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Alberini CM. IGF2 in memory, neurodevelopmental disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. Trends Neurosci 2023; 46:488-502. [PMID: 37031050 PMCID: PMC10192130 DOI: 10.1016/j.tins.2023.03.007] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/13/2022] [Revised: 01/27/2023] [Accepted: 03/12/2023] [Indexed: 04/08/2023]
Abstract
Insulin-like growth factor 2 (IGF2) emerged as a critical mechanism of synaptic plasticity and learning and memory. Deficits in IGF2 in the brain, serum, or cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) are associated with brain diseases, including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), Huntington's disease (HD), and amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Increasing IGF2 levels enhances memory in healthy animals and reverses numerous symptoms in laboratory models of aging, neurodevelopmental disorders, and neurodegenerative diseases. These effects occur via the IGF2 receptor (IGF2R) - a receptor that is highly expressed in neurons and regulates protein trafficking, synthesis, and degradation. Here, I summarize the current knowledge regarding IGF2 expression and functions in the brain, particularly in memory, and propose a novel conceptual model for IGF2/IGF2R mechanisms of action in brain health and diseases.
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Egawa K, Watanabe M, Shiraishi H, Sato D, Takahashi Y, Nishio S, Fukuda A. Imbalanced expression of cation-chloride cotransporters as a potential therapeutic target in an Angelman syndrome mouse model. Sci Rep 2023; 13:5685. [PMID: 37069177 PMCID: PMC10110603 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-023-32376-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2022] [Accepted: 03/27/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by loss of function of the maternally expressed UBE3A gene. Treatments for the main manifestations, including cognitive dysfunction or epilepsy, are still under development. Recently, the Cl- importer Na+-K+-Cl- cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) and the Cl- exporter K+-Cl- cotransporter 2 (KCC2) have garnered attention as therapeutic targets for many neurological disorders. Dysregulation of neuronal intracellular Cl- concentration ([Cl-]i) is generally regarded as one of the mechanisms underlying neuronal dysfunction caused by imbalanced expression of these cation-chloride cotransporters (CCCs). Here, we analyzed the regulation of [Cl-]i and the effects of bumetanide, an NKCC1 inhibitor, in Angelman syndrome models (Ube3am-/p+ mice). We observed increased NKCC1 expression and decreased KCC2 expression in the hippocampi of Ube3am-/p+ mice. The average [Cl-]i of CA1 pyramidal neurons was not significantly different but demonstrated greater variance in Ube3am-/p+ mice. Tonic GABAA receptor-mediated Cl- conductance was reduced, which may have contributed to maintaining the normal average [Cl-]i. Bumetanide administration restores cognitive dysfunction in Ube3am-/p+ mice. Seizure susceptibility was also reduced regardless of the genotype. These results suggest that an imbalanced expression of CCCs is involved in the pathophysiological mechanism of Ube3am-/p+ mice, although the average [Cl-]i is not altered. The blockage of NKCC1 may be a potential therapeutic strategy for patients with Angelman syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kiyoshi Egawa
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan.
| | - Miho Watanabe
- Department of Neurophysiology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-Ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan
| | - Hideaki Shiraishi
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Daisuke Sato
- Department of Pediatrics, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Yukitoshi Takahashi
- Department of Clinical Research, National Epilepsy Center, NHO, Shizuoka Institute of Epilepsy and Neurological Disorders, Urushiyama 886, Aoi-Ku, Shizuoka, 420-8688, Japan
| | - Saori Nishio
- Department of Rheumatology, Endocrinology, and Nephrology, Hokkaido University Graduate School of Medicine, Kita 15, Nishi 7, Kita-Ku, Sapporo, 060-8638, Japan
| | - Atsuo Fukuda
- Department of Neurophysiology, Hamamatsu University School of Medicine, 1-20-1 Handayama, Higashi-Ku, Hamamatsu City, Shizuoka, 431-3192, Japan
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Jeon YS, Jeong D, Kweon H, Kim JH, Kim CY, Oh Y, Lee YH, Kim CH, Kim SG, Jeong JW, Kim E, Lee SH. Adolescent Parvalbumin Expression in the Left Orbitofrontal Cortex Shapes Sociability in Female Mice. J Neurosci 2023; 43:1555-1571. [PMID: 36717231 PMCID: PMC10008055 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0918-22.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/12/2022] [Revised: 12/27/2022] [Accepted: 01/05/2023] [Indexed: 01/31/2023] Open
Abstract
The adolescent social experience is essential for the maturation of the prefrontal cortex in mammalian species. However, it still needs to be determined which cortical circuits mature with such experience and how it shapes adult social behaviors in a sex-specific manner. Here, we examined social-approaching behaviors in male and female mice after postweaning social isolation (PWSI), which deprives social experience during adolescence. We found that the PWSI, particularly isolation during late adolescence, caused an abnormal increase in social approaches (hypersociability) only in female mice. We further found that the PWSI female mice showed reduced parvalbumin (PV) expression in the left orbitofrontal cortex (OFCL). When we measured neural activity in the female OFCL, a substantial number of neurons showed higher activity when mice sniffed other mice (social sniffing) than when they sniffed an object (object sniffing). Interestingly, the PWSI significantly reduced both the number of activated neurons and the activity level during social sniffing in female mice. Similarly, the CRISPR/Cas9-mediated knockdown of PV in the OFCL during late adolescence enhanced sociability and reduced the social sniffing-induced activity in adult female mice via decreased excitability of PV+ neurons and reduced synaptic inhibition in the OFCL Moreover, optogenetic activation of excitatory neurons or optogenetic inhibition of PV+ neurons in the OFCL enhanced sociability in female mice. Our data demonstrate that the adolescent social experience is critical for the maturation of PV+ inhibitory circuits in the OFCL; this maturation shapes female social behavior via enhancing social representation in the OFCL SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Adolescent social isolation often changes adult social behaviors in mammals. Yet, we do not fully understand the sex-specific effects of social isolation and the brain areas and circuits that mediate such changes. Here, we found that adolescent social isolation causes three abnormal phenotypes in female but not male mice: hypersociability, decreased PV+ neurons in the left orbitofrontal cortex (OFCL), and decreased socially evoked activity in the OFCL Moreover, parvalbumin (PV) deletion in the OFCL in vivo caused the same phenotypes in female mice by increasing excitation compared with inhibition within the OFCL Our data suggest that adolescent social experience is required for PV maturation in the OFCL, which is critical for evoking OFCL activity that shapes social behaviors in female mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yi-Seon Jeon
