Expression analysis of type I ARF small GTPases ARF1-3 during mouse brain development.

BACKGROUND: ARF (ADP-ribosylation factor) GTPases are major regulators of intracellular trafficking, and classified into 3 groups (Type I - III), among which the type I group members, ARF1 and 3, are responsible genes for neurodevelopmental disorders. METHODS: In this study, we analysed the expression of Type I ARFs ARF1-3 during mouse brain development using biochemical and morphological methods. RESULTS: Western blotting analyses revealed that ARF1-3 are weakly expressed in the mouse brain at embryonic day 13 and gradually increase until postnatal day 30. ARF1-3 appear to be abundantly expressed in various telencephalon regions. Biochemical fractionation studies detected ARF1-3 in the synaptosome fraction of cortical neurons containing both pre- and post-synapses, however ARF1-3 were not observed in post-synaptic compartments. In immunohistochemical analyses, ARF1-3 appeared to be distributed in the cytoplasm and dendrites of cortical and hippocampal neurons as well as in the cerebellar molecular layer including dendrites of Purkinje cells and granule cell axons. Immunofluorescence in primary cultured hippocampal neurons revealed that ARF1-3 are diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm and dendrites with partial colocalization with a pre-synaptic marker, synaptophysin. CONCLUSIONS: Overall, our results support the notion that ARF1-3 could participate in vesicle trafficking both in the dendritic shaft (excluding spines) and axon terminals (pre-synaptic compartments).

MED13L and its disease-associated variants influence the dendritic development of cerebral cortical neurons in the mammalian brain.

The mediator complex comprises multiple subcellular subunits that collectively function as a molecular interface between RNA polymerase II and gene-specific transcription factors. Recently, genetic variants to one subunit of the complex, known as MED13L (mediator complex subunit 13 like), have been implicated in syndromic intellectual disability and distinct facial features, frequently accompanied by congenital heart defects. We investigated the impact of five disease-associated MED13L variants on the subcellular localization and biochemical stability of MED13L protein in vitro and in vivo. In overexpression assays using cortical neurons from embryonic mouse cerebral cortices transduced by in utero electroporation-mediated gene transfer, we found that mouse orthologues of human MED13L-p.P866L and -p.T2162M missense variants accumulated in the nucleus, while the p.S2163L and p.S2177Y variants were diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm. In contrast, we found that the p.Q1922* truncation variant was barely detectable in transduced cells, a phenotype reminiscent of this variant that results in MED13L haploinsufficiency in humans. Next, we analyzed these variants for their effects on neuronal migration, dendritic growth, spine morphology, and axon elongation of cortical neurons in vivo. There, we found that overexpression of the p.P866L variant resulted in reduced number and length of dendrites of cortical layer II/III pyramidal neurons. Furthermore, we show that mMED13L-knockdown abrogated dendritic growth in vivo, and this effect was significantly rescued by co-electroporation of an RNAi-resistant mMED13L, but weakly by the p.T2162M variant, and not at all by the p.S2163L variant. However, overexpression of the p.S2163L variant inhibited mature dendritic spine formation in vivo. Expression of each of the 5 variants did not affect neuronal cell migration and callosal axon elongation in vivo. Taken together, our results demonstrate that MED13L expression is relevant to corticogenesis and influences the dendritic branching characteristics of cortical excitatory neurons. Our study also suggests that disease-associated MED13L variants may directly cause morphological and functional defects in cortical neurons in different ways.

Expression Analyses of Rich2/Arhgap44, a Rho Family GTPase-Activating Protein, during Mouse Brain Development.

Rho family small GTPases, such as Rho, Rac, and Cdc42, play essential roles during brain development, by regulating cellular signaling and actin cytoskeletal reorganization. Rich2/Arhgap44, a Rac- and Cdc42-specific GTPase-activating protein, has been reported to be a key regulator for dendritic spine morphology and synaptic function. Given the essential roles of Rac and Cdc42 in brain development, Rich2 is supposed to take part in brain development. However, not only the molecular mechanism involved but also the expression profile of Rich2 during neurodevelopment has not yet been elucidated. In this study, we carried out expression analyses of Rich2 by focusing on mouse brain development. In immunoblotting, Rich2 exhibited a tissue-dependent expression profile in the young adult mouse, and the expression was increased during brain development. In immunohistochemical analyses, Rich2 was observed in the cytoplasm of cortical neurons at postnatal day (P) 0 and then came to be enriched in the nucleus with moderate distribution in neuropils at P7. Later at P30, a complex immunostaining pattern of Rich2 was observed; Rich2 was distributed in the nucleus, cytoplasm, and neuropils in many cortical neurons, whereas other neurons frequently displayed little expression. In the hippocampus at P7, Rich2 was distributed mainly in the cytoplasm of excitatory neurons in the cornu ammonis regions, while it was moderately detected in the nucleus in the dentate granule cells. Notably, Rich2 was distributed in excitatory synapses of the cornu ammonis 1 region at P30. Biochemical fractionation analyses also detected Rich2 in the postsynaptic density. Taken together, Rich2 is found to be expressed in the central nervous system in a developmental stage-dependent manner and may be involved in synapse formation/maintenance in cortical neurons.

