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Silvestre M, Dempster K, Mihaylov SR, Claxton S, Ultanir SK. Cell type-specific expression, regulation and compensation of CDKL5 activity in mouse brain. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02434-7. [PMID: 38326557 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02434-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2023] [Revised: 01/04/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2024] [Indexed: 02/09/2024]
Abstract
CDKL5 is a brain-enriched serine/threonine kinase, associated with a profound developmental and epileptic encephalopathy called CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD). To design targeted therapies for CDD, it is essential to determine where CDKL5 is expressed and is active in the brain and test if compensatory mechanisms exist at cellular level. We generated conditional Cdkl5 knockout mice in excitatory neurons, inhibitory neurons and astrocytes. To assess CDKL5 activity, we utilized a phosphospecific antibody for phosphorylated EB2, a well-known substrate of CDKL5. We found that CDKL5 and EB2 pS222 were prominent in excitatory and inhibitory neurons but were not detected in astrocytes. We observed that approximately 15-20% of EB2 pS222 remained in Cdkl5 knockout brains and primary neurons. Surprisingly, the remaining phosphorylation was modulated by NMDA and PP1/PP2A in neuronal CDKL5 knockout cultures, indicating the presence of a compensating kinase. Using a screen of candidate kinases with highest homology to the CDKL5 kinase domain, we found that CDKL2 and ICK can phosphorylate EB2 S222 in HEK293T cells and in primary neurons. We then generated Cdkl5/Cdkl2 dual knockout mice to directly test if CDKL2 phosphorylates EB2 in vivo and found that CDKL2 phosphorylates CDKL5 substrates in the brain. This study is the first indication that CDKL2 could potentially replace CDKL5 functions in the brain, alluding to novel therapeutic possibilities.
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Affiliation(s)
- Margaux Silvestre
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Kelvin Dempster
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Simeon R Mihaylov
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Suzanne Claxton
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Sila K Ultanir
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK.
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2
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Sampedro-Castañeda M, Baltussen LL, Lopes AT, Qiu Y, Sirvio L, Mihaylov SR, Claxton S, Richardson JC, Lignani G, Ultanir SK. Epilepsy-linked kinase CDKL5 phosphorylates voltage-gated calcium channel Cav2.3, altering inactivation kinetics and neuronal excitability. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7830. [PMID: 38081835 PMCID: PMC10713615 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43475-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2023] [Accepted: 11/09/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Developmental and epileptic encephalopathies (DEEs) are a group of rare childhood disorders characterized by severe epilepsy and cognitive deficits. Numerous DEE genes have been discovered thanks to advances in genomic diagnosis, yet putative molecular links between these disorders are unknown. CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD, DEE2), one of the most common genetic epilepsies, is caused by loss-of-function mutations in the brain-enriched kinase CDKL5. To elucidate CDKL5 function, we looked for CDKL5 substrates using a SILAC-based phosphoproteomic screen. We identified the voltage-gated Ca2+ channel Cav2.3 (encoded by CACNA1E) as a physiological target of CDKL5 in mice and humans. Recombinant channel electrophysiology and interdisciplinary characterization of Cav2.3 phosphomutant mice revealed that loss of Cav2.3 phosphorylation leads to channel gain-of-function via slower inactivation and enhanced cholinergic stimulation, resulting in increased neuronal excitability. Our results thus show that CDD is partly a channelopathy. The properties of unphosphorylated Cav2.3 closely resemble those described for CACNA1E gain-of-function mutations causing DEE69, a disorder sharing clinical features with CDD. We show that these two single-gene diseases are mechanistically related and could be ameliorated with Cav2.3 inhibitors.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Lucas L Baltussen
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
- Laboratory for the Research of Neurodegenerative Diseases (VIB-KU Leuven), Department of Neurosciences, ON5 Herestraat 49, 3000, Leuven, Belgium
| | - André T Lopes
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Yichen Qiu
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square House, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Liina Sirvio
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Simeon R Mihaylov
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Suzanne Claxton
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Jill C Richardson
- Neuroscience, MSD Research Laboratories, 120 Moorgate, London, EC2M 6UR, UK
| | - Gabriele Lignani
- Department of Clinical and Experimental Epilepsy, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, Queen Square House, London, WC1N 3BG, UK
| | - Sila K Ultanir
- Kinases and Brain Development Lab, The Francis Crick Institute, 1 Midland Road, London, NW1 1AT, UK.