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Daun Jeong
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Hanseul Kweon
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Jae-Hyun Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Choong Yeon Kim
- School of Electrical Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Youngbin Oh
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Young-Ho Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Chan Hyuk Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Sang-Gyu Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Jae-Woong Jeong
- School of Electrical Engineering, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
| | - Seung-Hee Lee
- Department of Biological Sciences, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, KAIST, Daejeon 34141, Korea
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4
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Kaiser FMP, Gruenbacher S, Oyaga MR, Nio E, Jaritz M, Sun Q, van der Zwaag W, Kreidl E, Zopf LM, Dalm VASH, Pel J, Gaiser C, van der Vliet R, Wahl L, Rietman A, Hill L, Leca I, Driessen G, Laffeber C, Brooks A, Katsikis PD, Lebbink JHG, Tachibana K, van der Burg M, De Zeeuw CI, Badura A, Busslinger M. Biallelic PAX5 mutations cause hypogammaglobulinemia, sensorimotor deficits, and autism spectrum disorder. J Exp Med 2022; 219:213392. [PMID: 35947077 PMCID: PMC9372349 DOI: 10.1084/jem.20220498] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2022] [Revised: 06/08/2022] [Accepted: 07/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/11/2022] Open
Abstract
The genetic causes of primary antibody deficiencies and autism spectrum disorder (ASD) are largely unknown. Here, we report a patient with hypogammaglobulinemia and ASD who carries biallelic mutations in the transcription factor PAX5. A patient-specific Pax5 mutant mouse revealed an early B cell developmental block and impaired immune responses as the cause of hypogammaglobulinemia. Pax5 mutant mice displayed behavioral deficits in all ASD domains. The patient and the mouse model showed aberrant cerebellar foliation and severely impaired sensorimotor learning. PAX5 deficiency also caused profound hypoplasia of the substantia nigra and ventral tegmental area due to loss of GABAergic neurons, thus affecting two midbrain hubs, controlling motor function and reward processing, respectively. Heterozygous Pax5 mutant mice exhibited similar anatomic and behavioral abnormalities. Lineage tracing identified Pax5 as a crucial regulator of cerebellar morphogenesis and midbrain GABAergic neurogenesis. These findings reveal new roles of Pax5 in brain development and unravel the underlying mechanism of a novel immunological and neurodevelopmental syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fabian M P Kaiser
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria.,Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Sarah Gruenbacher
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Maria Roa Oyaga
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Enzo Nio
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Markus Jaritz
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Qiong Sun
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | | | - Emanuel Kreidl
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Lydia M Zopf
- Vienna BioCenter Core Facilities, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Virgil A S H Dalm
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Division of Allergy and Clinical Immunology, Department of Internal Medicine, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Johan Pel
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Carolin Gaiser
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rick van der Vliet
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Neurology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Lucas Wahl
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - André Rietman
- Department of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Louisa Hill
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Ines Leca
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria.,Vienna BioCenter PhD Program, Doctoral School of the University of Vienna and Medical University of Vienna, Vienna, Austria
| | - Gertjan Driessen
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, Maastricht University Medical Center, Maastricht, Netherlands
| | - Charlie Laffeber
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Oncode Institute, Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Alice Brooks
- Department of Clinical Genetics, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Joyce H G Lebbink
- Department of Molecular Genetics, Oncode Institute, Cancer Institute, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Radiation Oncology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - Kikuë Tachibana
- Institute of Molecular Biotechnology of the Austrian Academy of Sciences, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
| | - Mirjam van der Burg
- Department of Immunology, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Department of Pediatrics, Leiden University Medical Center, Leiden, Netherlands
| | - Chris I De Zeeuw
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, Netherlands.,Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | | | - Meinrad Busslinger
- Research Institute of Molecular Pathology, Vienna BioCenter, Vienna, Austria
