1
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Lu X, Ni P, Suarez-Meade P, Ma Y, Forrest EN, Wang G, Wang Y, Quiñones-Hinojosa A, Gerstein M, Jiang YH. Transcriptional determinism and stochasticity contribute to the complexity of autism-associated SHANK family genes. Cell Rep 2024; 43:114376. [PMID: 38900637 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2024.114376] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2024] [Revised: 05/08/2024] [Accepted: 05/31/2024] [Indexed: 06/22/2024] Open
Abstract
Precision of transcription is critical because transcriptional dysregulation is disease causing. Traditional methods of transcriptional profiling are inadequate to elucidate the full spectrum of the transcriptome, particularly for longer and less abundant mRNAs. SHANK3 is one of the most common autism causative genes. Twenty-four Shank3-mutant animal lines have been developed for autism modeling. However, their preclinical validity has been questioned due to incomplete Shank3 transcript structure. We apply an integrative approach combining cDNA-capture and long-read sequencing to profile the SHANK3 transcriptome in humans and mice. We unexpectedly discover an extremely complex SHANK3 transcriptome. Specific SHANK3 transcripts are altered in Shank3-mutant mice and postmortem brain tissues from individuals with autism spectrum disorder. The enhanced SHANK3 transcriptome significantly improves the detection rate for potential deleterious variants from genomics studies of neuropsychiatric disorders. Our findings suggest that both deterministic and stochastic transcription of the genome is associated with SHANK family genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Lu
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Pengyu Ni
- Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | | | - Yu Ma
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | - Emily Niemitz Forrest
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Guilin Wang
- Keck Microarray Shared Resource, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai 201102, China
| | | | - Mark Gerstein
- Program in Computational Biology and Bioinformatics, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Molecular Biophysics and Biochemistry, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Computer Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Statistics and Data Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Department of Biomedical Informatics & Data Science, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06520, USA
| | - Yong-Hui Jiang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA; Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520, USA.
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2
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Okuzono S, Fujii F, Setoyama D, Taira R, Shinmyo Y, Kato H, Masuda K, Yonemoto K, Akamine S, Matsushita Y, Motomura Y, Sakurai T, Kawasaki H, Han K, Kato TA, Torisu H, Kang D, Nakabeppu Y, Ohga S, Sakai Y. An N-terminal and ankyrin repeat domain interactome of Shank3 identifies the protein complex with the splicing regulator Nono in mice. Genes Cells 2024. [PMID: 38964745 DOI: 10.1111/gtc.13142] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/05/2023] [Revised: 06/17/2024] [Accepted: 06/20/2024] [Indexed: 07/06/2024]
Abstract
An autism-associated gene Shank3 encodes multiple splicing isoforms, Shank3a-f. We have recently reported that Shank3a/b-knockout mice were more susceptible to kainic acid-induced seizures than wild-type mice at 4 weeks of age. Little is known, however, about how the N-terminal and ankyrin repeat domains (NT-Ank) of Shank3a/b regulate multiple molecular signals in the developing brain. To explore the functional roles of Shank3a/b, we performed a mass spectrometry-based proteomic search for proteins interacting with GFP-tagged NT-Ank. In this study, NT-Ank was predicted to form a variety of complexes with a total of 348 proteins, in which RNA-binding (n = 102), spliceosome (n = 22), and ribosome-associated molecules (n = 9) were significantly enriched. Among them, an X-linked intellectual disability-associated protein, Nono, was identified as a NT-Ank-binding protein. Coimmunoprecipitation assays validated the interaction of Shank3 with Nono in the mouse brain. In agreement with these data, the thalamus of Shank3a/b-knockout mice aberrantly expressed splicing isoforms of autism-associated genes, Nrxn1 and Eif4G1, before and after seizures with kainic acid treatment. These data indicate that Shank3 interacts with multiple RNA-binding proteins in the postnatal brain, thereby regulating the homeostatic expression of splicing isoforms for autism-associated genes after birth.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayaka Okuzono
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
- Section of Pediatrics, Department of Medicine, Fukuoka Dental College, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Fumihiko Fujii
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Daiki Setoyama
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Ryoji Taira
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yohei Shinmyo
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Hiroki Kato
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology and Oral Anatomy, Graduate School of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Keiji Masuda
- Section of Oral Medicine for Children, Division of Oral Health, Growth and Development, Faculty of Dental Science, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Kousuke Yonemoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Satoshi Akamine
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yuki Matsushita
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yoshitomo Motomura
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Takeshi Sakurai
- Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kawasaki
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa, Japan
| | - Kihoon Han
- Department of Neuroscience, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Takahiro A Kato
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Torisu
- Section of Pediatrics, Department of Medicine, Fukuoka Dental College, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Dongchon Kang
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yusaku Nakabeppu
- Division of Neurofunctional Genomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Shouichi Ohga
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
| | - Yasunari Sakai
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka, Japan
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3
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Lai W, Zhao Y, Chen Y, Dai Z, Chen R, Niu Y, Chen X, Chen S, Huang G, Shan Z, Zheng J, Hu Y, Chen Q, Gong S, Kang S, Guo H, Ma X, Song Y, Xia K, Wang J, Zhou L, So KF, Wang K, Qiu S, Zhang L, Chen J, Shi L. Autism patient-derived SHANK2B Y29X mutation affects the development of ALDH1A1 negative dopamine neuron. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02578-6. [PMID: 38704506 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02578-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2023] [Revised: 04/18/2024] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 05/06/2024]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) encompasses a range of neurodevelopmental conditions. Different mutations on a single ASD gene contribute to heterogeneity of disease phenotypes, possibly due to functional diversity of generated isoforms. SHANK2, a causative gene in ASD, demonstrates this phenomenon, but there is a scarcity of tools for studying endogenous SHANK2 proteins in an isoform-specific manner. Here, we report a point mutation on SHANK2, which is found in a patient with autism, located on exon of the SHANK2B transcript variant (NM_133266.5), hereby SHANK2BY29X. This mutation results in an early stop codon and an aberrant splicing event that impacts SHANK2 transcript variants distinctly. Induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSCs) carrying this mutation, from the patient or isogenic editing, fail to differentiate into functional dopamine (DA) neurons, which can be rescued by genetic correction. Available SMART-Seq single-cell data from human midbrain reveals the abundance of SHANK2B transcript in the ALDH1A1 negative DA neurons. We then show that SHANK2BY29X mutation primarily affects SHANK2B expression and ALDH1A1 negative DA neurons in vitro during early neuronal developmental stage. Mice knocked in with the identical mutation exhibit autistic-like behavior, decreased occupancy of ALDH1A1 negative DA neurons and decreased dopamine release in ventral tegmental area (VTA). Our study provides novel insights on a SHANK2 mutation derived from autism patient and highlights SHANK2B significance in ALDH1A1 negative DA neuron.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wanjing Lai
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yingying Zhao
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Yalan Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Zhenzhu Dai
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Ruhai Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yimei Niu
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Xiaoxia Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Shuting Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Guanqun Huang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Ziyun Shan
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
- University of Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100049, China
| | - Jiajun Zheng
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Yu Hu
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Qingpei Chen
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Siyi Gong
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Sai Kang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Hui Guo
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Xiaokuang Ma
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 850004, USA
| | - Youqiang Song
- School of Biomedical Sciences, University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong SAR, China
| | - Kun Xia
- Center for Medical Genetics, School of Life Sciences, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan, 410008, China
| | - Jie Wang
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Libing Zhou
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Kwok-Fai So
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China
| | - Kai Wang
- Raymond G. Perelman Center for Cellular and Molecular Therapeutics, Children's Hospital of Philadelphia, Philadelphia, PA, 19104, USA
| | - Shenfeng Qiu
- Basic Medical Sciences, University of Arizona College of Medicine-Phoenix, Phoenix, AZ, 850004, USA
| | - Li Zhang
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
| | - Jiekai Chen
- Center for Cell Lineage and Development, CAS Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, Guangdong Provincial Key Laboratory of Stem Cell and Regenerative Medicine, Joint School of Life Sciences, Guangzhou Medical University, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China.
- Centre for Regenerative Medicine and Health, Hong Kong Institute of Science & Innovation, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Hong Kong SAR, 999077, China.
| | - Lingling Shi
- Guangdong-Hongkong-Macau CNS Regeneration Institute of Jinan University, Key Laboratory of CNS Regeneration (Jinan University)-Ministry of Education, Guangdong Key Laboratory of Non-human Primate Research, Guangzhou, 510632, China.
- Department of Psychiatry, the First Affiliated Hospital of Jinan University, Guangzhou, Guangdong, 510632, China.
- Co-innovation Center of Neuro-regeneration, Nantong University, Nantong, Jiangsu, 226019, China.
- Department of Neurology, Hainan General Hospital (Hainan Affiliated Hospital of Hainan Medical University), Haikou, China.
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4
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Mitz AR, Boccuto L, Thurm A. Evidence for common mechanisms of pathology between SHANK3 and other genes of Phelan-McDermid syndrome. Clin Genet 2024; 105:459-469. [PMID: 38414139 PMCID: PMC11025605 DOI: 10.1111/cge.14503] [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: 11/06/2023] [Revised: 01/18/2024] [Accepted: 02/02/2024] [Indexed: 02/29/2024]
Abstract
Chromosome 22q13.3 deletion (Phelan-McDermid) syndrome (PMS, OMIM 606232) is a rare genetic condition that impacts neurodevelopment. PMS most commonly results from heterozygous contiguous gene deletions that include the SHANK3 gene or likely pathogenic variants of SHANK3 (PMS-SHANK3 related). Rarely, chromosomal rearrangements that spare SHANK3 share the same general phenotype (PMS-SHANK3 unrelated). Very recent human and model system studies of genes that likely contribute to the PMS phenotype point to overlap in gene functions associated with neurodevelopment, synaptic formation, stress/inflammation and regulation of gene expression. In this review of recent findings, we describe the functional overlaps between SHANK3 and six partner genes of 22q13.3 (PLXNB2, BRD1, CELSR1, PHF21B, SULT4A1, and TCF20), which suggest a model that explains the commonality between PMS-SHANK3 related and PMS-SHANK3 unrelated classes of PMS. These genes are likely not the only contributors to neurodevelopmental impairments in the region, but they are the best documented to date. The review provides evidence for the overlapping and likely synergistic contributions of these genes to the PMS phenotype.
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Affiliation(s)
- Andrew R. Mitz
- Laboratory of Neuropsychology, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Luigi Boccuto
- Healthcare Genetics and Genomics Interdisciplinary Doctoral Program, School of Nursing, College of Behavioral, Social and Health Sciences, Clemson University, Clemson, SC, USA
| | - Audrey Thurm
- Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Phenotyping Service, Office of the Clinical Director, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
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Lu X, Ni P, Suarez-Meade P, Ma Y, Forrest EN, Wang G, Wang Y, Quiñones-Hinojosa A, Gerstein M, Jiang YH. Transcriptional Determinism and Stochasticity Contribute to the Complexity of Autism Associated SHANK Family Genes. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.03.18.585480. [PMID: 38562714 PMCID: PMC10983920 DOI: 10.1101/2024.03.18.585480] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/04/2024]
Abstract
Precision of transcription is critical because transcriptional dysregulation is disease causing. Traditional methods of transcriptional profiling are inadequate to elucidate the full spectrum of the transcriptome, particularly for longer and less abundant mRNAs. SHANK3 is one of the most common autism causative genes. Twenty-four Shank3 mutant animal lines have been developed for autism modeling. However, their preclinical validity has been questioned due to incomplete Shank3 transcript structure. We applied an integrative approach combining cDNA-capture and long-read sequencing to profile the SHANK3 transcriptome in human and mice. We unexpectedly discovered an extremely complex SHANK3 transcriptome. Specific SHANK3 transcripts were altered in Shank3 mutant mice and postmortem brains tissues from individuals with ASD. The enhanced SHANK3 transcriptome significantly improved the detection rate for potential deleterious variants from genomics studies of neuropsychiatric disorders. Our findings suggest the stochastic transcription of genome associated with SHANK family genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaona Lu
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine New Haven, CT, 06520 USA
| | - Pengyu Ni
- Biomedical Informatics & Data Science, Yale University School of Medicine New Haven, CT, 06520 USA
| | | | - Yu Ma
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102 China
| | | | - Guilin Wang
- Yale Center for Genome Analysis, Yale University School of Medicine New Haven, CT, 06520 USA
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Children’s Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, 201102 China
| | | | - Mark Gerstein
- Biomedical Informatics & Data Science, Yale University School of Medicine New Haven, CT, 06520 USA
- Yale Center for Genome Analysis, Yale University School of Medicine New Haven, CT, 06520 USA
| | - Yong-hui Jiang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine New Haven, CT, 06520 USA
- Neuroscienc, Yale University School of Medicine New Haven, CT, 06520 USA
- Pediatrics, Yale University School of Medicine New Haven, CT, 06520 USA
