脆性X综合征的分子遗传学研究进展

脆性X综合征是常见的遗传性智力低下性疾病,其发病率高,临床表现复杂,遗传规律独特,对脆性X 综合征的发病机理和脆性X综合征筛查与诊断方法等方面的一些研究进展进行了综述.     

脆性X相关蛋白Ⅰ的研究进展

脆性X相关基因I(FXR1)发现于1995年,位于3号染色体3q28。其产物脆性X相关蛋白1(FXR1P)与脆性X智障蛋白1 (FMR1P)、脆性X相关蛋白2(FXR2P)形成一个RNA结合蛋白家族。目前认为这三种蛋白能输送mRNA分子并调控其翻译过程。FXR1的翻译产物(FXR1P)分子中存在两个KH结构域和一个RGG结构域,这两种结构域与FXR1P分子的RNA结合作用有关。FXR1P的表达具有较高的组织特意性,在横纹肌中表达最高。合适的动物模型对于一种蛋白的功能研究具有十分重要的意义,目前,FXR1敲除的各种动物模型如小鼠、斑马鱼、非洲爪蟾的近亲Xenopus tropicalis已经在不同的实验室建立。本文主要介绍了FXR1P的结构特点、功能及其实验动物模型。     

FMR1基因结构与功能

ＦＭＲ１基因无时空特异性地表达提示它具有管家基因尾性质,其正常表达对于每个细胞发挥正常的功能都是必不同少的,而与增殖过程和表型发生过程无关。ＦＭＲ１基因在某些组织的时空特异性表达又提示,它也是一种在发育过程起重要作用的调节基因,对于中枢神经系统、生殖系统及其它许多组织的正常发育是必不可少的,可能在细胞的迁移和分化过程中起重要的调探作用。ＦＭＲ１基因表达一种定位于胞浆中的ＲＮＡ结合蛋白ＦＭＲＰ。ＦＭ     

大鼠FMR1同源基因cDNA的克隆,测序与选择剪接的初步分析

应用ＲＴ－ＰＣＲ方法,从新生大鼠脑组织总ＲＮＡ扩增大鼠ＦＭＲ１同源基因的ｃＤＮＡ片段,克降至ｐＵＣ１８质粒中进行序列分析。获得从终止密码子起共１６８１ｂｐ的编码序列,尚缺少约２００ｂｐ的５‘序列。所克隆的这部分大鼠ＦＭＲ１ｃＤＮＡ,不含有对应于人ＦＭＲ１基因的外显子１２及外显子１７第一和第三剪接受点之间的序列,提示大鼠ＦＭＲ１基因也有选择剪接表达。     

非编码RNA与X脆性综合征

X脆性综合征（fragile X syndrome,FXS）是由X脆性智力低下1（FMR1）基因5＇端非翻译区CGG重复序列的异常扩增,导致X脆性智力低下蛋白（FMRP）缺失引起的.非编码RNA是除编码蛋白质的mRNAs以外的其他所有RNA分子,已被发现在中枢神经系统中具有重要的作用,如微RNA与BC1/BC200 RNA参与了X脆性智力低下蛋白的翻译抑制.认识非编码RNA与X脆性综合征的关系不但能加深对X脆性综合征的分子机制的理解,而且有助于揭示学习与记忆的奥秘.     

microRNA在脆性X综合征发病机制中的研究进展

脆性X综合征(fragile X syndrome,FXS)是最常见的遗传性认知障碍疾病,也是一种与自闭症谱系障碍(autism spectrum disorder,ASD)相关的严重的基因疾病.它主要是由于脆性X智力低下基因1(fragile X mental retardation 1,FMR1)的异常扩增及其上游Cp G岛的异常甲基化,导致其编码的脆性X智力低下蛋白(fragile X mental retardation protein,FMRP)表达减少或缺失引起的.FMRP与miRNA(micro RNA)均具有翻译抑制活性,而且FMRP在生物化学和遗传学上均与miRNA调控通路有相互作用.此外,越来越多的研究发现miRNA调控通路在FXS的发病和治疗中发挥作用.因此,本文对miRNA的功能及其与脆性X蛋白家族成员间的相互作用进行阐述,为在miRNA水平了解FXS的发病机制奠定基础.     