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Neuwirth LS, Verrengia MT, Harikinish-Murrary ZI, Orens JE, Lopez OE. Under or Absent Reporting of Light Stimuli in Testing of Anxiety-Like Behaviors in Rodents: The Need for Standardization. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:912146. [PMID: 36061362 PMCID: PMC9428565 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.912146] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/04/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Behavioral neuroscience tests such as the Light/Dark Test, the Open Field Test, the Elevated Plus Maze Test, and the Three Chamber Social Interaction Test have become both essential and widely used behavioral tests for transgenic and pre-clinical models for drug screening and testing. However, as fast as the field has evolved and the contemporaneous involvement of technology, little assessment of the literature has been done to ensure that these behavioral neuroscience tests that are crucial to pre-clinical testing have well-controlled ethological motivation by the use of lighting (i.e., Lux). In the present review paper, N = 420 manuscripts were examined from 2015 to 2019 as a sample set (i.e., n = ~20–22 publications per year) and it was found that only a meager n = 50 publications (i.e., 11.9% of the publications sampled) met the criteria for proper anxiogenic and anxiolytic Lux reported. These findings illustrate a serious concern that behavioral neuroscience papers are not being vetted properly at the journal review level and are being released into the literature and public domain making it difficult to assess the quality of the science being reported. This creates a real need for standardizing the use of Lux in all publications on behavioral neuroscience techniques within the field to ensure that contributions are meaningful, avoid unnecessary duplication, and ultimately would serve to create a more efficient process within the pre-clinical screening/testing for drugs that serve as anxiolytic compounds that would prove more useful than what prior decades of work have produced. It is suggested that improving the standardization of the use and reporting of Lux in behavioral neuroscience tests and the standardization of peer-review processes overseeing the proper documentation of these methodological approaches in manuscripts could serve to advance pre-clinical testing for effective anxiolytic drugs. This report serves to highlight this concern and proposes strategies to proactively remedy them as the field moves forward for decades to come.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lorenz S. Neuwirth
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Lorenz S. Neuwirth
| | - Michael T. Verrengia
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
| | - Zachary I. Harikinish-Murrary
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
| | - Jessica E. Orens
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
| | - Oscar E. Lopez
- Department of Psychology, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
- SUNY Neuroscience Research Institute, SUNY Old Westbury, Old Westbury, NY, United States
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6
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Qiao H, Tian Y, Huo Y, Man HY. Role of the DUB enzyme USP7 in dendritic arborization, neuronal migration, and autistic-like behaviors in mice. iScience 2022; 25:104595. [PMID: 35800757 PMCID: PMC9253496 DOI: 10.1016/j.isci.2022.104595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/14/2021] [Revised: 03/15/2022] [Accepted: 06/08/2022] [Indexed: 12/04/2022] Open
Abstract
Duplication and haploinsufficiency of the USP7 gene are implicated in autism spectrum disorders (ASD), but the role for USP7 in neurodevelopment and contribution to ASD pathogenesis remain unknown. We find that in primary neurons, overexpression of USP7 increases dendritic branch number and total dendritic length, whereas knockdown leads to opposite alterations. Besides, USP7 deubiquitinates the X-linked inhibitor of apoptosis protein (XIAP). The USP7-induced increase in XIAP suppresses caspase 3 activity, leading to a reduction in tubulin cleavage and suppression of dendritic pruning. When USP7 is introduced into the brains of prenatal mice via in utero electroporation (IUE), it results in abnormal migration of newborn neurons and increased dendritic arborization. Importantly, intraventricular brain injection of AAV-USP7 in P0 mice leads to autistic-like phenotypes including aberrant social interactions, repetitive behaviors, as well as changes in somatosensory sensitivity. These findings provide new insights in USP7-related neurobiological functions and its implication in ASD. Overexpression of USP7 increases dendritic arborization USP7 targets XIAP for deubiquitination and regulates XIAP proteostasis in neurons USP7 regulates dendritic remodeling via the XIAP-caspase 3-tubulin pathway Prenatal overexpression of USP7 in mice leads to autistic-like behaviors
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Simchi L, Kaphzan H. Aberrant aggressive behavior in a mouse model of Angelman syndrome. Sci Rep 2021; 11:47. [PMID: 33420192 PMCID: PMC7794213 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-79984-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/18/2020] [Accepted: 12/10/2020] [Indexed: 11/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a genetic neurodevelopmental disorder due to the absence of the E3-ligase protein, UBE3A. Inappropriate social interactions, usually hyper-sociability, is a part of that syndrome. In addition, clinical surveys and case reports describe aggressive behavior in AS individuals as a severe difficulty for caretakers. A mouse model for AS recapitulates most of the human AS phenotypes. However, very few studies utilized this mouse model for investigating affiliative social behavior, and not even a single study examined aggressive behavior. Hence, the aim of the herein study was to examine affiliative and aggressive social behavior. For that, we utilized a battery of behavioral paradigms, and performed detailed analyses of these behaviors. AS mice exhibited a unique characteristic of reduced habituation towards a social stimulus in comparison to their wild-type (WT) littermates. However, overall there were no additional marked differences in affiliative social behavior. In contrast to the mild changes in affiliative behavior, there was a striking enhanced aggression in the AS mice compared to their WT littermates. The herein findings emphasize the use of AS mouse model in characterizing and measuring inappropriate aggressive behavior, and suggests these as tools for investigating therapeutic interventions aimed at attenuating aggressive behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Lilach Simchi
- Laboratory for Neurobiology of Psychiatric Disorders, Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mt. Carmel, 3498838, Haifa, Israel
| | - Hanoch Kaphzan
- Laboratory for Neurobiology of Psychiatric Disorders, Sagol Department of Neurobiology, University of Haifa, 199 Aba Khoushy Ave., Mt. Carmel, 3498838, Haifa, Israel.
