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Choi SY, Pang K, Kim JY, Ryu JR, Kang H, Liu Z, Kim WK, Sun W, Kim H, Han K. Post-transcriptional regulation of SHANK3 expression by microRNAs related to multiple neuropsychiatric disorders. Mol Brain 2015; 8:74. [PMID: 26572867 PMCID: PMC4647645 DOI: 10.1186/s13041-015-0165-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 47] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/10/2015] [Accepted: 11/09/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Proper neuronal function requires tight control of gene dosage, and failure of this process underlies the pathogenesis of multiple neuropsychiatric disorders. The SHANK3 gene encoding core scaffolding proteins at glutamatergic postsynapse is a typical dosage-sensitive gene, both deletions and duplications of which are associated with Phelan-McDermid syndrome, autism spectrum disorders, bipolar disorder, intellectual disability, or schizophrenia. However, the regulatory mechanism of SHANK3 expression in neurons itself is poorly understood. Results Here we show post-transcriptional regulation of SHANK3 expression by three microRNAs (miRNAs), miR-7, miR-34a, and miR-504. Notably, the expression profiles of these miRNAs were previously shown to be altered in some neuropsychiatric disorders which are also associated with SHANK3 dosage changes. These miRNAs regulated the expression of SHANK3 and other genes encoding actin-related proteins that interact with Shank3, through direct binding sites in the 3′ untranslated region (UTR). Moreover, overexpression or inhibition of miR-7 and miR-504 affected the dendritic spines of the cultured hippocampal neurons in a Shank3-dependent manner. We further characterized miR-504 as it showed the most significant effect on both SHANK3 expression and dendritic spines among the three miRNAs. Lentivirus-mediated overexpression of miR-504, which mimics its reported expression change in postmortem brain tissues of bipolar disorder, decreased endogenous Shank3 protein in cultured hippocampal neurons. We also revealed that miR-504 is expressed in the cortical and hippocampal regions of human and mouse brains. Conclusions Our study provides new insight into the miRNA-mediated regulation of SHANK3 expression, and its potential implication in multiple neuropsychiatric disorders associated with altered SHANK3 and miRNA expression profiles. Electronic supplementary material The online version of this article (doi:10.1186/s13041-015-0165-3) contains supplementary material, which is available to authorized users.
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Affiliation(s)
- Su-Yeon Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, 305-701, South Korea. .,Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, 305-701, South Korea.
| | - Kaifang Pang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, 77030, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Computational and Integrative Biomedical Research Center, Houston, 77030, USA.
| | - Joo Yeon Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21 Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, 136-705, South Korea.
| | - Jae Ryun Ryu
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21 Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, 136-705, South Korea.
| | - Hyojin Kang
- HPC-enabled Convergence Technology Research Division, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon, 305-701, South Korea.
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, 77030, USA. .,Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Computational and Integrative Biomedical Research Center, Houston, 77030, USA.
| | - Won-Ki Kim
- Department of Neuroscience and Division of Brain Korea 21 Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, 136-705, South Korea.
| | - Woong Sun
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21 Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, 136-705, South Korea.
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21 Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, 136-705, South Korea. .,Department of Neuroscience and Division of Brain Korea 21 Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, 136-705, South Korea.
| | - Kihoon Han
- Department of Neuroscience and Division of Brain Korea 21 Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, 136-705, South Korea.