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Ryndych D, Sebold A, Strassburg A, Li Y, Ramos RL, Otazu GH. Haploinsufficiency of Shank3 in Mice Selectively Impairs Target Odor Recognition in Novel Background Odors. J Neurosci 2023; 43:7799-7811. [PMID: 37739796 PMCID: PMC10648539 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0255-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/09/2023] [Revised: 07/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/13/2023] [Indexed: 09/24/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with mutations in a single copy of the SHANK3 gene present with social interaction deficits. Although social behavior in mice depends on olfaction, mice with mutations in a single copy of the Shank3 gene do not have olfactory deficits in simple odor identification tasks (Drapeau et al., 2018). Here, we tested olfaction in mice with mutations in a single copy of the Shank3 gene (Peça et al., 2011) using a complex odor task and imaging in awake mice. Average glomerular responses in the olfactory bulb of Shank3B +/- were correlated with WT mice. However, there was increased trial-to-trial variability in the odor responses for Shank3B +/- mice. Simulations demonstrated that this increased variability could affect odor detection in novel environments. To test whether performance was affected by the increased variability, we tested target odor recognition in the presence of novel background odors using a recently developed task (Li et al., 2023). Head-fixed mice were trained to detect target odors in the presence of known background odors. Performance was tested using catch trials where the known background odors were replaced by novel background odors. We compared the performance of eight Shank3B +/- mice (five males, three females) on this task with six WT mice (three males, three females). Performance for known background odors and learning rates were similar between Shank3B +/- and WT mice. However, when tested with novel background odors, the performance of Shank3B +/- mice dropped to almost chance levels. Thus, haploinsufficiency of the Shank3 gene causes a specific deficit in odor detection in novel environments. Our results are discussed in the context of other Shank3 mouse models and have implications for understanding olfactory function in neurodevelopmental disorders.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT People and mice with mutations in a single copy in the synaptic gene Shank3 show features seen in autism spectrum disorders, including social interaction deficits. Although mice social behavior uses olfaction, mice with mutations in a single copy of Shank3 have so far not shown olfactory deficits when tested using simple tasks. Here, we used a recently developed task to show that these mice could identify odors in the presence of known background odors as well as wild-type mice. However, their performance fell below that of wild-type mice when challenged with novel background odors. This deficit was also previously reported in the Cntnap2 mouse model of autism, suggesting that odor detection in novel backgrounds is a general deficit across mouse models of autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Darya Ryndych
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, New York 11568
| | - Alison Sebold
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, New York 11568
| | - Alyssa Strassburg
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, New York 11568
| | - Yan Li
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, New York 11568
| | - Raddy L Ramos
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, New York 11568
| | - Gonzalo H Otazu
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, New York Institute of Technology College of Osteopathic Medicine, Old Westbury, New York 11568
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7
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Woelfle S, Pedro MT, Wagner J, Schön M, Boeckers TM. Expression profiles of the autism-related SHANK proteins in the human brain. BMC Biol 2023; 21:254. [PMID: 37953224 PMCID: PMC10641957 DOI: 10.1186/s12915-023-01712-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2023] [Accepted: 09/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/14/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND SHANKs are major scaffolding proteins at postsynaptic densities (PSDs) in the central nervous system. Mutations in all three family members have been associated with neurodevelopmental disorders such as autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). Despite the pathophysiological importance of SHANK2 and SHANK3 mutations in humans, research on the expression of these proteins is mostly based on rodent model organisms. RESULTS In the present study, cellular and neuropil SHANK2 expression was analyzed by immunofluorescence (IF) staining of post mortem human brain tissue from four male individuals (19 brain regions). Mouse brains were analyzed in comparison to evaluate the degree of phylogenetic conservation. Furthermore, SHANK2 and SHANK3 isoform patterns were compared in human and mouse brain lysates. While isoform expression and subcellular distribution were largely conserved, differences in neuropil levels of SHANK2 were found by IF staining: Maximum expression was concordantly measured in the cerebellum; however, higher SHANK2 expression was detected in the human brainstem and thalamus when compared to mice. One of the lowest SHANK2 levels was found in the human amygdala, a moderately expressing region in mouse. Quantification of SHANK3 IF in mouse brains unveiled a distribution comparable to humans. CONCLUSIONS In summary, these data show that the overall expression pattern of SHANK is largely conserved in defined brain regions; however, differences do exist, which need to be considered in the translation of rodent studies. The summarized expression patterns of SHANK2 and SHANK3 should serve as a reference for future studies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Woelfle
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Maria T Pedro
- Department of Neurosurgery, Ulm University, Campus Günzburg, Lindenallee 2, 89312, Günzburg, Germany
| | - Jan Wagner
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University and Universitäts- and Rehabilitationskliniken Ulm, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Michael Schön
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
- Deutsches Zentrum Für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen, DZNE, Ulm Site, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
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8
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Chang HW, Hsu MJ, Chien LN, Chi NF, Yu MC, Chen HC, Lin YF, Hu CJ. Role of the Autism Risk Gene Shank3 in the Development of Atherosclerosis: Insights from Big Data and Mechanistic Analyses. Cells 2023; 12:2546. [PMID: 37947623 PMCID: PMC10647789 DOI: 10.3390/cells12212546] [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: 09/07/2023] [Revised: 10/20/2023] [Accepted: 10/25/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Increased medical attention is needed as the prevalence of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) rises. Both cardiovascular disorder (CVD) and hyperlipidemia are closely associated with adult ASD. Shank3 plays a key genetic role in ASD. We hypothesized that Shank3 contributes to CVD development in young adults with ASD. In this study, we investigated whether Shank3 facilitates the development of atherosclerosis. Using Gene Set Enrichment Analysis software (Version No.: GSEA-4.0.3), we analyzed the data obtained from Shank3 knockout mice (Gene Expression Omnibus database), a human population-based study cohort (from Taiwan's National Health Insurance Research Database), and a Shank3 knockdown cellular model. Shank3 knockout upregulated the expression of genes of cholesterol homeostasis and fatty acid metabolism but downregulated the expression of genes associated with inflammatory responses. Individuals with autism had higher risks of hyperlipidemia (adjusted hazard ratio (aHR): 1.39; p < 0.001), major adverse cardiac events (aHR: 2.67; p < 0.001), and stroke (aHR: 3.55; p < 0.001) than age- and sex-matched individuals without autism did. Shank3 downregulation suppressed tumor necrosis factor-α-induced fatty acid synthase expression; vascular cell adhesion molecule 1 expression; and downstream signaling pathways involving p38, Jun N-terminal kinase, and nuclear factor-κB. Thus, Shank3 may influence the development of early-onset atherosclerosis and CVD in ASD. Furthermore, regulating Shank3 expression may reduce inflammation-related disorders, such as atherosclerosis, by inhibiting tumor necrosis factor-alpha-mediated inflammatory cascades.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hsiu-Wen Chang
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
- Department of Neurology, Sijhih Cathay General Hospital, New Taipei City 22174, Taiwan
| | - Ming-Jen Hsu
- Graduate Institute of Medical Sciences, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan (H.-C.C.)
| | - Li-Nien Chien
- Institute of Health and Welfare Policy, National Yang Ming Chiao Tung University, Taipei 11221, Taiwan;
| | - Nai-Fang Chi
- Department of Neurology, Neurological Institute, Taipei Veterans General Hospital, Taipei 11267, Taiwan;
| | - Meng-Chieh Yu
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan (H.-C.C.)
| | - Hsiu-Chen Chen
- Department of Pharmacology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan (H.-C.C.)
| | - Yuan-Feng Lin
- Graduate Institute of Clinical Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan;
- Cell Physiology and Molecular Image Research Center, Wan Fang Hospital, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11696, Taiwan
| | - Chaur-Jong Hu
- Department of Neurology, Shuang Ho Hospital, Taipei Medical University, New Taipei City 23561, Taiwan
- Taipei Neuroscience Institute, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
- Department of Neurology, School of Medicine, College of Medicine, Taipei Medical University, Taipei 11031, Taiwan
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9
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Dhossche D, de Billy C, Laurent-Levinson C, Le Normand MT, Recasens C, Robel L, Philippe A. Early-onset catatonia associated with SHANK3 mutations: looking at the autism spectrum through the prism of psychomotor phenomena. Front Psychiatry 2023; 14:1186555. [PMID: 37810596 PMCID: PMC10557257 DOI: 10.3389/fpsyt.2023.1186555] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 08/04/2023] [Indexed: 10/10/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Individuals with Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) present with a wide range of diagnoses: autism spectrum disorder, intellectual disability, or schizophrenia. Differences in the genetic background could explain these different neurodevelopmental trajectories. However, a more parsimonious hypothesis is to consider that they may be the same phenotypic entity. Catatonic disturbances occasionally reported from adolescence onwards in PMS prompts exploration of the hypothesis that this clinical entity may be an early-onset form of catatonia. The largest cohort of children with childhood catatonia was studied by the Wernicke-Kleist-Leonhard school (WKL school), which regards catatonia as a collection of qualitative abnormalities of psychomotricity that predominantly affecting involuntary motricity (reactive and expressive). The aim of this study was to investigate the presence of psychomotor signs in three young adults carrying a mutation or intragenic deletion of the SHANK3 gene through the prism of the WKL school conception of catatonia. Methods This study was designed as an exploratory case study. Current and childhood psychomotor phenomena were investigated through semi-structured interviews with the parents, direct interaction with the participants, and the study of documents reporting observations of the participants at school or by other healthcare professionals. Results The findings show catatonic manifestations from childhood that evolved into a chronic form, with possible phases of sub-acute exacerbations starting from adolescence. Conclusion The presence of catatonic symptoms from childhood associated with autistic traits leads us to consider that this singular entity fundamentally related to SHANK3 mutations could be a form of early-onset catatonia. Further case studies are needed to confirm our observations.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dirk Dhossche
- Department of Adolescent Psychiatry, Inland Northwest Behavioral Health, Spokane, WA, United States
| | - Clément de Billy
- CEMNIS – Noninvasive Neuromodulation Center, University Hospital Strasbourg, Strasbourg, France
| | - Claudine Laurent-Levinson
- Faculté de Médecine Sorbonne Université, Groupe de Recherche Clinique no. 15 – Troubles Psychiatriques et Développement (PSYDEV), Paris, France
- Centre de Référence des Maladies Rares à Expression Psychiatrique, Département de Psychiatrie de l’enfant et l’adolescent, Hôpital Pitié-Salpétrière, Paris, France
| | - Marie T. Le Normand
- Institut de l’Audition, Institut Pasteur, Paris, France
- Laboratoire de Psychopathologie et Processus de Santé, Université de Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Christophe Recasens
- Service universitaire de Psychiatrie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent, Centre hospitalier Intercommunal de Créteil, Créteil, France
| | - Laurence Robel
- Unité de Psychopathologie de l’Enfant et de l’Adolescent, GHU Paris, Psychiatrie et Neurosciences, Hôpital Sainte Anne, Paris, France
| | - Anne Philippe
- Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- INSERM U1163 Institut Imagine, Paris, France
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10
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Tian R, Li Y, Zhao H, Lyu W, Zhao J, Wang X, Lu H, Xu H, Ren W, Tan QQ, Shi Q, Wang GD, Zhang YP, Lai L, Mi J, Jiang YH, Zhang YQ. Modeling SHANK3-associated autism spectrum disorder in Beagle dogs via CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:3739-3750. [PMID: 37848710 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-023-02276-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/18/2023] [Revised: 08/30/2023] [Accepted: 09/14/2023] [Indexed: 10/19/2023]
Abstract
Despite intensive studies in modeling neuropsychiatric disorders especially autism spectrum disorder (ASD) in animals, many challenges remain. Genetic mutant mice have contributed substantially to the current understanding of the molecular and neural circuit mechanisms underlying ASD. However, the translational value of ASD mouse models in preclinical studies is limited to certain aspects of the disease due to the apparent differences in brain and behavior between rodents and humans. Non-human primates have been used to model ASD in recent years. However, a low reproduction rate due to a long reproductive cycle and a single birth per pregnancy, and an extremely high cost prohibit a wide use of them in preclinical studies. Canine model is an appealing alternative because of its complex and effective dog-human social interactions. In contrast to non-human primates, dog has comparable drug metabolism as humans and a high reproduction rate. In this study, we aimed to model ASD in experimental dogs by manipulating the Shank3 gene as SHANK3 mutations are one of most replicated genetic defects identified from ASD patients. Using CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing, we successfully generated and characterized multiple lines of Beagle Shank3 (bShank3) mutants that have been propagated for a few generations. We developed and validated a battery of behavioral assays that can be used in controlled experimental setting for mutant dogs. bShank3 mutants exhibited distinct and robust social behavior deficits including social withdrawal and reduced social interactions with humans, and heightened anxiety in different experimental settings (n = 27 for wild-type controls and n = 44 for mutants). We demonstrate the feasibility of producing a large number of mutant animals in a reasonable time frame. The robust and unique behavioral findings support the validity and value of a canine model to investigate the pathophysiology and develop treatments for ASD and potentially other psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Tian
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, and CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Yuan Li
- Beijing Sinogene Biotechnology Co. Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Hui Zhao
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, and CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Wen Lyu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, and CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Jianping Zhao
- Beijing Sinogene Biotechnology Co. Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Xiaomin Wang
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Heng Lu
- Department of Life Science and Medicine, University of Science and Technology of China, Hefei, 230022, China
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, and Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Huijuan Xu
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, and CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Wei Ren
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, and CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qing-Quan Tan
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, and CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Qi Shi
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, and CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China
| | - Guo-Dong Wang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, and Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Ya-Ping Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Genetic Resources and Evolution, and Center for Excellence in Animal Evolution and Genetics, Kunming Institute of Zoology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Kunming, 650201, China
| | - Liangxue Lai
- Key Laboratory of Regenerative Biology, South China Institute for Stem Cell Biology and Regenerative Medicine, Guangzhou Institutes of Biomedicine and Health, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Guangzhou, 510530, China
| | - Jidong Mi
- Beijing Sinogene Biotechnology Co. Ltd, Beijing, China
| | - Yong-Hui Jiang
- Department of Genetics and Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT, 06510, USA.
| | - Yong Q Zhang
- State Key Laboratory of Molecular Developmental Biology, and CAS Center for Excellence in Brain Science and Intelligence Technology, Institute of Genetics and Developmental Biology, Chinese Academy of Sciences, Beijing, 100101, China.
- School of Life Sciences, Hubei University, Wuhan, China.