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Perrino PA, Chamberlain SJ, Eigsti IM, Fitch RH. Communication-related assessments in an Angelman syndrome mouse model. Brain Behav 2021; 11:e01937. [PMID: 33151040 PMCID: PMC7821623 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.1937] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/07/2020] [Revised: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 10/18/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
INTRODUCTION Angelman syndrome (AS) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by motor deficits, seizures, some autistic-like behaviors, and severe impairment of speech. A dysfunction of the maternally imprinted UBE3A gene, coupled with a functional yet silenced paternal copy, results in AS. Although studies of transgenic mouse models have revealed a great deal about neural populations and rescue timeframes for specific features of AS, these studies have largely failed to examine intermediate phenotypes that contribute to the profound communicative disabilities associated with AS. METHODS Here, we use a variety of tasks, including assessments of rapid auditory processing and social communication. Expressive vocalizations were directly assessed and correlated against other core behavioral measures (motor, social, acoustic perception) to model putative influences on communication. RESULTS AS mice displayed the characteristic phenotypes associated with Angelman syndrome (i.e., social and motor deficits), as well as marginal enhancements in rapid auditory processing ability. Our characterization of adult ultrasonic vocalizations further showed that AS mice produce fewer vocalizations and vocalized for a shorter amount of time when compared to controls. Additionally, a strong correlation between motor indices and ultrasonic vocalization output was shown, suggesting that the motor impairments in AS may contribute heavily to communication impairments. CONCLUSION In summary, the combination of motor deficits, social impairment, marginal rapid auditory enhancements, and altered ultrasonic vocalizations reported in a mouse model of AS clearly parallel the human symptoms of the disorder. This mouse model offers a novel route to interrogate the underlying genetic, physiologic, and behavioral influences on the under-studied topic of impaired communication in AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Peter A Perrino
- Department of Psychological Science/Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Stormy J Chamberlain
- Department of Genetics and Genome Sciences, University of Connecticut Health Center, Farmington, CT, USA
| | - Inge-Marie Eigsti
- Department of Psychological Science/Clinical Psychology, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
| | - Roslyn Holly Fitch
- Department of Psychological Science/Behavioral Neuroscience, University of Connecticut, Storrs, CT, USA
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Dutta R, Crawley JN. Behavioral Evaluation of Angelman Syndrome Mice at Older Ages. Neuroscience 2020; 445:163-171. [PMID: 31730795 PMCID: PMC7214203 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.10.027] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/09/2019] [Revised: 10/15/2019] [Accepted: 10/16/2019] [Indexed: 12/20/2022]
Abstract
Angelman syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder presenting with severe deficits in motor, speech, and cognitive abilities. The primary genetic cause of Angelman syndrome is a maternally transmitted mutation in the Ube3a gene, which has been successfully modeled in Ube3a mutant mice. Phenotypes have been extensively reported in young adult Ube3a mice. Because symptoms continue throughout life in Angelman syndrome, we tested multiple behavioral phenotypes of male Ube3a mice and WT littermate controls at older adult ages. Social behaviors on both the 3-chambered social approach and male-female social interaction tests showed impairments in Ube3a at 12 months of age. Anxiety-related scores on both the elevated plus-maze and the light ↔ dark transitions assays indicated anxiety-like phenotypes in 12 month old Ube3a mice. Open field locomotion parameters were consistently lower at 12 months. Reduced general exploratory locomotion at this age prevented the interpretation of an anxiety-like phenotype, and likely impacted social tasks. Robust phenotypes in middle-aged Ube3a mice appear to result from continued motor decline. Motor deficits may provide the best outcome measures for preclinical testing of pharmacological targets, towards reductions of symptoms in adults with Angelman syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rebecca Dutta
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA
| | - Jacqueline N Crawley
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, CA 95817, USA.