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3
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Specchio N, Trivisano M, Lenge M, Ferretti A, Mei D, Parrini E, Napolitano A, Rossi-Espagnet C, Talenti G, Longo D, Proietti J, Ragona F, Freri E, Solazzi R, Granata T, Darra F, Bernardina BD, Vigevano F, Guerrini R. CDKL5 deficiency disorder: progressive brain atrophy may be part of the syndrome. Cereb Cortex 2023; 33:9709-9717. [PMID: 37429835 PMCID: PMC10472491 DOI: 10.1093/cercor/bhad235] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/10/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 06/19/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
The clinical phenotype of Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD) has been delineated but neuroimaging features have not been systematically analyzed. We studied brain magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans in a cohort of CDD patients and reviewed age at seizure onset, seizure semiology, head circumference. Thirty-five brain MRI from 22 unrelated patients were included. The median age at study entry was 13.4 years. In 14/22 patients (85.7%), MRI in the first year of life was unremarkable in all but two. In 11/22, we performed MRI after 24 months of age (range 2.5-23 years). In 8 out of 11 (72.7%), MRI showed supratentorial atrophy and in six cerebellar atrophy. Quantitative analysis detected volumetric reduction of the whole brain (-17.7%, P-value = 0.014), including both white matter (-25.7%, P-value = 0.005) and cortical gray matter (-9.1%, P-value = 0.098), with a reduction of surface area (-18.0%, P-value = 0.032), mainly involving the temporal regions, correlated with the head circumference (ρ = 0.79, P-value = 0.109). Both the qualitative structural assessment and the quantitative analysis detected brain volume reduction involving the gray and white matter. These neuroimaging findings may be related to either progressive changes due to CDD pathogenesis, or to the extreme severity of epilepsy, or both. Larger prospective studies are needed to clarify the bases for the structural changes we observed.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nicola Specchio
- Clinical and Experimental Neurology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy
| | - Marina Trivisano
- Clinical and Experimental Neurology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy
| | - Matteo Lenge
- Neuroscience Department, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, 50139, Italy
| | - Alessandro Ferretti
- Clinical and Experimental Neurology, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy
| | - Davide Mei
- Neuroscience Department, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, 50139, Italy
| | - Elena Parrini
- Neuroscience Department, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, 50139, Italy
| | - Antonio Napolitano
- Medical Physics Unit, Enterprise Risk Management, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy
| | - Camilla Rossi-Espagnet
- Functional and Interventional Neuroimaging Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy
| | - Giacomo Talenti
- Neuroradiology Unit, Neuroradiology Unit, Azienda Ospedale-Università di Padova, Padova 35128, Italy
| | - Daniela Longo
- Functional and Interventional Neuroimaging Unit, Bambino Gesù Children's Hospital, IRCCS, Rome 00165, Italy
| | - Jacopo Proietti
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, Verona 37121, Italy
| | - Francesca Ragona
- Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Elena Freri
- Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Roberta Solazzi
- Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Tiziana Granata
- Department of Pediatric Neuroscience, Fondazione IRCCS Istituto Neurologico Carlo Besta, Milano 20133, Italy
| | - Francesca Darra
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, Verona 37121, Italy
| | - Bernardo Dalla Bernardina
- Child Neuropsychiatry Unit, Department of Surgical Sciences, Dentistry, Gynecology and Pediatrics, University of Verona, Verona 37121, Italy
| | - Federico Vigevano
- Research Area on Neurology and Neurorehabilitation, Bambino Gesù Children’s Hospital IRCCS, Rome 00050, Italy
| | - Renzo Guerrini
- Neuroscience Department, Meyer Children's Hospital IRCCS, Florence, 50139, Italy
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Loss of CDKL5 Causes Synaptic GABAergic Defects That Can Be Restored with the Neuroactive Steroid Pregnenolone-Methyl-Ether. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 24:ijms24010068. [PMID: 36613509 PMCID: PMC9820583 DOI: 10.3390/ijms24010068] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/02/2022] [Revised: 12/09/2022] [Accepted: 12/16/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is an X-linked neurodevelopmental disorder characterised by early-onset drug-resistant epilepsy and impaired cognitive and motor skills. CDD is caused by mutations in cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5), which plays a well-known role in regulating excitatory neurotransmission, while its effect on neuronal inhibition has been poorly investigated. We explored the potential role of CDKL5 in the inhibitory compartment in Cdkl5-KO male mice and primary hippocampal neurons and found that CDKL5 interacts with gephyrin and collybistin, two crucial organisers of the inhibitory postsynaptic sites. Through molecular and electrophysiological approaches, we demonstrated that CDKL5 loss causes a reduced number of gephyrin puncta and surface exposed γ2 subunit-containing GABAA receptors, impacting the frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents, which we ascribe to a postsynaptic function of CDKL5. In line with previous data showing that CDKL5 loss impacts microtubule (MT) dynamics, we showed that treatment with pregnenolone-methyl-ether (PME), which promotes MT dynamics, rescues the above defects. The impact of CDKL5 deficiency on inhibitory neurotransmission might explain the presence of drug-resistant epilepsy and cognitive defects in CDD patients. Moreover, our results may pave the way for drug-based therapies that could bypass the need for CDKL5 and provide effective therapeutic strategies for CDD patients.
