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. 2011 Aug 25;6(8):e23738. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0023738

Association of Transcription Factor Gene LMX1B with Autism

Ismail Thanseem 1,#, Kazuhiko Nakamura 1,*,#, Ayyappan Anitha 2,#, Shiro Suda 3,#, Kazuo Yamada 4, Yoshimi Iwayama 4, Tomoko Toyota 4, Masatsugu Tsujii 2,5, Yasuhide Iwata 1, Katsuaki Suzuki 2, Hideo Matsuzaki 2, Keiko Iwata 2, Toshiro Sugiyama 6,7, Takeo Yoshikawa 4, Norio Mori 1,2
Editor: Kenji Hashimoto8
PMCID: PMC3162001  PMID: 21901133

Abstract

Multiple lines of evidence suggest a serotoninergic dysfunction in autism. The role of LMX1B in the development and maintenance of serotoninergic neurons is well known. In order to examine the role, if any, of LMX1B with autism pathophysiology, a trio-based SNP association study using 252 family samples from the AGRE was performed. Using pair-wise tagging method, 24 SNPs were selected from the HapMap data, based on their location and minor allele frequency. Two SNPs (rs10732392 and rs12336217) showed moderate association with autism with p values 0.018 and 0.022 respectively in transmission disequilibrium test. The haplotype AGCGTG also showed significant association (p = 0.008). Further, LMX1B mRNA expressions were studied in the postmortem brain tissues of autism subjects and healthy controls samples. LMX1B transcripts was found to be significantly lower in the anterior cingulate gyrus region of autism patients compared with controls (p = 0.049). Our study suggests a possible role of LMX1B in the pathophysiology of autism. Based on previous reports, it is likely to be mediated through a seretoninergic mechanism. This is the first report on the association of LMX1B with autism, though it should be viewed with some caution considering the modest associations we report.

Introduction

Autism and other developmental disabilities, clinically referred to as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), are characterized by impairments in communication skills and social interaction, and the presence of repetitive stereotyped behaviors and interests. It is typically diagnosed by the age of three and has a prevalence rate of 60-70 per 10,000 children in broader diagnostic criteria as per the most recent estimates [1]. ASDs are considered to be among the most heritable of all psychiatric disorders. A recent largest population based twin study comprised of 10,895 twin pairs, reported 80% heritability for ASDs [2], confirming the previously reported heritability estimates [3], [4]. Linkage, candidate gene and whole genome association studies have suggested several genes and chromosomal regions associated with the disorder. However, none of these known causes individually account for more than 1–2% of the cases, and specific genetic mechanisms underlying the heritability of the disorder still remain largely cryptic. It was found that many different genetic changes in unrelated genes can cause indistinguishable ASD features; this genetic heterogeneity necessitate the need to look for more potential candidate genes associated with the disorder.

The LIM homeodomain transcription factor 1b (LMX1B) was initially characterized as a key regulator of the normal dorsoventral patterning in the developing limbs [5]. Several mutations reported in this gene have been found to lead to the pleiotropic phenotype, the nail platella syndrome [6]–[8]. Later, the role of Lmx1b in the development and maintenance of serotoninergic (5HTergic) neurons in the central nervous system (CNS) was reported, and thereafter, underlying mechanisms were studied in detail. Lmx1b knock-out mice were found to be lacking the entire central 5HTergic neurons [9], [10]. Further, it was shown that overexpression of Lmx1b enhances differentiation of mouse embryonic stem cells into 5HT neurons [11]. In addition to its role in the development of central 5HTeregic neurons, Lmx1b is also required for the normal biosynthesis of 5HT in adult brain, and possibly for the regulation of normal functions of 5HTergic neurons [12].

A role of 5HTergic system in the pathophysiology of autism was proposed based on following observations, a) hyperserotonemia in the whole blood cells and platelets of 25–50% of patients with autism [13], [14], b) depletion of tryptophan, the 5HT precursor, in ASD patients increased some stereotype behaviors associated with the disorder [15], c) treatment with selective serotonin reuptake inhibitors has shown to be effective in ameliorating the repetitive and/or compulsive behaviors in some autistic individuals [16] and d) recent neuroimaging studies have shown low levels of brain 5HT synthesis in autistic children [17] and reduction in serotonin transporter (SLC6A4) binding in different brain regions of both children and adults with the disorder [18], [19]. Compliant with these reports, several genetic association studies involving genes in the 5HT metabolism with a focus on the SLC6A4 were also attempted. While several SLC6A4 polymorphisms were shown to be associated with the disorder in some studies [20], [21], others failed to replicate the findings [22].

