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Delling JP, Bauer HF, Gerlach-Arbeiter S, Schön M, Jacob C, Wagner J, Pedro MT, Knöll B, Boeckers TM. Combined expansion and STED microscopy reveals altered fingerprints of postsynaptic nanostructure across brain regions in ASD-related SHANK3-deficiency. Mol Psychiatry 2024:10.1038/s41380-024-02559-9. [PMID: 38649753 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-024-02559-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/05/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/08/2024] [Indexed: 04/25/2024]
Abstract
Synaptic dysfunction is a key feature of SHANK-associated disorders such as autism spectrum disorder, schizophrenia, and Phelan-McDermid syndrome. Since detailed knowledge of their effect on synaptic nanostructure remains limited, we aimed to investigate such alterations in ex11|SH3 SHANK3-KO mice combining expansion and STED microscopy. This enabled high-resolution imaging of mosaic-like arrangements formed by synaptic proteins in both human and murine brain tissue. We found distinct shape-profiles as fingerprints of the murine postsynaptic scaffold across brain regions and genotypes, as well as alterations in the spatial and molecular organization of subsynaptic domains under SHANK3-deficient conditions. These results provide insights into synaptic nanostructure in situ and advance our understanding of molecular mechanisms underlying synaptic dysfunction in neuropsychiatric disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jan Philipp Delling
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, 89081, Germany.
- Max Planck Institute of Psychiatry, Munich, 80804, Germany.
| | | | | | - Michael Schön
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, 89081, Germany
| | - Christian Jacob
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, 89081, Germany
| | - Jan Wagner
- Department of Neurology, Ulm University, Ulm, 89081, Germany
| | | | - Bernd Knöll
- Institute of Neurobiochemistry, Ulm University, Ulm, 89081, Germany
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Ulm, 89081, Germany.
- Ulm Site, DZNE, Ulm, 89081, Germany.
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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] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Malara M, Lutz AK, Incearap B, Bauer HF, Cursano S, Volbracht K, Lerner JJ, Pandey R, Delling JP, Ioannidis V, Arévalo AP, von Bernhardi JE, Schön M, Bockmann J, Dimou L, Boeckers TM. SHANK3 deficiency leads to myelin defects in the central and peripheral nervous system. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:371. [PMID: 35726031 PMCID: PMC9209365 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04400-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2022] [Revised: 05/11/2022] [Accepted: 05/25/2022] [Indexed: 01/04/2023]
Abstract
Mutations or deletions of the SHANK3 gene are causative for Phelan–McDermid syndrome (PMDS), a syndromic form of autism spectrum disorders (ASDs). We analyzed Shank3Δ11(−/−) mice and organoids from PMDS individuals to study effects on myelin. SHANK3 was found to be expressed in oligodendrocytes and Schwann cells, and MRI analysis of Shank3Δ11(−/−) mice revealed a reduced volume of the corpus callosum as seen in PMDS patients. Myelin proteins including myelin basic protein showed significant temporal and regional differences with lower levels in the CNS but increased amounts in the PNS of Shank3Δ11(−/−) animals. Node, as well as paranode, lengths were increased and ultrastructural analysis revealed region-specific alterations of the myelin sheaths. In PMDS hiPSC-derived cerebral organoids we observed an altered number and delayed maturation of myelinating cells. These findings provide evidence that, in addition to a synaptic deregulation, impairment of myelin might profoundly contribute to the clinical manifestation of SHANK3 deficiency.
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Affiliation(s)
- Mariagiovanna Malara
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
- International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine, IGradU, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Anne-Kathrin Lutz
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Berra Incearap
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
- International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine, IGradU, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Helen Friedericke Bauer
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
- International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine, IGradU, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Silvia Cursano
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Katrin Volbracht
- Molecular and Translational Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Joanna Janina Lerner
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
- International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine, IGradU, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Rakshita Pandey
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jan Philipp Delling
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Valentin Ioannidis
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Andrea Pérez Arévalo
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | | | - Michael Schön
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Jürgen Bockmann
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Leda Dimou
- Molecular and Translational Neuroscience, Department of Neurology, Ulm University, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Tobias M Boeckers
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm University, Albert-Einstein Allee 11, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
- DZNE, Ulm Site, 89081, Ulm, Germany.
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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: 28] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [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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Reim D, Weis TM, Halbedl S, Delling JP, Grabrucker AM, Boeckers TM, Schmeisser MJ. The Shank3 Interaction Partner ProSAPiP1 Regulates Postsynaptic SPAR Levels and the Maturation of Dendritic Spines in Hippocampal Neurons. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2016; 8:13. [PMID: 27252646 PMCID: PMC4877498 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2016.00013] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.9] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/04/2016] [Accepted: 05/10/2016] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The postsynaptic density or PSD is a submembranous compartment containing a wide array of proteins that contribute to both morphology and function of excitatory glutamatergic synapses. In this study, we have analyzed functional aspects of the Fezzin ProSAP-interacting protein 1 (ProSAPiP1), an interaction partner of the well-known PSD proteins Shank3 and SPAR. Using lentiviral-mediated overexpression and knockdown of ProSAPiP1, we found that this protein is dispensable for the formation of both pre- and postsynaptic specializations per se. We further show that ProSAPiP1 regulates SPAR levels at the PSD and the maturation of dendritic spines. In line with previous findings on the ProSAPiP1 homolog PSD-Zip70, we conclude that Fezzins essentially contribute to the maturation of excitatory spine synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Dominik Reim
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany; International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany
| | - Tobias M Weis
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany; International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany
| | - Sonja Halbedl
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany; International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany
| | - Jan Philipp Delling
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany; International Graduate School in Molecular Medicine, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany
| | - Andreas M Grabrucker
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany; WG Molecular Analysis of Synaptopathies, Department of Neurology, Neurocenter of Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany
| | | | - Michael J Schmeisser
- Institute for Anatomy and Cell Biology, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany; Department of Neurology, Ulm UniversityUlm, Germany
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