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CDKL5 deficiency disorder: molecular insights and mechanisms of pathogenicity to fast-track therapeutic development. Biochem Soc Trans 2022; 50:1207-1224. [PMID: 35997111 PMCID: PMC9444073 DOI: 10.1042/bst20220791] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2022] [Revised: 07/28/2022] [Accepted: 07/28/2022] [Indexed: 12/02/2022]
Abstract
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is an X-linked brain disorder of young children and is caused by pathogenic variants in the cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) gene. Individuals with CDD suffer infantile onset, drug-resistant seizures, severe neurodevelopmental impairment and profound lifelong disability. The CDKL5 protein is a kinase that regulates key phosphorylation events vital to the development of the complex neuronal network of the brain. Pathogenic variants identified in patients may either result in loss of CDKL5 catalytic activity or are hypomorphic leading to partial loss of function. Whilst the progressive nature of CDD provides an excellent opportunity for disease intervention, we cannot develop effective therapeutics without in-depth knowledge of CDKL5 function in human neurons. In this mini review, we summarize new findings on the function of CDKL5. These include CDKL5 phosphorylation targets and the consequence of disruptions on signaling pathways in the human brain. This new knowledge of CDKL5 biology may be leveraged to advance targeted drug discovery and rapid development of treatments for CDD. Continued development of effective humanized models will further propel our understanding of CDD biology and may permit the development and testing of therapies that will significantly alter CDD disease trajectory in young children.
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6
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La Montanara P, Hervera A, Baltussen LL, Hutson TH, Palmisano I, De Virgiliis F, Kong G, Chadwick J, Gao Y, Bartus K, Majid QA, Gorgoraptis N, Wong K, Downs J, Pizzorusso T, Ultanir SK, Leonard H, Yu H, Millar DS, Istvan N, Mazarakis ND, Di Giovanni S. Cyclin-dependent-like kinase 5 is required for pain signaling in human sensory neurons and mouse models. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/551/eaax4846. [PMID: 32641489 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aax4846] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/27/2019] [Revised: 12/10/2019] [Accepted: 04/05/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent-like kinase 5 (CDKL5) gene mutations lead to an X-linked disorder that is characterized by infantile epileptic encephalopathy, developmental delay, and hypotonia. However, we found that a substantial percentage of these patients also report a previously unrecognized anamnestic deficiency in pain perception. Consistent with a role in nociception, we found that CDKL5 is expressed selectively in nociceptive dorsal root ganglia (DRG) neurons in mice and in induced pluripotent stem cell (iPS)-derived human nociceptors. CDKL5-deficient mice display defective epidermal innervation, and conditional deletion of CDKL5 in DRG sensory neurons impairs nociception, phenocopying CDKL5 deficiency disorder in patients. Mechanistically, CDKL5 interacts with calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II α (CaMKIIα) to control outgrowth and transient receptor potential cation channel subfamily V member 1 (TRPV1)-dependent signaling, which are disrupted in both CDKL5 mutant murine DRG and human iPS-derived nociceptors. Together, these findings unveil a previously unrecognized role for CDKL5 in nociception, proposing an original regulatory mechanism for pain perception with implications for future therapeutics in CDKL5 deficiency disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Paolo La Montanara
- Department of Brain Sciences, Division of Neuroscience, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK.