脆性X综合征FMRP缺失对离子通道的异常调控

脆性X综合征(FXS)由脆性X智力低下蛋白FMRP表达降低甚至完全缺失引起,是最常见的遗传性智力缺陷综合征和孤独症谱系障碍的单基因致病因素。FMRP不仅可与离子通道mRNA结合,如电压门控钾通道(Kv3.1和Kv4.2)等,还直接与多个离子通道作用,如钠激活钾通道(Slack)等。FMRP的缺失导致神经元离子通道表达异常和功能失调,在不同的脑区和不同的神经细胞类型中引起特定的离子稳态失衡、膜电位改变和兴奋性失常,导致神经环路过度兴奋。现就FMRP缺失对不同离子通道的异常调控及其研究进展进行综述。     

分子遗传学研究的新焦点：动态突变与脆性X综合征

近年来,对脆性位点分子生生物学的研究已取得突破性进展,脆性Ｘ综合征智力低候选基因ＦＭＲ－１已被克隆,其５＇端外显子是由一段不稳定的微随体序列ｎ组成,该ｎ重复序列拷贝数的遗传是不稳定的,其扩增长度的变化与脆性与点的表达,ＣｐＧ岛的甲基化,ＦＭＲ－１基因的功能,临床表型具有相关性,分子遗传学上把 这种独特的遗传形式称为“动态突变”。这一发现,为脆性Ｘ综合征及其它与动态突变有关的遗传病的研究提供了重要的     

关于mGluR在脆性X综合征发病机制中的研究新进展

脆性X综合征为最常见的遗传性智力低下性疾病之一,是由于FMR1基因异常导致其编码的脆性X智力低下蛋白减少或缺失所致.研究发现脆性X综合征尸解病人和FMR1基因敲除小鼠(KO鼠)神经元树突棘发育不成熟,模型小鼠海马区代谢性谷氨酸受体所触发的长时程抑制(LTD)延长,不成熟的树突棘导致突触功能障碍被认为是脑功能异常的基础.最近的研究表明,应用代谢性谷氨酸受体拮抗剂能改善由FMRP缺失所导致的突触和行为缺陷,表明mGluR功能过度激活可能参与了脆性X综合征的发病过程,但具体机制不明.FMRP是一种mRNA结合蛋白,可作为翻译抑制因子负性调节突触后膜mRNA的翻译和表达.因此推测FMRP缺乏和减少可能导致mGluR激发的mRNA翻译增多,参与神经系统发育的蛋白过度表达,而影响树突棘的发育,但具体机制仍不清楚.本文对mGluR和脆性X综合征的研究历史和最新进展进行了讨论.     

Rescue of Fragile X Syndrome Neurons by DNA Methylation Editing of the FMR1 Gene

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应用多聚酶链式反应快速分析FMR-1基因突变

为了建立一种在先天性智力低下患儿中快速分析脆性X综合征智力低下基因1(Fragile X mental retardation gene 1.FMR-1)突变的方法,对先天性智力低下儿童进行脆性X综合征的大面积筛查和诊断,应用复式多聚酶链式反应一次性扩增FMR-1基因的(CGG)n的重复区,分析CGG重复序列的大小,判断FMR-1基因状态(正常、突变前、突变后),对脆性X综合征可疑患儿快速筛查,在113倒不明原因的先天性智力低下患儿中,分析有脆性X综合征携带者(FMR-1基因前突变者)7例(2男5女),脆性X综合征患者(FMR-1基因突变者)5例,应用多聚酶链式反应可以对脆性X综合征可疑患儿进行大面积初筛,确定携带者和患者。     

Cerebral Protein Synthesis in a Knockin Mouse Model of the Fragile X Premutation

The (CGG)n-repeat in the 5′-untranslated region of the fragile X mental retardation gene (FMR1) gene is polymorphic and may become unstable on transmission to the next generation. In fragile X syndrome, CGG repeat lengths exceed 200, resulting in silencing of FMR1 and absence of its protein product, fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). CGG repeat lengths between 55 and 200 occur in fragile X premutation (FXPM) carriers and have a high risk of expansion to a full mutation on maternal transmission. FXPM carriers have an increased risk for developing progressive neurodegenerative syndromes and neuropsychological symptoms. FMR1 mRNA levels are elevated in FXPM, and it is thought that clinical symptoms might be caused by a toxic gain of function due to elevated FMR1 mRNA. Paradoxically, FMRP levels decrease moderately with increasing CGG repeat length in FXPM. Lowered FMRP levels may also contribute to the appearance of clinical problems. We previously reported increases in regional rates of cerebral protein synthesis (rCPS) in the absence of FMRP in an Fmr1 knockout mouse model and in a FXPM knockin (KI) mouse model with 120 to 140 CGG repeats in which FMRP levels are profoundly reduced (80%–90%). To explore whether the concentration of FMRP contributes to the rCPS changes, we measured rCPS in another FXPM KI model with a similar CGG repeat length and a 50% reduction in FMRP. In all 24 brain regions examined, rCPS were unaffected. These results suggest that even with 50% reductions in FMRP, normal protein synthesis rates are maintained.     