Taking together, these results provide compelling, though inconsistent evidence for the role of 5HTergic system in the pathophysiologic mechanism of ASDs. In view of the importance of LMX1B in the development of 5-HTergic neurons, it would be interesting to study its role in autism. Here we performed a trio-based study to examine the association of LMX1B with autism. We also assessed any alterations in the expression LMX1B in the postmortem brain samples of autism patients as compared to healthy controls.

Results

Single SNP TDT

Mendelian inheritance inconsistencies were not observed for any of the SNPs. For each SNP, >99% of the genotypes were scored; none of the SNPs showed deviation from HWE.

The results of TDT analysis are shown in Table 1. rs10732392 (p = 0.018; OR = 1.764; 95% CI for OR 1.095–2.842) and rs12336217 (p = 0.022; OR = 1.748; 95% CI for OR 1.076–2.841) showed significant associations with autism. However, these associations did not withstand the multiple testing correction. Overtransmission was observed for the minor allele A (62.82%) of rs10732392 and for minor allele G (62.67%) of rs12336217.

Table 1. Single SNP TDT results of LMX1B SNPs in 252 trio samples.

Marker db SNP ID Genomic Variation* Location Minor allele T (%)‡ p-value§
Location frequency†
SNP 1 rs10732392 129396037 G:A Intron 2 0.078 48.92 0.018
SNP 2 rs10760444 129396434 A:G Intron 2 0.449 48.23 0.214
SNP 3 rs10448285 129397014 C:T Intron 2 0.376 50.64 0.601
SNP 4 rs12336217 129399870 A:G Intron 2 0.075 48.98 0.022
SNP 5 rs7858338 129406644 T:C Intron 2 0.26 51.61 0.085
SNP 6 rs11793373 129407543 G:A Intron 2 0.252 50.6 0.513
SNP 7 rs10819190 129408513 G:A Intron 2 0.414 49.56 0.739
SNP 8 rs6478750 129409198 T:C Intron 2 0.408 49.91 0.948
SNP 9 rs12555734 129411242 C:A Intron 2 0.24 51.25 0.16
SNP 10 rs13285227 129413298 C:T Intron 2 0.348 49.11 0.439
SNP 11 rs944103 129413490 G:A Intron 2 0.472 49.05 0.526
SNP 12 rs12555176 129414303 G:T Intron 2 0.074 50.11 0.809
SNP 13 rs7854658 129414938 G:A Intron 2 0.21 50.57 0.486
SNP 14 rs10987386 129416317 C:T Intron 2 0.191 49.5 0.519
SNP 15 rs12551234 129417809 G:C Intron 2 0.407 49.92 0.949
SNP 16 rs7853174 129419990 G:A Intron 2 0.394 49.04 0.452
SNP 17 rs10819194 129422023 G:A Intron 2 0.422 51.78 0.189
SNP 18 rs4322101 129428677 A:G Intron 2 0.416 51.19 0.37
SNP 19 rs7030919 129438872 A:G Intron 2 0.115 49.49 0.37
SNP 20 rs3737048 129458092 G:T Intron 6 0.107 50.39 0.474
SNP 21 rs10987413 129459438 G:A 3′ 0.333 50.65 0.56
SNP 22 rs10760450 129459628 C:T 3′ 0.21 50.58 0.475
SNP 23 rs10733682 129460914 G:A 3′ 0.486 51.27 0.41
SNP 24 rs4083644 129461714 C:T 3′ 0.28 49.93 0.943
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T: Transmitted.

*Common allele is listed first.

†Based on the parental genotypes of 252 trios.

‡T% of common allele is listed, § Computed on the basis of likelihood ratio test; significant p-values (<0.05) are indicated in bold italics.

LD analysis

LD analysis based on D' values identified six distinct haploblocks across LMX1B gene. The first block consists of SNPs 01 to 06, the second block SNPs 08 and 09, the third block 10 and 11, fourth block 12 to 16, fifth block 18 and 19 and the sixth block included SNPs 20 to 22 (Figure 1).

Figure 1. Haploblock structure of LMX1B.

Figure 1

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Six haplotype blocks were identified based on D' values calculated from 252 trios.

Haplotype TDT

The results of haplotype TDT is given in Table 2. Based on the LD structure of LMX1B, associations of haplotypes in the six haploblocks were analysed. The haplotype AGCGTG of the first block showed significant association with autism (p = 0.008).

Table 2. Haplotype associations of SNPs belonging to the six LD blocks of LMX1B, in 252 trios.

