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Human Molecular Genetics Advance Access originally published online on June 25, 2008
Human Molecular Genetics 2008 17(18):2863-2867; doi:10.1093/hmg/ddn183
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© The Author 2008. Published by Oxford University Press. All rights reserved. For Permissions, please email: journals.permissions@oxfordjournals.org

Association study of the NEDD9 gene with the risk of developing Alzheimer's and Parkinson's disease

Julien Chapuis1, Frédéric Moisan2,3, Georges Mellick4, Alexis Elbaz2,3, Peter Silburn4, Florence Pasquier5, Didier Hannequin6, Corinne Lendon7, Dominique Campion6, Philippe Amouyel1 and Jean-Charles Lambert1,*

1 Inserm, U744, Institut Pasteur de Lille, Université de Lille 2, Lille, France 2 Inserm, U708, Hôpital de la Salpêtrière, Paris, France 3 Université Pierre et Marie Curie-Paris6, Paris, France 4 Eskitis Institue for Cell and Molecular Therapies, Griffith University, Queensland, Australia 5 EA2391, Department of Neurology, Memory Clinic, University Hospital of Lille, Lille, France 6 Inserm, U614, Faculty of Medicine, IFRMP, Rouen, France 7 Molecular Psychiatry Group, Queensland Institute of Medical Research, Brisbane, Australia

* To whom correspondence should be addressed at: unité INSERM 744, Institut Pasteur de Lille, BP 245, 1, rue du professeur Calmette, 59019 Lille cédex, France. Tel: +33 320 877391; Fax: +33 320 877894; Email: jean-charles.lambert{at}pasteur-lille.fr

Received May 26, 2008; Accepted June 22, 2008


   ABSTRACT
TOP
 ABSTRACT
INTRODUCTION
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
 FUNDING
 REFERENCES
 
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD), the two most common neurodegenerative disorders in the elderly, have been hypothesized to share genetic determinants. Recently, Li et al. proposed that a variant in the NEDD9 gene may be one of these common genetic factors. We attempted to confirm this initial observation by conducting an equivalent analysis in terms of pathologies and sample size. We genotyped the NEDD9 rs760678 SNP in three independent AD case–control studies (n = 3176) and two independent PD case–control studies (n = 1855). However, we failed to detect an association of this SNP with the risk of developing AD or PD, in any of these populations. In conclusion, these data indicate that the rs760678 SNP of the NEDD9 gene is at best a weak genetic determinant of AD or PD.


   INTRODUCTION
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
 FUNDING
 REFERENCES
 
Alzheimer's disease (AD) and Parkinson's disease (PD) are the main causes of neurodegenerative disorders in the elderly. Both pathologies are multi-factorial resulting from the complex interactions between environmental and genetics factors. AD shows strong evidence for genes contributing to disease susceptibility (between 60 and 80%) (1), whereas the genetic component of PD appears less important (between 20 and 30%) (2). Interestingly, familial aggregation of these two disorders has been observed, suggesting a common genetic cause (3,4). This hypothesis has been reinforced by the observation that similar clinical and pathological characteristics can be found in AD and PD patients. For instance, some PD patients develop dementia and some AD patients have Lewy bodies (5,6).

The characterization of common causative genetic factors may be useful to better define physiopathological processes in both diseases. To date, several genes or loci of interest have been proposed. The {varepsilon}4 allele of the apoliporotein E (APOE) gene is a major genetic risk factor in AD has been associated with an increased risk of developing PD in some studies. However, this observation was suspected to potentially result from an increase in dementia in PD cases bearing the {varepsilon}4 allele (7). As yet unknown genes in common to AD and PD may lie on chromosomes 6 and 10. Loci in these chromosomes were reported to contain gene(s) that modify age at onset of AD and PD (8). One gene on chromosome 10, the glutathione S-transferase, omega-1, received particular attention but contradictory findings in these diseases were reported (9–11).

Recently, the NEDD9 (Neural precursor cell Expressed, Developmentally Down-regulated) gene has been reported as a potential common candidate gene for both AD and PD (12). From 4692 putative functional SNPs in 3664 genes, the authors focused on the rs760678 SNP located in a region containing clusters of TATA- and GATA-binding motifs within NEDD9 gene. They found that the major CC genotype was associated with an increased risk of developing AD and PD in their cohorts [respectively, OR = 1.38 (1.20–1.59) and OR = 1.31 (1.05–1.62)]. Since NEDD9 is involved in the formation of neurite-like membrane extensions and neurite outgrowth (13,14), the authors suggested that a differential expression of NEDD9 may affect the reservoir of neurons and synapses in the brain and influence neuronal degeneration under stressful conditions.