Expression analyses of C-terminal-binding protein 1 (CtBP1) during mouse brain development.

INTRODUCTION: CtBP1 (C-terminal-binding protein 1) is a multi-functional protein with well-established roles as a transcriptional co-repressor in the nucleus and a regulator of membrane fission in the cytoplasm. Although CtBP1 gene abnormalities have been reported to cause neurodevelopmental disorders, the physiological role and expression profile of CtBP1 remains to be elucidated. METHODS: In this study, we used biochemical, immunohistochemical and immunofluorescence methods to analyze the expression of CtBP1 during mouse brain development. RESULTS: Western blotting analyses revealed that CtBP1 appeared to be expressed mainly in the central nervous system throughout the developmental process. In immunohistochemical analyses, region-specific nuclear as well as weak cytoplasmic distribution of CtBP1 was observed in telencephalon at embryonic day (E)15 and E17. It is of note that CtBP1 was barely detected in axons, but observed in the nucleus of oligodendrocytes in the white matter at E17. As to cerebellum at postnatal day 30, CtBP1 appeared to be expressed in the nucleus and cytoplasm of Purkinje cells, the nucleus of granule cells and cells in the molecular layer (ML), and the ML per se where granule cell axons and Purkinje cell dendrites are enriched. In addition, CtBP1 was detected in the cerebellar nuclei. CONCLUSION: The obtained results suggest involvement of CtBP1 in brain function.

Expression analyses of WAC, a responsible gene for neurodevelopmental disorders, during mouse brain development.

WAC is an adaptor protein involved in gene transcription, protein ubiquitination, and autophagy. Accumulating evidence indicates that WAC gene abnormalities are responsible for neurodevelopmental disorders. In this study, we prepared anti-WAC antibody, and performed biochemical and morphological characterization focusing on mouse brain development. Western blotting analyses revealed that WAC is expressed in a developmental stage-dependent manner. In immunohistochemical analyses, while WAC was visualized mainly in the perinuclear region of cortical neurons at embryonic day 14, nuclear expression was detected in some cells. WAC then came to be enriched in the nucleus of cortical neurons after birth. When hippocampal sections were stained, nuclear localization of WAC was observed in Cornu ammonis 1 - 3 and dentate gyrus. In cerebellum, WAC was detected in the nucleus of Purkinje cells and granule cells, and possibly interneurons in the molecular layer. In primary cultured hippocampal neurons, WAC was distributed mainly in the nucleus throughout the developing process while it was also localized at perinuclear region at 3 and 7 days in vitro. Notably, WAC was visualized in Tau-1-positive axons and MAP2-positive dendrites in a time-dependent manner. Taken together, results obtained here suggest that WAC plays a crucial role during brain development.

Expression Analyses of Cep152, a Responsible Gene Product for Autosomal Recessive Primary Microcephaly, during Mouse Brain Development.

Centrosomal protein 152 (Cep152) regulates centriole duplication as a molecular scaffold during the cell cycle. Its gene abnormalities are responsible for autosomal recessive primary microcephaly 9 and Seckel syndrome. In this study, we prepared an antibody against mouse Cep152, anti-Cep152, and performed expression analyses focusing on mouse brain development. Western blotting analyses revealed that Cep152 with a molecular mass of ∼150 kDa was expressed strongly at embryonic day (E)13 and then gradually decreased during the brain development process. Instead, protein bands of ∼80 kDa and ∼60 kDa came to be recognized after postnatal day (P)15 and P30, respectively. In immunohistochemical analyses, Cep152 was enriched in the centrosome of neuronal progenitors in the ventricular zone at E14, whereas it was diffusely distributed mainly in the cytoplasm of cortical neurons at P18. In developing cerebellum at P7, Cep152 was localized at the centrosome in the external granular layer, where neurogenesis takes place. Notably, biochemical analysis revealed that Cep152 was also present in the postsynaptic density fraction. Subsequent immunofluorescent analyses showed co-localization of Cep152 with excitatory synaptic markers, PSD95 and synaptophysin, but not with an inhibitory synaptic marker gephyrin in differentiated primary cultured hippocampal neurons. The obtained results suggest that Cep152 takes part not only in neurogenesis during corticogenesis but also in the regulation of synaptic function in differentiated neurons.

