The First Korean Family With Hereditary Gelsolin Amyloidosis Caused by p.D214Y Mutation in the GSN Gene

Hereditary gelsolin amyloidosis (HGA) is an autosomal dominant hereditary disease characterized by corneal lattice dystrophy, peripheral neuropathy, and cutis laxa. So far, no Korean patients with HGA have been reported. A 58-yr-old man presented with involuntary facial twitching, progressive bilateral facial weakness, and tongue atrophy. His mother, maternal uncle, two sisters, and son suffered from the same symptoms. Electrophysiological studies revealed signs of chronic denervation in the cervical and lumbar regions, mild sympathetic autonomic dysfunction, and bilateral facial nerve dysfunction. Diagnostic whole-exome sequencing (WES) revealed a p.D214Y heterozygous mutation in the gelsolin gene in affected members. We present the first report of a Korean family with HGA diagnosed by WES. WES facilitated a clinical diagnosis of HGA in patients with undiagnosed neuropathies.

Adseverin mediates RANKL-induced osteoclastogenesis by regulating NFATc1

Adseverin is a Ca2+-dependent actin filament-severing protein that has been reported to regulate exocytosis via rearrangements of the actin cytoskeleton in secretory cells. However, the role of adseverin in bone cells has not yet been well characterized. Here, we investigated the role of adseverin in osteoclastogenesis using primary osteoclast precursor cells. Adseverin expression was upregulated during RANKL (receptor activator of nuclear factor-kappaB ligand)-induced osteoclast differentiation. Moreover, genetic silencing of adseverin decreased the number of osteoclasts generated by RANKL. Adseverin knockdown also suppressed the RANKL-mediated induction of nuclear factor of activated T-cell c1 (NFATc1), which is a key transcription factor in osteoclastogenesis. In addition, adseverin knockdown impaired bone resorption and the secretion of bone-degrading enzymes from osteoclasts. These effects were accompanied by decreased NFATc1 expression and the activation of nuclear factor-kappaB. Collectively, our results indicate that adseverin has a crucial role in osteoclastogenesis by regulating NFATc1.

Brain site-specific proteome changes in aging-related dementia

This study is aimed at gaining insights into the brain site-specific proteomic senescence signature while comparing physiologically aged brains with aging-related dementia brains (for example, Alzheimer's disease (AD)). Our study of proteomic differences within the hippocampus (Hp), parietal cortex (pCx) and cerebellum (Cb) could provide conceptual insights into the molecular mechanisms involved in aging-related neurodegeneration. Using an isobaric tag for relative and absolute quantitation (iTRAQ)-based two-dimensional liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (2D-LC-MS/MS) brain site-specific proteomic strategy, we identified 950 proteins in the Hp, pCx and Cb of AD brains. Of these proteins, 31 were significantly altered. Most of the differentially regulated proteins are involved in molecular transport, nervous system development, synaptic plasticity and apoptosis. Particularly, proteins such as Gelsolin (GSN), Tenascin-R (TNR) and AHNAK could potentially act as novel biomarkers of aging-related neurodegeneration. Importantly, our Ingenuity Pathway Analysis (IPA)-based network analysis further revealed ubiquitin C (UBC) as a pivotal protein to interact with diverse AD-associated pathophysiological molecular factors and suggests the reduced ubiquitin proteasome degradation system (UPS) as one of the causative factors of AD.

Danish type gelsolin-related amyloidosis in a Brazilian family: case reports / Amiloidose familiar relacionada ao gene gelsolin em uma família brasileira: relato de casos

Familial amyloidosis of the Finnish type (FAF) is an autosomal dominant form of systemic amyloidosis showing marked geographic clustering in Finland. The disease is caused by a point mutation, 654G-A, in the gelsolin gene. The Danish-subtype of FAF has been previously described in three families, the patients present clinical findings similar to FAF, and the mutation 654G-T in the gelsolin gene. Three members from two generations of the same family, with familial amyloidosis, were screened for mutations in the GSN gene. Genomic DNA was extracted from peripheral blood lymphocytes and the polymerase chain reaction (PCR) was carried out under standard conditions, using appropriate primers. Sequence analysis showed the presence of a G to T transition at nucleotide 654 of the gelsolin gene. This is the first report of gelsolin-related familial amyloidosis in a Brazilian family, and the result is particularly significant as this pedigree presents an unusual mutation, described previously in three families, with no known Finnish ancestors (Danish type).

Amiloidose familiar do tipo finlandes (FAF) é uma forma de amiloidose sistêmica autossômica dominante com grande concentração geográfica na Finlândia. É causada por uma mutação, 654G-A, no gene gelsolin. O subtipo dinamarquês da FAF foi previamente descrito em três famílias, com achados clínicos similares mas com a mutação 654G-T no gene gelsolin. Três membros de duas gerações da mesma família, com diagnóstico de amiloidose familiar, foram submetidos a screening de mutações no gene gelsolin. O DNA genômico foi extraído de linfócitos do sangue periférico, sendo realizada reação em cadeia de polimerase (PCR) em condições padronizadas. A análise do sequenciamento revelou uma transição de G para T no nucleotidio 654 do gene gelsolin. Este é o primeiro relato de uma amiloidose familiar relacionada ao gene gelsolin em uma família brasileira, que apresenta uma forma rara de mutação, descrita previamente em três famílias, sem ancestrais finlandeses (tipo dinamarquês).