Project description:Copy number variations (CNVs) account for a substantial proportion of human genomic variation, and have been shown to cause neurodevelopmental disorders. We sought to determine the relevance of CNVs to the aetiology of schizophrenia. Whole genome, high resolution, tiling path BAC array comparative genomic hybridization (array CGH) was employed to test DNA from 91 individuals with DSM-IV schizophrenia. Common DNA copy number changes that are unlikely to be directly pathogenic in schizophrenia were identified by comparison to a reference dataset of 372 control individuals analysed in our laboratory, and a screen against the Database of Genomic Variants. The remaining aberrations were tested for inheritance from the parents, and validated with Affymetrix 250K SNP arrays or 244K Agilent oligo-arrays. Thirteen aberrations satisfied our criteria. Two of them are very likely to be pathogenic. A deletion at 2p16.3 disrupts NRXN1 and was present in an affected sibling. A de novo duplication at 15q13.1 spans APBA2. The proteins of these two genes interact directly and play a role in synaptic development and function. Both genes have been affected by CNVs in other neurodevelopmental disorders. Keywords: Array CGH We undertook a systematic search for CNVs in patients with schizophrenia using high resolution, whole genome tiling path BAC arrays. We selected 45 male and 48 female unrelated proband-parent trios from our sample of ~600 Bulgarian SZ trios recruited as described previously. In all cases IQ was > 70. The mean age of probands was 33.8 years (SD = 10.1, range 13-57 years). The mean age at onset of psychotic symptoms was 22.1 years (SD = 6.6, range 11-44 years). Sonicated patient and reference DNA was labelled by random priming (Bioprime Array CGH, Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA) with Cy3 and Cy5 (Amersham Biosciences, Piscataway, NJ), respectively, and hybridized onto a tiling path BAC array, consisting of ~36,000 BAC clones obtained from several sources as described on our website (http://www.molgen.mpg.de/~abt_rop/molecular_cytogenetics/). All protocols are also provided on that website. For the analysis and visualization of array CGH data, our software-package CGHPRO was employed. For the assessment of copy number gains and losses, we used conservative log2 ratio thresholds of 0.3 and -0.3, respectively. Deviant signal intensity ratios involving three or more neighboring BAC clones were considered to be potentially pathogenic, unless they were covered by more than one known DNA copy number variant, as listed in the Database of Genomic Variants. No dye swap was done. Array CGH analysis was successful in 91 cases.

Project description:The offspring of older fathers have an increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism. It has been proposed that de novo point mutations and copy number variants (CNVs) in the continually dividing spermatogonia underlie this association. In light of the evidence implicating CNVs with schizophrenia and autism, here we use a mouse model to test the hypothesis that the offspring of older males have an increased risk of de novo CNVs. Three-month-old and fourteen- to sixteen-month-old C57BL/6J sires were mated with three-month-old dams to create control offspring and offspring of old sires, respectively. Applying genome-wide microarray screening technology, seven distinct CNVs were identified in a discovery set of twelve offspring and their parents. Competitive quantitative PCR was employed to confirm the variants and establish their frequency in a replication set of 77 offspring and their parents. Six de novo CNVs were detected in the offspring of older sires, while none were detected in the control group. One of the de novo CNVs involved Auts2 (autism susceptibility candidate 2), and other CNVs included genes linked to schizophrenia, autism and brain development. Two of the CNVs were associated with behavioural and/or neuroanatomical phenotypic features. This is the first experimental demonstration that the offspring of older males have more de novo CNVs. The results suggest that offspring of older fathers may be at increased risk of neurodevelopmental disorders such as schizophrenia and autism via the generation of de novo CNV in the male germline. In light of the trends for delayed parenthood in many societies, and in light of the potential for these CNVs to accumulate over subsequent generations, the impact of these mechanisms on the health of future generations warrants closer scrutiny. 2 sires of advanced paternal age (12-16 months of age) and 2 control (3 months of age) sires were mated to dams (3 months of age) to create 6 offspring of advanced paternal age (APA) and 6 control offspring (C), respectively, with an even number of sexes within each group of offspring. A commerical aCGH and a custom CNV array (both supplied by Agilent) were used in combination to detect copy number variations in the genomes of the offspring and their parents. DNA from all male animals was hybridized against a male reference animal and that from all female animals against a female reference animal.

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Comparative genomic hybridization suggests a role for NRXN1 and APBA2 in schizophrenia

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