Microarray identification of FMRP-associated brain mRNAs and altered mRNA translational profiles in fragile X syndrome

Cell. 2001 Nov 16;107(4):477-87. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(01)00568-2.

Abstract

Fragile X syndrome results from the absence of the RNA binding FMR protein. Here, mRNA was coimmunoprecipitated with the FMRP ribonucleoprotein complex and used to interrogate microarrays. We identified 432 associated mRNAs from mouse brain. Quantitative RT-PCR confirmed some to be >60-fold enriched in the immunoprecipitant. In parallel studies, mRNAs from polyribosomes of fragile X cells were used to probe microarrays. Despite equivalent cytoplasmic abundance, 251 mRNAs had an abnormal polyribosome profile in the absence of FMRP. Although this represents <2% of the total messages, 50% of the coimmunoprecipitated mRNAs with expressed human orthologs were found in this group. Nearly 70% of those transcripts found in both studies contain a G quartet structure, demonstrated as an in vitro FMRP target. We conclude that translational dysregulation of mRNAs normally associated with FMRP may be the proximal cause of fragile X syndrome, and we identify candidate genes relevant to this phenotype.

Publication types

  • Comparative Study
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Animals
  • Brain Chemistry*
  • Centrifugation, Density Gradient
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein
  • Fragile X Syndrome / genetics*
  • Humans
  • Ligands
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Models, Genetic
  • Molecular Sequence Data
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / deficiency
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology*
  • Oligonucleotide Array Sequence Analysis*
  • Polymerase Chain Reaction
  • Precipitin Tests
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Biosynthesis*
  • RNA, Messenger / chemistry
  • RNA, Messenger / isolation & purification
  • RNA, Messenger / metabolism*
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / genetics
  • RNA-Binding Proteins / physiology*
  • Regulatory Sequences, Nucleic Acid
  • Ribosomes / metabolism
  • Sequence Alignment
  • Sequence Homology, Amino Acid

Substances

  • FMR1 protein, human
  • Fmr1 protein, mouse
  • Ligands
  • Macromolecular Substances
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RNA, Messenger
  • RNA-Binding Proteins
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein