search identified 34 rumors and 245 rumors through the rumor strategy, and 144 were confirmed. A database like this one presented here represents an important tool for the planning of health priorities for rare diseases in low- and middle-income countries with large populations.

7.
Genet Mol Biol ; 41(1): 67-81, 2018.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-29658973

RESUMEN

Hominin evolution is characterized by adaptive solutions often rooted in behavioral and cognitive changes. If balancing selection had an important and long-lasting impact on the evolution of these traits, it can be hypothesized that genes associated with them should carry an excess of shared polymorphisms (trans- SNPs) across recent Homo species. In this study, we investigate the role of balancing selection in human evolution using available exomes from modern (Homo sapiens) and archaic humans (H. neanderthalensis and Denisovan) for an excess of trans-SNP in two gene sets: one associated with the immune system (IMMS) and another one with behavioral system (BEHS). We identified a significant excess of trans-SNPs in IMMS (N=547), of which six of these located within genes previously associated with schizophrenia. No excess of trans-SNPs was found in BEHS, but five genes in this system harbor potential signals for balancing selection and are associated with psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders. Our approach evidenced recent Homo trans-SNPs that have been previously implicated in psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia, suggesting that a genetic repertoire common to the immune and behavioral systems could have been maintained by balancing selection starting before the split between archaic and modern humans.

8.
Genet. mol. biol ; 41(1): 67-81, Jan.-Mar. 2018. tab, graf
Artículo en Inglés | LILACS | ID: biblio-892460

RESUMEN

Abstract Hominin evolution is characterized by adaptive solutions often rooted in behavioral and cognitive changes. If balancing selection had an important and long-lasting impact on the evolution of these traits, it can be hypothesized that genes associated with them should carry an excess of shared polymorphisms (trans- SNPs) across recent Homo species. In this study, we investigate the role of balancing selection in human evolution using available exomes from modern (Homo sapiens) and archaic humans (H. neanderthalensis and Denisovan) for an excess of trans-SNP in two gene sets: one associated with the immune system (IMMS) and another one with behavioral system (BEHS). We identified a significant excess of trans-SNPs in IMMS (N=547), of which six of these located within genes previously associated with schizophrenia. No excess of trans-SNPs was found in BEHS, but five genes in this system harbor potential signals for balancing selection and are associated with psychiatric or neurodevelopmental disorders. Our approach evidenced recent Homo trans-SNPs that have been previously implicated in psychiatric diseases such as schizophrenia, suggesting that a genetic repertoire common to the immune and behavioral systems could have been maintained by balancing selection starting before the split between archaic and modern humans.

9.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 114(34): 9044-9049, 2017 08 22.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28784762

RESUMEN

The neurohormone oxytocin is a key player in the modulation of reproductive and social behavioral traits, such as parental care. Recently, a correlation between different forms of oxytocin and behavioral phenotypes has been described in the New World Monkeys (NWMs). Here, we demonstrate that, compared with the Leu8OXT found in most placental mammals, the Cebidae Pro8OXT and Saguinus Val3Pro8OXT taxon-specific variants act as equi-efficacious agonists for the Gq-dependent pathway but are weaker agonists for the ß-arrestin engagement and subsequent endocytosis toward the oxytocin receptor (OXTR). Upon interaction with the AVPR1a, Pro8OXT and the common Leu8OXT yielded similar signaling profiles, being equally efficacious on Gq and ß-arrestin, while Val3Pro8OXT showed reduced relative efficacy toward ß-arrestin. Intranasal treatment with either of the variants increased maternal behavior and also promoted unusual paternal care in rats, as measured by pup-retrieval tests. We therefore suggest that Val3Pro8OXT and Pro8OXT are functional variants, which might have been evolutionarily co-opted as an essential part of the adaptive genetic repertoire that allowed the emergence of taxon-specific complex social behaviors, such as intense parental care in the Cebidae and the genus Saguinus.


