1
|
Deng PY, Kumar A, Cavalli V, Klyachko VA. Circuit-based intervention corrects excessive dentate gyrus output in the fragile X mouse model. eLife 2024; 12:RP92563. [PMID: 38345852 PMCID: PMC10942577 DOI: 10.7554/elife.92563] [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] [Indexed: 02/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Abnormal cellular and circuit excitability is believed to drive many core phenotypes in fragile X syndrome (FXS). The dentate gyrus is a brain area performing critical computations essential for learning and memory. However, little is known about dentate circuit defects and their mechanisms in FXS. Understanding dentate circuit dysfunction in FXS has been complicated by the presence of two types of excitatory neurons, the granule cells and mossy cells. Here we report that loss of FMRP markedly decreased excitability of dentate mossy cells, a change opposite to all other known excitability defects in excitatory neurons in FXS. This mossy cell hypo-excitability is caused by increased Kv7 function in Fmr1 knockout (KO) mice. By reducing the excitatory drive onto local hilar interneurons, hypo-excitability of mossy cells results in increased excitation/inhibition ratio in granule cells and thus paradoxically leads to excessive dentate output. Circuit-wide inhibition of Kv7 channels in Fmr1 KO mice increases inhibitory drive onto granule cells and normalizes the dentate output in response to physiologically relevant theta-gamma coupling stimulation. Our study suggests that circuit-based interventions may provide a promising strategy in this disorder to bypass irreconcilable excitability defects in different cell types and restore their pathophysiological consequences at the circuit level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pan-Yue Deng
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of MedicineSt LouisUnited States
| | - Ajeet Kumar
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of MedicineSt LouisUnited States
| | - Valeria Cavalli
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of MedicineSt LouisUnited States
| | - Vitaly A Klyachko
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of MedicineSt LouisUnited States
| |
Collapse
|
2
|
Deng PY, Kumar A, Cavalli V, Klyachko VA. Circuit-based intervention corrects excessive dentate gyrus output in the Fragile X mouse model. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.09.27.559792. [PMID: 37808793 PMCID: PMC10557679 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.27.559792] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/10/2023]
Abstract
Abnormal cellular and circuit excitability is believed to drive many core phenotypes in fragile X syndrome (FXS). The dentate gyrus is a brain area performing critical computations essential for learning and memory. However, little is known about dentate circuit defects and their mechanisms in FXS. Understanding dentate circuit dysfunction in FXS has been complicated by the presence of two types of excitatory neurons, the granule cells and mossy cells. Here we report that loss of FMRP markedly decreased excitability of dentate mossy cells, a change opposite to all other known excitability defects in excitatory neurons in FXS. This mossy cell hypo-excitability is caused by increased Kv7 function in Fmr1 KO mice. By reducing the excitatory drive onto local hilar interneurons, hypo-excitability of mossy cells results in increased excitation/inhibition ratio in granule cells and thus paradoxically leads to excessive dentate output. Circuit-wide inhibition of Kv7 channels in Fmr1 KO mice increases inhibitory drive onto granule cells and normalizes the dentate output in response to physiologically relevant theta-gamma coupling stimulation. Our study suggests that circuit-based interventions may provide a promising strategy in this disorder to bypass irreconcilable excitability defects in different cell types and restore their pathophysiological consequences at the circuit level.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pan-Yue Deng
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, 63110, USA
| | - Ajeet Kumar
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, 63110, USA
| | - Valeria Cavalli
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, 63110, USA
| | - Vitaly A. Klyachko
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri, 63110, USA
| |
Collapse
|
3
|
Johnson D, Clark C, Hagerman R. Targeted Treatments for Fragile X Syndrome. ADVANCES IN NEUROBIOLOGY 2023; 30:225-253. [PMID: 36928853 DOI: 10.1007/978-3-031-21054-9_10] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 03/18/2023]
Abstract
