2. Academic Validation
  3. Mutations in RAD21 disrupt regulation of APOB in patients with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction

Mutations in RAD21 disrupt regulation of APOB in patients with chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction

  • Gastroenterology. 2015 Apr;148(4):771-782.e11. doi: 10.1053/j.gastro.2014.12.034.
Elena Bonora 1,  Francesca Bianco 1,  Lina Cordeddu 2,  Michael Bamshad 3,  Ludmila Francescatto 4,  Dustin Dowless 4,  Vincenzo Stanghellini 1,  Rosanna F Cogliandro 1,  Greger Lindberg 2,  Zeynel Mungan 5,  Kivanc Cefle 6,  Tayfun Ozcelik 7,  Sukru Palanduz 6,  Sukru Ozturk 6,  Asuman Gedikbasi 6,  Alessandra Gori 1,  Tommaso Pippucci 1,  Claudio Graziano 1,  Umberto Volta 1,  Giacomo Caio 1,  Giovanni Barbara 1,  Mauro D'Amato 2,  Marco Seri 1,  Nicholas Katsanis 4,  Giovanni Romeo 8,  Roberto De Giorgio 9
Affiliations

Affiliations

  • 1 Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, and St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy.
  • 2 Karolinska Institutet, Stockholm, Sweden.
  • 3 University of Washington Center for Mendelian Genomics, Seattle, Washington.
  • 4 Center for Human Disease Modeling, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina.
  • 5 Koc University of Istanbul, Istanbul, Turkey.
  • 6 Istanbul Medical Faculty, Department of Internal Medicine, Division of Medical Genetics, Turkey.
  • 7 Bilkent University, Bilkent, Ankara, Turkey.
  • 8 Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, and St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].
  • 9 Department of Medical and Surgical Sciences, University of Bologna, and St. Orsola-Malpighi Hospital, Bologna, Italy; Centro Unificato di Ricerca Biomedica Applicata, Bologna, Italy. Electronic address: [email protected].
PMID: 25575569 DOI: 10.1053/j.gastro.2014.12.034
Abstract

Background & aims: Chronic intestinal pseudo-obstruction (CIPO) is characterized by severe intestinal dysmotility that mimics a mechanical subocclusion with no evidence of gut obstruction. We searched for genetic variants associated with CIPO to increase our understanding of its pathogenesis and to identify potential biomarkers.

Methods: We performed whole-exome sequencing of genomic DNA from patients with familial CIPO syndrome. Blood and lymphoblastoid cells were collected from patients and controls (individuals without CIPO); levels of messenger RNA (mRNA) and proteins were analyzed by quantitative reverse-transcription polymerase chain reaction, immunoblot, and mobility shift assays. Complementary DNAs were transfected into HEK293 cells. Expression of rad21 was suppressed in zebrafish embryos using a splice-blocking morpholino (rad21a). Gut tissues were collected and analyzed.

Results: We identified a homozygous mutation (p.622, encodes Ala>Thr) in RAD21 in patients from a consanguineous family with CIPO. Expression of RUNX1, a target of RAD21, was reduced in cells from patients with CIPO compared with controls. In zebrafish, suppression of rad21a reduced expression of runx1; this phenotype was corrected by injection of human RAD21 mRNA, but not with the mRNA from the mutated p.622 allele. rad21a Morpholino zebrafish had delayed intestinal transit and greatly reduced numbers of enteric neurons, similar to patients with CIPO. This defect was greater in zebrafish with suppressed expression of RET and rad21, indicating their interaction in the regulation of gut neurogenesis. The promoter region of APOB bound RAD21 but not RAD21 p.622 Ala>Thr; expression of wild-type RAD21 in HEK293 cells repressed expression of APOB, compared with control vector. The gut-specific isoform of APOB (APOB48) is overexpressed in sera from patients with CIPO who carry the RAD21 mutation. APOB48 also is overexpressed in sporadic CIPO in sera and gut biopsy specimens.

Conclusions: Some patients with CIPO carry mutations in RAD21 that disrupt the ability of its product to regulate genes such as RUNX1 and APOB. Reduced expression of rad21 in zebrafish, and dysregulation of these target genes, disrupts intestinal transit and the development of enteric neurons.

Keywords

Animal Model; Genetic Analysis; Intestinal Motility; Sporadic and Familial Chronic Intestinal Pseudo-obstruction.

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