Asunto(s)
Conducta Animal/efectos de los fármacos , Conducta Materna/efectos de los fármacos , Oxitocina/farmacología , Conducta Paterna/efectos de los fármacos , Administración Intranasal , Animales , Animales Recién Nacidos , Femenino , Variación Genética , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Masculino , Oxitocina/administración & dosificación , Oxitocina/genética , Platirrinos , Ratas , Receptores de Oxitocina/agonistas , Receptores de Oxitocina/genética , Receptores de Oxitocina/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal/efectos de los fármacos , Transducción de Señal/genética
10.
Genet Mol Biol ; 40(1): 181-190, 2017.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-28257525

RESUMEN

The FOXP subfamily is probably the most extensively characterized subfamily of the forkhead superfamily, playing important roles in development and homeostasis in vertebrates. Intrinsically disorder protein regions (IDRs) are protein segments that exhibit multiple physical interactions and play critical roles in various biological processes, including regulation and signaling. IDRs in proteins may play an important role in the evolvability of genetic systems. In this study, we analyzed 77 orthologous FOXP genes/proteins from Tetrapoda, regarding protein disorder content and evolutionary rate. We also predicted the number and type of short linear motifs (SLIMs) in the IDRs. Similar levels of protein disorder (approximately 70%) were found for FOXP1, FOXP2, and FOXP4. However, for FOXP3, which is shorter in length and has a more specific function, the disordered content was lower (30%). Mammals showed higher protein disorders for FOXP1 and FOXP4 than non-mammals. Specific analyses related to linear motifs in the four genes showed also a clear differentiation between FOXPs in mammals and non-mammals. We predicted for the first time the role of IDRs and SLIMs in the FOXP gene family associated with possible adaptive novelties within Tetrapoda. For instance, we found gain and loss of important phosphorylation sites in the Homo sapiens FOXP2 IDR regions, with possible implication for the evolution of human speech.

11.
Genet. mol. biol ; 40(1): 181-190, Jan.-Mar. 2017. tab
Artículo en Inglés | LILACS | ID: biblio-892373

RESUMEN

Abstract The FOXP subfamily is probably the most extensively characterized subfamily of the forkhead superfamily, playing important roles in development and homeostasis in vertebrates. Intrinsically disorder protein regions (IDRs) are protein segments that exhibit multiple physical interactions and play critical roles in various biological processes, including regulation and signaling. IDRs in proteins may play an important role in the evolvability of genetic systems. In this study, we analyzed 77 orthologous FOXP genes/proteins from Tetrapoda, regarding protein disorder content and evolutionary rate. We also predicted the number and type of short linear motifs (SLIMs) in the IDRs. Similar levels of protein disorder (approximately 70%) were found for FOXP1, FOXP2, and FOXP4. However, for FOXP3, which is shorter in length and has a more specific function, the disordered content was lower (30%). Mammals showed higher protein disorders for FOXP1 and FOXP4 than non-mammals. Specific analyses related to linear motifs in the four genes showed also a clear differentiation between FOXPs in mammals and non-mammals. We predicted for the first time the role of IDRs and SLIMs in the FOXP gene family associated with possible adaptive novelties within Tetrapoda. For instance, we found gain and loss of important phosphorylation sites in the Homo sapiens FOXP2 IDR regions, with possible implication for the evolution of human speech.

12.
Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet ; 171(6): 848-60, 2016 09.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-27184105

RESUMEN

Although new candidate genes for Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Schizophrenia (SCZ), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Bipolar Disorder (BD) emerged from genome-wide association studies (GWAS), their underlying molecular mechanisms remain poorly understood. Evidences of the involvement of intrinsically disordered proteins in diseases have grown in the last decade. These proteins lack tridimensional structure under physiological conditions and are involved in important cellular functions such as signaling, recognition and regulation. The aim of the present study was to identify the role and abundance of intrinsically disordered proteins in a set of psychiatric diseases and to test whether diseases are different regarding protein intrinsic disorder. Our hypothesis is that differences across psychiatric illnesses phenotypes and symptoms may arise from differences in intrinsic protein disorder content and properties of each group. A bioinformatics prediction of intrinsic disorder was performed in proteins retrieved based on top findings from GWAS, Copy Number Variation and candidate gene investigations for each disease. This approach revealed that about 80% of studied proteins presented long stretches of disorder. This amount was significantly higher than that observed in general eukaryotic proteins, and those involved in cardiovascular diseases. These results suggest that proteins with intrinsic disorder are a common feature of neurodevelopment and synaptic transmission processes which are potentially involved in the etiology of psychiatric diseases. Moreover, we identified differences between ADHD and ASD when the binary prediction of structure and putative binding sites were compared. These differences may be related to variation in symptom complexity between both diseases. © 2016 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.