Block Haplotype* Frequency T(%) Individual p- Permutation p- Block p-
value† value‡ value
Block 1 (SNPs 01–06) GGTATG 0.355 51.67 0.6291 1
GACATA 0.25 48.81 0.7487 1
GACACG 0.244 45.71 0.2568 0.994
AGCGTG 0.073 66.13 0.0079 0.114
GACATG 0.052 51.42 0.8461 1
GGTACG 0.014 30.77 0.1658 0.97 0.096
Block 2 (SNPs 08–09) CC 0.406 50.23 0.9432 1
TC 0.353 54.03 0.2242 0.987
TA 0.239 44.23 0.1255 0.892 0.258
Block 3 (SNPs 10–11) CG 0.525 48.4 0.6123 1
TA 0.345 52.71 0.4094 1
CA 0.126 48.79 0.8046 1 0.731
Block 4 (SNPs 12–16) GGCGA 0.379 53.41 0.3114 0.998
GGCGG 0.209 45.31 0.2362 0.991
GACCG 0.201 48.99 0.8072 1
GGTCG 0.119 55.41 0.2624 0.994
TGTCG 0.071 48.81 0.8455 1 0.595
Block 5 (SNPs 18–19) AA 0.58 52.42 0.4476 1
GA 0.304 47.25 0.1587 0.966
GG 0.112 53.61 0.4772 1 0.354
Block 6 (SNPs 20–22) GGC 0.35 55.39 0.111 0.868
GAC 0.332 48.19 0.59 1
GGT 0.21 47.63 0.5365 1
TGC 0.107 46.45 0.4947 1 0.512
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T: Transmitted / (Transmitted + Untransmitted).

‡10,000 permutations.

*All possible combinations of haplotypes with frequency >0.01 †Significant p-values (<0.05) are indicated in bold italics.

LMX1B expression in the postmortem brains

No significant difference in age, sex and postmortem intervals was observed between autism and control groups in all the brain regions (ACG, MC and THL). There was a significant difference in LMX1B expression between the autism and control group in the ACG (p = 0.049) (Figure 2). Expression was significantly lower in autism groups with a fold change of (2−△△CT) 0.43. No LMX1B expression could be detected in the other two brain regions (MC and TH).

Figure 2. LMX1B expression in the brain.

Figure 2

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LMX1B expression in the anterior cingulate gyrus region of the brain of autism patients compared to that of control samples.

Discussion

In this study, we examined the association of the transcription factor gene LMX1B with autism in Caucasian population. In the trio-based study, we found nominal associations for two SNPs (rs10732392 and rs12336217) and a haplotype with autism. To the best of our knowledge, this is the first study which reported an association between LMX1B and autism; a previous study reported the association between LMX1B and schizophrenia [23], which is also a neurodevelopmental disorder. Both the SNPs which are found to be associated with the disorder are located in the introns (intron 2) and may lack any direct functional importance. We also found that the LMX1B mRNA expression in general, is rather low in adult brain; detected only in ACG. However, LMX1B mRNAs were found to be significantly lower in the ACG of autistic brains than the similar regions of control brain tissues.

Multiple lines of evidence suggested a serotoninergic dysfunction in many patients with autism, although the results are still inconclusive. Involvement of several transcription factors are reported in the 5HTergic differentiation. In mammalian CNS, a sequential activation of transcription factors in the hindbrain, starting with the regulation of the expression of Nkx2-2 by the Shh signaling pathway, has been proposed [9]. It was observed that 5HT neurons are absent in the mice lacking Nkx2-2 [24]. It occupies the highest hierarchical position in the genetic cascade that involved in the development of 5HT neurons. Another transcription factor Pet1, expressed in the post mitotic 5HT neurons was reported to be the terminal differentiation factor, which acts in the final step of the transcriptional cascade that establishes the final identity of 5HT neurons. Mice lacking Pet1 had 70–80% fewer 5-HT neurons than normal mice. The Lmx1b ablation does not affect the expression Nkx2.2 and Shh [9], [25] putting these factors upstream of Lmx1b. However, during development, Lmx1b precedes pet1, and Lmx1b knock-out mice showed loss of Pet1 expression [10]. In vivo, Pet1 expression was increased in neurons overexpressing Lmx1b [11]. Thus, Lmx1b has been proposed as an essential link between Nkx2.2 and Pet1 in the genetic cascade that controls the early specification and terminal differentiation of 5HTergic neurons in the hindbrain. Lmx1b expression was shown to be the rate limiting step in this cascade of events for specifying the 5HT phenotype [11]. Further, Lmx1b, together with Pet1, is also involved in the serotonin metabolism as it controls a set of molecules essential for the serotonin synthesis (TPH2), vesicular transport (VMAT2) and reuptake after synaptic release (SLC6A4) in the developing as well as adult brain [10], [12].