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10
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Schultz MN, Crawley JN. Evaluation of a TrkB agonist on spatial and motor learning in the Ube3a mouse model of Angelman syndrome. Learn Mem 2020; 27:346-354. [PMID: 32817301 PMCID: PMC7433657 DOI: 10.1101/lm.051201.119] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/19/2019] [Accepted: 02/11/2020] [Indexed: 12/21/2022]
Abstract
Angelman syndrome is a rare neurodevelopmental disorder caused by a mutation in the maternal allele of the gene Ube3a The primary symptoms of Angelman syndrome are severe cognitive deficits, impaired motor functions, and speech disabilities. Analogous phenotypes have been detected in young adult Ube3a mice. Here, we investigate cognitive phenotypes of Ube3a mice as compared to wild-type littermate controls at an older adult age. Water maze spatial learning, swim speed, and rotarod motor coordination and balance were impaired at 6 mo of age, as predicted. Based on previous findings of reduced brain-derived neurotrophic factor in Ube3a mice, a novel therapeutic target, the TrkB agonist 7,8-DHF, was interrogated. Semichronic daily treatment with 7,8-DHF, 5 mg/kg i.p., did not significantly improve the impairments in performance during the acquisition of the water maze hidden platform location in Ube3a mice, after training with either massed or spaced trials, and had no effect on the swim speed and rotarod deficits. Robust behavioral phenotypes in middle-aged Ube3a mice appear to result from continued motor decline. Our results suggest that motor deficits could offer useful outcome measures for preclinical testing of many pharmacological targets, with the goal of reducing symptoms in adults with Angelman syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maria N Schultz
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California 95821, USA
| | - Jacqueline N Crawley
- MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California Davis School of Medicine, Sacramento, California 95821, USA
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11
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PKA and Ube3a regulate SK2 channel trafficking to promote synaptic plasticity in hippocampus: Implications for Angelman Syndrome. Sci Rep 2020; 10:9824. [PMID: 32555345 PMCID: PMC7299966 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-020-66790-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Accepted: 05/04/2020] [Indexed: 12/29/2022] Open
Abstract
The ubiquitin ligase, Ube3a, plays important roles in brain development and functions, since its deficiency results in Angelman Syndrome (AS) while its over-expression increases the risk for autism. We previously showed that the lack of Ube3a-mediated ubiquitination of the Ca2+-activated small conductance potassium channel, SK2, contributes to impairment of synaptic plasticity and learning in AS mice. Synaptic SK2 levels are also regulated by protein kinase A (PKA), which phosphorylates SK2 in its C-terminal domain, facilitating its endocytosis. Here, we report that PKA activation restores theta burst stimulation (TBS)-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) in hippocampal slices from AS mice by enhancing SK2 internalization. While TBS-induced SK2 endocytosis is facilitated by PKA activation, SK2 recycling to synaptic membranes after TBS is inhibited by Ube3a. Molecular and cellular studies confirmed that phosphorylation of SK2 in the C-terminal domain increases its ubiquitination and endocytosis. Finally, PKA activation increases SK2 phosphorylation and ubiquitination in Ube3a-overexpressing mice. Our results indicate that, although both Ube3a-mediated ubiquitination and PKA-induced phosphorylation reduce synaptic SK2 levels, phosphorylation is mainly involved in TBS-induced endocytosis, while ubiquitination predominantly inhibits SK2 recycling. Understanding the complex interactions between PKA and Ube3a in the regulation of SK2 synaptic levels might provide new platforms for developing treatments for AS and various forms of autism.
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López-Tobón A, Trattaro S, Testa G. The sociability spectrum: evidence from reciprocal genetic copy number variations. Mol Autism 2020; 11:50. [PMID: 32546261 PMCID: PMC7298749 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00347-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 05/11/2020] [Indexed: 02/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Sociability entails some of the most complex behaviors processed by the central nervous system. It includes the detection, integration, and interpretation of social cues and elaboration of context-specific responses that are quintessentially species-specific. There is an ever-growing accumulation of molecular associations to autism spectrum disorders (ASD), from causative genes to endophenotypes across multiple functional layers; these however, have rarely been put in context with the opposite manifestation featured in hypersociability syndromes. Genetic copy number variations (CNVs) allow to investigate the relationships between gene dosage and its corresponding phenotypes. In particular, CNVs of the 7q11.23 locus, which manifest diametrically opposite social behaviors, offer a privileged window to look into the molecular substrates underlying the developmental trajectories of the social brain. As by definition sociability is studied in humans postnatally, the developmental fluctuations causing social impairments have thus far remained a black box. Here, we review key evidence of molecular players involved at both ends of the sociability spectrum, focusing on genetic and functional associations of neuroendocrine regulators and synaptic transmission pathways. We then proceed to propose the existence of a molecular axis centered around the paradigmatic dosage imbalances at the 7q11.23 locus, regulating networks responsible for the development of social behavior in humans and highlight the key role that neurodevelopmental models from reprogrammed pluripotent cells will play for its understanding.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alejandro López-Tobón
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, Università degli studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Sebastiano Trattaro
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, Università degli studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
| | - Giuseppe Testa
- Laboratory of Stem Cell Epigenetics, IEO, European Institute of Oncology, IRCCS, Milan, Italy.
- Department of Oncology and Hemato-oncology, Università degli studi di Milano, Milan, Italy.
- Human Technopole, Via Cristina Belgioioso 171, Milan, Italy.
