Project description:The immense molecular diversity of neurons challenges our ability to deconvolve the relationship between the genetic and the cellular underpinnings of neuropsychiatric disorders. We suspected that comprehensive approaches to parsing this complexity may inform human genetics studies. The serotonergic system has long been suspected in disorders that involve repetitive behaviors and resistance to change, including autism. We generated a bacTRAP mouse line to permit the in vivo profiling of all ongoing translation in serotonergic neurons. From this, we identified 174 serotonergic-cell enriched and specific genes, including all known markers of these cells. Analysis of common variants in these genes in human families with autism implicated two genes, C1QTNF2 and the RNA-binding protein CELF6. This work provides a reproducible and accurate method to assess the translational profiles of serotonergic neurons under a variety of conditions in vivo, and suggests cell-specific information may provide some insight into the genetic etiology of complex psychiatric disorders
Project description:The immense molecular diversity of neurons challenges our ability to deconvolve the relationship between the genetic and the cellular underpinnings of neuropsychiatric disorders. We suspected that comprehensive approaches to parsing this complexity may inform human genetics studies. The serotonergic system has long been suspected in disorders that involve repetitive behaviors and resistance to change, including autism. We generated a bacTRAP mouse line to permit the in vivo profiling of all ongoing translation in serotonergic neurons. From this, we identified 174 serotonergic-cell enriched and specific genes, including all known markers of these cells. Analysis of common variants in these genes in human families with autism implicated two genes, C1QTNF2 and the RNA-binding protein CELF6. This work provides a reproducible and accurate method to assess the translational profiles of serotonergic neurons under a variety of conditions in vivo, and suggests cell-specific information may provide some insight into the genetic etiology of complex psychiatric disorders For each cell population, three independent TRAP replicates were collected, and total RNA from both the immunoprecipitate and unbound fractions were seperately amplified and hybridized. For each tissue, several representative unnbound fractions are provided to serve as controls. Biological replicates are GCRMA normalized within groups. Following averaging of replicates, we recommend further global normalization between groups, using affymetrix biotinylated controls, to correct for any broad biases in scanning and hybridization. Finally for many analyses, we also recommend filtering to remove those probesets with low IP/UB fold change values from each cell type(see PMID:20962086). Researchers can contact us for spreadsheets where these additional steps have been completed.
Project description:Mental disorders are caused by genetic and environmental factors. We here show that deficiency of an isoform of dopamine D2 receptor (D2R), D2LR, causes psychosocial stress vulnerability in mouse. This occurs through dysfunction of type 1A serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) receptor (5-HT1AR) on serotonergic neurons in the mouse brain. Exposure to forced swim stress significantly increased anxiety- and depressive-like behaviors in D2LR knockout (D2LR-KO) male mice as compared with wild-type mice. Treatment with 8-OH-DPAT, a 5-HT1AR agonist, failed to alleviate the stress-induced behaviors in D2LR-KO mice. In forced swim-stressed D2LR-KO mice, 5-HT release in the medial prefrontal cortex was elevated and the expression of genes related to 5-HT levels was up-regulated by the transcription factor PET1 in the dorsal raphe nucleus. Notably, D2LR formed a heteromer with 5-HT1AR in serotonergic neurons, thereby suppressing 5-HT1AR–activated G-protein–activated inwardly rectifying potassium (GIRK) conductance in D2LR-KO serotonergic neurons. Finally, D2LR overexpression in serotonergic neurons in the dorsal raphe nucleus alleviated stress vulnerability observed in D2LR-KO mice. Taken together, we conclude that disruption of the negative feedback regulation by the D2LR/5-HT1A heteromer causes stress vulnerability.
Project description:One of the most fundamental challenges in developing treatments for autism-spectrum disorders is the heterogeneity of the condition. More than one hundred genetic mutations confer high risk for autism, with each individual mutation accounting for only a small fraction of autism cases. Subsets of risk genes can be grouped into functionally-related pathways, most prominently synaptic proteins, translational regulation, and chromatin modifications. To possibly circumvent this genetic complexity, recent therapeutic strategies have focused on the neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin which regulate aspects of social behavior in mammals. However, whether genetic risk factors might predispose to autism due to modification of oxytocinergic signaling remains largely unknown. Here, we report that an autism-associated mutation in the synaptic adhesion molecule neuroligin-3 (Nlgn3) results in impaired oxytocin signaling in dopaminergic neurons and in altered social novelty responses in mice. Surprisingly, loss of Nlgn3 is accompanied by a disruption of translation homeostasis in the ventral tegmental area. Treatment of Nlgn3KO mice with a novel, highly specific, brain-penetrant inhibitor of MAP-kinase interacting kinases resets mRNA translation and restores oxytocin and social novelty responses. Thus, this work identifies an unexpected convergence between the genetic autism risk factor Nlgn3, translational regulation, and oxytocinergic signaling. Focus on such common core plasticity elements might provide a pragmatic approach to reduce the heterogeneity of autism phenotypes. Ultimately, this would allow for mechanism-based stratification of patient populations to increase the success of therapeutic interventions.