ACG region plays important role in the pathophysiology of autism as shown by previous reports [26], [27]. Our positron emission tomography studies had shown that a reduction in SLC6A4 binding in the cingulate cortices is associated with an impairment of social cognition in autistic subjects [19]. The present finding of reduced LMX1B expression in the ACG of autism group, therefore, could have some deleterious effects on the serotonergic system, given the role of LMX1B in the differentiation of 5HT neurons in developing brain, and in the maintenance of 5HT system in adult brain.

In conclusion, we report a possible association of the transcription factor LMX1B with autism pathogenesis. However, our results should be interpreted with some caution, given the limitations in sample size of postmortem brain samples and the modest associations we found in genetic and gene expression studies.

Materials and Methods

Subjects

DNA samples from trio families recruited to the Autism Genetic Resource Exchange [28] were used for the single nucleotide polymorphism (SNP) association study. We selected 252 trios families with male offspring scored for autism. Only Caucasians (white) were selected and non-idiopathic autism cases were excluded.

Brain samples

Frozen postmortem brain tissues from autistic patients and controls were provided by the Autism Tissue Program (ATP; Princeton, NJ; http://www.autismtissueprogram.org) and Harvard Brain Tissue Research Center (HBTRC; Belmont, MA; http://www.brainbank.mclean.org/). Tissues were obtained from three brain regions important in cognitive and behavior processing namely a) anterior cingulate gyrus (ACG- 8 autism and 13 controls), b) motor cortex (MC- 7 autism and 8 controls), and c) thalamus (THL-8 autism and 9 controls). The demographic features of the samples are described in Table 3.

Table 3. Postmortem brain tissue information.

Sample IDa Diagnosis Age (years) Gender PMI (hours) Race Cause of death Brain regionsb
UMB 818 Control 27 M 10 Caucasian Multiple injuries ACG
UMB 1065 Control 15 M 12 Caucasian Multiple injuries ACG, THL
UMB 1297 Control 15 M 16 African American Multiple injuries ACG, MC, THL
UMB 1407 Control 9 F 20 African American Asthma ACG, MC, THL
UMB 1541 Control 20 F 19 Caucasian Head injuries ACG, MC, THL
UMB 1649 Control 20 M 22 Hispanic Multiple injuries ACG, MC, THL
UMB 1708 Control 8 F 20 African American Asphyxia, multiple injuries ACG, MC, THL
UMB 1790 Control 13 M 18 Caucasian Multiple injuries ACG
UMB 1793 Control 11 M 19 African American Drowning ACG, MC, THL
UMB 1860 Control 8 M 5 Caucasian Cardiac Arrhythmia ACG
UMB 4543 Control 28 M 13 Caucasian Multiple injuries ACG, MC, THL
UMB 4638 Control 15 F 5 Caucasian Chest injuries ACG
UMB 4722 Control 14 M 16 Caucasian Multiple injuries ACG, MC, THL
UMB 797 Autism 9 M 13 Caucasian Drowning ACG, THL
UMB 1638 Autism 20 F 50 Caucasian Seizure ACG, MC, THL
UMB 4231 Autism 8 M 12 African American Drowning ACG, MC, THL
UMB 4721 Autism 8 M 16 African American Drowning ACG, MC, THL
UMB 4899 Autism 14 M 9 Caucasian Drowning ACG, MC, THL
B 5000 Autism 27 M 8.3 NA NA ACG, MC, THL
B 6294 Autism 16 M NA NA NA ACG, MC, THL
B 6640 Autism 29 F 17.83 NA NA ACG, MC, THL
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a

Autism Tissue Program (ATP) identifier.

b

Brain regions for which, each sample was available.

M: Male; F: Female, PMI: Postmortem interval, ACG: Anterior cingulate gyrus; MC: Motor cortex; THL: Thalamus; NA: Not available.

Selection of SNPs

LMX1B, located in 9q33.3 (129,376,748 – 129,463,311), is 86.56kb in size and consists of eight exons. The genomic structure is based on the UCSC (http://www.genome.ucsc.edu) assembly of the human genome. SNPs for the association studies were selected using the information from international HapMap project (http://www.hapmap.org) and National Centre for Biotechnology Information (NCBI dbSNP: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/SNP). On the basis of their genomic locations and minor allele frequencies (MAF >0.1), 24 SNPs were selected (Figure 3; Table 1), using the pair-wise tagging option of Haploview.v4.1 (http://www.broad.mit.edu/mpg/haploview).

