Cited by 84Circadian rhythm and melatoninGenetic Syndromes and ImprintingSleep and Wakefulness Research

Ube3a Imprinting Impairs Circadian Robustness in Angelman Syndrome Models

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Shi, Shu-qun, Bichell, Terry Jo, Ihrie, Rebecca A., Johnson, Carl Hirschie·2015·Current Biology

Abstract

Background The paternal allele of Ube3a is silenced by imprinting in neurons, and Angelman syndrome (AS) is a disorder arising from a deletion or mutation of the maternal Ube3a allele, which thereby eliminates Ube3a neuronal expression. Sleep disorders such as short sleep duration and increased sleep onset latency are very common in AS.Results We found a unique link between neuronal imprinting of Ube3a and circadian rhythms in two mouse models of AS, including enfeebled circadian activity behavior and slowed molecular rhythms in ex vivo brain tissues. As a consequence of compromised circadian behavior, metabolic homeostasis is also disrupted in AS mice. Unsilencing the paternal Ube3a allele restores functional circadian periodicity in neurons deficient in maternal Ube3a but does not affect periodicity in peripheral tissues that are not imprinted for uniparental Ube3a expression. The ubiquitin ligase encoded by Ube3a interacts with the central clock components BMAL1 and BMAL2. Moreover, inactivation of Ube3a expression elevates BMAL1 levels in brain regions that control circadian behavior of AS-model mice, indicating an important role for Ube3a in modulating BMAL1 turnover.Conclusions Ube3a expression constitutes a direct mechanistic connection between symptoms of a human neurological disorder and the central circadian clock mechanism. The lengthened circadian period leads to delayed phase, which could explain the short sleep duration and increased sleep onset latency of AS subjects. Moreover, we report the pharmacological rescue of an AS phenotype, in this case, altered circadian period. These findings reveal potential treatments for sleep disorders in AS patients.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.cub.2014.12.047

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  • In mice with maternal loss of Ube3a, period lengthening of locomotor rhythms and molecular rhythms in the brain are dependent on core clock factors, including CLOCK and BMAL1.

    “In mice with maternal loss of Ube3a, period lengthening of locomotor rhythms and molecular rhythms in the brain are dependent on core clock factors, including CLOCK and BMAL1 (reF.127).”
  • Activation of the epigenetically silenced paternal Ube3a allele restores neuronal circadian function, suggesting that targeting the locus may be useful for treatment and involve molecular-clock-dependent mechanisms.

    “Intriguingly, activation of the epigenetically silenced paternal Ube3a allele restores neuronal circadian function127, suggesting that targeting the locus may be useful for treatment and involve molecular-clock-dependent mechanisms.”

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Authors
Shi, S.-Q., Bichell, T. J., Ihrie, R. A., & Johnson, C. H.
Affiliations
Vanderbilt University (US)
Corresponding author
Johnson, Carl Hirschie
Venue
Current Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2015-03
Volume
25
Issue
5
Pages
537-545
ISSN
0960-9822 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2167862439
Cited by
84
References
74
Citations by year
2026: 5 · 2025: 4 · 2024: 6 · 2023: 5 · 2022: 8 · 2021: 5 · 2020: 13 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 12 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 4 · 2015: 5
FWCI
4.43
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Current Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
Funders
  • National Heart, Lung, and Blood Institute (R21HL102492)
  • National Institute of General Medical Sciences (R01GM107434, R01GM088595)
  • National Institute of Diabetes and Digestive and Kidney Diseases (U24DK076169)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Endocrine and Autonomic Systems › Circadian rhythm and melatonin
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetic Syndromes and Imprinting
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Sleep and Wakefulness Research
Keywords
UBE3A, genomic imprinting, Angelman syndrome, circadian rhythm, circadian period, Bmal1, ubiquitin ligase, sleep disorders, short sleep duration, sleep latency, metabolic homeostasis, pharmacological rescue, mouse model
MeSH terms
Analysis of Variance, Animals, Body Weight, Circadian Rhythm, Humans, Liver, Neurons, Sleep Wake Disorders, Angelman Syndrome, Gene Deletion, Genomic Imprinting, Chronotherapy, Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases, Mice, ARNTL Transcription Factors

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