| | - Arnau Hervera
- Department of Brain Sciences, Division of Neuroscience, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK.,Institute for Bioengineering of Catalonia (IBEC), The Barcelona Institute of Science and Technology, 08028 Barcelona, Spain.,Centro de Investigación Biomédica en Red sobre Enfermedades Neurodegenerativas (CIBERNED), 28031 Madrid, Spain.,Department of Cell Biology, Physiology and Immunology, Faculty of Biology & Institute of Neuroscience, Universitat de Barcelona, 08028 Barcelona, Spain
| | - Lucas L Baltussen
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, Francis Crick Institute, London NW1 1AT, UK
| | - Thomas H Hutson
- Department of Brain Sciences, Division of Neuroscience, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Ilaria Palmisano
- Department of Brain Sciences, Division of Neuroscience, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Francesco De Virgiliis
- Department of Brain Sciences, Division of Neuroscience, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Guiping Kong
- Department of Brain Sciences, Division of Neuroscience, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Jessica Chadwick
- Department of Brain Sciences, Division of Neuroscience, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Yunan Gao
- Gene Therapy, Centre for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration, Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Katalin Bartus
- Wolfson Centre for Age-Related Diseases, King's College London, Guy's Campus, London Bridge, London SE1 1UL, UK
| | - Qasim A Majid
- National Heart and Lung Institute, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Nikos Gorgoraptis
- Department of Brain Sciences, Division of Neuroscience, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Kingsley Wong
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Jenny Downs
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Tommaso Pizzorusso
- Institute of Neuroscience, National Research Council (CNR), I-56124 Pisa, Italy.,Department of Neuroscience, Psychology, Drug Research and Child Health (NEUROFARBA), University of Florence, I-50135 Florence, Italy
| | - Sila K Ultanir
- Gene Therapy, Centre for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration, Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Helen Leonard
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA 6009, Australia
| | - Hongwei Yu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Medical College of Wisconsin, Milwaukee, WI 53226, USA
| | - David S Millar
- Institute of Cancer and Genetics, Cardiff University, Cardiff F14 4ED, UK
| | - Nagy Istvan
- Nociception, Section of Anesthetics, Pain Medicine and Intensive Care, Department of Surgery and Cancer, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Nicholas D Mazarakis
- Gene Therapy, Centre for Neuroinflammation and Neurodegeneration, Division of Brain Sciences, Department of Medicine, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK
| | - Simone Di Giovanni
- Department of Brain Sciences, Division of Neuroscience, Imperial College London, London W12 0NN, UK.
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7
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Morrison-Levy N, Borlot F, Jain P, Whitney R. Early-Onset Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathies of Infancy: An Overview of the Genetic Basis and Clinical Features. Pediatr Neurol 2021; 116:85-94. [PMID: 33515866 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2020.12.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 27] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/28/2020] [Revised: 11/30/2020] [Accepted: 12/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Our current knowledge of genetically determined forms of epilepsy has shortened the diagnostic pathway usually experienced by the families of infants diagnosed with early-onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathies. Genetic causes can be found in up to 80% of infants presenting with early-onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathies, often in the context of an uneventful perinatal history and with no clear underlying brain abnormalities. Although current disease-specific therapies remain limited and patient outcomes are often guarded, a genetic diagnosis may lead to early therapeutic intervention using new and/or repurposed therapies. In this review, an overview of epilepsy genetics, the indications for genetic testing in infants, the advantages and limitations of each test, and the challenges and ethical implications of genetic testing are discussed. In addition, the following causative genes associated with early-onset developmental and epileptic encephalopathies are discussed in detail: KCNT1, KCNQ2, KCNA2, SCN2A, SCN8A, STXBP1, CDKL5, PIGA, SPTAN1, and GNAO1. The epilepsy phenotypes, comorbidities, electroencephalgraphic findings, neuroimaging findings, and potential targeted therapies for each gene are reviewed.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Felippe Borlot
- Alberta Children's Hospital Research Institute, Cumming School of Medicine, University of Calgary, Calgary, Alberta, Canada
| | - Puneet Jain
- Division of Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, The Hospital for Sick Children, Toronto, Ontario, Canada
| | - Robyn Whitney
- Division of Neurology, Department of Paediatrics, McMaster University, Hamilton, Ontario, Canada.