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11
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Molloy CJ, Cooke J, Gatford NJF, Rivera-Olvera A, Avazzadeh S, Homberg JR, Grandjean J, Fernandes C, Shen S, Loth E, Srivastava DP, Gallagher L. Bridging the translational gap: what can synaptopathies tell us about autism? Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1191323. [PMID: 37441676 PMCID: PMC10333541 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1191323] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/21/2023] [Accepted: 05/24/2023] [Indexed: 07/15/2023] Open
Abstract
Multiple molecular pathways and cellular processes have been implicated in the neurobiology of autism and other neurodevelopmental conditions. There is a current focus on synaptic gene conditions, or synaptopathies, which refer to clinical conditions associated with rare genetic variants disrupting genes involved in synaptic biology. Synaptopathies are commonly associated with autism and developmental delay and may be associated with a range of other neuropsychiatric outcomes. Altered synaptic biology is suggested by both preclinical and clinical studies in autism based on evidence of differences in early brain structural development and altered glutamatergic and GABAergic neurotransmission potentially perturbing excitatory and inhibitory balance. This review focusses on the NRXN-NLGN-SHANK pathway, which is implicated in the synaptic assembly, trans-synaptic signalling, and synaptic functioning. We provide an overview of the insights from preclinical molecular studies of the pathway. Concentrating on NRXN1 deletion and SHANK3 mutations, we discuss emerging understanding of cellular processes and electrophysiology from induced pluripotent stem cells (iPSC) models derived from individuals with synaptopathies, neuroimaging and behavioural findings in animal models of Nrxn1 and Shank3 synaptic gene conditions, and key findings regarding autism features, brain and behavioural phenotypes from human clinical studies of synaptopathies. The identification of molecular-based biomarkers from preclinical models aims to advance the development of targeted therapeutic treatments. However, it remains challenging to translate preclinical animal models and iPSC studies to interpret human brain development and autism features. We discuss the existing challenges in preclinical and clinical synaptopathy research, and potential solutions to align methodologies across preclinical and clinical research. Bridging the translational gap between preclinical and clinical studies will be necessary to understand biological mechanisms, to identify targeted therapies, and ultimately to progress towards personalised approaches for complex neurodevelopmental conditions such as autism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ciara J. Molloy
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Jennifer Cooke
- Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Nicholas J. F. Gatford
- Kavli Institute for Nanoscience Discovery, Nuffield Department of Clinical Neurosciences, University of Oxford, Medical Sciences Division, Oxford, United Kingdom
| | - Alejandro Rivera-Olvera
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Sahar Avazzadeh
- Physiology and Cellular Physiology Research Laboratory, CÚRAM SFI Centre for Research in Medical Devices, School of Medicine, Human Biology Building, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
| | - Judith R. Homberg
- Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition, and Behaviour, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Joanes Grandjean
- Physiology and Cellular Physiology Research Laboratory, CÚRAM SFI Centre for Research in Medical Devices, School of Medicine, Human Biology Building, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- Department of Medical Imaging, Radboud University Medical Centre, Nijmegen, Netherlands
| | - Cathy Fernandes
- Social, Genetic and Developmental Psychiatry Centre, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Sanbing Shen
- Regenerative Medicine Institute, School of Medicine, University of Galway, Galway, Ireland
- FutureNeuro, The SFI Research Centre for Chronic and Rare Neurological Diseases, Royal College of Surgeons, Dublin, Ireland
| | - Eva Loth
- Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Deepak P. Srivastava
- MRC Centre for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
- Department of Basic and Clinical Neuroscience, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King’s College London, London, United Kingdom
| | - Louise Gallagher
- Department of Psychiatry, School of Medicine, Trinity College Dublin, Dublin, Ireland
- The Hospital for SickKids, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Peter Gilgan Centre for Research and Learning, SickKids Research Institute, Toronto, ON, Canada
- The Centre for Addiction and Mental Health, Toronto, ON, Canada
- Department of Psychiatry, Temerty Faculty of Medicine, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada
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12
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Ferhat AT, Verpy E, Biton A, Forget B, De Chaumont F, Mueller F, Le Sourd AM, Coqueran S, Schmitt J, Rochefort C, Rondi-Reig L, Leboucher A, Boland A, Fin B, Deleuze JF, Boeckers TM, Ey E, Bourgeron T. Excessive self-grooming, gene dysregulation and imbalance between the striosome and matrix compartments in the striatum of Shank3 mutant mice. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1139118. [PMID: 37008785 PMCID: PMC10061084 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1139118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/06/2023] [Accepted: 02/16/2023] [Indexed: 03/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism is characterized by atypical social communication and stereotyped behaviors. Mutations in the gene encoding the synaptic scaffolding protein SHANK3 are detected in 1–2% of patients with autism and intellectual disability, but the mechanisms underpinning the symptoms remain largely unknown. Here, we characterized the behavior of Shank3Δ11/Δ11 mice from 3 to 12 months of age. We observed decreased locomotor activity, increased stereotyped self-grooming and modification of socio-sexual interaction compared to wild-type littermates. We then used RNAseq on four brain regions of the same animals to identify differentially expressed genes (DEGs). DEGs were identified mainly in the striatum and were associated with synaptic transmission (e.g., Grm2, Dlgap1), G-protein-signaling pathways (e.g., Gnal, Prkcg1, and Camk2g), as well as excitation/inhibition balance (e.g., Gad2). Downregulated and upregulated genes were enriched in the gene clusters of medium-sized spiny neurons expressing the dopamine 1 (D1-MSN) and the dopamine 2 receptor (D2-MSN), respectively. Several DEGs (Cnr1, Gnal, Gad2, and Drd4) were reported as striosome markers. By studying the distribution of the glutamate decarboxylase GAD65, encoded by Gad2, we showed that the striosome compartment of Shank3Δ11/Δ11 mice was enlarged and displayed much higher expression of GAD65 compared to wild-type mice. Altogether, these results indicate altered gene expression in the striatum of Shank3-deficient mice and strongly suggest, for the first time, that the excessive self-grooming of these mice is related to an imbalance in the striatal striosome and matrix compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Allain-Thibeault Ferhat
- Génétique Humaine et Fonctions Cognitives, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3571, IUF, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University Irving Medical Center, New York, NY, United States
- Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY, United States
- *Correspondence: Allain-Thibeault Ferhat,
| | - Elisabeth Verpy
- Génétique Humaine et Fonctions Cognitives, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3571, IUF, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Anne Biton
- Bioinformatics and Biostatistics Hub, Institut Pasteur, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Benoît Forget
- Génétique Humaine et Fonctions Cognitives, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3571, IUF, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Fabrice De Chaumont
- Génétique Humaine et Fonctions Cognitives, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3571, IUF, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Florian Mueller
- Imagerie et Modélisation, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3691, Paris, France
| | - Anne-Marie Le Sourd
- Génétique Humaine et Fonctions Cognitives, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3571, IUF, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Sabrina Coqueran
- Génétique Humaine et Fonctions Cognitives, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3571, IUF, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Julien Schmitt
- Cerebellum Navigation and Memory Team, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Neurosciences Paris Seine, CNRS UMR 8246, Inserm UMR-S 1130, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Christelle Rochefort
- Cerebellum Navigation and Memory Team, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Neurosciences Paris Seine, CNRS UMR 8246, Inserm UMR-S 1130, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Laure Rondi-Reig
- Cerebellum Navigation and Memory Team, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Neurosciences Paris Seine, CNRS UMR 8246, Inserm UMR-S 1130, Sorbonne Université, Paris, France
| | - Aziliz Leboucher
- Génétique Humaine et Fonctions Cognitives, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3571, IUF, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
| | - Anne Boland
- Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Bertrand Fin
- Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
| | - Jean-François Deleuze
- Centre National de Recherche en Génomique Humaine, CEA, Université Paris-Saclay, Evry, France
- Centre d’Étude du Polymorphisme Humain, Paris, France
| | - Tobias M. Boeckers
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen, Ulm, Germany
| | - Elodie Ey
- Génétique Humaine et Fonctions Cognitives, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3571, IUF, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Institut de Génétique et de Biologie Moléculaire et Cellulaire, CNRS UMR 7104, Inserm UMR-S 1258, Université de Strasbourg, Illkirch-Graffenstaden, France
| | - Thomas Bourgeron
- Génétique Humaine et Fonctions Cognitives, Institut Pasteur, CNRS UMR 3571, IUF, Université Paris Cité, Paris, France
- Thomas Bourgeron,
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13
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Okuzono S, Fujii F, Matsushita Y, Setoyama D, Shinmyo Y, Taira R, Yonemoto K, Akamine S, Motomura Y, Sanefuji M, Sakurai T, Kawasaki H, Han K, Kato TA, Torisu H, Kang D, Nakabeppu Y, Sakai Y, Ohga S. Shank3a/b isoforms regulate the susceptibility to seizures and thalamocortical development in the early postnatal period of mice. Neurosci Res 2023:S0168-0102(23)00051-2. [PMID: 36871873 DOI: 10.1016/j.neures.2023.03.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/19/2022] [Revised: 02/19/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 03/07/2023]
Abstract
Epileptic seizures are distinct but frequent comorbidities in children with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The hyperexcitability of cortical and subcortical neurons appears to be involved in both phenotypes. However, little information is available concerning which genes are involved and how they regulate the excitability of the thalamocortical network. In this study, we investigate whether an ASD-associated gene, SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (Shank3), plays a unique role in the postnatal development of thalamocortical neurons. We herein report that Shank3a/b, the splicing isoforms of mouse Shank3, were uniquely expressed in the thalamic nuclei, peaking from two to four weeks after birth. Shank3a/b-knockout mice showed lower parvalbumin signals in the thalamic nuclei. Consistently, Shank3a/b-knockout mice were more susceptible to generalized seizures than wild-type mice after kainic acid treatments. Together, these data indicate that NT-Ank domain of Shank3a/b regulates molecular pathways that protect thalamocortical neurons from hyperexcitability during the early postnatal period of mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sayaka Okuzono
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan; Section of Pediatrics, Department of Medicine, Fukuoka Dental College, Fukuoka 814-0193, Japan
| | - Fumihiko Fujii
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yuki Matsushita
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Daiki Setoyama
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yohei Shinmyo
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan
| | - Ryoji Taira
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Kousuke Yonemoto
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Satoshi Akamine
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yoshitomo Motomura
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Masafumi Sanefuji
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Takeshi Sakurai
- Medical Innovation Center, Kyoto University Graduate School of Medicine, Kyoto 606-8507, Japan
| | - Hiroshi Kawasaki
- Department of Medical Neuroscience, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kanazawa University, Kanazawa 920-8640, Japan
| | - Kihoon Han
- Department of Neuroscience, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul 02841, Republic of Korea
| | - Takahiro A Kato
- Department of Neuropsychiatry, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Hiroyuki Torisu
- Section of Pediatrics, Department of Medicine, Fukuoka Dental College, Fukuoka 814-0193, Japan
| | - Dongchon Kang
- Department of Clinical Chemistry and Laboratory Medicine, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yusaku Nakabeppu
- Division of Neurofunctional Genomics, Medical Institute of Bioregulation, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
| | - Yasunari Sakai
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan.
| | - Shouichi Ohga
- Department of Pediatrics, Graduate School of Medical Sciences, Kyushu University, Fukuoka 812-8582, Japan
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14
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Huang M, Qi Q, Xu T. Targeting Shank3 deficiency and paresthesia in autism spectrum disorder: A brief review. Front Mol Neurosci 2023; 16:1128974. [PMID: 36846568 PMCID: PMC9948097 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2023.1128974] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/21/2022] [Accepted: 01/18/2023] [Indexed: 02/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) includes a group of multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by impaired social communication, social interaction, and repetitive behaviors. Several studies have shown an association between cases of ASD and mutations in the genes of SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domain protein 3 (SHANK3). These genes encode many cell adhesion molecules, scaffold proteins, and proteins involved in synaptic transcription, protein synthesis, and degradation. They have a profound impact on all aspects of synaptic transmission and plasticity, including synapse formation and degeneration, suggesting that the pathogenesis of ASD may be partially attributable to synaptic dysfunction. In this review, we summarize the mechanism of synapses related to Shank3 in ASD. We also discuss the molecular, cellular, and functional studies of experimental models of ASD and current autism treatment methods targeting related proteins.
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Affiliation(s)
- Min Huang
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China,Department of Anesthesiology, Suzhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Qi Qi
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China,Department of Anesthesiology, Suzhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Suzhou, China
| | - Tao Xu
- Department of Anesthesiology, Sixth People’s Hospital Affiliated to Shanghai Jiao Tong University School of Medicine, Shanghai, China,Department of Anesthesiology, Suzhou Hospital of Anhui Medical University, Suzhou, China,*Correspondence: Tao Xu,
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15
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Bauer HF, Delling JP, Bockmann J, Boeckers TM, Schön M. Development of sex- and genotype-specific behavioral phenotypes in a Shank3 mouse model for neurodevelopmental disorders. Front Behav Neurosci 2023; 16:1051175. [PMID: 36699652 PMCID: PMC9868822 DOI: 10.3389/fnbeh.2022.1051175] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/22/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/11/2023] Open
Abstract
Individuals with a SHANK3-related neurodevelopmental disorder, also termed Phelan-McDermid syndrome or abbreviated as PMS, exhibit significant global developmental delay, language impairment, and muscular hypotonia. Also common are repetitive behaviors and altered social interactions, in line with a diagnosis of autism spectrum disorders. This study investigated the developmental aspect of autism-related behaviors and other phenotypes in a Shank3-transgenic mouse model. The animals underwent two sets of identical behavioral experiments, spanning motor skills, social and repetitive behavior, and cognition: baseline began at 5 weeks of age, corresponding to human adolescence, and the follow-up was initiated when aged 13 weeks, resembling early adulthood in humans. Interestingly, the animals displayed relatively stable phenotypes. Moreover, motor coordination and endurance were impaired, while muscle strength was unchanged. Surprisingly, the animals displayed only minor impairments in social behavior, but pronounced stereotypic and repetitive behaviors. Some behavioral tests indicated increased avoidance and anxiety. While spatial learning and memory were unchanged, knockout animals displayed slightly impaired cognitive flexibility. Female animals had similar abnormalities as males in the paradigms testing avoidance, anxiety, and cognition, but were less pathological in motor function and repetitive behavior. In all test paradigms, heterozygous Shank3 knockout animals had either no abnormal or a milder phenotype. Accurate characterization of animal models for genetic diseases is a prerequisite for understanding the pathophysiology. This is subsequently the basis for finding suitable and, ideally, translational biomarkers for therapeutic approaches and, thereby reducing the number of animals needed for preclinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
- Helen Friedericke Bauer
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany,International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine Ulm, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Jürgen Bockmann
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tobias M. Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany,Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Ulm Site, Ulm, Germany,*Correspondence: Tobias M. Boeckers,
| | - Michael Schön
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany,Michael Schön,
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16
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Kim Y, Ko TH, Jin C, Zhang Y, Kang HR, Ma R, Li H, Choi JI, Han K. The emerging roles of Shank3 in cardiac function and dysfunction. Front Cell Dev Biol 2023; 11:1191369. [PMID: 37187620 PMCID: PMC10175600 DOI: 10.3389/fcell.2023.1191369] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/22/2023] [Accepted: 04/17/2023] [Indexed: 05/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Shank3 is a member of the Shank family proteins (Shank1-3), which are abundantly present in the postsynaptic density (PSD) of neuronal excitatory synapses. As a core scaffold in the PSD, Shank3 plays a critical role in organizing the macromolecular complex, ensuring proper synaptic development and function. Clinically, various mutations of the SHANK3 gene are causally associated with brain disorders such as autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. However, recent in vitro and in vivo functional studies and expression profiling in various tissues and cell types suggest that Shank3 also plays a role in cardiac function and dysfunction. For example, Shank3 interacts with phospholipase Cβ1b (PLCβ1b) in cardiomyocytes, regulating its localization to the sarcolemma and its role in mediating Gq-induced signaling. In addition, changes in cardiac morphology and function associated with myocardial infarction and aging have been investigated in a few Shank3 mutant mouse models. This review highlights these results and potential underlying mechanisms, and predicts additional molecular functions of Shank3 based on its protein interactors in the PSD, which are also highly expressed and function in the heart. Finally, we provide perspectives and possible directions for future studies to better understand the roles of Shank3 in the heart.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yoonhee Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Tae Hee Ko
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine and Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Chunmei Jin
- Department of Neuroscience, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Yinhua Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyae Rim Kang
- Department of Neuroscience, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Ruiying Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Huiling Li
- Department of Neuroscience, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
| | - Jong-Il Choi
- Division of Cardiology, Department of Internal Medicine, Korea University College of Medicine and Korea University Anam Hospital, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- *Correspondence: Jong-Il Choi, ; Kihoon Han,
| | - Kihoon Han
- Department of Neuroscience, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- BK21 Graduate Program, Department of Biomedical Sciences, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
- *Correspondence: Jong-Il Choi, ; Kihoon Han,
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17
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Lee K, Mills Z, Cheung P, Cheyne JE, Montgomery JM. The Role of Zinc and NMDA Receptors in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Pharmaceuticals (Basel) 2022; 16:ph16010001. [PMID: 36678498 PMCID: PMC9866730 DOI: 10.3390/ph16010001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/01/2022] [Revised: 12/12/2022] [Accepted: 12/15/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
NMDA-type glutamate receptors are critical for synaptic plasticity in the central nervous system. Their unique properties and age-dependent arrangement of subunit types underpin their role as a coincidence detector of pre- and postsynaptic activity during brain development and maturation. NMDAR function is highly modulated by zinc, which is co-released with glutamate and concentrates in postsynaptic spines. Both NMDARs and zinc have been strongly linked to autism spectrum disorders (ASDs), suggesting that NMDARs are an important player in the beneficial effects observed with zinc in both animal models and children with ASDs. Significant evidence is emerging that these beneficial effects occur via zinc-dependent regulation of SHANK proteins, which form the backbone of the postsynaptic density. For example, dietary zinc supplementation enhances SHANK2 or SHANK3 synaptic recruitment and rescues NMDAR deficits and hypofunction in Shank3ex13-16-/- and Tbr1+/- ASD mice. Across multiple studies, synaptic changes occur in parallel with a reversal of ASD-associated behaviours, highlighting the zinc-dependent regulation of NMDARs and glutamatergic synapses as therapeutic targets for severe forms of ASDs, either pre- or postnatally. The data from rodent models set a strong foundation for future translational studies in human cells and people affected by ASDs.
