Mutation analysis of the Ras pathway genes<Emphasis Type="Italic"> NRAS</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> HRAS</Emphasis>,<Emphasis Type="Italic"> KRAS</Emphasis> and<Emphasis Type="Italic"> BRAF</Emphasis> in glioblastomas

Aberrant activation of Ras signaling is a common finding in human glioblastomas. To determine the contribution of Ras gene mutations to this aberration, we screened 94 glioblastomas for mutations in the three Ras family genes NRAS, KRAS and HRAS. All tumors were additionally analyzed for mutations in BRAF, which encodes a Ras-regulated serine/threonine kinase with oncogenic properties. Mutation analysis of the entire coding regions of NRAS and KRAS, as well as the known mutation hot-spot sites in HRAS, identified somatic point mutations in two glioblastomas, both affecting codon 12 of NRAS (c.35G>A, p.G12D). Three additional tumors carried BRAF mutations altering the known hot-spot codon 599 (c.1796T>A, p.V599E). None of these five glioblastomas showed amplification of the EGFR or PDGFRA genes, while three of the tumors, including two with NRAS and one with BRAF mutation, demonstrated PTEN missense mutations or loss of PTEN mRNA expression. Taken together, our data suggest activating mutations in NRAS or BRAF as a molecular alteration that contributes to aberrant Ras signaling in a small fraction of glioblastomas.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">c</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">-MYC</Emphasis> amplification and expression in astrocytic tumors

Point mutations and genomic multiplications in the α-synuclein (αSYN) gene cause autosomal-dominant Parkinson’s disease. Moreover, αSYN fibrils are the major component of Lewy bodies, the neuropathological hallmarks of Parkinson’s disease and dementia with Lewy bodies as well as of glial cytoplasmic inclusions in multiple system atrophy. These diseases are collectively referred to as α-synucleinopathies. Cellular mechanisms regulating αSYN fibril formation and toxicity are intensely studied in vitro, and in cell culture and diverse animal models. Specific neuropathology was achieved in transgenic mouse models using several promoters to express human wild-type and mutant αSYN in brain regions affected by the various α-synucleinopathies. Somatodendritic accumulation of the transgenic αSYN with neuritic distortions was a common finding. The nigrostriatal dopaminergic projections were surprisingly resistant to α-synucleinopathy in transgenic mice, although they tended to be more vulnerable to neurotoxins. In a few mouse models, αSYN aggregated in an age-dependent manner into genuine fibrillar amyloid. Brain region selective αSYN neuropathology correlated with specific behavioral impairments, such as locomotor dysfunction and cognitive decline. Thus, the αSYN fibrillization process is tightly linked to neuropathology. The role and thus therapeutic potential of post-translational modifications (ubiquitinylation, oxidation, phosphorylation, truncation) and modifier genes on αSYN neuropathology can now be assessed in valid transgenic mouse models of α-synucleinopathies.     

Sequence analysis of <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drd2</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">Drd4</Emphasis>, and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Dat1</Emphasis> in SHR and WKY rat strains

Background  

The Spontaneously Hypertensive Rat (SHR) shows a number of behaviours that closely parallel those seen in children with attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder. These include motor hyperactivity, excessive responses under a fixed-interval/extinction schedule, difficulty in acquiring operant tasks and increased sensitivity to immediate behavioural reinforcement. As in children with ADHD, the behavioural and cognitive deficits in the SHR are responsive to stimulants, including d-amphetamine and d,l-methylphenidate. The non-hyperactive Wistar Kyoto (WKY) rat strain is often used as a control in behavioural studies of the SHR, and WKY itself has been suggested to be a useful animal model of depression. Numerous studies have shown that dopaminergic neurotransmission is altered between the two strains. Human genetic studies have found associations between several dopaminergic genes and both ADHD and depression.     