Expression Analyses of Rac3, a Rho Family Small GTPase, during Mouse Brain Development.

Rac3 is a member of Rho family small GTPases which regulate cellular signaling and cytoskeletal dynamics. The RAC3 gene abnormalities have been shown to cause neurodevelopmental disorders with structural brain anomalies, including polymicrogyria/dysgyria, callosal abnormalities, brainstem anomalies, and cerebellar dysplasia. Although this evidence indicates that Rac3 is essential in brain development, not only its molecular mechanism but also the expression profile is yet to be elucidated. In this study, we carried out expression analyses of Rac3 with mouse brain tissues. In immunoblotting, Rac3 exhibited a tissue-dependent expression profile in the young adult mouse and was expressed in a developmental stage-dependent manner in brain. In primary cultured hippocampal neurons, while Rac3 was distributed mainly in the cytoplasm, it was visualized in axon and dendrites with partial localization at synapses, in consistent with the observation in biochemical fractionation analyses. In immunofluorescence analyses with brain slices, Rac3 was distributed strongly and moderately in the axon and cytoplasm, respectively, of cerebral cortex at postnatal day (P) 2 and P18. Similar distribution profile was also observed in hippocampus. Taken together, the results obtained strongly suggest that Rac3 plays an important physiological role in neuronal tissues during corticogenesis, and defects in the Rac3 function induce structural brain anomalies leading to pathogenesis of neurodevelopmental disorders.

Expression Analyses of Polo-Like Kinase 4, a Gene Product Responsible for Autosomal Recessive Microcephaly and Seckel Syndrome, during Mouse Brain Development.

Polo-like kinase 4 (Plk4) is a ser/thr kinase, which plays a central role in centriole duplication during the cell cycle. PLK4 gene abnormalities are responsible for autosomal recessive chorioretinopathy-microcephaly syndrome and Seckel syndrome. In this study, we performed expression analyses of Plk4 by focusing on mouse brain development. Western blotting analyses revealed that Plk4 with a molecular mass of ∼100 kDa was broadly expressed in adult mouse tissues with specific subcellular distribution. As to the central nervous system, Plk4 was expressed throughout the developmental process with drastic increase after P15, suggesting an essential role of Plk4 in differentiated neurons. In immunohistochemical analyses with mouse brain at embryonic day 14, Plk4 was detected dominantly at the cell-cell contact sites of neuronal progenitors in the ventricular zone. Plk4 was then diffusely distributed in the cell body of cortical neurons at P7, while it was enriched in the neuropil as well as soma of excitatory neurons in the cerebral cortex and hippocampus and Purkinje cells in the cerebellum at P30. Notably, biochemical fractionation analysis found an enrichment of Plk4 in the postsynaptic density fraction. Then, immunofluorescent analyses showed partial co-localization of Plk4 with excitatory synaptic markers, PSD95 and synaptophysin, in differentiated primary cultured hippocampal neurons. These results suggest that Plk4 takes part in the regulation of synaptic function in differentiated neurons.

Heterotrimeric G-protein, Gi1, is involved in the regulation of proliferation, neuronal migration, and dendrite morphology during cortical development in vivo.

Heterotrimeric G-proteins are composed of α, ß, and γ subunits, and function as signal transducers. Critical roles of the α-subunits of Gi/o family heterotrimeric G-proteins, Gαi2, and Gαo1, have so far been reported in brain development and neurodevelopmental disorders. In this study, we tried to clarify the role of Gαi1, α-subunit of another Gi/o family member Gi1, during corticogenesis, based on the recent identification of its gene abnormalities in neurodevelopmental disorders. In western blot analyses, Gαi1 was found to be expressed in mouse brain in a developmental stage-dependent manner. Morphological analyses revealed that Gαi1 was broadly distributed in cerebral cortex with relatively high expression in the ventricular zone (VZ) at embryonic day (E) 14. Meanwhile, Gαi1 was enriched in membrane area of yet unidentified early mitotic cells in the VZ and the marginal zone at E14. Acute knockdown of Gαi1 with in utero electroporation in cerebral cortex caused cell cycle elongation of the neural progenitor cells and promoted their cell cycle exit. Gαi1-deficient cortical neurons also exhibited delayed radial migration during corticogenesis, with abnormally elongated leading processes and hampered nucleokinesis. In addition, silencing of Gαi1 prevented basal dendrite development. The migration and dendritic phenotypes were at least partially rescued by an RNAi-resistant version of Gαi1. Collectively, these results strongly suggest a crucial role of Gi1 in cortical development, and disturbance of its function may cause deficits in synaptic network formation, leading to neurodevelopmental disorders.

Expression Analyses of Mediator Complex Subunit 13-Like: A Responsible Gene for Neurodevelopmental Disorders during Mouse Brain Development.