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18
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Bouquier N, Sakkaki S, Raynaud F, Hemonnot-Girard AL, Seube V, Compan V, Bertaso F, Perroy J, Moutin E. The Shank3 Venus/Venus knock in mouse enables isoform-specific functional studies of Shank3a. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:1081010. [PMID: 36570823 PMCID: PMC9773256 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.1081010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/26/2022] [Accepted: 11/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
Background Shank3 is a scaffolding protein essential for the organization and function of the glutamatergic postsynapse. Monogenic mutations in SHANK3 gene are among the leading genetic causes of Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). The multiplicity of Shank3 isoforms seems to generate as much functional diversity and yet, there are no tools to study endogenous Shank3 proteins in an isoform-specific manner. Methods In this study, we created a novel transgenic mouse line, the Shank3Venus/Venus knock in mouse, which allows to monitor the endogenous expression of the major Shank3 isoform in the brain, the full-length Shank3a isoform. Results We show that the endogenous Venus-Shank3a protein is localized in spines and is mainly expressed in the striatum, hippocampus and cortex of the developing and adult brain. We show that Shank3Venus/+ and Shank3Venus/Venus mice have no behavioral deficiency. We further crossed Shank3Venus/Venus mice with Shank3ΔC/ΔC mice, a model of ASD, to track the Venus-tagged wild-type copy of Shank3a in physiological (Shank3Venus/+) and pathological (Shank3Venus/ΔC) conditions. We report a developmental delay in brain expression of the Venus-Shank3a isoform in Shank3Venus/ΔC mice, compared to Shank3Venus/+ control mice. Conclusion Altogether, our results show that the Shank3Venus/Venus mouse line is a powerful tool to study endogenous Shank3a expression, in physiological conditions and in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Nathalie Bouquier
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Sophie Sakkaki
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Fabrice Raynaud
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France,PhyMedExp, Univ Montpellier, INSERM, CNRS, CHU de Montpellier, Montpellier, France
| | | | - Vincent Seube
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Vincent Compan
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Federica Bertaso
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France
| | - Julie Perroy
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France,*Correspondence: Julie Perroy,
| | - Enora Moutin
- Institut de Génomique Fonctionnelle, Université de Montpellier, CNRS, INSERM, Montpellier, France,Enora Moutin,
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19
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SH3- and actin-binding domains connect ADNP and SHANK3, revealing a fundamental shared mechanism underlying autism. Mol Psychiatry 2022; 27:3316-3327. [PMID: 35538192 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01603-w] [Citation(s) in RCA: 24] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Revised: 04/21/2022] [Accepted: 04/26/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
De novo heterozygous mutations in activity-dependent neuroprotective protein (ADNP) cause autistic ADNP syndrome. ADNP mutations impair microtubule (MT) function, essential for synaptic activity. The ADNP MT-associating fragment NAPVSIPQ (called NAP) contains an MT end-binding protein interacting domain, SxIP (mimicking the active-peptide, SKIP). We hypothesized that not all ADNP mutations are similarly deleterious and that the NAPV portion of NAPVSIPQ is biologically active. Using the eukaryotic linear motif (ELM) resource, we identified a Src homology 3 (SH3) domain-ligand association site in NAP responsible for controlling signaling pathways regulating the cytoskeleton, namely NAPVSIP. Altogether, we mapped multiple SH3-binding sites in ADNP. Comparisons of the effects of ADNP mutations p.Glu830synfs*83, p.Lys408Valfs*31, p.Ser404* on MT dynamics and Tau interactions (live-cell fluorescence-microscopy) suggested spared toxic function in p.Lys408Valfs*31, with a regained SH3-binding motif due to the frameshift insertion. Site-directed-mutagenesis, abolishing the p.Lys408Valfs*31 SH3-binding motif, produced MT toxicity. NAP normalized MT activities in the face of all ADNP mutations, although, SKIP, missing the SH3-binding motif, showed reduced efficacy in terms of MT-Tau interactions, as compared with NAP. Lastly, SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains protein 3 (SHANK3), a major autism gene product, interact with the cytoskeleton through an actin-binding motif to modify behavior. Similarly, ELM analysis identified an actin-binding site on ADNP, suggesting direct SH3 and indirect SHANK3/ADNP associations. Actin co-immunoprecipitations from mouse brain extracts showed NAP-mediated normalization of Shank3-Adnp-actin interactions. Furthermore, NAP treatment ameliorated aberrant behavior in mice homozygous for the Shank3 ASD-linked InsG3680 mutation, revealing a fundamental shared mechanism between ADNP and SHANK3.
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20
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Jung S, Park M. Shank postsynaptic scaffolding proteins in autism spectrum disorder: Mouse models and their dysfunctions in behaviors, synapses, and molecules. Pharmacol Res 2022; 182:106340. [DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2022.106340] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/23/2022] [Revised: 06/29/2022] [Accepted: 06/30/2022] [Indexed: 01/03/2023]
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21
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Chaudry S, Vasudevan N. mTOR-Dependent Spine Dynamics in Autism. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:877609. [PMID: 35782388 PMCID: PMC9241970 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.877609] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/16/2022] [Accepted: 04/25/2022] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Conditions (ASC) are a group of neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by deficits in social communication and interaction as well as repetitive behaviors and restricted range of interests. ASC are complex genetic disorders with moderate to high heritability, and associated with atypical patterns of neural connectivity. Many of the genes implicated in ASC are involved in dendritic spine pruning and spine development, both of which can be mediated by the mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR) signaling pathway. Consistent with this idea, human postmortem studies have shown increased spine density in ASC compared to controls suggesting that the balance between autophagy and spinogenesis is altered in ASC. However, murine models of ASC have shown inconsistent results for spine morphology, which may underlie functional connectivity. This review seeks to establish the relevance of changes in dendritic spines in ASC using data gathered from rodent models. Using a literature survey, we identify 20 genes that are linked to dendritic spine pruning or development in rodents that are also strongly implicated in ASC in humans. Furthermore, we show that all 20 genes are linked to the mTOR pathway and propose that the mTOR pathway regulating spine dynamics is a potential mechanism underlying the ASC signaling pathway in ASC. We show here that the direction of change in spine density was mostly correlated to the upstream positive or negative regulation of the mTOR pathway and most rodent models of mutant mTOR regulators show increases in immature spines, based on morphological analyses. We further explore the idea that these mutations in these genes result in aberrant social behavior in rodent models that is due to these altered spine dynamics. This review should therefore pave the way for further research on the specific genes outlined, their effect on spine morphology or density with an emphasis on understanding the functional role of these changes in ASC.
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22
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Lutz AK, Bauer HF, Ioannidis V, Schön M, Boeckers TM. SHANK3 Antibody Validation: Differential Performance in Western Blotting, Immunocyto- and Immunohistochemistry. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2022; 14:890231. [PMID: 35734418 PMCID: PMC9207774 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2022.890231] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/05/2022] [Accepted: 05/02/2022] [Indexed: 11/24/2022] Open
Abstract
SHANK3 is a scaffolding protein implicated in autism spectrum disorders (ASD). Its function at excitatory glutamatergic synapses has been studied for the last two decades, however, tissue-specific expression patterns as well as its subcellular localization need to be studied in further detail. Especially the close sequence homology of SHANK3 to its protein family members SHANK2 and SHANK1 raises the emerging need for specific antibodies that are validated for the desired methodology. With this study, we aim to validate a set of commercial as well as homemade SHANK3 antibodies in Western Blotting, and synaptic immunocyto- and immunohistochemistry. We found that only a small subset of the antibodies included in this study meet the criteria of quality and specificity. Therefore, we aim to share our findings on SHANK3 antibody validation but also raise awareness of the necessity of antibody specificity testing in the field.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Kathrin Lutz
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | - Michael Schön
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tobias M. Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, Germany
- Deutsches Zentrum für Neurodegenerative Erkrankungen (DZNE), Ulm, Germany
- *Correspondence: Tobias M. Boeckers,
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23
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Chung C, Shin W, Kim E. Early and Late Corrections in Mouse Models of Autism Spectrum Disorder. Biol Psychiatry 2022; 91:934-944. [PMID: 34556257 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.07.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/27/2021] [Revised: 06/18/2021] [Accepted: 07/21/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental disorder characterized by social and repetitive symptoms. A key feature of ASD is early-life manifestations of symptoms, indicative of early pathophysiological mechanisms. In mouse models of ASD, increasing evidence indicates that there are early pathophysiological mechanisms that can be corrected early to prevent phenotypic defects in adults, overcoming the disadvantage of the short-lasting effects that characterize adult-initiated treatments. In addition, the results from gene restorations indicate that ASD-related phenotypes can be rescued in some cases even after the brain has fully matured. These results suggest that we need to consider both temporal and mechanistic aspects in studies of ASD models and carefully compare genetic and nongenetic corrections. Here, we summarize the early and late corrections in mouse models of ASD by genetic and pharmacological interventions and discuss how to better integrate these results to ensure efficient and long-lasting corrections for eventual clinical translation.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changuk Chung
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea; Department of Neurosciences, University of California San Diego, La Jolla, California
| | - Wangyong Shin
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea; Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea.
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24
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Panagiotakos G, Pasca SP. A matter of space and time: Emerging roles of disease-associated proteins in neural development. Neuron 2022; 110:195-208. [PMID: 34847355 PMCID: PMC8776599 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2021.10.035] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/24/2021] [Revised: 10/11/2021] [Accepted: 10/25/2021] [Indexed: 01/21/2023]
Abstract
Recent genetic studies of neurodevelopmental disorders point to synaptic proteins and ion channels as key contributors to disease pathogenesis. Although many of these proteins, such as the L-type calcium channel Cav1.2 or the postsynaptic scaffolding protein SHANK3, have well-studied functions in mature neurons, new evidence indicates that they may subserve novel, distinct roles in immature cells as the nervous system is assembled in prenatal development. Emerging tools and technologies, including single-cell sequencing and human cellular models of disease, are illuminating differential isoform utilization, spatiotemporal expression, and subcellular localization of ion channels and synaptic proteins in the developing brain compared with the adult, providing new insights into the regulation of developmental processes. We propose that it is essential to consider the temporally distinct and cell-specific roles of these proteins during development and maturity in our framework for understanding neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Georgia Panagiotakos
- Department of Biochemistry and Biophysics, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Kavli Institute for Fundamental Neuroscience, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA; Eli and Edythe Broad Center of Regeneration Medicine and Stem Cell Research, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, CA, USA.
| | - Sergiu P Pasca
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA; Stanford Brain Organogenesis, Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute, Stanford University, Stanford, CA, USA.
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25
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Vyas Y, Cheyne JE, Lee K, Jung Y, Cheung PY, Montgomery JM. Shankopathies in the Developing Brain in Autism Spectrum Disorders. Front Neurosci 2022; 15:775431. [PMID: 35002604 PMCID: PMC8727517 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.775431] [Citation(s) in RCA: 15] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2021] [Accepted: 11/22/2021] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The SHANK family of proteins play critical structural and functional roles in the postsynaptic density (PSD) at excitatory glutamatergic synapses. Through their multidomain structure they form a structural platform across the PSD for protein–protein interactions, as well as recruiting protein complexes to strengthen excitatory synaptic transmission. Mutations in SHANKs reflect their importance to synapse development and plasticity. This is evident in autism spectrum disorder (ASD), a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting in behavioural changes including repetitive behaviours, lack of sociability, sensory issues, learning, and language impairments. Human genetic studies have revealed ASD mutations commonly occur in SHANKs. Rodent models expressing these mutations display ASD behavioural impairments, and a subset of these deficits are rescued by reintroduction of Shank in adult animals, suggesting that lack of SHANK during key developmental periods can lead to permanent changes in the brain’s wiring. Here we explore the differences in synaptic function and plasticity from development onward in rodent Shank ASD models. To date the most explored brain regions, relate to the behavioural changes observed, e.g., the striatum, hippocampus, sensory, and prefrontal cortex. In addition, less-studied regions including the hypothalamus, cerebellum, and peripheral nervous system are also affected. Synaptic phenotypes include weakened but also strengthened synaptic function, with NMDA receptors commonly affected, as well as changes in the balance of excitation and inhibition especially in cortical brain circuits. The effects of shankopathies in activity-dependent brain wiring is an important target for therapeutic intervention. We therefore highlight areas of research consensus and identify remaining questions and challenges.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yukti Vyas
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Juliette E Cheyne
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Kevin Lee
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Yewon Jung
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand.,Department of Pharmacology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Pang Ying Cheung
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
| | - Johanna M Montgomery
- Department of Physiology, Faculty of Medical and Health Sciences, Centre for Brain Research, University of Auckland, Auckland, New Zealand
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26
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Riemersma IW, Havekes R, Kas MJH. Spatial and Temporal Gene Function Studies in Rodents: Towards Gene-Based Therapies for Autism Spectrum Disorder. Genes (Basel) 2021; 13:28. [PMID: 35052369 PMCID: PMC8774890 DOI: 10.3390/genes13010028] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/16/2021] [Revised: 12/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/20/2021] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a complex neurodevelopmental condition that is characterized by differences in social interaction, repetitive behaviors, restricted interests, and sensory differences beginning early in life. Especially sensory symptoms are highly correlated with the severity of other behavioral differences. ASD is a highly heterogeneous condition on multiple levels, including clinical presentation, genetics, and developmental trajectories. Over a thousand genes have been implicated in ASD. This has facilitated the generation of more than two hundred genetic mouse models that are contributing to understanding the biological underpinnings of ASD. Since the first symptoms already arise during early life, it is especially important to identify both spatial and temporal gene functions in relation to the ASD phenotype. To further decompose the heterogeneity, ASD-related genes can be divided into different subgroups based on common functions, such as genes involved in synaptic function. Furthermore, finding common biological processes that are modulated by this subgroup of genes is essential for possible patient stratification and the development of personalized early treatments. Here, we review the current knowledge on behavioral rodent models of synaptic dysfunction by focusing on behavioral phenotypes, spatial and temporal gene function, and molecular targets that could lead to new targeted gene-based therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Martien J. H. Kas
- Groningen Institute for Evolutionary Life Sciences, Neurobiology, University of Groningen, Nijenborgh 7, 9747 AG Groningen, The Netherlands; (I.W.R.); (R.H.)