Association study of <Emphasis Type="Italic">interleukin 2</Emphasis> (<Emphasis Type="Italic">IL2</Emphasis>) and <Emphasis Type="Italic">IL4</Emphasis> with schizophrenia in a Japanese population

Interleukin 2 (IL-2) and IL-4 are pleiotropic cytokines regulating Th1/Th2 balance and have a regulatory activity in brain function. Thus these cytokines have been implicated in the pathophysiology of schizophrenia. The latest studies provided controversial results regarding the genetic associations of these cytokines. The functional polymorphisms, IL2-330T/G and IL4-590C/T, were associated with schizophrenia in a German population, although contradictory findings were also reported in a Korean population. To ascertain whether IL2 and IL4 contribute to vulnerability to schizophrenia, we conducted a moderate-scale case-control (536 patients and 510 controls) association study for seven polymorphisms in Japanese subjects. There were no significant associations of these genes with schizophrenia using either single marker or haplotype analyses. The present study suggests that IL2 and IL4 do not contribute to vulnerability to schizophrenia in the Japanese population.     

Association of <Emphasis Type="Italic">CILP</Emphasis>, <Emphasis Type="Italic">COL9A2</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">MMP3</Emphasis> Gene Polymorphisms with Lumbar Disc Degeneration in an Indian Population

Lumbar disc degeneration (LDD) is a multifactorial disorder caused by genetic and environmental factors. Polymorphisms in several structural and inflammatory genes like collagens, aggrecan, matrix metalloproteinases are associated with the risk of disc degeneration. In this study, we analyzed the role of a few important single nucleotide polymorphisms in cartilage intermediate layer protein (CILP), collagen 9A2 (COL9A2) and matrix metalloproteinase 3 (MMP3) genes in LDD from an Indian population. Two hundred patients with LDD and 200 healthy controls were recruited for the study. Genotyping was performed by allelic discrimination assay. The rs2073711 polymorphism (CILP gene - GG genotype) was associated with reduced risk of LDD in the Indian population (OR?=?0.43, p?=?0.016). The rs591058 polymorphism (MMP3 gene - TT genotype) is found to be associated with lower risk among women (OR?=?0.34, p?=?0.041). No significant association was found between COL9A2 polymorphism rs7533552 and the risk of LDD. We conclude that the CILP gene polymorphism (rs2073711) is associated with a lower risk of LDD, the MMP3 (rs591058) gene polymorphism is associated with LDD among women, and the TT genotype confers a lower risk of LDD.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">Clostridium septicum</Emphasis> Pneumocephalus

Background

Spontaneous pneumocephalus in the nontraumatic setting is distinctly unusual. Pneumocephalus from central nervous system infection with Clostridium septicum has been rarely reported, and more commonly reflects a later stage of abscess formation. We present an unusual case of invasive C. septicum infection without an associated diagnosed malignancy presenting with rapidly progressive CNS pathology and resultant early pneumocephalus.

Methods

Medical records, radiologic imaging, and microbiological specimens of a case were reviewed.

Results

A 66-year-old male presented with a history of two witnessed generalized tonic–clonic seizures on awakening. He was found unresponsive at the scene by paramedics and subsequently intubated. There was no reported antecedent symptomatology, such as headache, fever, chills, focal weakness, and speech or gait disturbances. Medical history was remarkable only for diet-controlled hypertension. Computed tomography (CT) head imaging revealed an abnormal right parietal hypodensity. The patient was evaluated per the acute stroke protocol but was not deemed a candidate for intervention or thrombolytic therapy given the uncertainty of his clinical presentation; intravenous antibiotics were administered for possible sepsis. Follow-up CT imaging of the head performed 8 h later revealed right parieto-temporal pneumocephalus with extensive cerebral edema and effacement of basilar cisterns. Neurosurgical intervention was not deemed appropriate given the catastrophic nature of his injury and the patient subsequently expired 14 h after presentation. Blood cultures grew gram-positive rods in three of four bottles identified as C. septicum.

Conclusions

Clostridium septicum is an uncommon and often fatal cause of nontraumatic pneumocephalus. This underscores the need for a high index of clinical suspicion in cases with unexplained pneumocephalus, as early diagnosis remains the key to survival. In survivors of C. septicum infection, subsequent colonoscopy should be considered to exclude undiagnosed or occult gastrointestinal malignancy.