We attempted to replicate the association of the rs760678 SNP with the risk of developing both AD and PD. We developed a comparable analysis to the initial report in terms of pathologies and sample size using three independent AD case–control studies (n = 3176) and two independent PD case–control studies (n = 1855).


   RESULTS
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 RESULTS
DISCUSSION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
 FUNDING
 REFERENCES
 
The association between the rs760678 SNP and the risk of developing AD or PD was assessed in three AD and two independent PD case–control studies (Table 1). The genotype distributions were in Hardy–Weinberg equilibrium in all the controls and cases populations.


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  		Table 1. Genotype distribution in the different AD and PD case–control populations

 
In contrast to the initial report (12), we did not observe an association of the rs760678 SNP with AD or PD risk in any of our populations. No deleterious impact of the rs760678 CC genotype was found on the risk of developing AD or PD (respectively, OR = 0.92, P = 0.26; OR = 1.00; P = 0.99, in the combined populations adjusted for center, Table 1). These results were furthermore similar when adjusted for age and gender for each population studied and independent of the APOE status in AD (data not shown). Finally, no association between the rs760678 SNP and age at onset of AD or PD was observed (data not shown).

We next combined Li et al.'s data with our own (Fig. 1). The rs760678 CC genotype was still weakly associated with AD [OR = 1.14, 95% CI (1.03–1.26), P = 0.01] but not with PD [OR = 1.10, 95% CI (0.97–1.27), P = 0.13].


Figure 1
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  		Figure 1. Association of the rs760678 C allele and CC genotype with the risk of developing AD in the Li et al.'s study, our study and the combined one.

 

   DISCUSSION
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
MATERIALS AND METHODS
 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
 FUNDING
 REFERENCES
 
Based on analyses of 4692 putative functional SNPs in 3664 genes, Li et al. (12) reported that the NEDD9 gene may be a new candidate genetic risk factor for AD and PD. The CC genotype of the rs760678 SNP within this gene was associated with an increased risk of developing AD (n = 3521; OR = 1.38, P = 5.4 x 10–6) and PD (n = 1464; OR = 1.31, P = 0.01). To further explore this observation, we assessed the association of this SNP with AD in three independent case–control populations (n = 3176) and with PD in two independent case–control populations (n = 1855). The combined cohorts had 99 and 82% power to detect OR of 1.38 and 1.31 for AD and PD, respectively (assuming an {alpha} level of 0.05). Conversely to the initial report of Li et al., we were unable to detect an association even after combination of cohorts to generate an equivalent numbers of cases and controls in AD and PD studies (respectively, OR = 0.92, P = 0.26 and OR = 1.00, P = 0.99, in the combined populations).

Even if it has been argued that European population stratification does not represent a significant source of bias in epidemiological studies, recent SNP studies have highlighted significant patterns of structure within Europe along a north–south axis (15). The analyses showed consistent clustering of the Mediterranean populations from other European populations which appear to be more similar (15). Since we mainly studied populations from the North of France and the UK, the genetic structures of the populations analyzed in ours and Li et al.'s reports are likely to be similar. However, we cannot exclude that a slight variation in linkage disequilibrium (LD) could affect the levels of associations observed in the different independent populations. The discrepancy between ours and Li et al.'s findings maybe due to the presence of a different polymorphism being responsible for risk that is in LD with the rs760678 variant. However, Li et al. have already explored this possibility to some degree by examining the LD profile in the HapMap data set (www.hapmap.org) upstream and down stream of rs760678, a region encompassing over a 500 kb region. Only seven SNPs, over 20.7 kb, share r2 > 0.1 with rs760678. Supplementary analyses performed by Li et al. (12) indicated that the rs760678 SNP alone explained the observed associations in their different populations.

In this report, we restricted our analysis to the rs760678 SNPs because a repeat association with precisely the same variant in independent samples is the gold standard for the replication approach (16). Our data do not support the claim that the rs760678 SNP in the NEDD9 gene is a genetic determinant of AD or PD. However, it is important to note that only SNPs referenced in the HapMap data set were analysed in the initial study. It is still possible that unknown SNPs potentially in LD with the rs760678 variant exist. Li et al. sequenced all the NEDD9 gene exons in 40 LOAD cases and only characterized one rare non-synonymous variant (12). However, it is well established that cell-type specific regulatory transcriptional sequences may be located within introns (17,18) and in remote sequences. Only systematic and ambitious efforts in sequencing and genotyping (even rare variants) in combination with replication in large independent populations will help determine whether the NEDD9 gene is a genetic determinant of AD and PD or not.