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13
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Dodge A, Peters MM, Greene HE, Dietrick C, Botelho R, Chung D, Willman J, Nenninger AW, Ciarlone S, Kamath SG, Houdek P, Sumová A, Anderson AE, Dindot SV, Berg EL, O'Geen H, Segal DJ, Silverman JL, Weeber EJ, Nash KR. Generation of a Novel Rat Model of Angelman Syndrome with a Complete Ube3a Gene Deletion. Autism Res 2020; 13:397-409. [PMID: 31961493 PMCID: PMC7787396 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/31/2019] [Revised: 01/02/2020] [Accepted: 01/06/2020] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by severe intellectual disability, seizures, lack of speech, and ataxia. The gene responsible for AS was identified as Ube3a and it encodes for E6AP, an E3 ubiquitin ligase. Currently, there is very little known about E6AP's mechanism of action in vivo or how the lack of this protein in neurons may contribute to the AS phenotype. Elucidating the mechanistic action of E6AP would enhance our understanding of AS and drive current research into new avenues that could lead to novel therapeutic approaches that target E6AP's various functions. To facilitate the study of AS, we have generated a novel rat model in which we deleted the rat Ube3a gene using CRISPR. The AS rat phenotypically mirrors human AS with loss of Ube3a expression in the brain and deficits in motor coordination as well as learning and memory. This model offers a new avenue for the study of AS. Autism Res 2020, 13: 397-409. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research,Wiley Periodicals, Inc. LAY SUMMARY: Angelman syndrome (AS) is a rare genetic disorder characterized by severe intellectual disability, seizures, difficulty speaking, and ataxia. The gene responsible for AS was identified as UBE3A, yet very little is known about its function in vivo or how the lack of this protein in neurons may contribute to the AS phenotype. To facilitate the study of AS, we have generated a novel rat model in which we deleted the rat Ube3a gene using CRISPR. The AS rat mirrors human AS with loss of Ube3a expression in the brain and deficits in motor coordination as well as learning and memory. This model offers a new avenue for the study of AS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andie Dodge
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Melinda M Peters
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Hayden E Greene
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Clifton Dietrick
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Robert Botelho
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Diana Chung
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Jonathan Willman
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Austin W Nenninger
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Stephanie Ciarlone
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
- PTC Therapeutics Inc., Plainfield, 07080, New Jersey
| | - Siddharth G Kamath
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
| | - Pavel Houdek
- Department of Neurohumoral Regulations, Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Alena Sumová
- Department of Neurohumoral Regulations, Institute of Physiology, Czech Academy of Sciences, Prague, Czech Republic
| | - Anne E Anderson
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, Texas
| | - Scott V Dindot
- Department of Veterinary Pathobiology, Texas A&M, College Station, Texas
| | - Elizabeth L Berg
- School of Medicine, MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California - Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Henriette O'Geen
- Genome Center and MIND Institute, University of California - Davis, Davis, California
| | - David J Segal
- Genome Center and MIND Institute, University of California - Davis, Davis, California
| | - Jill L Silverman
- School of Medicine, MIND Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of California - Davis, Sacramento, California
| | - Edwin J Weeber
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
- PTC Therapeutics Inc., Plainfield, 07080, New Jersey
| | - Kevin R Nash
- Department of Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of South Florida, Tampa, Florida
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14
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Ostergaard JR. Do individuals with Angelman syndrome have a maladaptive behavior? Am J Med Genet A 2019; 179:2317-2318. [DOI: 10.1002/ajmg.a.61346] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/23/2019] [Accepted: 08/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022]
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15
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O'Brien S, Ng-Cordell E, Astle DE, Scerif G, Baker K. STXBP1-associated neurodevelopmental disorder: a comparative study of behavioural characteristics. J Neurodev Disord 2019; 11:17. [PMID: 31387522 PMCID: PMC6683428 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-019-9278-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.6] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2019] [Accepted: 07/22/2019] [Indexed: 11/10/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND De novo loss of function mutations in STXBP1 are a relatively common cause of epilepsy and intellectual disability (ID). However, little is known about the types and severities of behavioural features associated with this genetic diagnosis. METHODS To address this, we collected systematic phenotyping data encompassing neurological, developmental, and behavioural characteristics. Participants were 14 individuals with STXBP1-associated neurodevelopmental disorder, ascertained from clinical genetics and neurology services UK-wide. Data was collected via standardised questionnaires administered to parents at home, supplemented by researcher observations. To isolate discriminating phenotypes, the STXBP1 group was compared to 33 individuals with pathogenic mutations in other ID-associated genes (ID group). To account for the potential impact of global cognitive impairment, a secondary comparison was made to an ability-matched subset of the ID group (low-ability ID group). RESULTS The STXBP1 group demonstrated impairments across all assessed domains. In comparison to the ID group, the STXBP1 group had more severe global adaptive impairments, fine motor difficulties, and hyperactivity. In comparison to the low-ability ID group, severity of receptive language and social impairments discriminated the STXBP1 group. A striking feature of the STXBP1 group, with reference to both comparison groups, was preservation of social motivation. CONCLUSIONS De novo mutations in STXBP1 are associated with complex and variable neurodevelopmental impairments. Consistent features, which discriminate this disorder from other monogenic causes of ID, are severe language impairment and difficulties managing social interactions, despite strong social motivation. Future work could explore the physiological mechanisms linking motor, speech, and social development in this disorder. Understanding the developmental emergence of behavioural characteristics can help to focus clinical assessment and management after genetic diagnosis, with the long-term aim of improving outcomes for patients and families.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sinéad O'Brien
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, 15 Chaucer Road, Cambridge, CB2 7EF, UK
| | - Elise Ng-Cordell
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, 15 Chaucer Road, Cambridge, CB2 7EF, UK.,Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Anna Watts Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | | | - Duncan E Astle
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, 15 Chaucer Road, Cambridge, CB2 7EF, UK
| | - Gaia Scerif
- Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Oxford, Anna Watts Building, Radcliffe Observatory Quarter, Woodstock Road, Oxford, OX2 6GG, UK
| | - Kate Baker
- MRC Cognition and Brain Sciences Unit, University of Cambridge, 15 Chaucer Road, Cambridge, CB2 7EF, UK. .,Department of Medical Genetics, University of Cambridge, Cambridge Biomedical Campus, Hills Road, Cambridge, CB2 0XY, UK.