     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">CIC</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">FUBP1</Emphasis> mutations in oligodendrogliomas,oligoastrocytomas and astrocytomas

CIC and FUBP1 mutations have recently been detected in oligodendrogliomas but not in oligoastrocytomas. However, allelic losses in the regions on chromosomal arms 19q and 1p harboring CIC and FUBP1 are a common feature of both, oligodendrogliomas and oligoastrocytomas. To resolve this discrepancy, we analyzed CIC and FUBP1 mutations in a set of primary brain tumors including 18 oligodendrogliomas and 42 oligoastrocytomas. In addition, we analyzed 10 astrocytomas and 16 glioblastomas with allelic losses on 19q as well as a set of 12 medulloblastomas for CIC mutations. CIC mutations were found in 15/18 oligodendrogliomas, 14/42 oligoastrocytomas and 3/10 preselected astrocytomas. With the exception of a single case, all CIC mutations occurred in tumors with combined 1p/19q losses. In contrast to oligodendrogliomas where CIC mutations were always detected along with 1p/19q co-deletion, CIC mutations were only found in 52 % of the 1p/19q co-deleted oligoastrocytomas. FUBP1 mutations were detected in 7/61 tumors, all presenting with CIC mutations. FUBP1 mutations appear to cluster in the DNA binding domain spanning exons 5–14. CIC and FUBP1 mutations exclusively occurred in presence of either IDH1 or IDH2 mutations. Our data confirm CIC and FUBP1 mutations in oligodendrogliomas and demonstrate the presence of these mutations in oligoastrocytomas.     

Update Anti-<Emphasis Type="Italic">N</Emphasis>-Methyl-<Emphasis Type="Italic">D</Emphasis>-Aspartat-Rezeptor-Enzephalitis

Autoimmune encephalitis is a group of autoimmune inflammatory disorders affecting both grey and white matter of the central nervous system. Encephalitis with autoantibodies against the N?methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) is the most frequent autoimmune encephalitis syndrome presenting with a characteristic sequence of psychiatric and neurological symptoms. Treatment necessitates a close interdisciplinary cooperation. This article provides an update on the current knowledge on diagnostic standards, pathogenesis, and treatment strategies for anti-NMDA-R encephalitis from psychiatric and neurological perspectives.     

Twenty-three microsatellite loci for <Emphasis Type="Italic">Styrax confusus</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">Styrax japonicus</Emphasis> (Styracaceae)

Twelve microsatellite loci were isolated from an enriched genomic library of the rock scallop (Spondylus calcifer). One locus was monomorphic. Overall polymorphic loci, the mean numbers of alleles per locus at one locality was 9.6 (range 3–16), and the average observed and expected heterozygosities were 0.650 and 0.707, respectively. Three loci deviated from Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium, and from these, one locus had and excess of heterozygotes and the other two loci showed deficits of heterozygotes likely due to the presence of null alleles. No evidence of linkage disequilibrium was found among loci. These loci are the first microsatellites ever reported for the monotypic family Spondylidae, and will be useful to validate the predictions of oceanographic larval transport models and connectivity between patchy reefs within fishing areas and marine reserves in the northern Gulf of California, Mexico.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">DAT1</Emphasis> and <Emphasis Type="Italic">DRD4</Emphasis> genes involved in key dimensions of adult ADHD

Attention-deficit hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) is a highly heritable neurodevelopmental disorder often persisting in adulthood. Genetic studies of ADHD mainly focused on the Dopamine Transporter (DAT1) and the Dopamine Receptor 4 (DRD4) genes. Nevertheless, polymorphisms of these genes explain only a small fraction of the assigned risk, suggesting that intermediate dimensions and environmental factors should also be considered. We investigated in 77 adult ADHD subjects compared to 474 controls, how polymorphisms within the genes coding for DAT1 (40-bp VNTR in 3′UTR), the Dopamine Receptor 2 (DRD2) (rs1799732) and DRD4 (48-bp VNTR in exon 3), may modulate the expression of the disorder. By genotyping DAT1, we detected a new 9.5R allele showing a deletion of 40 bp and also an insertion of 19 bp compared to the 10R allele. This novel allele was found to be significantly protective for ADHD (p < 0.0001). Another significant difference was found in the distribution of DRD4 48-bp VNTR 6R allele when comparing patients and controls (p = 0.0007). In addition significant results were also found for DAT1 9.5R allele, which was associated with impulsiveness (p = 1.98 × 10^?4) and trait anger scores (p = 7.66 × 10^?4). Moreover, impulsiveness scores were partly modulated by an interaction between the DRD4 48-bp VNTR 6R allele and childhood maltreatment (p = 0.01), however, this result did not resist correction for multiple comparisons. Altogether, our results show the putative involvement of DAT1 and DRD4 genes in the aetiology of ADHD with a main role in modulation of key dimensions of the disorder.     