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27
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Salomaa SI, Miihkinen M, Kremneva E, Paatero I, Lilja J, Jacquemet G, Vuorio J, Antenucci L, Kogan K, Hassani Nia F, Hollos P, Isomursu A, Vattulainen I, Coffey ET, Kreienkamp HJ, Lappalainen P, Ivaska J. SHANK3 conformation regulates direct actin binding and crosstalk with Rap1 signaling. Curr Biol 2021; 31:4956-4970.e9. [PMID: 34610274 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.09.022] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2021] [Revised: 07/09/2021] [Accepted: 09/07/2021] [Indexed: 12/15/2022]
Abstract
Actin-rich cellular protrusions direct versatile biological processes from cancer cell invasion to dendritic spine development. The stability, morphology, and specific biological functions of these protrusions are regulated by crosstalk between three main signaling axes: integrins, actin regulators, and small guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases). SHANK3 is a multifunctional scaffold protein, interacting with several actin-binding proteins and a well-established autism risk gene. Recently, SHANK3 was demonstrated to sequester integrin-activating small GTPases Rap1 and R-Ras to inhibit integrin activity via its Shank/ProSAP N-terminal (SPN) domain. Here, we demonstrate that, in addition to scaffolding actin regulators and actin-binding proteins, SHANK3 interacts directly with actin through its SPN domain. Molecular simulations and targeted mutagenesis of the SPN-ankyrin repeat region (ARR) interface reveal that actin binding is inhibited by an intramolecular closed conformation of SHANK3, where the adjacent ARR domain covers the actin-binding interface of the SPN domain. Actin and Rap1 compete with each other for binding to SHANK3, and mutation of SHANK3, resulting in reduced actin binding, augments inhibition of Rap1-mediated integrin activity. This dynamic crosstalk has functional implications for cell morphology and integrin activity in cancer cells. In addition, SHANK3-actin interaction regulates dendritic spine morphology in neurons and autism-linked phenotypes in vivo.
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Affiliation(s)
- Siiri I Salomaa
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, Turku 20520, Finland
| | - Mitro Miihkinen
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, Turku 20520, Finland
| | - Elena Kremneva
- HiLIFE Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5B, PO Box 56, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Ilkka Paatero
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, Turku 20520, Finland
| | - Johanna Lilja
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, Turku 20520, Finland
| | - Guillaume Jacquemet
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, Turku 20520, Finland; Faculty of Science and Engineering, Cell Biology, Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, Turku 20520, Finland
| | - Joni Vuorio
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Gustaf Hällströmin katu 2, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Lina Antenucci
- HiLIFE Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5B, PO Box 56, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Konstantin Kogan
- HiLIFE Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5B, PO Box 56, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Fatemeh Hassani Nia
- Institute for Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Patrik Hollos
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, Turku 20520, Finland
| | - Aleksi Isomursu
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, Turku 20520, Finland
| | - Ilpo Vattulainen
- Department of Physics, University of Helsinki, Gustaf Hällströmin katu 2, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Eleanor T Coffey
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, Turku 20520, Finland
| | - Hans-Jürgen Kreienkamp
- Institute for Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Martinistraße 52, 20251 Hamburg, Germany
| | - Pekka Lappalainen
- HiLIFE Institute of Biotechnology, University of Helsinki, Viikinkaari 5B, PO Box 56, 00014 Helsinki, Finland
| | - Johanna Ivaska
- Turku Bioscience Centre, University of Turku and Åbo Akademi University, Tykistökatu 6, Turku 20520, Finland; Department of Life Technologies, University of Turku, Tykistökatu 6, Turku 20520, Finland.
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28
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Delling JP, Boeckers TM. Comparison of SHANK3 deficiency in animal models: phenotypes, treatment strategies, and translational implications. J Neurodev Disord 2021; 13:55. [PMID: 34784886 PMCID: PMC8594088 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-021-09397-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 37] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/15/2021] [Accepted: 09/27/2021] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a neurodevelopmental condition, which is characterized by clinical heterogeneity and high heritability. Core symptoms of ASD include deficits in social communication and interaction, as well as restricted, repetitive patterns of behavior, interests, or activities. Many genes have been identified that are associated with an increased risk for ASD. Proteins encoded by these ASD risk genes are often involved in processes related to fetal brain development, chromatin modification and regulation of gene expression in general, as well as the structural and functional integrity of synapses. Genes of the SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains (SHANK) family encode crucial scaffolding proteins (SHANK1-3) of excitatory synapses and other macromolecular complexes. SHANK gene mutations are highly associated with ASD and more specifically the Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMDS), which is caused by heterozygous 22q13.3-deletion resulting in SHANK3-haploinsufficiency, or by SHANK3 missense variants. SHANK3 deficiency and potential treatment options have been extensively studied in animal models, especially in mice, but also in rats and non-human primates. However, few of the proposed therapeutic strategies have translated into clinical practice yet. MAIN TEXT This review summarizes the literature concerning SHANK3-deficient animal models. In particular, the structural, behavioral, and neurological abnormalities are described and compared, providing a broad and comprehensive overview. Additionally, the underlying pathophysiologies and possible treatments that have been investigated in these models are discussed and evaluated with respect to their effect on ASD- or PMDS-associated phenotypes. CONCLUSIONS Animal models of SHANK3 deficiency generated by various genetic strategies, which determine the composition of the residual SHANK3-isoforms and affected cell types, show phenotypes resembling ASD and PMDS. The phenotypic heterogeneity across multiple models and studies resembles the variation of clinical severity in human ASD and PMDS patients. Multiple therapeutic strategies have been proposed and tested in animal models, which might lead to translational implications for human patients with ASD and/or PMDS. Future studies should explore the effects of new therapeutic approaches that target genetic haploinsufficiency, like CRISPR-mediated activation of promotors.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Philipp Delling
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, Ulm, 89081, Germany.
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein-Allee 11, Ulm, 89081, Germany. .,Ulm Site, DZNE, Ulm, Germany.
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29
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S100B dysregulation during brain development affects synaptic SHANK protein networks via alteration of zinc homeostasis. Transl Psychiatry 2021; 11:562. [PMID: 34741005 PMCID: PMC8571423 DOI: 10.1038/s41398-021-01694-z] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/14/2021] [Revised: 10/19/2021] [Accepted: 10/21/2021] [Indexed: 11/08/2022] Open
Abstract
Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD) are caused by a combination of genetic predisposition and nongenetic factors. Among the nongenetic factors, maternal immune system activation and zinc deficiency have been proposed. Intriguingly, as a genetic factor, copy-number variations in S100B, a pro-inflammatory damage-associated molecular pattern (DAMP), have been associated with ASD, and increased serum S100B has been found in ASD. Interestingly, it has been shown that increased S100B levels affect zinc homeostasis in vitro. Thus, here, we investigated the influence of increased S100B levels in vitro and in vivo during pregnancy in mice regarding zinc availability, the zinc-sensitive SHANK protein networks associated with ASD, and behavioral outcomes. We observed that S100B affects the synaptic SHANK2 and SHANK3 levels in a zinc-dependent manner, especially early in neuronal development. Animals exposed to high S100B levels in utero similarly show reduced levels of free zinc and SHANK2 in the brain. On the behavioral level, these mice display hyperactivity, increased stereotypic and abnormal social behaviors, and cognitive impairment. Pro-inflammatory factors and zinc-signaling alterations converge on the synaptic level revealing a common pathomechanism that may mechanistically explain a large share of ASD cases.
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30
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Liu C, Wang Y, Deng J, Lin J, Hu C, Li Q, Xu X. Social Deficits and Repetitive Behaviors Are Improved by Early Postnatal Low-Dose VPA Intervention in a Novel shank3-Deficient Zebrafish Model. Front Neurosci 2021; 15:682054. [PMID: 34566559 PMCID: PMC8462462 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2021.682054] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/17/2021] [Accepted: 08/11/2021] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations of the SHANK3 gene are found in some autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients, and animal models harboring SHANK3 mutations exhibit a variety of ASD-like behaviors, presenting a unique opportunity to explore the underlying neuropathological mechanisms and potential pharmacological treatments. The histone deacetylase (HDAC) valproic acid (VPA) has demonstrated neuroprotective and neuroregenerative properties, suggesting possible therapeutic utility for ASD. Therefore, SHANK3-associated ASD-like symptoms present a convenient model to evaluate the potential benefits, therapeutic window, and optimal dose of VPA. We constructed a novel shank3-deficient (shank3ab–/–) zebrafish model through CRISPR/Cas9 editing and conducted comprehensive morphological and neurobehavioral evaluations, including of core ASD-like behaviors, as well as molecular analyses of synaptic proteins expression levels. Furthermore, different VPA doses and treatment durations were examined for effects on ASD-like phenotypes. Compared to wild types (WTs), shank3ab–/– zebrafish exhibited greater developmental mortality, more frequent abnormal tail bending, pervasive developmental delay, impaired social preference, repetitive swimming behaviors, and generally reduced locomotor activity. The expression levels of synaptic proteins were also dramatically reduced in shank3ab–/– zebrafish. These ASD-like behaviors were attenuated by low-dose (5 μM) VPA administered from 4 to 8 days post-fertilization (dpf), and the effects persisted to adulthood. In addition, the observed underexpression of grm5, encoding glutamate metabotropic receptor 5, was significantly improved in VPA-treated shank3ab–/– zebrafish. We report for the first time that low-dose VPA administered after neural tube closure has lasting beneficial effects on the social deficits and repetitive behavioral patterns in shank3-deficient ASD model zebrafish. These findings provide a promising strategy for ASD clinical drug development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunxue Liu
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Yi Wang
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jingxin Deng
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Jia Lin
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Pediatrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention and Control, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Chunchun Hu
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Qiang Li
- Center for Translational Medicine, Institute of Pediatrics, Shanghai Key Laboratory of Birth Defects Prevention and Control, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiu Xu
- Department of Child Health Care, Children's Hospital of Fudan University, National Children's Medical Center, Shanghai, China
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31
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Bicker F, Nardi L, Maier J, Vasic V, Schmeisser MJ. Criss-crossing autism spectrum disorder and adult neurogenesis. J Neurochem 2021; 159:452-478. [PMID: 34478569 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15501] [Citation(s) in RCA: 17] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/04/2021] [Revised: 08/05/2021] [Accepted: 08/28/2021] [Indexed: 12/19/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) comprises a group of multifactorial neurodevelopmental disorders primarily characterized by deficits in social interaction and repetitive behavior. Although the onset is typically in early childhood, ASD poses a lifelong challenge for both patients and caretakers. Adult neurogenesis (AN) is the process by which new functional neurons are created from neural stem cells existing in the post-natal brain. The entire event is based on a sequence of cellular processes, such as proliferation, specification of cell fate, maturation, and ultimately, synaptic integration into the existing neural circuits. Hence, AN is implicated in structural and functional brain plasticity throughout life. Accumulating evidence shows that impaired AN may underlie some of the abnormal behavioral phenotypes seen in ASD. In this review, we approach the interconnections between the molecular pathways related to AN and ASD. We also discuss existing therapeutic approaches targeting such pathways both in preclinical and clinical studies. A deeper understanding of how ASD and AN reciprocally affect one another could reveal important converging pathways leading to the emergence of psychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Frank Bicker
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Leonardo Nardi
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Jannik Maier
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Verica Vasic
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
| | - Michael J Schmeisser
- Institute for Microscopic Anatomy and Neurobiology, University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany.,Focus Program Translational Neurosciences (FTN), University Medical Center of the Johannes Gutenberg-University, Mainz, Germany
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32
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Knott R, Johnson BP, Tiego J, Mellahn O, Finlay A, Kallady K, Kouspos M, Mohanakumar Sindhu VP, Hawi Z, Arnatkeviciute A, Chau T, Maron D, Mercieca EC, Furley K, Harris K, Williams K, Ure A, Fornito A, Gray K, Coghill D, Nicholson A, Phung D, Loth E, Mason L, Murphy D, Buitelaar J, Bellgrove MA. The Monash Autism-ADHD genetics and neurodevelopment (MAGNET) project design and methodologies: a dimensional approach to understanding neurobiological and genetic aetiology. Mol Autism 2021; 12:55. [PMID: 34353377 PMCID: PMC8340366 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-021-00457-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/03/2021] [Accepted: 07/05/2021] [Indexed: 11/20/2022] Open
Abstract
Background ASD and ADHD are prevalent neurodevelopmental disorders that frequently co-occur and have strong evidence for a degree of shared genetic aetiology. Behavioural and neurocognitive heterogeneity in ASD and ADHD has hampered attempts to map the underlying genetics and neurobiology, predict intervention response, and improve diagnostic accuracy. Moving away from categorical conceptualisations of psychopathology to a dimensional approach is anticipated to facilitate discovery of data-driven clusters and enhance our understanding of the neurobiological and genetic aetiology of these conditions. The Monash Autism-ADHD genetics and neurodevelopment (MAGNET) project is one of the first large-scale, family-based studies to take a truly transdiagnostic approach to ASD and ADHD. Using a comprehensive phenotyping protocol capturing dimensional traits central to ASD and ADHD, the MAGNET project aims to identify data-driven clusters across ADHD-ASD spectra using deep phenotyping of symptoms and behaviours; investigate the degree of familiality for different dimensional ASD-ADHD phenotypes and clusters; and map the neurocognitive, brain imaging, and genetic correlates of these data-driven symptom-based clusters. Methods The MAGNET project will recruit 1,200 families with children who are either typically developing, or who display elevated ASD, ADHD, or ASD-ADHD traits, in addition to affected and unaffected biological siblings of probands, and parents. All children will be comprehensively phenotyped for behavioural symptoms, comorbidities, neurocognitive and neuroimaging traits and genetics. Conclusion The MAGNET project will be the first large-scale family study to take a transdiagnostic approach to ASD-ADHD, utilising deep phenotyping across behavioural, neurocognitive, brain imaging and genetic measures. Supplementary Information The online version contains supplementary material available at 10.1186/s13229-021-00457-3.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rachael Knott
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.