Asunto(s)
Trastornos Mentales/genética , Trastornos Mentales/fisiopatología , Deficiencias en la Proteostasis/genética , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/genética , Trastorno del Espectro Autista/genética , Trastorno Bipolar/genética , Variaciones en el Número de Copia de ADN , Bases de Datos de Ácidos Nucleicos , Predisposición Genética a la Enfermedad/genética , Estudio de Asociación del Genoma Completo , Humanos , Trastornos Mentales/metabolismo , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple/genética , Esquizofrenia/genética
13.
Am J Med Genet B Neuropsychiatr Genet ; 171B(3): 479-91, 2016 Apr.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-26892727

RESUMEN

Several autism spectrum disorders (ASD) exome studies suggest that coding single nucleotide variants (SNVs) play an important role on ASD etiology. Usually, the pathogenic effect of missense mutations is estimated through predictors that lose accuracy for those SNVs placed in intrinsically disordered regions of protein. Here, we used bioinformatics tools to investigate the effect of mutations described in ASD published exome studies (549 mutations) in protein disorder, considering post-translational modification, PEST and Molecular Recognition Features (MoRFs) motifs. Schizophrenia and type 2 diabetes (T2D) datasets were created for comparison purposes. The frequency of mutations predicted as disordered was comparable among the three datasets (38.1% in ASD, 35.7% in schizophrenia, 46.4% in T2D). However, the frequency of SNVs predicted to lead a gain or loss of functional sites or change intrinsic disorder tendencies was higher in ASD and schizophrenia than T2D (46.9%, 36.4%, and 23.1%, respectively). The results obtained by SIFT and PolyPhen-2 indicated that 38.9% and 34.4% of the mutations predicted, respectively, as tolerated and benign showed functional alterations in disorder properties. Given the frequency of mutations placed in IDRs and their functional impact, this study suggests that alterations in intrinsic disorder properties might play a role in ASD and schizophrenia etiologies. They should be taken into consideration when researching the pathogenicity of mutations in neurodevelopmental and psychiatric diseases. Finally, mutations with functional alterations in disorder properties must be potential targets for in vitro and in vivo functional studies.


Asunto(s)
Trastorno del Espectro Autista/genética , Exoma/genética , Variación Genética , Proteínas Intrínsecamente Desordenadas/genética , Ontología de Genes , Humanos , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple/genética , Programas Informáticos
14.
Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A ; 112(1): 88-93, 2015 Jan 06.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-25535371

RESUMEN

Oxytocin is a nonapeptide involved in a wide range of physiologic and behavioral functions. Until recently, it was believed that an unmodified oxytocin sequence was present in all placental mammals. This study analyzed oxytocin (OXT) in 29 primate species and the oxytocin receptor (OXTR) in 21 of these species. We report here three novel OXT forms in the New World monkeys, as well as a more extensive distribution of a previously described variant (Leu8Pro). In structural terms, these OXTs share the same three low-energy conformations in solution during molecular dynamic simulations, with subtle differences in their side chains. A consistent signal of positive selection was detected in the Cebidae family, and OXT position 8 showed a statistically significant (P = 0.013) correlation with litter size. Several OXTR changes were identified, some of them promoting gain or loss of putative phosphorylation sites, with possible consequences for receptor internalization and desensitization. OXTR amino acid sites are under positive selection, and intramolecular and intermolecular coevolutionary processes with OXT were also detected. We suggest that some New World monkey OXT-OXTR forms can be correlated to male parental care through the increase of cross-reactivity with its correlated vasopressin system.