Figure 3. Genomic structure of LMX1B gene.

Figure 3

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Locations of SNPs selected for the association study, based on the HapMap data on Caucasian population, are denoted by arrows. Exons are indicated by boxes.

Genotyping

Assay-on-demand/Assay-by-design SNP genotyping products (ABI, Foster City, CA, USA) were used to score SNPs, based on the TaqMan assay method [29]. Genotypes were determined in ABI PRISM 7900HT Sequence Detection System (SDS) (Applied Biosystems), and analyzed using SDS v2.0 (ABI).

Statistical Analysis

PedCheck v1.1 (http://www.watson.hgen.pitt.edu) was used to identify and eliminate all Mendelian inheritance inconsistencies in the trio genotype data. SNPs were tested for Hardy–Weinberg Equilibrium (HWE) using Haploview. SNP associations were examined by transmission disequilibrium test (TDT), using the TDTPHASE option of UNPHASED v2.403 (http://portal.litbio.org); expectation maximization (EM) algorithm was used to resolve uncertain haplotypes, to infer missing genotypes and to provide maximum-likelihood estimation of frequencies.

A linkage disequilibrium (LD) plot was constructed using the D' values. Pair-wise LD values between SNPs were estimated using Haploview. Subsequently, associations of haplotypes (frequency >0.01) belonging to the various haploblocks of LMX1B were also examined using Haploview.

Extraction of RNA from brain tissues

The brain tissues were homogenized by ultrasonication and total RNA was extracted using TRIzol Reagent (Invitrogen, Carlsbad, CA, USA), in accordance with the manufacturer's protocol. The RNA samples were further purified using RNeasy Micro Kit (QIAGEN GmbH, Hilden, Germany), following the manufacturer's instructions. The quantity (absorbance at 260 nm) and quality (ratio of absorbance at 260 nm and 280 nm) of RNA were estimated with a NanoDrop ND-1000 Spectrophotometer (Scrum, Tokyo, Japan).

Quantitative real-time reverse transcriptase PCR (qRT-PCR)

ImProm-II Reverse Transcription System (Promega, Madison, WI, USA) was used to synthesize first-strand cDNA from the total RNA according to the manufacturer's protocol.

RT-PCR primers for LMX1B (NM_001174146.1) (F-cctttgagcaagtaaggataatgaatg, R-gggactgaatttcccagcaa) and endogenous reference GAPDH (NM_002046.3) (F-atcagcaatgcctcctgcac, R-tggcatggactgtggtcatg) were designed using primer express v2.0 (Applied Biosystems). SYBR Green qRT-PCR assays were performed using QuantiTect SYBR Green PCR kit (Qiagen). All the reactions were performed in triplicate, in the ABI PRISM 7900HT Sequence Detection System. CT values, which reflect the mRNA expression levels, were determined. LMX1B CT of each sample was normalized to the corresponding CT for the internal control by calculating △CT (△CT  = Target gene CT – GAPDH CT) to obtain the relative mRNA expression of the target gene. Quantification of the gene expression was performed by calculating △△CT (△△CT  =  △CT of the autistic group - △CT of the control group).The fold change in gene expression between the two groups was determined by calculating 2−△△CT.

Statistical analysis

For the gene expression studies, statistical calculations were performed using PSAW statistics 18.0 software (IBM-SPSS, Tokyo, Japan). The difference in age and postmortem interval between autistic and control groups was examined by t-test. The chi-square test was used to examine the sex distribution; alteration in gene expression between the two groups was analyzed by Mann-Whitney U-test.

Acknowledgments

We thank Dr. Jane Pickett, Director of Brain Resources and Data, Autism Tissue Program, for facilitating brain tissue collection. Human tissue was obtained from the NICHD Brain and Tissue Bank for Developmental Disorders at the University of Maryland, Baltimore, Maryland. Tissue samples were also provided by the Harvard Brain Tissue Resource Center, which is supported in part by PHS grant number R 24 MH 068855. We thank Ms. Tae Takahashi for technical assistance.

Footnotes

Competing Interests: The authors have declared that no competing interests exist.

Funding: This work was supported by Grants-in-Aid for Scientific Research from the Ministry of Education, Culture, Sports, Science, and Technology of Japan to Dr. K. Nakamura. The funders had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.

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