The complete mitochondrial genomes of two globally invasive ants,the Argentine ant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Linepithema</Emphasis><Emphasis Type="Italic">humile</Emphasis> and the little fire ant <Emphasis Type="Italic">Wasmannia auropunctata</Emphasis>

Ants are among the most widespread and damaging of invasive alien species. Here, we report the complete mitochondrial genomes for two globally invasive ants: the Argentine ant Linepithema humile and the little fire ant Wasmannia auropunctata. The circular genomes of L. humile and W. auropunctata are 15,929 and 16,362 bp in length, respectively, and encode the same typical set of 37 mitochondrial genes (i.e. 13 PCGs, 22 tRNAs and two rRNAs) and one control region. The mitochondrial genome of W. auropunctata harbors a unique gene arrangement (‘rrnS-trnV-CR-trnM-trnI-trnQ-nad2-trnW-trnC-trnY’; the underlines indicate inverted genes) between rrnL and cox1. Phylogenetic analysis largely corroborated the traditional taxonomy, except for L. humile which was found to be more related to those taxa of the subfamilies Formicinae and Myrmicinae than to the consubfamilial Leptomyrmex pallens. Our genomic data can be readily used for genetic assays of these two globally invasive ants.     

Climbing Fiber Development Is Impaired in Postnatal <Emphasis Type="Italic">Car8</Emphasis><Superscript><Emphasis Type="Italic">wdl</Emphasis></Superscript> Mice

The cerebellum is critical for an array of motor functions. During postnatal development, the Purkinje cells (PCs) guide afferent topography to establish the final circuit. Perturbing PC morphogenesis or activity during development can result in climbing fiber (CF) multi-innervation or mis-patterning. Structural defects during circuit formation typically have long-term effects on behavior as they contribute to the phenotype of movement disorders such as cerebellar ataxia. The Car8 ^wdl mouse is one model in which early circuit destruction influences movement. However, although the loss of Car8 leads to the mis-wiring of afferent maps and abnormal PC firing, adult PC morphology is largely intact and there is no neurodegeneration. Here, we sought to uncover how defects in afferent connectivity arise in Car8 ^wdl mutants to resolve how functional deficits persist in motor diseases with subtle neuropathology. To address this problem, we analyzed CF development during the first 3 weeks of life. By immunolabeling CF terminals with VGLUT2, we found evidence of premature CF synapse elimination and delayed translocation from PC somata at postnatal day (P) 10 in Car8 ^wdl mice. Surprisingly, by P15, the wiring normalized, suggesting that CAR8 regulates the early but not the late stages of CF development. The data support the hypothesis of a defined sequence of events for cerebellar circuits to establish function.     

<Emphasis Type="Italic">OPCML</Emphasis> Gene as a Schizophrenia Susceptibility Locus in Thai Population

Opioid-binding protein/cell adhesion molecule (OPCML) gene has been recently identified as a susceptibility gene for schizophrenia in Europeans. This study aims to investigate the association between single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in the OPCML gene and risk of schizophrenia in a Thai population. DNA samples of 115 schizophrenia patients and 173 normal controls were genotyped using high-resolution melting analysis and analyzed by chi-square test of SPSS software. We observed a strong association between an intronic SNP of the OPCML gene (rs1784519) and the risk of schizophrenia in the Thai population [P = 0.00036; odds ratio for the minor A allele, 2.11(1.57–2.84)]. The previously discovered SNP associated with schizophrenia in Europeans, rs3016384, also showed significant association with schizophrenia in the Thai population [P = 0.01; odds ratio of the minor T allele, 0.59 (0.44–0.79)]. Therefore, the OPCML gene is considered to be a schizophrenia-susceptible gene in the Thai population.