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102
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Jaramillo TC, Speed HE, Xuan Z, Reimers JM, Liu S, Powell CM. Altered Striatal Synaptic Function and Abnormal Behaviour in Shank3 Exon4-9 Deletion Mouse Model of Autism. Autism Res 2015; 9:350-75. [PMID: 26559786 DOI: 10.1002/aur.1529] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2015] [Revised: 05/07/2015] [Accepted: 07/21/2015] [Indexed: 12/17/2022]
Abstract
Shank3 is a multi-domain, synaptic scaffolding protein that organizes proteins in the postsynaptic density of excitatory synapses. Clinical studies suggest that ∼ 0.5% of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) cases may involve SHANK3 mutation/deletion. Patients with SHANK3 mutations exhibit deficits in cognition along with delayed/impaired speech/language and repetitive and obsessive/compulsive-like (OCD-like) behaviors. To examine how mutation/deletion of SHANK3 might alter brain function leading to ASD, we have independently created mice with deletion of Shank3 exons 4-9, a region implicated in ASD patients. We find that homozygous deletion of exons 4-9 (Shank3(e4-9) KO) results in loss of the two highest molecular weight isoforms of Shank3 and a significant reduction in other isoforms. Behaviorally, both Shank3(e4-9) heterozygous (HET) and Shank3(e4-9) KO mice display increased repetitive grooming, deficits in novel and spatial object recognition learning and memory, and abnormal ultrasonic vocalizations. Shank3(e4-9) KO mice also display abnormal social interaction when paired with one another. Analysis of synaptosome fractions from striata of Shank3(e4-9) KO mice reveals decreased Homer1b/c, GluA2, and GluA3 expression. Both Shank3(e4-9) HET and KO demonstrated a significant reduction in NMDA/AMPA ratio at excitatory synapses onto striatal medium spiny neurons. Furthermore, Shank3(e4-9) KO mice displayed reduced hippocampal LTP despite normal baseline synaptic transmission. Collectively these behavioral, biochemical and physiological changes suggest Shank3 isoforms have region-specific roles in regulation of AMPAR subunit localization and NMDAR function in the Shank3(e4-9) mutant mouse model of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Thomas C Jaramillo
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Haley E Speed
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Zhong Xuan
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Jeremy M Reimers
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Shunan Liu
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
| | - Craig M Powell
- Department of Neurology and Neurotherapeutics, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas.,Department of Psychiatry and Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Texas Southwestern Medical Center, Dallas, Texas
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103
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Sala C, Vicidomini C, Bigi I, Mossa A, Verpelli C. Shank synaptic scaffold proteins: keys to understanding the pathogenesis of autism and other synaptic disorders. J Neurochem 2015; 135:849-58. [PMID: 26338675 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.13232] [Citation(s) in RCA: 115] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2015] [Revised: 06/24/2015] [Accepted: 06/25/2015] [Indexed: 02/01/2023]
Abstract
Shank/ProSAP proteins are essential to synaptic formation, development, and function. Mutations in the family of SHANK genes are strongly associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as intellectual disability (ID), and schizophrenia. Thus, the term 'Shankopathies' identifies a number of neuronal diseases caused by alteration of Shank protein expression leading to abnormal synaptic development. With this review we want to summarize the major genetic, molecular, behavior and electrophysiological studies that provide new clues into the function of Shanks and pave the way for the discovery of new therapeutic drugs targeted to treat patients with SHANK mutations and also patients affected by other neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders. Shank/ProSAP proteins are essential to synaptic formation, development, and function. Mutations in the family of SHANK genes are strongly associated with autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and other neurodevelopmental and neuropsychiatric disorders, such as intellectual disability (ID), and schizophrenia (SCZ). With this review we want to summarize the major genetic, molecular, behavior and electrophysiological studies that provide new clues into the function of Shanks and pave the way for the discovery of new therapeutic drugs targeted to treat patients with SHANK mutations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Carlo Sala
- CNR Neuroscience Institute and Department of Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Cinzia Vicidomini
- CNR Neuroscience Institute and Department of Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Ilaria Bigi
- CNR Neuroscience Institute and Department of Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Adele Mossa
- CNR Neuroscience Institute and Department of Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
| | - Chiara Verpelli
- CNR Neuroscience Institute and Department of Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, Milan, Italy
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Benthani F, Tran PN, Currey N, Ng I, Giry-Laterriere M, Carey L, Kohonen-Corish MRJ, Pangon L. Proteogenomic Analysis Identifies a Novel Human SHANK3 Isoform. Int J Mol Sci 2015; 16:11522-30. [PMID: 25997006 PMCID: PMC4463715 DOI: 10.3390/ijms160511522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/15/2015] [Revised: 05/11/2015] [Accepted: 05/12/2015] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations of the SHANK3 gene have been associated with autism spectrum disorder. Individuals harboring different SHANK3 mutations display considerable heterogeneity in their cognitive impairment, likely due to the high SHANK3 transcriptional diversity. In this study, we report a novel interaction between the Mutated in colorectal cancer (MCC) protein and a newly identified SHANK3 protein isoform in human colon cancer cells and mouse brain tissue. Hence, our proteogenomic analysis identifies a new human long isoform of the key synaptic protein SHANK3 that was not predicted by the human reference genome. Taken together, our findings describe a potential new role for MCC in neurons, a new human SHANK3 long isoform and, importantly, highlight the use of proteomic data towards the re-annotation of GC-rich genomic regions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fahad Benthani
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
- St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Medicine, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Phuong N Tran
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
| | - Nicola Currey
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
| | - Irvin Ng
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
| | - Marc Giry-Laterriere
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
| | - Louise Carey
- Sydney Genome Diagnostics, the Children's Hospital at Westmead, Sydney, NSW 2145, Australia.
| | - Maija R J Kohonen-Corish
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
- St Vincent's Clinical School, UNSW Medicine, UNSW Australia, Sydney, NSW 2052, Australia.
| | - Laurent Pangon
- The Kinghorn Cancer Centre, Garvan Institute of Medical Research, Sydney, NSW 2010, Australia.