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8
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Terzic B, Cui Y, Edmondson AC, Tang S, Sarmiento N, Zaitseva D, Marsh ED, Coulter DA, Zhou Z. X-linked cellular mosaicism underlies age-dependent occurrence of seizure-like events in mouse models of CDKL5 deficiency disorder. Neurobiol Dis 2021; 148:105176. [PMID: 33197557 PMCID: PMC7856307 DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2020.105176] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/19/2020] [Accepted: 11/08/2020] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is an infantile, epileptic encephalopathy presenting with early-onset seizures, intellectual disability, motor impairment, and autistic features. The disorder has been linked to mutations in the X-linked CDKL5, and mouse models of the disease recapitulate several aspects of CDD symptomology, including learning and memory impairments, motor deficits, and autistic-like features. Although early-onset epilepsy is one of the hallmark features of CDD, evidence of spontaneous seizure activity has only recently been described in Cdkl5-deficient heterozygous female mice, but the etiology, prevalence, and sex-specificity of this phenotype remain unknown. Here, we report the first observation of disturbance-associated seizure-like events in heterozygous female mice across two independent mouse models of CDD: Cdkl5 knockout mice and CDKL5 R59X knock-in mice. We find that both the prevalence and severity of this phenotype increase with aging, with a median onset around 28 weeks of age. Similar seizure-like events are not observed in hemizygous knockout male or homozygous knockout female littermates, suggesting that X-linked cellular mosaicism is a driving factor underlying these seizure-like events. Together, these findings not only contribute to our understanding of the effects of CDKL5 loss on seizure susceptibility, but also document a novel, pre-clinical phenotype for future therapeutic investigation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Terzic
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Yue Cui
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Andrew C Edmondson
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Human Genetics, Department of Pediatrics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Sheng Tang
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Child Neurology and CHOP Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Nicolas Sarmiento
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Daria Zaitseva
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Eric D Marsh
- Departments of Neuroscience, Neurology, and Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Child Neurology and CHOP Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Douglas A Coulter
- Departments of Neuroscience, Neurology, and Pediatrics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA; Division of Child Neurology and CHOP Research Institute, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Zhaolan Zhou
- Department of Genetics, University of Pennsylvania Perelman School of Medicine, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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9
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Choi Y, Park H, Kang S, Jung H, Kweon H, Kim S, Choi I, Lee SY, Choi YE, Lee SH, Kim E. NGL-1/LRRC4C-Mutant Mice Display Hyperactivity and Anxiolytic-Like Behavior Associated With Widespread Suppression of Neuronal Activity. Front Mol Neurosci 2019; 12:250. [PMID: 31680855 PMCID: PMC6798069 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2019.00250] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2019] [Accepted: 09/27/2019] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Netrin-G ligand-1 (NGL-1), encoded by Lrrc4c, is a post-synaptic adhesion molecule implicated in various brain disorders, including bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and developmental delay. Although previous studies have explored the roles of NGL-1 in the regulation of synapse development and function, the importance of NGL-1 for specific behaviors and the nature of related neural circuits in mice remain unclear. Here, we report that mice lacking NGL-1 (Lrrc4c–/–) show strong hyperactivity and anxiolytic-like behavior. They also display impaired spatial and working memory, but normal object-recognition memory and social interaction. c-Fos staining under baseline and anxiety-inducing conditions revealed suppressed baseline neuronal activity as well as limited neuronal activation in widespread brain regions, including the anterior cingulate cortex (ACC), motor cortex, endopiriform nucleus, bed nuclei of the stria terminalis, and dentate gyrus. Neurons in the ACC, motor cortex, and dentate gyrus exhibit distinct alterations in excitatory synaptic transmission and intrinsic neuronal excitability. These results suggest that NGL-1 is important for normal locomotor activity, anxiety-like behavior, and learning and memory, as well as synapse properties and excitability of neurons in widespread brain regions under baseline and anxiety-inducing conditions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yeonsoo Choi
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Haram Park
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Suwon Kang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hwajin Jung
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Hanseul Kweon