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16
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Salminen I, Read S, Hurd P, Crespi B. Genetic variation of UBE3A is associated with schizotypy in a population of typical individuals. Psychiatry Res 2019; 275:94-99. [PMID: 30897394 DOI: 10.1016/j.psychres.2019.03.019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/05/2019] [Revised: 03/04/2019] [Accepted: 03/12/2019] [Indexed: 01/17/2023]
Abstract
The maternally expressed imprinted gene UBE3A has been implicated in autism, schizophrenia and psychosis. The phenotype of Angelman syndrome, caused by loss of UBE3A expression, involves autism spectrum traits, while Prader-Willi syndrome, where the genotype of maternal disomy increases dosage of UBE3A, shows high penetrance for the development of psychosis. Maternal duplications of the 15q11-q13 chromosome region that overlap the imprinted region also show an association with schizophrenia, further implying a connection between increased dosage of UBE3A and the development of schizophrenia and psychosis. We phenotyped a large population of typical individuals for autism spectrum and schizotypal traits and genotyped them for a set of SNPs in UBE3A. Genetic variation of rs732739, an intronic SNP tagging a large haplotype spanning nearly the entire range of UBE3A, was significantly associated with variation in total schizotypy. Our results provide an independent line of evidence, connecting the imprinted UBE3A gene to the schizophrenia spectrum.
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Affiliation(s)
- Iiro Salminen
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada.
| | - Silven Read
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
| | - Pete Hurd
- Department of Psychology and Centre for Neuroscience, University of Alberta, Edmonton, Canada
| | - Bernard Crespi
- Department of Biological Sciences, Simon Fraser University, Burnaby, British Columbia, Canada
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Lackinger M, Sungur AÖ, Daswani R, Soutschek M, Bicker S, Stemmler L, Wüst T, Fiore R, Dieterich C, Schwarting RK, Wöhr M, Schratt G. A placental mammal-specific microRNA cluster acts as a natural brake for sociability in mice. EMBO Rep 2018; 20:embr.201846429. [PMID: 30552145 DOI: 10.15252/embr.201846429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 29] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/16/2018] [Revised: 11/16/2018] [Accepted: 11/23/2018] [Indexed: 01/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Aberrant synaptic function is thought to underlie social deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism and schizophrenia. Although microRNAs have been shown to regulate synapse development and plasticity, their potential involvement in the control of social behaviour in mammals remains unexplored. Here, we show that deletion of the placental mammal-specific miR379-410 cluster in mice leads to hypersocial behaviour, which is accompanied by increased excitatory synaptic transmission, and exaggerated expression of ionotropic glutamate receptor complexes in the hippocampus. Bioinformatic analyses further allowed us to identify five "hub" microRNAs whose deletion accounts largely for the upregulation of excitatory synaptic genes observed, including Cnih2, Dlgap3, Prr7 and Src. Thus, the miR379-410 cluster acts a natural brake for sociability, and interfering with specific members of this cluster could represent a therapeutic strategy for the treatment of social deficits in neurodevelopmental disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Martin Lackinger
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - A Özge Sungur
- Behavioural Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Reetu Daswani
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Michael Soutschek
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Silvia Bicker
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Lea Stemmler
- Behavioural Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Tatjana Wüst
- Lab of Systems Neuroscience, Department of Health Science and Technology, Institute for Neuroscience Swiss Federal Institute of Technology, Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Roberto Fiore
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Christoph Dieterich
- Section of Bioinformatics and Systems Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine III and Klaus Tschira Institute for Integrative Computational Cardiology, University of Heidelberg, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Rainer Kw Schwarting
- Behavioural Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Markus Wöhr
- Behavioural Neuroscience, Experimental and Biological Psychology, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
| | - Gerhard Schratt
- Institute of Physiological Chemistry, Philipps-University Marburg, Marburg, Germany
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18
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Castellucci GA, Calbick D, McCormick D. The temporal organization of mouse ultrasonic vocalizations. PLoS One 2018; 13:e0199929. [PMID: 30376572 PMCID: PMC6207298 DOI: 10.1371/journal.pone.0199929] [Citation(s) in RCA: 39] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2018] [Accepted: 06/15/2018] [Indexed: 12/30/2022] Open
Abstract