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105
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Trans-synaptic zinc mobilization improves social interaction in two mouse models of autism through NMDAR activation. Nat Commun 2015; 6:7168. [PMID: 25981743 PMCID: PMC4479043 DOI: 10.1038/ncomms8168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 78] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/17/2015] [Accepted: 04/14/2015] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Genetic aspects of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) have recently been extensively explored, but environmental influences that affect ASDs have received considerably less attention. Zinc (Zn) is a nutritional factor implicated in ASDs, but evidence for a strong association and linking mechanism is largely lacking. Here we report that trans-synaptic Zn mobilization rapidly rescues social interaction in two independent mouse models of ASD. In mice lacking Shank2, an excitatory postsynaptic scaffolding protein, postsynaptic Zn elevation induced by clioquinol (a Zn chelator and ionophore) improves social interaction. Postsynaptic Zn is mainly derived from presynaptic pools and activates NMDA receptors (NMDARs) through postsynaptic activation of the tyrosine kinase Src. Clioquinol also improves social interaction in mice haploinsufficient for the transcription factor Tbr1, which accompanies NMDAR activation in the amygdala. These results suggest that trans-synaptic Zn mobilization induced by clioquinol rescues social deficits in mouse models of ASD through postsynaptic Src and NMDAR activation. Zinc is a nutritional factor implicated in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), but evidence for a strong association and linking mechanism is largely lacking. Here, the authors report that trans-synaptic zinc mobilization rapidly rescues social interaction in two independent mouse models of ASD.
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106
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Serret S, Thümmler S, Dor E, Vesperini S, Santos A, Askenazy F. Lithium as a rescue therapy for regression and catatonia features in two SHANK3 patients with autism spectrum disorder: case reports. BMC Psychiatry 2015; 15:107. [PMID: 25947967 PMCID: PMC4428105 DOI: 10.1186/s12888-015-0490-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 71] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/25/2015] [Accepted: 04/27/2015] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phelan-Mc Dermid syndrome is a contiguous disorder resulting from 22q13.3 deletion implicating the SHANK3 gene. The typical phenotype includes neonatal hypotonia, moderate to severe intellectual disability, absent or delayed speech, minor dysmorphic features and autism or autistic-like behaviour. Recently, point mutations or micro-deletions of the SHANK3 gene have been identified, accompanied by a phenotype different from the initial clinically description in Phelan McDermid syndrome. CASE PRESENTATION Here we present two case studies with similar psychiatric and genetic diagnosis as well as similar clinical history and evolution. The two patients were diagnosed with autism spectrum disorders in childhood and presented regression with catatonia features and behavioural disorders after a stressful event during adolescence. Interestingly, both patients presented mutation/microdeletion of the SHANK3 gene, inducing a premature stop codon in exon 21. Different pharmacological treatments (antipsychotics, benzodiazepines, mood stabilizer drugs, antidepressants, and methylphenidate) failed to improve clinical symptoms and lead to multiple adverse events. In contrast, lithium therapy reversed clinical regression, stabilized behavioural symptoms and allowed patients to recover their pre-catatonia level of functioning, without significant side effects. CONCLUSION These cases support the hypothesis of a specific SHANK3 phenotype. This phenotype might be linked to catatonia-like deterioration for which lithium use could be an efficient treatment. Therefore, these cases provide an important contribution to the field of autism research, clinical genetics and possible pharmacological answers.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sylvie Serret
- Autism Resources Center, University Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Children's Hospitals of Nice CHU-Lenval, CoBTek EA7276 University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France.
| | - Susanne Thümmler
- Autism Resources Center, University Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Children's Hospitals of Nice CHU-Lenval, CoBTek EA7276 University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France.
| | - Emmanuelle Dor
- Autism Resources Center, University Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Children's Hospitals of Nice CHU-Lenval, CoBTek EA7276 University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France.
| | - Stephanie Vesperini
- Autism Resources Center, University Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Children's Hospitals of Nice CHU-Lenval, CoBTek EA7276 University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France.
| | - Andreia Santos
- Autism Resources Center, University Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Children's Hospitals of Nice CHU-Lenval, CoBTek EA7276 University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France.
| | - Florence Askenazy
- Autism Resources Center, University Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, Children's Hospitals of Nice CHU-Lenval, CoBTek EA7276 University of Nice Sophia Antipolis, Nice, France.