Project description:Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) represent neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social deficits, repetitive behaviors, and various comorbidities, including epilepsy. ANK2, which encodes a neuronal scaffolding protein, is frequently mutated in ASD, but its in vivo functions and disease-related mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we report that mice with Ank2 knockout restricted to cortical and hippocampal excitatory neurons (Ank2-cKO mice) show ASD-related behavioral abnormalities and juvenile seizure-related death. Ank2-cKO cortical neurons show abnormally increased excitability and firing rate. These changes accompanied decreases in the total level and function of the Kv7.2/KCNQ2 and Kv7.3/KCNQ3 potassium channels and the density of these channels in the enlengthened axon initial segment. Importantly, the Kv7 agonist, retigabine, rescued neuronal excitability, juvenile seizure-related death, and hyperactivity in Ank2-cKO mice. These results suggest that Ank2 regulates neuronal excitability by regulating the length of and Kv7 density in the AIS and that Kv7 channelopathy is involved in Ank2-related brain dysfunctions.
Project description:The amygdala is a prominent region of the brain processing stress-related emotion and vigilance. Additionally it is known that the serotonergic system is strongly involved in stress response and adaptation. The serotonin transporter (5-HTT) as key regulator of serotonergic activity in the brain is associated with stress-related neuropsychiatric disorders as well as heightened trait anxiety/dysphoria and exaggerated response to fear and environmental stress in humans. Also 5-HTT knockout mice display increased anxiety- and depression-related behaviors, altered stress reactivity and stress-coping abilities, gene expression differences and altered dendritic morphology. We measured immediate reactions to an acute stressor in 5-HTT knockout mice vs. wildtypes using microarrays for genome wide gene expression profiling in the amygdala and identified different functional clusters dependent on condition and genotype. Global amygdalar gene expression profiles were compared between 5-HTT knockout vs. wildtype mice in the conditions control vs. acute stressor in a total sample of 20 (5 biological replicates per genotype and condition).
Project description:Although circadian rhythms are thought to be essential for maintaining body health, the effects of chronic circadian disruption during neurodevelopment remain elusive. Here, using the “Short Day” (SD) mouse model, in which an 8h/8h Light/Dark (LD) cycle was applied during E1-P42, we investigated molecular and behavioral changes after circadian disruption in mice. Adult SD mice fully entrained to the 8h/8h LD cycle and their circadian oscillations of clock protein PERI-OD1 and PERIOD2 were disrupted in the suprachiasmatic nucleus and the hippocampus. RNA-seq revealed changes in the transcriptome associated with neurodevelopment, translational control, and autism. Western blotting and immunostaining identified hyperactivation of the mTOR and MAPK signaling and enhanced global protein synthesis in the hippocampus of SD mice. Electrophysiological recording uncovered enhanced excitatory but attenuated inhibitory synaptic transmission in the hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. These functional changes are corroborated by immature dendritic spine morphology in these neurons. Lastly, autistic-like be-havioral changes, including impaired social interaction and communication, increased repetitive behaviors and impaired novel object recognition and location memory, were found in SD mice. Together, these findings demonstrate autistic-like phenotypes in SD mice and highlight a critical role for circadian rhythm in neurodevelopment.
Project description:Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD) is a developmental disorder characterized by impaired social communication and repetitive behaviors. In recent years, a pharmacological mouse model of ASD involving maternal administration of valproic acid (VPA) has become widely used. Newborn pups in this model show an abnormal balance between excitatory and inhibitory (E/I) signaling in neurons and exhibit ASD-like behavior. To elucidate the molecular basis of this model, we analyzed secretome of primary neurons cultured from embryos maternally treated with or without VPA.
Project description:Autism spectrum disorders (ASD) represent neurodevelopmental disorders characterized by social deficits, repetitive behaviors, and various comorbidities, including epilepsy. ANK2, which encodes a neuronal scaffolding protein, is frequently mutated in ASD, but its in vivo functions and disease-related mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we report that mice with Ank2 knockout restricted to cortical and hippocampal excitatory neurons (Ank2-cKO mice) show ASD-related behavioral abnormalities and juvenile seizure-related death. Ank2-cKO cortical neurons show abnormally increased excitability and firing rate. These changes accompanied decreases in the total level and function of the Kv7.2/KCNQ2 and Kv7.3/KCNQ3 potassium channels and the density of these channels in the enlengthened axon initial segment. Importantly, the Kv7 agonist, retigabine, rescued neuronal excitability, juvenile seizure-related death, and hyperactivity in Ank2-cKO mice. These results suggest that Ank2 regulates neuronal excitability by regulating the length of and Kv7 density in the AIS and that Kv7 channelopathy is involved in Ank2-related brain dysfunctions.
Project description:Multiple human autism risk genes are predicted to converge on the β‐catenin (β‐cat)/Wnt pathway. However, direct tests to link β‐cat up‐ or down‐regulation with autism are largely lacking, and the associated pathophysiological changes are poorly defined. Here we identify excessive β‐cat as a risk factor that causes expression changes in several genes relevant to human autism. Our studies utilize mouse lines with β‐cat dysregulation in forebrain excitatory neurons, identified as cell types with convergent expression of autism‐linked genes in both human and mouse brains. We show that mice expressing excessive β‐cat display behavioral and molecular changes, including decreased social interest, increased repetitive behaviors, reduced parvalbumin and altered expression levels of additional genes identified as potential risk factors for human autism. These behavioral and molecular phenotypes are averted by reducing β‐cat in neurons predisposed by gene mutations to express elevated β‐cat. Using next-generation sequencing of the prefrontal cortex, we identify dysregulated genes that are shared between mouse lines with excessive β‐cat and autism‐like behaviors, but not mouse lines with reduced β‐cat and normal social behavior. Our findings provide critical new insights into β‐cat, Wnt pathway dysregulation in the brain causing behavioral phenotypes relevant to the disease and the molecular etiology which includes several human autism risk genes.