The histories of targeted treatment trials in fragile X syndrome (FXS) are reviewed in animal studies and human trials. Advances in understanding the neurobiology of FXS have identified a number of pathways that are dysregulated in the absence of FMRP and are therefore pathways that can be targeted with new medication. The utilization of quantitative outcome measures to assess efficacy in multiple studies has improved the quality of more recent trials. Current treatment trials including the use of cannabidiol (CBD) topically and metformin orally have positive preliminary data, and both of these medications are available clinically. The use of the phosphodiesterase inhibitor (PDE4D), BPN1440, which raised the level of cAMP that is low in FXS has very promising results for improving cognition in adult males who underwent a controlled trial. There are many more targeted treatments that will undergo trials in FXS, so the future looks bright for new treatments.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Devon Johnson
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Courtney Clark
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
| | - Randi Hagerman
- MIND Institute, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
- Department of Pediatrics, University of California Davis Health, Sacramento, CA, USA
| |
Collapse
|
4
|
Choi C, Smalley JL, Lemons AHS, Ren Q, Bope CE, Dengler JS, Davies PA, Moss SJ. Analyzing the mechanisms that facilitate the subtype-specific assembly of γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:1017404. [PMID: 36263376 PMCID: PMC9574402 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.1017404] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2022] [Accepted: 09/07/2022] [Indexed: 01/16/2023] Open
Abstract
Impaired inhibitory signaling underlies the pathophysiology of many neuropsychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders including autism spectrum disorders and epilepsy. Neuronal inhibition is regulated by synaptic and extrasynaptic γ-aminobutyric acid type A receptors (GABA A Rs), which mediate phasic and tonic inhibition, respectively. These two GABA A R subtypes differ in their function, ligand sensitivity, and physiological properties. Importantly, they contain different α subunit isoforms: synaptic GABA A Rs contain the α1-3 subunits whereas extrasynaptic GABA A Rs contain the α4-6 subunits. While the subunit composition is critical for the distinct roles of synaptic and extrasynaptic GABA A R subtypes in inhibition, the molecular mechanism of the subtype-specific assembly has not been elucidated. To address this issue, we purified endogenous α1- and α4-containing GABA A Rs from adult murine forebrains and examined their subunit composition and interacting proteins using liquid chromatography coupled with tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) and quantitative analysis. We found that the α1 and α4 subunits form separate populations of GABA A Rs and interact with distinct sets of binding proteins. We also discovered that the β3 subunit, which co-purifies with both the α1 and α4 subunits, has different levels of phosphorylation on serines 408 and 409 (S408/9) between the two receptor subtypes. To understand the role S408/9 plays in the assembly of α1- and α4-containing GABA A Rs, we examined the effects of S408/9A (alanine) knock-in mutation on the subunit composition of the two receptor subtypes using LC-MS/MS and quantitative analysis. We discovered that the S408/9A mutation results in the formation of novel α1α4-containing GABA A Rs. Moreover, in S408/9A mutants, the plasma membrane expression of the α4 subunit is increased whereas its retention in the endoplasmic reticulum is reduced. These findings suggest that S408/9 play a critical role in determining the subtype-specific assembly of GABA A Rs, and thus the efficacy of neuronal inhibition.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Catherine Choi
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Joshua L. Smalley
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Abigail H. S. Lemons
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Qiu Ren
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Christopher E. Bope
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Jake S. Dengler
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Paul A. Davies
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States
| | - Stephen J. Moss
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, MA, United States,Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, London, United Kingdom,*Correspondence: Stephen J. Moss,
| |
Collapse
|
5
|
Deng PY, Kumar A, Cavalli V, Klyachko VA. FMRP regulates GABA A receptor channel activity to control signal integration in hippocampal granule cells. Cell Rep 2022; 39:110820. [PMID: 35584668 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110820] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2021] [Revised: 03/11/2022] [Accepted: 04/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022] Open
Abstract