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107
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Cochoy DM, Kolevzon A, Kajiwara Y, Schoen M, Pascual-Lucas M, Lurie S, Buxbaum JD, Boeckers TM, Schmeisser MJ. Phenotypic and functional analysis of SHANK3 stop mutations identified in individuals with ASD and/or ID. Mol Autism 2015; 6:23. [PMID: 26045941 PMCID: PMC4455919 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-015-0020-5] [Citation(s) in RCA: 52] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2015] [Accepted: 04/17/2015] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SHANK proteins are crucial for the formation and plasticity of excitatory synapses. Although mutations in all three SHANK genes are associated with autism spectrum disorder (ASD), SHANK3 appears to be the major ASD gene with a prevalence of approximately 0.5% for SHANK3 mutations in ASD, with higher rates in individuals with ASD and intellectual disability (ID). Interestingly, the most relevant mutations are typically de novo and often are frameshift or nonsense mutations resulting in a premature stop and a truncation of SHANK3 protein. METHODS We analyzed three different SHANK3 stop mutations that we identified in individuals with ASD and/or ID, one novel (c.5008A > T) and two that we recently described (c.1527G > A, c.2497delG). The mutations were inserted into the human SHANK3a sequence and analyzed for effects on subcellular localization and neuronal morphology when overexpressed in rat primary hippocampal neurons. RESULTS Clinically, all three individuals harboring these mutations had global developmental delays and ID. In our in vitro assay, c.1527G > A and c.2497delG both result in proteins that lack most of the SHANK3a C-terminus and accumulate in the nucleus of transfected cells. Cells expressing these mutants exhibit converging morphological phenotypes including reduced complexity of the dendritic tree, less spines, and less excitatory, but not inhibitory synapses. In contrast, the truncated protein based on c.5008A > T, which lacks only a short part of the sterile alpha motif (SAM) domain in the very SHANK3a C-terminus, does not accumulate in the nucleus and has minor effects on neuronal morphology. CONCLUSIONS In spite of the prevalence of SHANK3 disruptions in ASD and ID, only a few human mutations have been functionally characterized; here we characterize three additional mutations. Considering the transcriptional and functional complexity of SHANK3 in healthy neurons, we propose that any heterozygous stop mutation in SHANK3 will lead to a dysequilibrium of SHANK3 isoform expression and alterations in the stoichiometry of SHANK3 protein complexes, resulting in a distinct perturbation of neuronal morphology. This could explain why the clinical phenotype in all three individuals included in this study remains quite severe - regardless of whether there are disruptions in one or more SHANK3 interaction domains.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniela M Cochoy
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Alexander Kolevzon
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA ; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA ; Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA ; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA ; Department of Pediatrics, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Yuji Kajiwara
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Michael Schoen
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Maria Pascual-Lucas
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, D-89081 Ulm, Germany ; Neuroscience Division, Center for Applied Medical Research, CIMA, University of Navarra, Av. Pio XII 55, 31008 Pamplona, Spain
| | - Stacey Lurie
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA ; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA ; Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA ; Mindich Child Health and Development Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA ; Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA ; Department of Neuroscience, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA ; Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, One Gustave L. Levy Place, New York, NY 10029 USA
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael J Schmeisser
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, D-89081 Ulm, Germany
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108
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Poot M. SHANK Mutations May Disorder Brain Development. Mol Syndromol 2015; 6:1-3. [PMID: 25852441 DOI: 10.1159/000368949] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/19/2022] Open
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Lee J, Chung C, Ha S, Lee D, Kim DY, Kim H, Kim E. Shank3-mutant mice lacking exon 9 show altered excitation/inhibition balance, enhanced rearing, and spatial memory deficit. Front Cell Neurosci 2015; 9:94. [PMID: 25852484 PMCID: PMC4365696 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2015.00094] [Citation(s) in RCA: 111] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/14/2015] [Accepted: 03/02/2015] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