| | - Beth P Johnson
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Jeggan Tiego
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Olivia Mellahn
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Amy Finlay
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Kathryn Kallady
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Maria Kouspos
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Vishnu Priya Mohanakumar Sindhu
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Ziarih Hawi
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Aurina Arnatkeviciute
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Tracey Chau
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Dalia Maron
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Emily-Clare Mercieca
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Kirsten Furley
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Katrina Harris
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.,Department of Developmental Paediatrics, Monash Children's Hospital, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - Katrina Williams
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.,Department of Developmental Paediatrics, Monash Children's Hospital, 246 Clayton Rd, Clayton, VIC, 3168, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Alexandra Ure
- Department of Paediatrics, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia.,Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Mental Health, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Neurodevelopment and Disability Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Alex Fornito
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Kylie Gray
- Centre for Educational Development, Appraisal, and Research, University of Warwick, Coventry, CV4 7AL, UK.,Department of Psychiatry, School of Clinical Sciences, Monash University, 246 Clayton Rd, Melbourne, VIC, 3168, Australia
| | - David Coghill
- Department of Paediatrics, Faculty of Medicine, Dentistry and Health Sciences, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Road, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Department of Mental Health, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia.,Neurodevelopment and Disability Research, Murdoch Children's Research Institute, Royal Children's Hospital, 50 Flemington Rd, Parkville, VIC, 3052, Australia
| | - Ann Nicholson
- Faculty of Information and Technology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Dinh Phung
- Faculty of Information and Technology, Monash University, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
| | - Eva Loth
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK.,Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Luke Mason
- Centre for Brain and Cognitive Development, Birkbeck, University of London, Henry Welcome Building, Malet Street, London, WC1E 7HX, UK
| | - Declan Murphy
- Sackler Institute for Translational Neurodevelopment, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK.,Department of Forensic and Neurodevelopmental Sciences, Institute of Psychiatry, Psychology and Neuroscience, King's College London, De Crespigny Park, Denmark Hill, London, SE5 8AF, UK
| | - Jan Buitelaar
- Department of Cognitive Neuroscience, Donders Institute for Brain, Cognition and Behaviour, Radboud University Nijmegen Medical Centre, Kapittelweg 29, 6525 EN, Nijmegen, The Netherlands
| | - Mark A Bellgrove
- Turner Institute for Brain and Mental Health, School of Psychological Sciences, Monash University, 18 Innovation Walk, Melbourne, VIC, 3800, Australia
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33
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Lutz AK, Pfaender S, Incearap B, Ioannidis V, Ottonelli I, Föhr KJ, Cammerer J, Zoller M, Higelin J, Giona F, Stetter M, Stoecker N, Alami NO, Schön M, Orth M, Liebau S, Barbi G, Grabrucker AM, Delorme R, Fauler M, Mayer B, Jesse S, Roselli F, Ludolph AC, Bourgeron T, Verpelli C, Demestre M, Boeckers TM. Autism-associated SHANK3 mutations impair maturation of neuromuscular junctions and striated muscles. Sci Transl Med 2021; 12:12/547/eaaz3267. [PMID: 32522805 DOI: 10.1126/scitranslmed.aaz3267] [Citation(s) in RCA: 32] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/30/2019] [Revised: 12/09/2019] [Accepted: 04/07/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Heterozygous mutations of the gene encoding the postsynaptic protein SHANK3 are associated with syndromic forms of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). One of the earliest clinical symptoms in SHANK3-associated ASD is neonatal skeletal muscle hypotonia. This symptom can be critical for the early diagnosis of affected children; however, the mechanism mediating hypotonia in ASD is not completely understood. Here, we used a combination of patient-derived human induced pluripotent stem cells (hiPSCs), Shank3Δ11(-/-) mice, and Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMDS) muscle biopsies from patients of different ages to analyze the role of SHANK3 on motor unit development. Our results suggest that the hypotonia in SHANK3 deficiency might be caused by dysfunctions in all elements of the voluntary motor system: motoneurons, neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), and striated muscles. We found that SHANK3 localizes in Z-discs in the skeletal muscle sarcomere and co-immunoprecipitates with α-ACTININ. SHANK3 deficiency lead to shortened Z-discs and severe impairment of acetylcholine receptor clustering in hiPSC-derived myotubes and in muscle from Shank3Δ11(-/-) mice and patients with PMDS, indicating a crucial role for SHANK3 in the maturation of NMJs and striated muscle. Functional motor defects in Shank3Δ11(-/-) mice could be rescued with the troponin activator Tirasemtiv that sensitizes muscle fibers to calcium. Our observations give insight into the function of SHANK3 besides the central nervous system and imply potential treatment strategies for SHANK3-associated ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anne-Kathrin Lutz
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Stefanie Pfaender
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Berra Incearap
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Valentin Ioannidis
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Ilaria Ottonelli
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Karl J Föhr
- Department of Anesthesiology, Ulm University Hospital, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Judith Cammerer
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Marvin Zoller
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Julia Higelin
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Federica Giona
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, University of Milan, 20129 Milan, Italy.,BIOMETRA University of Milan, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Maximilian Stetter
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Nicole Stoecker
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Michael Schön
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Stefan Liebau
- Institute of Neuroanatomy and Developmental Biology, Eberhard Karls University Tübingen, 72074 Tübingen, Germany
| | - Gotthold Barbi
- Institute for Human Genetics, Ulm University Hospital, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Andreas M Grabrucker
- Cellular Neurobiology and Neuro-Nanotechnology Lab, Department of Biological Sciences, University of Limerick, V94PH61 Limerick, Ireland.,Bernal Institute, University of Limerick, V94T9PX Limerick, Ireland.,Health Research Institute (HRI), University of Limerick, V94T9PX Limerick, Ireland
| | - Richard Delorme
- Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Department, APHP, Robert-Debré Hospital, 750197 Paris, France
| | - Michael Fauler
- Institute of General Physiology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany
| | - Benjamin Mayer
- Institute of Epidemiology and Medical Biometry, Ulm University, 89075 Ulm, Germany
| | | | | | | | - Thomas Bourgeron
- Génétique Humaine et Fonctions Cognitives, Université Paris Diderot, Institut Pasteur, 75015 Paris, France
| | - Chiara Verpelli
- CNR Neuroscience Institute, University of Milan, 20129 Milan, Italy.,BIOMETRA University of Milan, 20129 Milan, Italy
| | - Maria Demestre
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany.
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, 89081 Ulm, Germany. .,DZNE, Ulm Site, 89081 Ulm, Germany
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34
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Bucher M, Niebling S, Han Y, Molodenskiy D, Hassani Nia F, Kreienkamp HJ, Svergun D, Kim E, Kostyukova AS, Kreutz MR, Mikhaylova M. Autism-associated SHANK3 missense point mutations impact conformational fluctuations and protein turnover at synapses. eLife 2021; 10:66165. [PMID: 33945465 PMCID: PMC8169116 DOI: 10.7554/elife.66165] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2020] [Accepted: 05/01/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Members of the SH3- and ankyrin repeat (SHANK) protein family are considered as master scaffolds of the postsynaptic density of glutamatergic synapses. Several missense mutations within the canonical SHANK3 isoform have been proposed as causative for the development of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). However, there is a surprising paucity of data linking missense mutation-induced changes in protein structure and dynamics to the occurrence of ASD-related synaptic phenotypes. In this proof-of-principle study, we focus on two ASD-associated point mutations, both located within the same domain of SHANK3 and demonstrate that both mutant proteins indeed show distinct changes in secondary and tertiary structure as well as higher conformational fluctuations. Local and distal structural disturbances result in altered synaptic targeting and changes of protein turnover at synaptic sites in rat primary hippocampal neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael Bucher
- AG Optobiology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany.,DFG Emmy Noether Guest Group 'Neuronal Protein Transport', Institute for Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.,RG Neuroplasticity, Leibniz-Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Niebling
- Molecular Biophysics and High-Throughput Crystallization, European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Yuhao Han
- DFG Emmy Noether Guest Group 'Neuronal Protein Transport', Institute for Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.,Structural Cell Biology of Viruses, Centre for Structural Systems Biology (CSSB) and Leibniz Institute for Experimental Virology, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dmitry Molodenskiy
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Hamburg Unit, DESY, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fatemeh Hassani Nia
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Obstetrics and Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Jürgen Kreienkamp
- Institute of Human Genetics, Center for Obstetrics and Pediatrics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
| | - Dmitri Svergun
- European Molecular Biology Laboratory (EMBL) Hamburg Unit, DESY, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science (IBS) and Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST), Daejeon, Republic of Korea
| | - Alla S Kostyukova
- DFG Emmy Noether Guest Group 'Neuronal Protein Transport', Institute for Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.,The Gene and Linda Voiland School of Chemical Engineering and Bioengineering, Washington State University (WSU), Pullman, United States
| | - Michael R Kreutz
- RG Neuroplasticity, Leibniz-Institute for Neurobiology (LIN), Magdeburg, Germany.,Leibniz Group 'Dendritic Organelles and Synaptic Function', Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany.,German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases, Magdeburg, Germany.,Center for Behavioral Brain Sciences, Magdeburg, Germany
| | - Marina Mikhaylova
- AG Optobiology, Institute of Biology, Humboldt-University, Berlin, Germany.,DFG Emmy Noether Guest Group 'Neuronal Protein Transport', Institute for Molecular Neurogenetics, Center for Molecular Neurobiology (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), Hamburg, Germany
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35
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Mariscal MG, Berry-Kravis E, Buxbaum JD, Ethridge LE, Filip-Dhima R, Foss-Feig JH, Kolevzon A, Modi ME, Mosconi MW, Nelson CA, Powell CM, Siper PM, Soorya L, Thaliath A, Thurm A, Zhang B, Sahin M, Levin AR. Shifted phase of EEG cross-frequency coupling in individuals with Phelan-McDermid syndrome. Mol Autism 2021; 12:29. [PMID: 33910615 PMCID: PMC8082621 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00411-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/22/2020] [Accepted: 12/28/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phelan-McDermid Syndrome (PMS) is a rare condition caused by deletion or mutation of the SHANK3 gene. Individuals with PMS frequently present with intellectual disability, autism spectrum disorder, and other neurodevelopmental challenges. Electroencephalography (EEG) can provide a window into network-level function in PMS. METHODS Here, we analyze EEG data collected across multiple sites in individuals with PMS (n = 26) and typically developing individuals (n = 15). We quantify oscillatory power, alpha-gamma phase-amplitude coupling strength, and phase bias, a measure of the phase of cross frequency coupling thought to reflect the balance of feedforward (bottom-up) and feedback (top-down) activity. RESULTS We find individuals with PMS display increased alpha-gamma phase bias (U = 3.841, p < 0.0005), predominantly over posterior electrodes. Most individuals with PMS demonstrate positive overall phase bias while most typically developing individuals demonstrate negative overall phase bias. Among individuals with PMS, strength of alpha-gamma phase-amplitude coupling was associated with Sameness, Ritualistic, and Compulsive behaviors as measured by the Repetitive Behavior Scales-Revised (Beta = 0.545, p = 0.011). CONCLUSIONS Increased phase bias suggests potential circuit-level mechanisms underlying phenotype in PMS, offering opportunities for back-translation of findings into animal models and targeting in clinical trials.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Elizabeth Berry-Kravis
- Department of Pediatrics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Neurological Sciences, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
- Department of Biochemistry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Seaver Autism Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Genetics and Genomic Sciences, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Neuroscience, Mount Sinai School of Medicine, New York, NY, USA
| | - Lauren E Ethridge
- Department of Pediatrics, University of Oklahoma Health Science Center, Oklahoma City, OK, USA
| | - Rajna Filip-Dhima
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Jennifer H Foss-Feig
- Seaver Autism Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Alexander Kolevzon
- Seaver Autism Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Meera E Modi
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Matthew W Mosconi
- Clinical Child Psychology Program, Schiefelbusch Institute for Life Span Studies, University of Kansas, Lawrence, KS, USA
| | - Charles A Nelson
- Department of Pediatrics, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Craig M Powell
- Department of Neurobiology, UAB School of Medicine, Birmingham, AL, USA
| | - Paige M Siper
- Seaver Autism Center, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai Hospital, New York, NY, USA
| | - Latha Soorya
- Department of Psychiatry, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Andrew Thaliath
- Department of Pediatrics, Rush University Medical Center, Chicago, IL, USA
| | - Audrey Thurm
- Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, Bethesda, USA
| | - Bo Zhang
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - Mustafa Sahin
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA
| | - April R Levin
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children's Hospital, Boston, MA, USA.
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36
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Jin C, Kang H, Yoo T, Ryu JR, Yoo YE, Ma R, Zhang Y, Kang HR, Kim Y, Seong H, Bang G, Park S, Kwon SK, Sun W, Kim H, Kim JY, Kim E, Han K. The Neomycin Resistance Cassette in the Targeted Allele of Shank3B Knock-Out Mice Has Potential Off-Target Effects to Produce an Unusual Shank3 Isoform. Front Mol Neurosci 2021; 13:614435. [PMID: 33505245 PMCID: PMC7831789 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.614435] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/06/2020] [Accepted: 12/02/2020] [Indexed: 01/20/2023] Open
Abstract
Variants of the SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (SHANK3), which encodes postsynaptic scaffolds, are associated with brain disorders. The targeted alleles in a few Shank3 knock-out (KO) lines contain a neomycin resistance (Neo) cassette, which may perturb the normal expression of neighboring genes; however, this has not been investigated in detail. We previously reported an unexpected increase in the mRNA expression of Shank3 exons 1–12 in the brains of Shank3B KO mice generated by replacing Shank3 exons 13–16 with the Neo cassette. In this study, we confirmed that the increased Shank3 mRNA in Shank3B KO brains produced an unusual ∼60 kDa Shank3 isoform (Shank3-N), which did not properly localize to the synaptic compartment. Functionally, Shank3-N overexpression altered the dendritic spine morphology in cultured neurons. Importantly, Shank3-N expression in Shank3B KO mice was not a compensatory response to a reduction of full-length Shank3 because expression was still detected in the brain after normalizing the level of full-length Shank3. Moreover, in another Shank3 KO line (Shank3 gKO) with a similar Shank3 exonal deletion as that in Shank3B KO mice but without a Neo cassette, the mRNA expression levels of Shank3 exons 1–12 were lower than those of wild-type mice and Shank3-N was not detected in the brain. In addition, the expression levels of genes neighboring Shank3 on chromosome 15 were altered in the striatum of Shank3B KO but not Shank3 gKO mice. These results suggest that the Neo cassette has potential off-target effects in Shank3B KO mice.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chunmei Jin
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyojin Kang
- Division of National Supercomputing, Korea Institute of Science and Technology Information, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Taesun Yoo
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Jae Ryun Ryu
- Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Ye-Eun Yoo
- Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Ruiying Ma
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yinhua Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyae Rim Kang
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Yoonhee Kim
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyunyoung Seong
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Geul Bang
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang, South Korea.,College of Pharmacy, Korea University, Sejong, South Korea
| | - Sangwoo Park
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang, South Korea
| | - Seok-Kyu Kwon
- Center for Functional Connectomics, Korea Institute of Science and Technology, Brain Science Institute, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Woong Sun
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Anatomy, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Hyunkyung Kim
- Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
| | - Jin Young Kim
- Research Center for Bioconvergence Analysis, Korea Basic Science Institute, Ochang, South Korea
| | - Eunjoon Kim
- Center for Synaptic Brain Dysfunctions, Institute for Basic Science, Daejeon, South Korea.,Department of Biological Sciences, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology, Daejeon, South Korea
| | - Kihoon Han
- Department of Neuroscience, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea.,Department of Biomedical Sciences, College of Medicine, Korea University, Seoul, South Korea
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37
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Serotonin differentially modulates the temporal dynamics of the limbic response to facial emotions in male adults with and without autism spectrum disorder (ASD): a randomised placebo-controlled single-dose crossover trial. Neuropsychopharmacology 2020; 45:2248-2256. [PMID: 32388538 PMCID: PMC7784897 DOI: 10.1038/s41386-020-0693-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/13/2019] [Revised: 03/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/24/2020] [Indexed: 12/04/2022]
Abstract
Emotion processing-including signals from facial expressions-is often altered in individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). The biological basis of this is poorly understood but may include neurochemically mediated differences in the responsivity of key 'limbic' regions (including amygdala, ventromedial prefrontal cortex (vmPFC) and nucleus accumbens (NAc)). Emerging evidence also suggests that ASD may be a disorder of brain temporal dynamics. Moreover, serotonin (5-HT) has been shown to be a key regulator of both facial-emotion processing and brain dynamics, and 5-HT abnormalities have been consistently implicated in ASD. To date, however, no one has examined how 5-HT influences the dynamics of facial-emotion processing in ASD. Therefore, we compared the influence of 5-HT on the responsivity of brain dynamics during facial-emotion processing in individuals with and without ASD. Participants completed a facial-emotion processing fMRI task at least 8 days apart using a randomised double-blind crossover design. At each visit they received either a single 20-mg oral dose of the selective serotonin reuptake inhibitor (SSRI) citalopram or placebo. We found that citalopram (which increases levels of 5-HT) caused sustained activation in key limbic regions during processing of negative facial emotions in adults with ASD-but not in neurotypical adults. The neurotypical adults' limbic response reverted more rapidly to baseline following a 5-HT-challenge. Our results suggest that serotonergic homoeostatic control of the temporal dynamics in limbic regions is altered in adults with ASD, and provide a fresh perspective on the biology of ASD.
