School of Medicine Publications and Presentations
Document Type
Article
Publication Date
8-29-2024
Abstract
Background
The APOE gene is the strongest genetic risk factor for late-onset Alzheimer’s Disease (LOAD). However, the gene regulatory mechanisms at this locus remain incompletely characterized.
Methods
To identify novel AD-linked functional elements within the APOE locus, we integrated SNP variants with multi-omics data from human postmortem brains including 2,179 RNA-seq samples from 3 brain regions and two ancestries (European and African), 667 DNA methylation samples, and ChIP-seq samples. Additionally, we plotted the expression trajectory of APOE transcripts in human brains during development.
Results
We identified an AD-linked APOE transcript (jxn1.2.2) particularly observed in the dorsolateral prefrontal cortex (DLPFC). The APOE jxn1.2.2 transcript is associated with brain neuropathological features, cognitive impairment, and the presence of the APOE4 allele in DLPFC. We prioritized two independent functional SNPs (rs157580 and rs439401) significantly associated with jxn1.2.2 transcript abundance and DNA methylation levels. These SNPs are located within active chromatin regions and affect brain-related transcription factor-binding affinities. The two SNPs shared effects on the jxn1.2.2 transcript between European and African ethnic groups.
Conclusion
The novel APOE functional elements provide potential therapeutic targets with mechanistic insight into the disease etiology.
Recommended Citation
Chen, Q., Aguirre, L., Liang, G., Zhao, H., Dong, T., Borrego, F., ... & Ma, L. (2024). Identification of a specific APOE transcript and functional elements associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Molecular Neurodegeneration, 19(1), 63. https://doi.org/10.1186/s13024-024-00751-7
Creative Commons License
This work is licensed under a Creative Commons Attribution 4.0 International License.
Publication Title
Molecular Neurodegeneration
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1186/s13024-024-00751-7
Academic Level
faculty
Mentor/PI Department
Office of Human Genetics
Comments
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