| Autor: |
Mendez-Vazquez H; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523., Roach RL; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523., Nip K; Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, Colorado State University Fort Collins CO 80523., Chanda S; Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, Colorado State University Fort Collins CO 80523.; Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523.; Department of Biochemistry & Molecular Biology, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523., Sathler MF; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523., Garver T; Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523., Danzman RA; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523., Moseley MC; Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523., Roberts JP; Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523., Koch ON; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523., Steger AA; Rocky Mountain High School, Fort Collins, CO 80526., Lee R; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523., Arikkath J; Developmental Neuroscience, Munore-Meyer Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198., Kim S; Department of Biomedical Sciences, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523.; Cellular and Molecular Biology Program, Colorado State University Fort Collins CO 80523.; Molecular, Cellular and Integrative Neurosciences Program, Colorado State University, Fort Collins, CO 80523. |
| Abstrakt: |
δ-catenin is expressed in excitatory synapses and functions as an anchor for the glutamatergic AMPA receptor (AMPAR) GluA2 subunit in the postsynaptic density. The glycine 34 to serine (G34S) mutation in the δ-catenin gene has been found in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients and results in loss of δ-catenin functions at excitatory synapses, which is presumed to underlie ASD pathogenesis in humans. However, how the G34S mutation causes loss of δ-catenin functions to induce ASD remains unclear. Here, using neuroblastoma cells, we identify that the G34S mutation increases glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β)-dependent δ-catenin degradation to reduce δ-catenin levels, which likely contributes to the loss of δ-catenin functions. Synaptic δ-catenin and GluA2 levels in the cortex are significantly decreased in mice harboring the δ-catenin G34S mutation. The G34S mutation increases glutamatergic activity in cortical excitatory neurons while it is decreased in inhibitory interneurons, indicating changes in cellular excitation and inhibition. δ-catenin G34S mutant mice also exhibit social dysfunction, a common feature of ASD. Most importantly, pharmacological inhibition of GSK3β activity reverses the G34S-induced loss of δ-catenin function effects in cells and mice. Finally, using δ-catenin knockout mice, we confirm that δ-catenin is required for GSK3β inhibition-induced restoration of normal social behavior in δ-catenin G34S mutant animals. Taken together, we reveal that the loss of δ-catenin functions arising from the ASD-associated G34S mutation induces social dysfunction via alterations in glutamatergic activity and that GSK3β inhibition can reverse δ-catenin G34S-induced synaptic and behavioral deficits. |