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38
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Jacot-Descombes S, Keshav NU, Dickstein DL, Wicinski B, Janssen WGM, Hiester LL, Sarfo EK, Warda T, Fam MM, Harony-Nicolas H, Buxbaum JD, Hof PR, Varghese M. Altered synaptic ultrastructure in the prefrontal cortex of Shank3-deficient rats. Mol Autism 2020; 11:89. [PMID: 33203459 PMCID: PMC7671669 DOI: 10.1186/s13229-020-00393-8] [Citation(s) in RCA: 16] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/08/2020] [Accepted: 07/21/2020] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Background Deletion or mutations of SHANK3 lead to Phelan–McDermid syndrome and monogenic forms of autism spectrum disorder (ASD). SHANK3 encodes its eponymous scaffolding protein at excitatory glutamatergic synapses. Altered morphology of dendrites and spines in the hippocampus, cerebellum, and striatum have been associated with behavioral impairments in Shank3-deficient animal models. Given the attentional deficit in these animals, our study explored whether deficiency of Shank3 in a rat model alters neuron morphology and synaptic ultrastructure in the medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Methods We assessed dendrite and spine morphology and spine density in mPFC layer III neurons in Shank3-homozygous knockout (Shank3-KO), heterozygous (Shank3-Het), and wild-type (WT) rats. We used electron microscopy to determine the density of asymmetric synapses in mPFC layer III excitatory neurons in these rats. We measured postsynaptic density (PSD) length, PSD area, and head diameter (HD) of spines at these synapses. Results Basal dendritic morphology was similar among the three genotypes. Spine density and morphology were comparable, but more thin and mushroom spines had larger head volumes in Shank3-Het compared to WT and Shank3-KO. All three groups had comparable synapse density and PSD length. Spine HD of total and non-perforated synapses in Shank3-Het rats, but not Shank3-KO rats, was significantly larger than in WT rats. The total and non-perforated PSD area was significantly larger in Shank3-Het rats compared to Shank3-KO rats. These findings represent preliminary evidence for synaptic ultrastructural alterations in the mPFC of rats that lack one copy of Shank3 and mimic the heterozygous loss of SHANK3 in Phelan–McDermid syndrome. Limitations The Shank3 deletion in the rat model we used does not affect all isoforms of the protein and would only model the effect of mutations resulting in loss of the N-terminus of the protein. Given the higher prevalence of ASD in males, the ultrastructural study focused only on synaptic structure in male Shank3-deficient rats. Conclusions We observed increased HD and PSD area in Shank3-Het rats. These observations suggest the occurrence of altered synaptic ultrastructure in this animal model, further pointing to a key role of defective expression of the Shank3 protein in ASD and Phelan–McDermid syndrome.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Jacot-Descombes
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Unit of Psychiatry, Department of Children and Teenagers, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland.,Department of Legal Medicine, University Hospital and School of Medicine, Geneva, Switzerland
| | - Neha U Keshav
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Dara L Dickstein
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Department of Pathology, F. Edward Hébert School of Medicine, Uniformed Services University of the Health Sciences (USU), Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Bridget Wicinski
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - William G M Janssen
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Liam L Hiester
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Edward K Sarfo
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Tahia Warda
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Psychology Department, Rutgers University Brain Imaging Center (RUBIC), Rutgers University, Newark, NJ, 07102, USA
| | - Matthew M Fam
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Hala Harony-Nicolas
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Joseph D Buxbaum
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA.,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.,Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | - Patrick R Hof
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA. .,Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
| | - Merina Varghese
- Nash Family Department of Neuroscience, Hess Center for Science and Medicine, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, 1470 Madison Avenue, New York, NY, 10029, USA. .,Friedman Brain Institute, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA.
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39
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Wang L, Adamski CJ, Bondar VV, Craigen E, Collette JR, Pang K, Han K, Jain A, Y Jung S, Liu Z, Sifers RN, Holder JL, Zoghbi HY. A kinome-wide RNAi screen identifies ERK2 as a druggable regulator of Shank3 stability. Mol Psychiatry 2020; 25:2504-2516. [PMID: 30696942 PMCID: PMC6663662 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-018-0325-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/26/2018] [Revised: 10/09/2018] [Accepted: 11/14/2018] [Indexed: 12/14/2022]
Abstract
Neurons are sensitive to changes in the dosage of many genes, especially those regulating synaptic functions. Haploinsufficiency of SHANK3 causes Phelan-McDermid syndrome and autism, whereas duplication of the same gene leads to SHANK3 duplication syndrome, a disorder characterized by neuropsychiatric phenotypes including hyperactivity and bipolar disorder as well as epilepsy. We recently demonstrated the functional modularity of Shank3, which suggests that normalizing levels of Shank3 itself might be more fruitful than correcting pathways that function downstream of it for treatment of disorders caused by alterations in SHANK3 dosage. To identify upstream regulators of Shank3 abundance, we performed a kinome-wide siRNA screen and identified multiple kinases that potentially regulate Shank3 protein stability. Interestingly, we discovered that several kinases in the MEK/ERK2 pathway destabilize Shank3 and that genetic deletion and pharmacological inhibition of ERK2 increases Shank3 abundance in vivo. Mechanistically, we show that ERK2 binds Shank3 and phosphorylates it at three residues to promote its poly-ubiquitination-dependent degradation. Altogether, our findings uncover a druggable pathway as a potential therapeutic target for disorders with reduced SHANK3 dosage, provide a rich resource for studying Shank3 regulation, and demonstrate the feasibility of this approach for identifying regulators of dosage-sensitive genes.
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Affiliation(s)
- Li Wang
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Carolyn J Adamski
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Vitaliy V Bondar
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Evelyn Craigen
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - John R Collette
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kaifang Pang
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Kihoon Han
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Neuroscience and Division of Brain Korea 21 Biomedical Science, Korea University College of Medicine, Seoul, 02841, South Korea
| | - Antrix Jain
- Alkek Center for Molecular Discovery, Verna and Marrs McLean, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Sung Y Jung
- Alkek Center for Molecular Discovery, Verna and Marrs McLean, Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Zhandong Liu
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - Richard N Sifers
- Department of Pathology & Immunology, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA
| | - J Lloyd Holder
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
| | - Huda Y Zoghbi
- Department of Molecular and Human Genetics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Jan and Dan Duncan Neurological Research Institute at Texas Children's Hospital, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
- Department of Pediatrics, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, TX, 77030, USA.
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Peixoto RT, Chantranupong L, Hakim R, Levasseur J, Wang W, Merchant T, Gorman K, Budnik B, Sabatini BL. Abnormal Striatal Development Underlies the Early Onset of Behavioral Deficits in Shank3B -/- Mice. Cell Rep 2020; 29:2016-2027.e4. [PMID: 31722214 PMCID: PMC6889826 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2019.10.021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/30/2018] [Revised: 07/12/2019] [Accepted: 10/04/2019] [Indexed: 11/17/2022] Open
Abstract
The neural substrates and pathophysiological mechanisms underlying the onset of cognitive and motor deficits in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) remain unclear. Mutations in ASD-associated SHANK3 in mice (Shank3B−/−) result in the accelerated maturation of corticostriatal circuits during the second and third postnatal weeks. Here, we show that during this period, there is extensive remodeling of the striatal synaptic proteome and a developmental switch in glutamatergic synaptic plasticity induced by cortical hyperactivity in striatal spiny projection neurons (SPNs). Behavioral abnormalities in Shank3B−/− mice emerge during this stage and are ameliorated by normalizing excitatory synapse connectivity in medial striatal regions by the downregulation of PKA activity. These results suggest that the abnormal postnatal development of striatal circuits is implicated in the onset of behavioral deficits in Shank3B−/− mice and that modulation of postsynaptic PKA activity can be used to regulate corticostriatal drive in developing SPNs of mouse models of ASDs and other neurodevelopmental disorders. Peixoto et al. show that the onset of behavioral deficits in Shank3B−/− mice occurs during early postnatal development and that these can be ameliorated by reducing the glutamatergic synaptic drive in medial regions of the striatum by the downregulation of PKA activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rui Tiago Peixoto
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| | - Lynne Chantranupong
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Richard Hakim
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - James Levasseur
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Wengang Wang
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tasha Merchant
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Pittsburgh, 450 Technology Dr, Pittsburgh, PA 15219, USA; Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Kelly Gorman
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Bogdan Budnik
- Mass Spectrometry and Proteomic Laboratory, FAS Division of Science, Harvard University, 52 Oxford Street, Cambridge, MA 02138, USA
| | - Bernardo Luis Sabatini
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, 220 Longwood Ave., Boston, MA 02115, USA
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41
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Wilkinson B, Coba MP. Molecular architecture of postsynaptic Interactomes. Cell Signal 2020; 76:109782. [PMID: 32941943 DOI: 10.1016/j.cellsig.2020.109782] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2020] [Revised: 09/11/2020] [Accepted: 09/12/2020] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
Abstract
The postsynaptic density (PSD) plays an essential role in the organization of the synaptic signaling machinery. It contains a set of core scaffolding proteins that provide the backbone to PSD protein-protein interaction networks (PINs). These core scaffolding proteins can be seen as three principal layers classified by protein family, with DLG proteins being at the top, SHANKs along the bottom, and DLGAPs connecting the two layers. Early studies utilizing yeast two hybrid enabled the identification of direct protein-protein interactions (PPIs) within the multiple layers of scaffolding proteins. More recently, mass-spectrometry has allowed the characterization of whole interactomes within the PSD. This expansion of knowledge has further solidified the centrality of core scaffolding family members within synaptic PINs and provided context for their role in neuronal development and synaptic function. Here, we discuss the scaffolding machinery of the PSD, their essential functions in the organization of synaptic PINs, along with their relationship to neuronal processes found to be impaired in complex brain disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Brent Wilkinson
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA
| | - Marcelo P Coba
- Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA; Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Keck School of Medicine, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90033, USA.
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42
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Javed S, Selliah T, Lee YJ, Huang WH. Dosage-sensitive genes in autism spectrum disorders: From neurobiology to therapy. Neurosci Biobehav Rev 2020; 118:538-567. [PMID: 32858083 DOI: 10.1016/j.neubiorev.2020.08.009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2020] [Revised: 07/26/2020] [Accepted: 08/17/2020] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) are a group of heterogenous neurodevelopmental disorders affecting 1 in 59 children. Syndromic ASDs are commonly associated with chromosomal rearrangements or dosage imbalance involving a single gene. Many of these genes are dosage-sensitive and regulate transcription, protein homeostasis, and synaptic function in the brain. Despite vastly different molecular perturbations, syndromic ASDs share core symptoms including social dysfunction and repetitive behavior. However, each ASD subtype has a unique pathogenic mechanism and combination of comorbidities that require individual attention. We have learned a great deal about how these dosage-sensitive genes control brain development and behaviors from genetically-engineered mice. Here we describe the clinical features of eight monogenic neurodevelopmental disorders caused by dosage imbalance of four genes, as well as recent advances in using genetic mouse models to understand their pathogenic mechanisms and develop intervention strategies. We propose that applying newly developed quantitative molecular and neuroscience technologies will advance our understanding of the unique neurobiology of each disorder and enable the development of personalized therapy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sehrish Javed
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Tharushan Selliah
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Yu-Ju Lee
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada
| | - Wei-Hsiang Huang
- Centre for Research in Neuroscience, Department of Neurology and Neurosurgery, The Research Institute of the McGill University Health Centre, Montréal, Québec, Canada.
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43
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Hulbert SW, Wang X, Gbadegesin SO, Xu Q, Xu X, Jiang YH. A Novel Chd8 Mutant Mouse Displays Altered Ultrasonic Vocalizations and Enhanced Motor Coordination. Autism Res 2020; 13:1685-1697. [PMID: 32815320 DOI: 10.1002/aur.2353] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/20/2020] [Revised: 06/03/2020] [Accepted: 06/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/23/2022]
Abstract
Mutations in CHD8 are among the most common autism-causing genetic defects identified in human genomics studies. Therefore, many labs have attempted to model this disorder by generating mice with mutations in Chd8. Using a gene trap inserted after Exon 31, we created a novel Chd8 mutant mouse (Chd8+/E31T ) and characterized its behavior on several different assays thought to have face validity for the human condition, attempting to model both the core symptoms (repetitive behaviors and social communication impairments) and common comorbidities (motor deficits, anxiety, and intellectual disability). We found that Chd8+/E31T mice showed no difference compared to wild-type mice in amount of self-grooming, reproducing the negative finding most other studies have reported. Unlike some of the other published lines, Chd8+/E31T mice did not show deficits in the three-chamber test for social novelty preference. A few studies have examined ultrasonic vocalizations in Chd8 mutant mice, but we are the first to report an increase in call length for adult mice. Additionally, we found that in contrast to previous published lines, Chd8+/E31T mice displayed no anxiety-like behaviors or learning impairments but showed paradoxically significant improvement in motor function. The inconsistencies in behavioral phenotypes in the Chd8 mutant mice generated by different laboratories poses a challenge for modeling autism spectrum disorder and preclinical studies in mice going forward and warrants further investigation into the molecular consequences of the different mutations in Chd8 and the functional impact on behavior. LAY SUMMARY: Several different mouse models carrying mutations in the Chd8 gene have been created to study the effects of these autism-causing mutations in the laboratory. The current study characterizes a novel Chd8 mutant mouse model as well as summarizes data from previously published Chd8 mutant mice. The inconsistencies between different studies are concerning, but future research into the reasons why these inconsistencies occur may help us understand why patients with various mutations have different degrees of symptom severity. Autism Res 2020, 13: 1685-1697. © 2020 International Society for Autism Research and Wiley Periodicals LLC.
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Affiliation(s)
- Samuel W Hulbert
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Xiaoming Wang
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Simisola O Gbadegesin
- Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
| | - Qiong Xu
- The Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Xiu Xu
- The Children's Hospital of Fudan University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yong-Hui Jiang
- Department of Genetics, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, Connecticut, USA.,Department of Neurobiology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA.,Department of Pediatrics, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina, USA
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44
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Hassani Nia F, Woike D, Kloth K, Kortüm F, Kreienkamp HJ. Truncating mutations in SHANK3 associated with global developmental delay interfere with nuclear β-catenin signaling. J Neurochem 2020; 155:250-263. [PMID: 32202324 DOI: 10.1111/jnc.15014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/15/2019] [Revised: 02/28/2020] [Accepted: 03/16/2020] [Indexed: 01/18/2023]
Abstract
Mutations in SHANK3, coding for a large scaffold protein of excitatory synapses in the CNS, are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorders and intellectual disability (ID). Several cases have been identified in which the mutation leads to truncation of the protein, eliminating C-terminal sequences required for post-synaptic targeting of the protein. We identify here a patient with a truncating mutation in SHANK3, affected by severe global developmental delay and intellectual disability. By analyzing the subcellular distribution of this truncated form of Shank3, we identified a nuclear localization signal (NLS) in the N-terminal part of the protein which is responsible for targeting Shank3 fragments to the nucleus. To determine the relevance of Shank3 for nuclear signaling, we analyze how it affects signaling by β-catenin, a component of the Wnt pathway. We show that full length as well as truncated variants of Shank3 interact with β-catenin via the PDZ domain of Shank3, and the armadillo repeats of β-catenin. As a result of this interaction, truncated forms of Shank3 and β-catenin strictly co-localize in small intra-nuclear bodies both in 293T cells and in rat hippocampal neurons. On a functional level, the sequestration of both proteins in these nuclear bodies is associated with a strongly repressed transcriptional activation by β-catenin owing to interaction with the truncated Shank3 fragment found in patients. Our data suggest that truncating mutations in SHANK3 may not only lead to a reduction in Shank3 protein available at postsynaptic sites but also negatively affect the Wnt signaling pathway.