   MATERIALS AND METHODS
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
 FUNDING
 REFERENCES
 
Subjects
The main characteristics of the different populations are described in Table 2. Written informed consent for participation was given by all subjects, or a caregiver, legal guardian, or other proxy where patients had substantial cognitive impairment. The study protocols for all populations were reviewed and approved by the appropriate institutional review boards of each country.


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  		Table 2. Main characteristics of the different AD and PD case–control populations

 
Alzheimer case–control populations
LILLE case–control study (19)
All samples were Caucasian from the north of France (AD cases n = 770 and controls n = 659). Clinical diagnosis of probable AD was established according to the DSM-III-R and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria. Caucasian controls were defined as subjects without DMS-III-R dementia criteria and with integrity of their cognitive functions (MMS > 25). Presence of family history of dementia was considered as a criterion of exclusion. Controls were recruited in retirement homes or from electoral rolls (altruistic volunteers).

ROUEN case–control study (19)
All subjects were Caucasian from the West of France (AD cases n = 739 and controls n = 691). Clinical diagnosis of probable AD was established according to the DSM-III-R and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria. Control subjects (mainly spouses of patients) were required to have a MMSE score above 28.

BIRMINGHAM case–control study (19)
All samples were Caucasian from Greater Birmingham (AD cases n = 416 and controls n = 167). Clinical diagnosis of probable AD was established according to the DSM-III-R and NINCDS-ADRDA criteria. Control subjects were assessed using either DSM-III-R questionnaire or had a MMSE score above 28.

The APOE distribution of all the AD case–control study is indicated in supplementary Material, Table S1).

Parkinson case–control populations
AUSTARLIAN case–control study (20)
Prevalent PD cases (n = 722) were recruited at the Movement Disorders clinic at Princess Alexandra Hospital. The diagnosis of probable or definite PD was made when the subject had a combination of three of the following features: resting tremor, rigidity, bradykinesia, postural instability; or two of these features with asymmetry in tremor, rigidity or bradykinesia. All subjects were examined by a Movement Disorders Neurologist (n = 462 controls).

TERRE case–control study (20)
Participants were recruited through a French health insurance organization, the Mutualité Sociale Agricole (MSA), which is responsible for the reimbursement of health related expenses to workers in the agricultural area (PD cases n = 204 and controls n = 467). PD cases were recruited among subjects submitting their first application to benefit from the free health care coverage for PD. The diagnosis of PD was established using standard criteria after examination by a neurologist or, when such an examination was not possible, using information provided by the patient's neurologist. Controls were recruited among MSA affiliates. A maximum of three controls were matched with each case for age (±2 years), sex and region of residency at the time of the study.

Genotyping
The rs760678 SNP was genotyped by Nla III digestion following PCR amplification using 5'-AACAGGGGCACCCTTATCAT-3' and 5'-GGGCGATTTTGTTGTATTCC-3' oligonucleotides. Ninety individuals were randomly selected for direct sequencing and no discrepancies were observed (see Supplementary Material, Fig. S1).

Statistical analysis
The SAS software release 8.02 was used for statistical analyses (SAS Institute, Cary, NC, USA). To study the impact of the SNP (rs760678) on AD a PD, a univariate analysis was first performed using Pearson's {chi}2 test. Before pooled analyses, homogeneity between populations was tested using Breslow-day computation (21). The impact of the rs760678 SNP on PD or AD was then estimated by multiple logistic regression models adjusted for age, gender and centre when necessary. Meta analysis was performed using the RevMan 5.0 software and Mantel-Haentzel, fixed ORs were estimated for overall effect.


   SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
FUNDING
 REFERENCES
 
Supplementary Material is available at HMG Online.

Conflict of Interest statement: The authors declare that the have no conflicting interests.


   FUNDING
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
 FUNDING
REFERENCES
 
Julien Chapuis and Frédéric Moisan were supported by a PhD fellowship from the French Ministry of Research. This work was funded by INSERM and the Pasteur Institute of Lille. The TERRE study is supported by Agence Nationale de la Recherche (ANR, Santé-environnement 2005), Agence française de sécurité sanitaire de l'environnement et du travail (AFSSET, Santé-environnement 2006), France Parkinson (2005) and Inserm.


   REFERENCES
TOP
 ABSTRACT
 INTRODUCTION
 RESULTS
 DISCUSSION
 MATERIALS AND METHODS
 SUPPLEMENTARY MATERIAL
 FUNDING
 REFERENCES
 

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