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Seoyeong Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Ilsong Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Soo Yeon Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Ye-Eun Choi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Seung-Hee Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea.,Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute for Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
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10
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Olson HE, Demarest ST, Pestana-Knight EM, Swanson LC, Iqbal S, Lal D, Leonard H, Cross JH, Devinsky O, Benke TA. Cyclin-Dependent Kinase-Like 5 Deficiency Disorder: Clinical Review. Pediatr Neurol 2019; 97:18-25. [PMID: 30928302 PMCID: PMC7120929 DOI: 10.1016/j.pediatrneurol.2019.02.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 132] [Impact Index Per Article: 26.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2019] [Revised: 01/21/2019] [Accepted: 02/16/2019] [Indexed: 01/08/2023]
Abstract
Cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) deficiency disorder (CDD) is a developmental encephalopathy caused by pathogenic variants in the gene CDKL5. This unique disorder includes early infantile onset refractory epilepsy, hypotonia, developmental intellectual and motor disabilities, and cortical visual impairment. We review the clinical presentations and genetic variations in CDD based on a systematic literature review and experience in the CDKL5 Centers of Excellence. We propose minimum diagnostic criteria. Pathogenic variants include deletions, truncations, splice variants, and missense variants. Pathogenic missense variants occur exclusively within the kinase domain or affect splice sites. The CDKL5 protein is widely expressed in the brain, predominantly in neurons, with roles in cell proliferation, neuronal migration, axonal outgrowth, dendritic morphogenesis, and synapse development. The molecular biology of CDD is revealing opportunities in precision therapy, with phase 2 and 3 clinical trials underway or planned to assess disease specific and disease modifying treatments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Heather E Olson
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts.
| | - Scott T Demarest
- Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
| | - Elia M Pestana-Knight
- Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute Epilepsy Center, Cleveland Clinic Neurological Institute Pediatric Neurology Department, Neurogenetics, Cleveland Clinic Children's, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Lindsay C Swanson
- Division of Epilepsy and Clinical Neurophysiology, Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Sumaiya Iqbal
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Analytic and Translational Genetics Unit, Massachusetts General Hospital, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - Dennis Lal
- Stanley Center for Psychiatric Research, Broad Institute of MIT and Harvard, Cambridge, Massachusetts; Genomic Medicine Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio; Neurological Institute, Cleveland Clinic, Cleveland, Ohio
| | - Helen Leonard
- Telethon Kids Institute, University of Western Australia, Perth, WA, Australia
| | - J Helen Cross
- UCL Great Ormond Street NIHR BRC Institute of Child Health, London, UK
| | - Orrin Devinsky
- Department of Neurology, NYU Langone Health, New York, New York
| | - Tim A Benke
- Children's Hospital Colorado, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Pediatrics, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Pharmacology, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Neurology, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado; Department of Otolaryngology, University of Colorado, School of Medicine, Aurora, Colorado
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11
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Altered NMDAR signaling underlies autistic-like features in mouse models of CDKL5 deficiency disorder. Nat Commun 2019; 10:2655. [PMID: 31201320 PMCID: PMC6572855 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-019-10689-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 36] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/09/2018] [Accepted: 05/15/2019] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) is characterized by epilepsy, intellectual disability, and autistic features, and CDKL5-deficient mice exhibit a constellation of behavioral phenotypes reminiscent of the human disorder. We previously found that CDKL5 dysfunction in forebrain glutamatergic neurons results in deficits in learning and memory. However, the pathogenic origin of the autistic features of CDD remains unknown. Here, we find that selective loss of CDKL5 in GABAergic neurons leads to autistic-like phenotypes in mice accompanied by excessive glutamatergic transmission, hyperexcitability, and increased levels of postsynaptic NMDA receptors. Acute, low-dose inhibition of NMDAR signaling ameliorates autistic-like behaviors in GABAergic knockout mice, as well as a novel mouse model bearing a CDD-associated nonsense mutation, CDKL5 R59X, implicating the translational potential of this mechanism. Together, our findings suggest that enhanced NMDAR signaling and circuit hyperexcitability underlie autistic-like features in mouse models of CDD and provide a new therapeutic avenue to treat CDD-related symptoms. Mouse models of CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD) recapitulate multiple clinical symptoms of CDD, such as intellectual disability and autism. Here, the authors show that selective loss of CDKL5 from GABAergic neurons leads to social deficits and stereotypic behaviors, which can be ameliorated through inhibition of NMDAR signaling.