Fragile X syndrome, the most common inherited form of intellectual disability, is caused by loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). GABAergic system dysfunction is one of the hallmarks of FXS, yet the underlying mechanisms remain poorly understood. Here, we report that FMRP interacts with GABAA receptor (GABAAR) and modulates its single-channel activity. Specifically, FMRP regulates spontaneous GABAAR opening through modulating its single-channel conductance and open probability in dentate granule cells. FMRP loss reduces spontaneous GABAAR activity underlying tonic inhibition, while N-terminal FMRP fragment (aa 1-297) is sufficient to rapidly normalize tonic inhibition in Fmr1 knockout (KO) granule cells. FMRP-GABAAR interaction is supported by co-immunoprecipitation of FMRP with at least one GABAAR subunit, the α5. Functionally, FMRP-GABAAR interaction ensures accuracy of coincidence detection of granule cells, which is markedly reduced in Fmr1 KOs. Our study reveals a mechanism underlying FMRP regulation of the GABAergic system and information processing in the hippocampus.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Pan-Yue Deng
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Ajeet Kumar
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Valeria Cavalli
- Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA; Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA; Center of Regenerative Medicine, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA
| | - Vitaly A Klyachko
- Department of Cell Biology and Physiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA; Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, MO 63110, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
6
|
van der Lei MB, Kooy RF. Therapeutic potential of GABAA receptor subunit expression abnormalities in fragile X syndrome. EXPERT REVIEW OF PRECISION MEDICINE AND DRUG DEVELOPMENT 2022. [DOI: 10.1080/23808993.2021.2008168] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 10/19/2022]
Affiliation(s)
| | - R. Frank Kooy
- Department of Medical Genetics, University of Antwerp, Antwerp, Belgium
| |
Collapse
|
7
|
Rudolph S, Guo C, Pashkovski SL, Osorno T, Gillis WF, Krauss JM, Nyitrai H, Flaquer I, El-Rifai M, Datta SR, Regehr WG. Cerebellum-Specific Deletion of the GABA A Receptor δ Subunit Leads to Sex-Specific Disruption of Behavior. Cell Rep 2021; 33:108338. [PMID: 33147470 PMCID: PMC7700496 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2020.108338] [Citation(s) in RCA: 30] [Impact Index Per Article: 10.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2019] [Revised: 08/04/2020] [Accepted: 10/08/2020] [Indexed: 12/19/2022] Open
Abstract
Granule cells (GCs) of the cerebellar input layer express high-affinity δ GABAA subunit-containing GABAA receptors (δGABAARs) that respond to ambient GABA levels and context-dependent neuromodulators like steroids. We find that GC-specific deletion of δGABAA (cerebellar [cb] δ knockout [KO]) decreases tonic inhibition, makes GCs hyperexcitable, and in turn, leads to differential activation of cb output regions as well as many cortical and subcortical brain areas involved in cognition, anxiety-like behaviors, and the stress response. Cb δ KO mice display deficits in many behaviors, but motor function is normal. Strikingly, δGABAA deletion alters maternal behavior as well as spontaneous, stress-related, and social behaviors specifically in females. Our findings establish that δGABAARs enable the cerebellum to control diverse behaviors not previously associated with the cerebellum in a sex-dependent manner. These insights may contribute to a better understanding of the mechanisms that underlie behavioral abnormalities in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders that display a gender bias. Rudolph et al. show that deletion of the neuromodulator and hormone-sensitive δGABAA receptor subunit from cerebellar granule cells results in anxiety-like behaviors and female-specific deficits in social behavior and maternal care. δGABAA deletion is associated with hyperexcitability of the cerebellar input layer and altered activation of many stress-related brain regions.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Stephanie Rudolph
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Chong Guo
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Stan L Pashkovski
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Tomas Osorno
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Winthrop F Gillis
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Jeremy M Krauss
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Hajnalka Nyitrai
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Isabella Flaquer
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | - Mahmoud El-Rifai
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA
| | | | - Wade G Regehr
- Department of Neurobiology, Harvard Medical School, Boston, MA 02115, USA.
