Age-dependent expression pattern in the mammalian brain of a novel, small peptide encoded in the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome region

Sabrina Kragness; Mark A A Harrison; Joby J Westmoreland; Adam Burstain; Laurie R Earls

doi:10.1016/j.gep.2018.03.004

Age-dependent expression pattern in the mammalian brain of a novel, small peptide encoded in the 22q11.2 deletion syndrome region

Gene Expr Patterns. 2018 Jun:28:95-103. doi: 10.1016/j.gep.2018.03.004. Epub 2018 Mar 20.

Authors

Sabrina Kragness¹, Mark A A Harrison¹, Joby J Westmoreland¹, Adam Burstain¹, Laurie R Earls²

Affiliations

¹ Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, 2000 Percival Stern Hall, New Orleans, LA 70118, United States.
² Department of Cell and Molecular Biology, Tulane University, 2000 Percival Stern Hall, New Orleans, LA 70118, United States. Electronic address: learls@tulane.edu.

PMID: 29571919
DOI: 10.1016/j.gep.2018.03.004

Abstract

22q11.2 deletion syndrome (22q11.2DS) carries increased risk for both physical and psychiatric symptoms, including a high risk for schizophrenia. Understanding the genetic elements within the deletion region therefore has the potential to unlock the mysteries of both diseases. While most of the protein-coding genes in this region have been characterized, novel elements, such as non-coding RNAs and small Open Reading Frames (sORFs) remain unstudied. We have identified a novel, highly-conserved mouse sORF in a region of the mouse genome that is orthologous to a portion of the 22q11.2 deletion. This region was previously associated with age-dependent synaptic plasticity abnormalities. We refer to it as the Plasticity Associated Neural Transcript Short, or Pants. In developing and aging mouse brain, Pants expression is strongest in hippocampus, especially in areas CA3 and CA2, throughout the dorsoventral axis. The Pants peptide is expressed throughout the hippocampus, with an age-dependent increase in stratum lucidum at 16 weeks of age. This expression pattern suggests a potential role for Pants in many hippocampal behaviors, as well as a potential role in the age-dependent neurologic deficits displayed by 22q11.2DS model mice and patients.

Keywords: Hippocampus; Memory; Micropeptide; Schizophrenia; sORF.

Publication types

Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

Age Factors
Animals
Brain / metabolism*
Chromosome Deletion*
DiGeorge Syndrome / genetics*
DiGeorge Syndrome / metabolism
DiGeorge Syndrome / pathology
Mice
Mice, Inbred C57BL
Mice, Knockout
Open Reading Frames / genetics*
Peptide Fragments / metabolism*

Substances

Peptide Fragments