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Affiliation(s)
- Fatemeh Hassani Nia
- Institute for Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Daniel Woike
- Institute for Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Katja Kloth
- Institute for Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Fanny Kortüm
- Institute for Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Hans-Jürgen Kreienkamp
- Institute for Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf, Hamburg, Germany
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45
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Vincenzi M, Mercurio FA, Leone M. Sam Domains in Multiple Diseases. Curr Med Chem 2020; 27:450-476. [PMID: 30306850 DOI: 10.2174/0929867325666181009114445] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/03/2018] [Revised: 07/26/2018] [Accepted: 08/27/2018] [Indexed: 12/13/2022]
Abstract
BACKGROUND The sterile alpha motif (Sam) domain is a small helical protein module, able to undergo homo- and hetero-oligomerization, as well as polymerization, thus forming different types of protein architectures. A few Sam domains are involved in pathological processes and consequently, they represent valuable targets for the development of new potential therapeutic routes. This study intends to collect state-of-the-art knowledge on the different modes by which Sam domains can favor disease onset and progression. METHODS This review was build up by searching throughout the literature, for: a) the structural properties of Sam domains, b) interactions mediated by a Sam module, c) presence of a Sam domain in proteins relevant for a specific disease. RESULTS Sam domains appear crucial in many diseases including cancer, renal disorders, cataracts. Often pathologies are linked to mutations directly positioned in the Sam domains that alter their stability and/or affect interactions that are crucial for proper protein functions. In only a few diseases, the Sam motif plays a kind of "side role" and cooperates to the pathological event by enhancing the action of a different protein domain. CONCLUSION Considering the many roles of the Sam domain into a significant variety of diseases, more efforts and novel drug discovery campaigns need to be engaged to find out small molecules and/or peptides targeting Sam domains. Such compounds may represent the pillars on which to build novel therapeutic strategies to cure different pathologies.
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Affiliation(s)
- Marian Vincenzi
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council (CNR), Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Flavia Anna Mercurio
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council (CNR), Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.,Cirpeb, InterUniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
| | - Marilisa Leone
- Institute of Biostructures and Bioimaging, National Research Council (CNR), Via Mezzocannone 16, 80134 Naples, Italy.,Cirpeb, InterUniversity Research Centre on Bioactive Peptides, University of Naples "Federico II", Via Mezzocannone, 16, 80134 Naples, Italy
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46
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Kohlenberg TM, Trelles MP, McLarney B, Betancur C, Thurm A, Kolevzon A. Psychiatric illness and regression in individuals with Phelan-McDermid syndrome. J Neurodev Disord 2020; 12:7. [PMID: 32050889 PMCID: PMC7014655 DOI: 10.1186/s11689-020-9309-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/31/2019] [Accepted: 01/23/2020] [Indexed: 01/08/2023] Open
Abstract
BACKGROUND Phelan-McDermid syndrome (PMS) is a genetic condition characterized by intellectual disability, speech and language deficits, hypotonia, autism spectrum disorder, and epilepsy. PMS is caused by 22q13.33 deletions or mutations affecting SHANK3, which codes for a critical scaffolding protein in excitatory synapses. SHANK3 variants are also known to be associated with an increased risk for regression, as well as for psychiatric disorders, including bipolar disorder and catatonia. This study aimed to further describe these phenomena in PMS and to explore any relationship between psychiatric illness and regression after early childhood. METHODS Thirty-eight people with PMS were recruited to this study through the Phelan-McDermid Syndrome Foundation based on caregiver report of distinct development of psychiatric symptoms. Caregivers completed a clinician-administered semi-structured interview focused on eliciting psychiatric symptomatology. Data from the PMS International Registry were used to confirm genetic diagnoses of participants and to provide a larger sample for comparison. RESULTS The mean age of the 38 participants was 24.7 years (range = 13 to 50; SD = 10.06). Females (31 of 38 cases; 82%) and sequence variants (15 of 38 cases; 39%) were over-represented in this sample, compared to base rates in the PMS International Registry. Onset of psychiatric symptoms occurred at a mean age of 15.4 years (range = 7 to 32), with presentations marked by prominent disturbances of mood. Enduring substantial loss of functional skills after onset of psychiatric changes was seen in 25 cases (66%). Symptomst indicative of catatonia occurred in 20 cases (53%). Triggers included infections, changes in hormonal status, and stressful life events. CONCLUSIONS This study confirms that individuals with PMS are at risk of developing severe neuropsychiatric illness in adolescence or early adulthood, including bipolar disorder, catatonia, and lasting regression of skills. These findings should increase the awareness of these phenotypes and lead to earlier diagnosis and the implementation of appropriate interventions. Our findings also highlight the importance of genetic testing in the work-up of individuals with intellectual disability and acute psychiatric illness or regression. Future research is needed to clarify the prevalence and nature of psychiatric disorders and regression among larger unbiased samples of individuals with PMS.
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Affiliation(s)
- Teresa M Kohlenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, University of Massachusetts Medical School, Worcester, MA, USA.
| | - M Pilar Trelles
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
| | | | - Catalina Betancur
- Sorbonne Université, INSERM, CNRS, Neuroscience Paris Seine, Institut de Biologie Paris Seine, Paris, France
| | - Audrey Thurm
- Neurodevelopmental and Behavioral Phenotyping Service, Intramural Research Program, National Institute of Mental Health, National Institutes of Health, Bethesda, MD, USA
| | - Alexander Kolevzon
- Seaver Autism Center for Research and Treatment, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
- Department of Psychiatry, Icahn School of Medicine at Mount Sinai, New York, NY, USA
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47
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Bey AL, Gorman MP, Gallentine W, Kohlenberg TM, Frankovich J, Jiang YH, Van Haren K. Subacute Neuropsychiatric Syndrome in Girls With SHANK3 Mutations Responds to Immunomodulation. Pediatrics 2020; 145:peds.2019-1490. [PMID: 32015180 PMCID: PMC7802010 DOI: 10.1542/peds.2019-1490] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Accepted: 09/24/2019] [Indexed: 12/25/2022] Open
Abstract
Phenotypic and biological characterization of rare monogenic disorders represents 1 of the most important avenues toward understanding the mechanisms of human disease. Among patients with SH3 and multiple ankyrin repeat domains 3 (SHANK3) mutations, a subset will manifest neurologic regression, psychosis, and mood disorders. However, which patients will be affected, when, and why are important unresolved questions. Authors of recent studies suggest neuronal SHANK3 expression is modulated by both inflammatory and hormonal stimuli. In this case series, we describe 4 independent clinical observations of an immunotherapy responsive phenotype of peripubertal-onset neuropsychiatric regression in 4 girls with pathogenic SHANK3 mutations. Each child exhibited a history of stable, mild-to-moderate lifelong developmental disability until 12 to 14 years of age, at which time each manifested a similar, subacute-onset neurobehavioral syndrome. Symptoms included mutism, hallucinations, insomnia, inconsolable crying, obsessive-compulsive behaviors, loss of self-care, and urinary retention and/or incontinence. Symptoms were relatively refractory to antipsychotic medication but improved after immunomodulatory treatment. All 4 patients exhibited chronic relapsing courses during a period of treatment and follow-up ranging from 3 to 6 years. Two of the 4 girls recovered their premorbid level of functioning. We briefly review the scientific literature to offer a conceptual and molecular framework for understanding these clinical observations. Future clinical and translational investigations in this realm may offer insights into mechanisms and therapies bridging immune function and human behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexandra L. Bey
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Mark P. Gorman
- Department of Neurology, Boston Children’s Hospital and Harvard Medical School, Harvard University, Boston, Massachusetts
| | - William Gallentine
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina,Department of Neurology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Teresa M. Kohlenberg
- Department of Psychiatry, Medical School, University of Massachusetts, Worcester, Massachusetts
| | - Jennifer Frankovich
- Division of Rheumatology, Department of Pediatrics, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
| | - Yong-hui Jiang
- Department of Pediatrics and Neurobiology, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina,Department of Genomics and Genetics Graduate Program, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina,Department of Duke Institute for Brain Sciences, Duke University, Durham, North Carolina
| | - Keith Van Haren
- Department of Neurology and Neurological Sciences, School of Medicine, Stanford University, Palo Alto, California
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48
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CaMKIIα phosphorylation of Shank3 modulates ABI1-Shank3 interaction. Biochem Biophys Res Commun 2020; 524:262-267. [PMID: 31983435 DOI: 10.1016/j.bbrc.2020.01.089] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/07/2020] [Accepted: 01/15/2020] [Indexed: 12/22/2022]
Abstract
Protein-protein interactions can be modulated by phosphorylation of either binding partner, thereby altering subcellular localization and/or physiological function. Shank3, a master postsynaptic scaffolding protein that controls the developmental maturation of excitatory synapses, was recently shown to be phosphorylated by Protein Kinase A (PKA) at Ser685 in vivo. Mutation of Shank3 Ser685 was shown to modulate the binding of Abelson interactor 1 (ABI1), a component of the WAVE regulatory complex for actin remodeling, but a direct effect of Ser685 phosphorylation on ABI1 binding was not investigated. Here, we demonstrate that Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II alpha (CaMKIIα) also phosphorylates Shank3 at Ser685. Mutation of Ser685 to phospho-null alanine (S685A) prevented both CaMKIIα and PKA phosphorylation of a GST-Shank3 fusion protein. The co-immunoprecipitation of ABI1 with Shank3 from HEK293 cell extracts is reduced by mutation of Ser685 to either Ala or Asp. However, pre-phosphorylation of GST-Shank3 by purified CaMKIIα significantly increased binding of ABI1, and this effect was abrogated by Ser685 to Ala mutation in GST-Shank3. Taken together, our data suggest that neuronal ABI1-Shank3 interactions may be convergently regulated by Shank3 Ser685 phosphorylation in response to both Ca2+ and cAMP signaling, potentially modulating dendritic spine morphology.
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49
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Grasselli C, Carbone A, Panelli P, Giambra V, Bossi M, Mazzoccoli G, De Filippis L. Neural Stem Cells from Shank3-ko Mouse Model Autism Spectrum Disorders. Mol Neurobiol 2019; 57:1502-1515. [PMID: 31773410 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-019-01811-6] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/22/2019] [Accepted: 09/30/2019] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) comprise a complex of neurodevelopmental disorders caused by a variety of genetic defects and characterized by alterations in social communication and repetitive behavior. Since the mechanisms leading to early neuronal degeneration remain elusive, we chose to examine the properties of NSCs isolated from an animal model of ASD in order to evaluate whether their neurogenic potential may recapitulate the early phases of neurogenesis in the brain of ASD patients. Mutations of the gene coding for the Shank3 protein play a key role in the impairment of brain development and synaptogenesis in ASD patients. Experiments here reported show that NSCs derived from the subventricular zone (SVZ) of adult Shank3Δ11-/- (Shank3-ko) mice retain self-renewal capacity in vitro, but differentiate earlier than wild-type (wt) cells, displaying an evident endosomal/lysosomal and ubiquitin aggregation in astroglial cells together with mitochondrial impairment and inflammasome activation, suggesting that glial degeneration likely contributes to neuronal damage in ASD. These in vitro observations obtained in our disease model are consistent with data in vivo obtained in ASD patients and suggest that Shank3 deficit could affect the late phases of neurogenesis and/or the survival of mature cells rather than NSC self-renewal. This evidence supports Shank3-ko NSCs as a reliable in vitro disease model and suggests the rescue of glial cells as a therapeutic strategy to prevent neuronal degeneration in ASD.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Grasselli
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - A Carbone
- Department of Medical Sciences, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - P Panelli
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Via dei Cappuccini 1, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - V Giambra
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Via dei Cappuccini 1, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - M Bossi
- Department of Medicine and Surgery, University of Milan-Bicocca, Milan, Italy
| | - G Mazzoccoli
- Department of Medical Sciences, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy
| | - L De Filippis
- Department of Regenerative Medicine, Fondazione IRCCS Casa Sollievo della Sofferenza, Via dei Cappuccini 1, 71013, San Giovanni Rotondo, FG, Italy.
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50
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Han KA, Kim J, Kim H, Kim D, Lim D, Ko J, Um JW. Slitrk2 controls excitatory synapse development via PDZ-mediated protein interactions. Sci Rep 2019; 9:17094. [PMID: 31745231 PMCID: PMC6863843 DOI: 10.1038/s41598-019-53519-1] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/08/2019] [Accepted: 10/31/2019] [Indexed: 01/09/2023] Open
Abstract
Members of the Slitrk (Slit- and Trk-like protein) family of synaptic cell-adhesion molecules control excitatory and inhibitory synapse development through isoform-dependent extracellular interactions with leukocyte common antigen-related receptor protein tyrosine phosphatases (LAR-RPTPs). However, how Slitrks participate in activation of intracellular signaling pathways in postsynaptic neurons remains largely unknown. Here we report that, among the six members of the Slitrk family, only Slitrk2 directly interacts with the PDZ domain-containing excitatory scaffolds, PSD-95 and Shank3. The interaction of Slitrk2 with PDZ proteins is mediated by the cytoplasmic COOH-terminal PDZ domain-binding motif (Ile-Ser-Glu-Leu), which is not found in other Slitrks. Mapping analyses further revealed that a single PDZ domain of Shank3 is responsible for binding to Slitrk2. Slitrk2 forms in vivo complexes with membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) family proteins in addition to PSD-95 and Shank3. Intriguingly, in addition to its role in synaptic targeting in cultured hippocampal neurons, the PDZ domain-binding motif of Slitrk2 is required for Slitrk2 promotion of excitatory synapse formation, transmission, and spine development in the CA1 hippocampal region. Collectively, our data suggest a new molecular mechanism for conferring isoform-specific regulatory actions of the Slitrk family in orchestrating intracellular signal transduction pathways in postsynaptic neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kyung Ah Han
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), 333 Techno Jungangdae-Ro, Hyeonpoong-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu, 42988, Korea
| | - Jinhu Kim
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), 333 Techno Jungangdae-Ro, Hyeonpoong-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu, 42988, Korea
| | - Hyeonho Kim
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), 333 Techno Jungangdae-Ro, Hyeonpoong-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu, 42988, Korea
| | - Dongwook Kim
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), 333 Techno Jungangdae-Ro, Hyeonpoong-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu, 42988, Korea
| | - Dongseok Lim
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), 333 Techno Jungangdae-Ro, Hyeonpoong-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu, 42988, Korea
| | - Jaewon Ko
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), 333 Techno Jungangdae-Ro, Hyeonpoong-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu, 42988, Korea
| | - Ji Won Um
- Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), 333 Techno Jungangdae-Ro, Hyeonpoong-eup, Dalseong-gun, Daegu, 42988, Korea.
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