| |
Collapse
|
8
|
Kramvis I, van Westen R, Lammertse HCA, Riga D, Heistek TS, Loebel A, Spijker S, Mansvelder HD, Meredith RM. Dysregulated Prefrontal Cortex Inhibition in Prepubescent and Adolescent Fragile X Mouse Model. Front Mol Neurosci 2020; 13:88. [PMID: 32528248 PMCID: PMC7264168 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2020.00088] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/07/2020] [Accepted: 04/28/2020] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Changes in excitation and inhibition are associated with the pathobiology of neurodevelopmental disorders of intellectual disability and autism and are widely described in Fragile X syndrome (FXS). In the prefrontal cortex (PFC), essential for cognitive processing, excitatory connectivity and plasticity are found altered in the FXS mouse model, however, little is known about the state of inhibition. To that end, we investigated GABAergic signaling in the Fragile X Mental Retardation 1 (FMR1) knock out (Fmr1-KO) mouse medial PFC (mPFC). We report changes at the molecular, and functional levels of inhibition at three (prepubescence) and six (adolescence) postnatal weeks. Functional changes were most prominent during early postnatal development, resulting in stronger inhibition, through increased synaptic inhibitory drive and amplitude, and reduction of inhibitory short-term synaptic depression. Noise analysis of prepubescent post-synaptic currents demonstrated an increased number of receptors opening during peak current in Fmr1-KO inhibitory synapses. During adolescence amplitudes and plasticity changes normalized, however, the inhibitory drive was now reduced in Fmr1-KO, while synaptic kinetics were prolonged. Finally, adolescent GABAA receptor subunit α2 and GABAB receptor subtype B1 expression levels were different in Fmr1-KOs than WT littermate controls. Together these results extend the degree of synaptic GABAergic alterations in FXS, now to the mPFC of Fmr1-KO mice, a behaviourally relevant brain region in neurodevelopmental disorder pathology.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Ioannis Kramvis
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rhodé van Westen
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Hanna C A Lammertse
- Department of Functional Genomics, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Danai Riga
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Tim S Heistek
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Alex Loebel
- Department of Neurobiology, Ludwig-Maximilians Universitat, Munich, Germany
| | - Sabine Spijker
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Neurobiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Huibert D Mansvelder
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Rhiannon M Meredith
- Department of Integrative Neurophysiology, Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research, Vrije Universiteit, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| |
Collapse
|
9
|
Parakala ML, Zhang Y, Modgil A, Chadchankar J, Vien TN, Ackley MA, Doherty JJ, Davies PA, Moss SJ. Metabotropic, but not allosteric, effects of neurosteroids on GABAergic inhibition depend on the phosphorylation of GABA A receptors. J Biol Chem 2019; 294:12220-12230. [PMID: 31239352 PMCID: PMC6690684 DOI: 10.1074/jbc.ra119.008875] [Citation(s) in RCA: 26] [Impact Index Per Article: 5.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/17/2019] [Revised: 05/28/2019] [Indexed: 11/06/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuroactive steroids (NASs) are synthesized within the brain and exert profound effects on behavior. These effects are primarily believed to arise from the activities of NASs as positive allosteric modulators (PAMs) of the GABA-type A receptor (GABAAR). NASs also activate a family of G protein-coupled receptors known as membrane progesterone receptors (mPRs). Here, using surface-biotinylation assays and electrophysiology techniques, we examined mPRs' role in mediating the effects of NAS on the efficacy of GABAergic inhibition. Selective mPR activation enhanced phosphorylation of Ser-408 and Ser-409 (Ser-408/9) within the GABAAR β3 subunit, which depended on the activity of cAMP-dependent protein kinase A (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC). mPR activation did not directly modify GABAAR activity and had no acute effects on phasic or tonic inhibition. Instead, mPR activation induced a sustained elevation in tonic current, which was blocked by PKA and PKC inhibition. Substitution of Ser-408/9 to alanine residues also prevented the effects of mPR activation on tonic current. Furthermore, this substitution abolished the effects of sustained NAS exposure on tonic inhibition. Interestingly, the allosteric effects of NAS on GABAergic inhibition were independent of Ser-408/9 in the β3 subunit. Additionally, although allosteric effects of NAS on GABAergic inhibition were sensitive to a recently developed "NAS antagonist," the sustained effects of NAS on tonic inhibition were not. We conclude that metabotropic effects of NAS on GABAergic inhibition are mediated by mPR-dependent modulation of GABAAR phosphorylation. We propose that this mechanism may contribute to the varying behavioral effects of NAS.
Collapse
Affiliation(s)
- Manasa L Parakala
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
| | - Yihui Zhang
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
| | - Amit Modgil
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
| | - Jayashree Chadchankar
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
| | - Thuy N Vien
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
| | | | | | - Paul A Davies
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111
| | - Stephen J Moss
- Department of Neuroscience, Tufts University School of Medicine, Boston, Massachusetts 02111; Department of Neuroscience, Physiology, and Pharmacology, University College, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
| |
Collapse
|