Asunto(s)
Evolución Molecular , Oxitocina/genética , Primates/genética , Receptores de Oxitocina/genética , Selección Genética , Secuencia de Aminoácidos , Animales , Secuencia de Bases , Masculino , Datos de Secuencia Molecular , Oxitocina/química
15.
PLoS One ; 8(9): e73560, 2013.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-24023886

RESUMEN

Paired box (PAX) genes are transcription factors that play important roles in embryonic development. Although the PAX gene family occurs in animals only, it is widely distributed. Among the vertebrates, its 9 genes appear to be the product of complete duplication of an original set of 4 genes, followed by an additional partial duplication. Although some studies of PAX genes have been conducted, no comprehensive survey of these genes across the entire taxonomic unit has yet been attempted. In this study, we conducted a detailed comparison of PAX sequences from 188 chordates, which revealed restricted variation. The absence of PAX4 and PAX8 among some species of reptiles and birds was notable; however, all 9 genes were present in all 74 mammalian genomes investigated. A search for signatures of selection indicated that all genes are subject to purifying selection, with a possible constraint relaxation in PAX4, PAX7, and PAX8. This result indicates asymmetric evolution of PAX family genes, which can be associated with the emergence of adaptive novelties in the chordate evolutionary trajectory.


Asunto(s)
Cordados/genética , Biología Computacional , Evolución Molecular , Factores de Transcripción Paired Box/genética , Animales , Secuencia Conservada , Bases de Datos Genéticas , Humanos , Filogenia , Selección Genética , Sintenía
16.
Eur Arch Psychiatry Clin Neurosci ; 263(3): 181-8, 2013 Apr.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22584804

RESUMEN

Attention-deficit/hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) affects approximately 5 % of school-aged children and 2.5 % of adults. Genetic studies in ADHD have pointed to genes in different neurobiological systems, with relatively small individual effects. The mineralocorticoid receptor is the main receptor involved in the initial triggering of stress response. Therefore, its encoding gene (NR3C2) is a candidate for psychiatric disorder studies, including ADHD, and behavioral phenotypes. There is evidence that the Val allele of the MRI180V polymorphism (rs5522) increases the risk of depression, attention and cognitive deficits. We investigated the possible role of the mineralocorticoid receptor gene in the symptom dimensions and susceptibility to persistent ADHD. We compared genotype and allele frequencies in 478 adult patients with ADHD and 597 controls and symptom dimensions in 449 patients and 132 controls. Diagnoses were based on the DSM-IV criteria. ADHD symptom dimensions were investigated with SNAP-IV for ADHD severity and Barkley scales for severity and impairment. Carriers of the Val allele presented higher inattention, hyperactivity/impulsivity and impairment scores, while genotype and allele frequencies did not differ between patients and controls. These results are consistent with a possible link between genetic variations in the HPA axis and inattention and hyperactivity measures.


Asunto(s)
Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/genética , Trastorno por Déficit de Atención con Hiperactividad/fisiopatología , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple/genética , Receptores de Mineralocorticoides/genética , Adulto , Análisis Mutacional de ADN , Femenino , Frecuencia de los Genes , Genotipo , Humanos , Imagen por Resonancia Magnética , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Valina/genética , Adulto Joven
17.
PLoS One ; 7(6): e38862, 2012.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22768049

RESUMEN

Culture and genetics rely on two distinct but not isolated transmission systems. Cultural processes may change the human selective environment and thereby affect which individuals survive and reproduce. Here, we evaluated whether the modes of subsistence in Native American populations and the frequencies of the ABCA1*Arg230Cys polymorphism were correlated. Further, we examined whether the evolutionary consequences of the agriculturally constructed niche in Mesoamerica could be considered as a gene-culture coevolution model. For this purpose, we genotyped 229 individuals affiliated with 19 Native American populations and added data for 41 other Native American groups (n = 1905) to the analysis. In combination with the SNP cluster of a neutral region, this dataset was then used to unravel the scenario involved in 230Cys evolutionary history. The estimated age of 230Cys is compatible with its origin occurring in the American continent. The correlation of its frequencies with the archeological data on Zea pollen in Mesoamerica/Central America, the neutral coalescent simulations, and the F(ST)-based natural selection analysis suggest that maize domestication was the driving force in the increase in the frequencies of 230Cys in this region. These results may represent the first example of a gene-culture coevolution involving an autochthonous American allele.