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12
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Tramarin M, Rusconi L, Pizzamiglio L, Barbiero I, Peroni D, Scaramuzza L, Guilliams T, Cavalla D, Antonucci F, Kilstrup-Nielsen C. The antidepressant tianeptine reverts synaptic AMPA receptor defects caused by deficiency of CDKL5. Hum Mol Genet 2019; 27:2052-2063. [PMID: 29618004 DOI: 10.1093/hmg/ddy108] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2018] [Accepted: 03/20/2018] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in the X-linked cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) gene cause a complex neurological disorder, characterized by infantile seizures, impairment of cognitive and motor skills and autistic features. Loss of Cdkl5 in mice affects dendritic spine maturation and dynamics but the underlying molecular mechanisms are still far from fully understood. Here we show that Cdkl5 deficiency in primary hippocampal neurons leads to deranged expression of the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-iso-xazole propionic acid receptors (AMPA-R). In particular, a dramatic reduction of expression of the GluA2 subunit occurs concomitantly with its hyper-phosphorylation on Serine 880 and increased ubiquitination. Consequently, Cdkl5 silencing skews the composition of membrane-inserted AMPA-Rs towards the GluA2-lacking calcium-permeable form. Such derangement is likely to contribute, at least in part, to the altered synaptic functions and cognitive impairment linked to loss of Cdkl5. Importantly, we find that tianeptine, a cognitive enhancer and antidepressant drug, known to recruit and stabilise AMPA-Rs at the synaptic sites, can normalise the expression of membrane inserted AMPA-Rs as well as the number of PSD-95 clusters, suggesting its therapeutic potential for patients with mutations in CDKL5.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marco Tramarin
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences and Center of Neuroscience, University of Insubria, 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Laura Rusconi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences and Center of Neuroscience, University of Insubria, 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Lara Pizzamiglio
- Department of Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Isabella Barbiero
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences and Center of Neuroscience, University of Insubria, 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Diana Peroni
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences and Center of Neuroscience, University of Insubria, 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Linda Scaramuzza
- San Raffaele Rett Research Unit, Division of Neuroscience, San Raffaele Hospital, 20132 Milan, Italy
| | - Tim Guilliams
- Healx Ltd, Park House, Castle Park, Cambridge CB3 0DU, UK
| | - David Cavalla
- Healx Ltd, Park House, Castle Park, Cambridge CB3 0DU, UK.,Numedicus Ltd, Cambridge CB1 2DX, UK
| | - Flavia Antonucci
- Department of Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Charlotte Kilstrup-Nielsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences and Center of Neuroscience, University of Insubria, 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy
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13
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Vigli D, Rusconi L, Valenti D, La Montanara P, Cosentino L, Lacivita E, Leopoldo M, Amendola E, Gross C, Landsberger N, Laviola G, Kilstrup-Nielsen C, Vacca RA, De Filippis B. Rescue of prepulse inhibition deficit and brain mitochondrial dysfunction by pharmacological stimulation of the central serotonin receptor 7 in a mouse model of CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder. Neuropharmacology 2018; 144:104-114. [PMID: 30326240 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2018.10.018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/13/2018] [Revised: 10/05/2018] [Accepted: 10/12/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in the X-linked cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) gene cause CDKL5 Deficiency Disorder (CDD), a rare neurodevelopmental syndrome characterized by severe behavioural and physiological symptoms. No cure is available for CDD. CDKL5 is a kinase that is abundantly expressed in the brain and plays a critical role in neurodevelopmental processes, such as neuronal morphogenesis and plasticity. This study provides the first characterization of the neurobehavioural phenotype of 1 year old Cdkl5-null mice and demonstrates that stimulation of the serotonin receptor 7 (5-HT7R) with the agonist molecule LP-211 (0.25 mg/kg once/day for 7 days) partially rescues the abnormal phenotype and brain molecular alterations in Cdkl5-null male mice. In particular, LP-211 treatment completely normalizes the prepulse inhibition defects observed in Cdkl5-null mice and, at a molecular level, restores the abnormal cortical phosphorylation of rpS6, a downstream target of mTOR and S6 kinase, which plays a direct role in regulating protein synthesis. Moreover, we demonstrate for the first time that mitochondria show prominent functional abnormalities in Cdkl5-null mouse brains that can be restored by pharmacological stimulation of brain 5-HT7R.