Preliminary evidence of an effect of cerebellar volume on postural sway in FMR1 premutation males

Recent evidence suggests that early changes in postural control may be discernible among females with premutation expansions (55–200 CGG repeats) of the fragile X mental retardation 1 (FMR1) gene at risk of developing fragile X‐associated tremor ataxia syndrome (FXTAS). Cerebellar dysfunction is well described in males and females with FXTAS, yet the interrelationships between cerebellar volume, CGG repeat length, FMR1 messenger RNA (mRNA) levels and changes in postural control remain unknown. This study examined postural sway during standing in a cohort of 22 males with the FMR1 premutation (ages 26–80) and 24 matched controls (ages 26–77). The influence of cerebellar volume, CGG repeat length and FMR1 mRNA levels on postural sway was explored using multiple linear regression. The results provide preliminary evidence that increasing CGG repeat length and decreasing cerebellar volume were associated with greater postural sway among premutation males. The relationship between CGG repeat length and postural sway was mediated by a negative association between CGG repeat size and cerebellar volume. While FMR1 mRNA levels were significantly elevated in the premutation group and correlated with CGG repeat length, FMR1 mRNA levels were not significantly associated with postural sway scores. These findings show for the first time that greater postural sway among males with the FMR1 premutation may reflect CGG repeat‐mediated disruption in vulnerable cerebellar circuits implicated in postural control. However, longitudinal studies in larger samples are required to confirm whether the relationships between cerebellar volume, CGG repeat length and postural sway indicate greater risk for neurological decline.     

应用PCR技术对DMD患者进行缺失检测与产前基因诊断

运用聚合酶链式反应(polymerasechainreaction,PCR)技术对3个Duchenne型肌营养不良症(DMD)家系中的患者进行dystrophin基因内9个外显子缺失检测,在2个家系中检测到外显子45、48、51缺失,同时运用PCR技术扩增位于dystrophin基因内内含子短串联重复序列,对非缺失型DMD家系进行了产前诊断,胎儿为正常女性.dystrophin基因外显子缺失检测方法快速、敏感、准确,可在临床推广中应用;短串联重复序列(STR)多态性分析方法可用于DMD家系的产前基因诊断和携带者检出.     

21三体综合症植入前诊断的临床前运用研究

探讨建立一个高效、稳定的21三体遗传病植入前诊断的方法,以染色体G显带核型分析为对照,取正常成人外周血单个淋巴细胞40枚、21三体患者外周血单个淋巴细胞40枚及单卵裂球20枚,采用荧光定量PCR技术同时扩增21号染色体上特异区域基因片段(DSCR)和12号染色体上管家基因(GAPDH)片断作内对照,结果在正常组织同时扩增二片断的有效率为95%(38/40),扩增产物的荧光强度比值为1.00±0.05;21三体患者单个淋巴细胞同时扩增二片断的有效扩增率为92.5%(37/40),DSCR/GAPDH荧光强度的比值约为1.58±0.17;单卵裂球的扩增效率为80.0%(16/20).三者实验结果与染色体核型分析结果完全一致,准确率100%.研究结果表明荧光定量PCR技术产前检测21三体综合征具有准确、快速、安全、实用等特点,有较高的临床推广应用价值.     

Fragile X mental retardation protein interactions with the microtubule associated protein 1B RNA

Fragile X mental retardation syndrome, the most common form of inherited mental retardation, is caused by the absence of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). FMRP has been shown to use its arginine-glycine-glycine (RGG) box to bind to a subset of RNA targets that form a G quadruplex structure. We performed a detailed analysis of the interactions between the FMRP RGG box and the microtubule associated protein 1B (MAP1B) mRNA, a relevant in vivo FMRP target. We show that MAP1B RNA forms an intramolecular G quadruplex structure, which is bound with high affinity and specificity by the FMRP RGG box. We determined that hydrophobic interactions are important in the FMRP RGG box-MAP1B RNA association, with minor contributions from electrostatic interactions. Our findings that at low protein:RNA ratios the RNA G quadruplex structure is slightly stabilized, whereas at high ratios is unfolded, suggest a mechanism by which the FMRP concentration variation in response to a neurotransmitter stimulation event could act as a regulatory switch for the protein function, from translation repressor to translation activator.