House mice, like many tetrapods, produce multielement calls consisting of individual vocalizations repeated in rhythmic series. In this study, we examine the multielement ultrasonic vocalizations (USVs) of adult male C57Bl/6J mice and specifically assess their temporal properties and organization. We found that male mice produce two classes of USVs which display unique temporal features and arise from discrete respiratory patterns. We also observed that nearly all USVs were produced in repetitive series exhibiting a hierarchical organization and a stereotyped rhythmic structure. Furthermore, series rhythmicity alone was determined to be sufficient for the mathematical discrimination of USVs produced by adult males, adult females, and pups, underscoring the known importance of call timing in USV perception. Finally, the gross spectrotemporal features of male USVs were found to develop continuously from birth and stabilize by P50, suggesting that USV production in infants and adults relies on common biological mechanisms. In conclusion, we demonstrate that the temporal organization of multielement mouse USVs is both stable and informative, and we propose that call timing be explicitly assessed when examining mouse USV production. Furthermore, this is the first report of putative USV classes arising from distinct articulatory patterns in mice, and is the first to empirically define multielement USV series and provide a detailed description of their temporal structure and development. This study therefore represents an important point of reference for the analysis of mouse USVs, a commonly used metric of social behavior in mouse models of human disease, and furthers the understanding of vocalization production in an accessible mammalian species.
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Affiliation(s)
- Gregg A. Castellucci
- Neuroscience Institute, New York University School of Medicine, New York, NY, United States of America
- Haskins Laboratories, New Haven, CT, United States of America
- Department of Genetics, Yale University of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - Daniel Calbick
- Department of Genetics, Yale University of Medicine, New Haven, CT, United States of America
| | - David McCormick
- Institute of Neuroscience, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
- Department of Biology, University of Oregon, Eugene, OR, United States of America
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Toth M. The other side of the coin: Hypersociability. GENES BRAIN AND BEHAVIOR 2018; 18:e12512. [PMID: 30101538 DOI: 10.1111/gbb.12512] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2018] [Revised: 07/18/2018] [Accepted: 08/07/2018] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Affiliative social motivation and behavior, that is, sociability that includes attachment, prosocial behavior (sharing, caring and helping) and empathy (the ability to understand and share the feelings of others), has high variability in the human population, with a portion of people outside of the normal range. While psychiatric disorders and autism spectrum disorders are typically associated with a deficit in social behavior, the opposite trait of hypersociability and indiscriminate friendliness are exhibited by individual with specific neurodevelopmental disorders and following early adverse care. Here we discuss both genetic and environmental factors that cause or increase the risk for developing pathological hypersociability from human to rodent models.
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Affiliation(s)
- Miklos Toth
- Department of Pharmacology, Weill Cornell Medical College, New York, New York
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20
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Enhanced Operant Extinction and Prefrontal Excitability in a Mouse Model of Angelman Syndrome. J Neurosci 2018; 38:2671-2682. [PMID: 29431654 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2828-17.2018] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/29/2017] [Revised: 01/24/2018] [Accepted: 01/27/2018] [Indexed: 01/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Angelman syndrome (AS), a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with intellectual disability, is caused by loss of maternal allele expression of UBE3A in neurons. Mouse models of AS faithfully recapitulate disease phenotypes across multiple domains, including behavior. Yet in AS, there has been only limited study of behaviors encoded by the prefrontal cortex, a region broadly involved in executive function and cognition. Because cognitive impairment is a core feature of AS, it is critical to develop behavioral readouts of prefrontal circuit function in AS mouse models. One such readout is behavioral extinction, which has been well described mechanistically and relies upon prefrontal circuits in rodents. Here we report exaggerated operant extinction in male AS model mice, concomitant with enhanced excitability in medial prefrontal neurons from male and female AS model mice. Abnormal behavior was specific to operant extinction, as two other prefrontally dependent tasks (cued fear extinction and visuospatial discrimination) were largely normal in AS model mice. Inducible deletion of Ube3a during adulthood was not sufficient to drive abnormal extinction, supporting the hypothesis that there is an early critical period for development of cognitive phenotypes in AS. This work represents the first formal experimental analysis of prefrontal circuit function in AS, and identifies operant extinction as a useful experimental paradigm for modeling cognitive aspects of AS in mice.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Prefrontal cortex encodes "high-level" cognitive processes. Thus, understanding prefrontal function is critical in neurodevelopmental disorders where cognitive impairment is highly penetrant. Angelman syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder associated with speech and motor impairments, an outwardly happy demeanor, and intellectual disability. We describe a behavioral phenotype in a mouse model of Angelman syndrome and related abnormalities in prefrontal cortex function. We hypothesize that robust and reliable prefrontally encoded behavior may be used to model cognitive impairments in Angelman syndrome.
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