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Affiliation(s)
- Daniele Vigli
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Laura Rusconi
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences and Center of Neuroscience, University of Insubria, 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Daniela Valenti
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Council of Research, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Paolo La Montanara
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences and Center of Neuroscience, University of Insubria, 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Livia Cosentino
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Enza Lacivita
- Dept. Pharmacy, University of Bari "Aldo Moro", 70125 Bari, Italy
| | | | - Elena Amendola
- Molecular Medicine and Medical Biotechnologies, University of Naples "Federico II", 80131 Napoli, Italy
| | - Cornelius Gross
- Mouse Biology Unit, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) 00015 Monterotondo, Italy
| | - Nicoletta Landsberger
- Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine, University of Milan, 20090 Segrate, Italy
| | - Giovanni Laviola
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy
| | - Charlotte Kilstrup-Nielsen
- Department of Biotechnology and Life Sciences and Center of Neuroscience, University of Insubria, 21052 Busto Arsizio, Italy
| | - Rosa A Vacca
- Institute of Biomembranes, Bioenergetics and Molecular Biotechnologies, National Council of Research, 70126 Bari, Italy
| | - Bianca De Filippis
- Center for Behavioral Sciences and Mental Health, Istituto Superiore di Sanità, 00161 Rome, Italy.
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14
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Baltussen LL, Negraes PD, Silvestre M, Claxton S, Moeskops M, Christodoulou E, Flynn HR, Snijders AP, Muotri AR, Ultanir SK. Chemical genetic identification of CDKL5 substrates reveals its role in neuronal microtubule dynamics. EMBO J 2018; 37:embj.201899763. [PMID: 30266824 PMCID: PMC6293278 DOI: 10.15252/embj.201899763] [Citation(s) in RCA: 45] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/03/2018] [Revised: 08/07/2018] [Accepted: 08/31/2018] [Indexed: 01/23/2023] Open
Abstract
Loss‐of‐function mutations in CDKL5 kinase cause severe neurodevelopmental delay and early‐onset seizures. Identification of CDKL5 substrates is key to understanding its function. Using chemical genetics, we found that CDKL5 phosphorylates three microtubule‐associated proteins: MAP1S, EB2 and ARHGEF2, and determined the phosphorylation sites. Substrate phosphorylations are greatly reduced in CDKL5 knockout mice, verifying these as physiological substrates. In CDKL5 knockout mouse neurons, dendritic microtubules have longer EB3‐labelled plus‐end growth duration and these altered dynamics are rescued by reduction of MAP1S levels through shRNA expression, indicating that CDKL5 regulates microtubule dynamics via phosphorylation of MAP1S. We show that phosphorylation by CDKL5 is required for MAP1S dissociation from microtubules. Additionally, anterograde cargo trafficking is compromised in CDKL5 knockout mouse dendrites. Finally, EB2 phosphorylation is reduced in patient‐derived human neurons. Our results reveal a novel activity‐dependent molecular pathway in dendritic microtubule regulation and suggest a pathological mechanism which may contribute to CDKL5 deficiency disorder.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lucas L Baltussen
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Priscilla D Negraes
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Margaux Silvestre
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Suzanne Claxton
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | - Max Moeskops
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Helen R Flynn
- Proteomics Science Technology Platform, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
| | | | - Alysson R Muotri
- Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA .,Department of Pediatrics/Cellular & Molecular Medicine, Center for Academic Research and Training in Anthropogeny (CARTA), Kavli Institute for Brain and Mind, School of Medicine, Rady Children's Hospital San Diego, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, CA, USA
| | - Sila K Ultanir
- Kinases and Brain Development Laboratory, The Francis Crick Institute, London, UK
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