Shank3 is a postsynaptic scaffolding protein implicated in synapse development and autism spectrum disorders. The Shank3 gene is known to produce diverse splice variants whose functions have not been fully explored. In the present study, we generated mice lacking Shank3 exon 9 (Shank3 (Δ9) mice), and thus missing five out of 10 known Shank3 splice variants containing the N-terminal ankyrin repeat region, including the longest splice variant, Shank3a. Our X-gal staining results revealed that Shank3 proteins encoded by exon 9-containing splice variants are abundant in upper cortical layers, striatum, hippocampus, and thalamus, but not in the olfactory bulb or cerebellum, despite the significant Shank3 mRNA levels in these regions. The hippocampal CA1 region of Shank3 (Δ9) mice exhibited reduced excitatory transmission at Schaffer collateral synapses and increased frequency of spontaneous inhibitory synaptic events in pyramidal neurons. In contrast, prelimbic layer 2/3 pyramidal neurons in the medial prefrontal cortex displayed decreased frequency of spontaneous inhibitory synaptic events, indicating alterations in the ratio of excitation/inhibition (E/I ratio) in the Shank3 (Δ9) brain. These mice displayed a mild increase in rearing in a novel environment and mildly impaired spatial memory, but showed normal social interaction and repetitive behavior. These results suggest that ankyrin repeat-containing Shank3 splice variants are important for E/I balance, rearing behavior, and spatial memory.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiseok Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Changuk Chung
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Seungmin Ha
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Dongmin Lee
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University Seoul, South Korea
| | - Do-Young Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hyun Kim
- Department of Anatomy and Division of Brain Korea 21, Biomedical Science, College of Medicine, Korea University Seoul, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology Daejeon, South Korea ; Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science Daejeon, South Korea
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110
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Reprogramming patient-derived cells to study the epilepsies. Nat Neurosci 2015; 18:360-6. [PMID: 25710838 DOI: 10.1038/nn.3944] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/11/2014] [Accepted: 01/08/2015] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
The epilepsies and related disorders of brain circuitry present significant challenges associated with the use of human cells to study disease mechanisms and develop new therapies. Some of these obstacles are being overcome through the use of induced pluripotent stem cells to obtain patient-derived neural cells for in vitro studies and as a source of cell-based treatments. The field is evolving rapidly with the addition of genome-editing approaches and expanding protocols for generating different neural cell types and three-dimensional tissues, but the application of these techniques to neurological disorders, and particularly to the epilepsies, is in its infancy. We discuss the progress made and the distinct advantages and limitations of using patient-derived cells to study or treat epilepsy, as well as critical future directions for the field.
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111
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Poot M. Connecting the CNTNAP2 Networks with Neurodevelopmental Disorders. Mol Syndromol 2015; 6:7-22. [PMID: 25852443 DOI: 10.1159/000371594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 75] [Impact Index Per Article: 8.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 07/15/2014] [Indexed: 12/23/2022] Open
Abstract
Based on genomic rearrangements and copy number variations, the contactin-associated protein-like 2 gene (CNTNAP2) has been implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders such as Gilles de la Tourette syndrome, intellectual disability, obsessive compulsive disorder, cortical dysplasia-focal epilepsy syndrome, autism, schizophrenia, Pitt-Hopkins syndrome, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. To explain the phenotypic pleiotropy of CNTNAP2 alterations, several hypotheses have been put forward. Those include gene disruption, loss of a gene copy by a heterozygous deletion, altered regulation of gene expression due to loss of transcription factor binding and DNA methylation sites, and mutations in the amino acid sequence of the encoded protein which may provoke altered interactions of the CNTNAP2-encoded protein, Caspr2, with other proteins. Also exome sequencing, which covers <0.2% of the CNTNAP2 genomic DNA, has revealed numerous single nucleotide variants in healthy individuals and in patients with neurodevelopmental disorders. In some of these disorders, disruption of CNTNAP2 may be interpreted as a susceptibility factor rather than a directly causative mutation. In addition to being associated with impaired development of language, CNTNAP2 may turn out to be a central node in the molecular networks controlling neurodevelopment. This review discusses the impact of CNTNAP2 mutations on its functioning at multiple levels of the combinatorial genetic networks that govern brain development. In addition, recommendations for genomic testing in the context of clinical genetic management of patients with neurodevelopmental disorders and their families are put forward.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Poot
- Department of Medical Genetics, University Medical Center Utrecht, Utrecht, The Netherlands
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