Asunto(s)
Evolución Biológica , Cultura , Ecosistema , Indígenas Norteamericanos/genética , Modelos Biológicos , Agricultura , Alelos , Frecuencia de los Genes/genética , Estudios de Asociación Genética , Sitios Genéticos/genética , Genética de Población , Genotipo , Geografía , Humanos , Polen/crecimiento & desarrollo , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple/genética , Datación Radiométrica , Análisis de Regresión , Zea mays/crecimiento & desarrollo
18.
PLoS One ; 7(6): e38666, 2012.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-22719919

RESUMEN

Smoking behavior is a multifactorial phenotype with significant heritability. Identifying the specific loci that influence smoking behavior could provide important etiological insights and facilitate the development of treatments to further reduce smoking related mortality. Although several studies pointed to different candidate genes for smoking, there is still a need for replication especially in samples from different countries. In the present study, we investigated whether 21 positive signals for smoking behavior from these studies are replicated in a sample of 531 blood donors from the Brazilian population. The polymorphisms were chosen based on their representativeness of different candidate biologic systems, strength of previous evidence, location and allele frequencies. By genotyping with the Sequenom MassARRAY iPLEX platform and subsequent statistical analysis using Plink software, we show that two of the SNPs studied, in the SLC1A2 (rs1083658) and ACTN1 (rs2268983) genes, were associated with smoking behavior in our study population. These genes are involved in crucial aspects of nicotine dependence, glutamate system and synaptic plasticity, and as such, are biologically plausible candidates that merit further molecular analyses so as to clarify their potential role in smoking behavior.


Asunto(s)
Estudio de Asociación del Genoma Completo , Glutamatos/metabolismo , Plasticidad Neuronal , Fumar , Adulto , Brasil , Femenino , Genética de Población , Humanos , Masculino , Persona de Mediana Edad , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple
19.
Genet Mol Biol ; 35(4 (suppl)): 912-8, 2012 Dec.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23412349

RESUMEN

Genetic studies have long suggested the important role of the DRD2 gene in psychiatric disorders and behavior. Further research has shown a conjoined effect of genes in the Chr11q22-23 region, which includes the NCAM1, TTC12, ANKK1 and DRD2 genes, or NTAD cluster. Despite a growing need to unravel the role of this cluster, few studies have taken into account interspecies and evolutionary approaches. This study shows that behaviorally relevant SNPs from the NTAD cluster, such as rs1800497 (Taq1A) and rs6277, are ancient polymorphisms that date back to the common ancestor between modern humans and Neanderthals/Denisovans. Conserved synteny and neighborhood indicate the NTAD cluster seems to have been established at least 400 million years ago, when the first Sarcopterygians emerged. The NTAD genes are apparently co-regulated and this could be attributed to adaptive functional properties, including those that emerged when the central nervous system became more complex. Finally, our findings indicate that NTAD genes, which are related to neurogenesis and dopaminergic neurotransmission, should be approached as a unit in behavioral and psychiatric genetic studies.

20.
Genet Mol Biol ; 35(4 (suppl)): 939-46, 2012 Dec.
Artículo en Inglés | MEDLINE | ID: mdl-23412905

RESUMEN

The TP53 gene, first described in 1979, was identified as a tumor suppressor gene in 1989, when it became clear that its product, the p53 nuclear phosphoprotein, was frequently inactivated in many different forms of cancers. Nicknamed "guardian of the genome", TP53 occupies a central node in stress response networks. The p53 protein has a key role as transcription factor in limiting oncogenesis through several growth suppressive functions, such as initiating apoptosis, senescence, or cell cycle arrest. The p53 protein is directly inactivated in about 50% of all tumors as a result of somatic gene mutations or deletions, and over 80% of tumors demonstrate dysfunctional p53 signaling. Beyond the undeniable importance of p53 as a tumor suppressor, an increasing number of new functions for p53 have been reported, including its ability to regulate energy metabolism, to control autophagy, and to participate in various aspects of differentiation and development. Recently, studies on genetic variations in TP53 among different populations have led to the notion that the p53 protein might play an important role in regulating fertility. This review summarizes current knowledge on the basic functions of different genes of the TP53 family and TP53 pathway with respect to fertility. We also provide original analyses based on genomic and genotype databases, providing further insights into the possible roles of the TP53 pathway in human reproduction.

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