Coupling deep phenotypic quantification with next-generation phenotyping for 192 individuals with germline histonopathies.

Mendelian histonopathies are rare neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) caused by germline variants in histone-encoding genes. Here, we perform a more expansive pan-histonopathy interrogation than previously possible. We analyze data from 192 individuals affected by histonopathies.

A Novel Human TBCK- Neuronal Cell Model Results in Severe Neurodegeneration and Partial Rescue with Mitochondrial Fission Inhibition.

Background And Objectives: TBCK syndrome is a rare fatal pediatric neurodegenerative disease caused by biallelic loss-of-function mutations in the gene. Previous studies by our lab and others have implicated mTOR, autophagy, lysosomes, and intracellular mRNA transport, however the exact primary pathologic mechanism is unknown. This gap has prevented the development of targeted therapies.

A novel iPSC model of Bryant-Li-Bhoj neurodevelopmental syndrome demonstrates the role of histone H3.3 in neuronal differentiation and maturation.

Background: Bryant-Li-Bhoj neurodevelopmental syndrome (BLBS) is neurogenetic disorder caused by variants in and the two genes that encode the histone H3.3 protein. Ninety-nine percent of individuals with BLBS show developmental delay/intellectual disability, but the mechanism by which variants in H3.

Expanded phenotypic spectrum of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorder Bryant-Li-Bhoj syndrome with 38 additional individuals.

Bryant-Li-Bhoj syndrome (BLBS), which became OMIM-classified in 2022 (OMIM: 619720, 619721), is caused by germline variants in the two genes that encode histone H3.3 (H3-3A/H3F3A and H3-3B/H3F3B) [1-4]. This syndrome is characterized by developmental delay/intellectual disability, craniofacial anomalies, hyper/hypotonia, and abnormal neuroimaging [1, 5].

TBCK syndrome: a rare multi-organ neurodegenerative disease.

TBCK syndrome is an autosomal recessive disorder primarily characterized by global developmental delay, hypotonia, abnormal magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), and distinctive craniofacial phenotypes. High variability is observed among affected individuals and their corresponding variants, making clinical diagnosis challenging. Here, we discuss recent breakthroughs in clinical considerations, TBCK function, and therapeutic development.

Heterozygous variants in TBCK cause a mild neurologic syndrome in humans and mice.

TBCK-related encephalopathy is a rare pediatric neurodegenerative disorder caused by biallelic loss-of-function variants in the TBCK gene. After receiving anecdotal reports of neurologic phenotypes in both human and mouse TBCK heterozygotes, we quantified if TBCK haploinsufficiency causes a phenotype in mice and humans. Using the tbck mouse model, we performed a battery of behavioral assays and mTOR pathway analysis to investigate potential alterations in neurophysiology.

Alcohol-induced CYP2E1, mitochondrial dynamics and retrograde signaling in human hepatic 3D organoids.

Alcohol toxicity is a significant health problem with ~3 million estimated deaths per year globally. Alcohol is metabolized to the toxic metabolite, acetaldehyde by alcohol dehydrogenase or CYP2E1 in the hepatic tissue, and also induces reactive oxygen species (ROS), which together play a pivotal role in cell and tissue damage. Our previous studies with COS-7 cells transduced with unique human CYP2E1 variants that mostly localize to either microsomes or mitochondria revealed that mitochondrially-localized CYP2E1 drives alcohol toxicity through the generation of higher levels of ROS, which has a consequent effect on cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) and mitochondrial oxidative function.

Cytochrome c oxidase dysfunction enhances phagocytic function and osteoclast formation in macrophages.

The mitochondria-to-nucleus retrograde signaling (MtRS) pathway aids in cellular adaptation to stress. We earlier reported that the Ca- and calcineurin-dependent MtRS induces macrophage differentiation to bone-resorbing osteoclasts. However, mechanisms through which macrophages sense and respond to cellular stress remain unclear.

Mitochondrial LON protease-dependent degradation of cytochrome c oxidase subunits under hypoxia and myocardial ischemia.

The mitochondrial ATP dependent matrix protease, Lon, is involved in the maintenance of mitochondrial DNA nucleoids and degradation of abnormal or misfolded proteins. The Lon protease regulates mitochondrial Tfam (mitochondrial transcription factor A) level and thus modulates mitochondrial DNA (mtDNA) content. We have previously shown that hypoxic stress induces the PKA-dependent phosphorylation of cytochrome c oxidase (CcO) subunits I, IVi1, and Vb and a time-dependent reduction of these subunits in RAW 264.

Mechanism of antibacterial action of the alcoholic extracts of Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br. ex Schult, Leucas aspera (Wild.), Plumbago zeylanica L., and Tridax procumbens (L.) R. Br. ex Schult.

Herbal products derived from Hemidesmus indicus (L.) R. Br.

Effect of immunization against prostate- and testis-expressed (PATE) proteins on sperm function and fecundity in the rat.

Evaluating the immunocontraceptive potential of sperm-bound proteins is an active area of investigation. In this study, we analyzed the role of prostate- and testes-expressed (PATE) and PATE-F proteins in sperm function. Capacitation was measured as a function of tyrosine phosphorylation of sperm membrane proteins.

Genomic organization, tissue distribution and functional characterization of the rat Pate gene cluster.

The cysteine rich prostate and testis expressed (Pate) proteins identified till date are thought to resemble the three fingered protein/urokinase-type plasminogen activator receptor proteins. In this study, for the first time, we report the identification, cloning and characterization of rat Pate gene cluster and also determine the expression pattern. The rat Pate genes are clustered on chromosome 8 and their predicted proteins retained the ten cysteine signature characteristic to TFP/Ly-6 protein family.

Characterization of a novel lysozyme-like 4 gene in the rat.

Lysozyme-like proteins (LYZLs) belong to the class of c-type lysozymes and are not well characterized in many species including the rat. In this study, using in silico and molecular biology techniques, we report the identification, cloning and characterization of rat Lyzl4 gene and also determine the expression pattern of Lyzl1, Lyzl3 and Lyzl6. The rat Lyzl genes were found to be distributed on three chromosomes and all of them retained the characteristic eight cysteine signature of c-type lysozyme.

Identification and characterization of Wfdc gene expression in the male reproductive tract of the rat.

WFDC (Whey Acidic Protein Four Disulfide Core)-containing proteins have been reported in many species, yet they remain uncharacterized in the rat. In this study, we report the identification and characterization of four rat Wfdc genes, Wfdc6a, Wfdc8, Wfdc11 and Wfdc16. Their expression profile in a variety of tissues including the male reproductive tract is analyzed.