MED13L (mediator complex subunit 13-like) is a component of the mediator complex, which functions as a regulator for gene transcription. Since gene abnormalities in MED13L are responsible for neurodevelopmental disorders, MED13L is presumed to play an essential role in brain development. In this study, we prepared a specific antibody against MED13L, anti-MED13L, and analyzed its expression profile in mouse tissues with focusing on the central nervous system. In Western blotting, MED13L exhibited a tissue-dependent expression profile in the adult mouse and was expressed in a developmental stage-dependent manner in brain. In immunofluorescence analyses, MED13L was at least partially colocalized with pre- and post-synaptic markers, synaptophysin, and PSD95, in primary cultured hippocampal neurons. Immunohistochemical analyses revealed that MED13L was relatively highly expressed in ventricular zone surface of cerebral cortex, and was also located both in the cytoplasm and nucleus of neurons in the cortical plate at embryonic day 14. Then, MED13L showed diffuse cytoplasmic distribution throughout the cerebral cortex at the postnatal day (P) 30. In addition, MED13L appeared to be localized in cell type- and developmental stage-specific manners in the hippocampus and cerebellum. These results suggest that MED13L is involved in the development of the central nervous system and synaptic function.

Expression analyses of PLEKHG2, a Rho family-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor, during mouse brain development.

Abnormalities of PLEKHG2 gene, encoding a Rho family-specific guanine nucleotide exchange factor, are involved in microcephaly with intellectual disability. However, not only the role of PLEKHG2 in the developmental process but also its expression profile is unknown. In this study, we prepared a specific antibody against PLEKHG2 and carried out expression analyses with mouse tissues. In western blotting, PLEKHG2 exhibited a tissue-dependent expression profile in adult mouse and was expressed in a developmental stage-dependent manner in brain. Then, in immunohistochemical analyses, while PLEKHG2 was observed in the cortical plate and ventricular zone surface of the cerebral cortex at embryonic day 14, it came to be distributed throughout the cerebral cortex in layer II/III and V during corticogenesis. PLEKHG2 was also detected mainly in the nucleus of neurons in the hippocampal CA regions and dentate gyrus at P7. Notably, the nuclear accumulation disappeared at P30 and PLEKHG2 came to be located at the axons and/or dendrites at this time point. Moreover, in vitro immunofluorescence revealed that PLEKHG2 was at least partially localized at both excitatory and inhibitory synapses in primary cultured hippocampal neurons. These results suggest roles of PLEKHG2 in the development of the central nervous tissue and synaptic function.

Neuropathophysiological significance of the c.1449T>C/p.(Tyr64Cys) mutation in the CDC42 gene responsible for Takenouchi-Kosaki syndrome.

Takenouchi-Kosaki syndrome (TKS) is an autosomal dominant congenital syndrome, of which pathogenesis is not well understood. Recently, a heterozygous mutation c.1449T > C/p.(Tyr64Cys) in the CDC42 gene, encoding a Rho family small GTPase, has been demonstrated to contribute to the TKS clinical features, including developmental delay with intellectual disability (ID). However, specific molecular mechanisms underlying the neuronal pathophysiology of TKS remain largely unknown. In this study, biochemical analyses revealed that the mutation moderately activates Cdc42. In utero electroporation-based acute expression of Cdc42-Y64C in ventricular zone progenitor cells in embryonic mice cerebral cortex resulted in migration defects and cluster formation of excitatory neurons. Expression the mutant in primary cultured hippocampal neurons caused impaired axon elongation. These data suggest that the c.1449T > C/p.(Tyr64Cys) mutation causes altered CDC42 function and results in defects in neuronal morphology and migration during brain development, which is likely to be responsible for pathophysiology of psychomotor delay and ID in TKS.

MYCN de novo gain-of-function mutation in a patient with a novel megalencephaly syndrome.

BACKGROUND: In this study, we aimed to identify the gene abnormality responsible for pathogenicity in an individual with an undiagnosed neurodevelopmental disorder with megalencephaly, ventriculomegaly, hypoplastic corpus callosum, intellectual disability, polydactyly and neuroblastoma. We then explored the underlying molecular mechanism. METHODS: Trio-based, whole-exome sequencing was performed to identify disease-causing gene mutation. Biochemical and cell biological analyses were carried out to elucidate the pathophysiological significance of the identified gene mutation. RESULTS: We identified a heterozygous missense mutation (c.173C>T; p.Thr58Met) in the MYCN gene, at the Thr58 phosphorylation site essential for ubiquitination and subsequent MYCN degradation. The mutant MYCN (MYCN-T58M) was non-phosphorylatable at Thr58 and subsequently accumulated in cells and appeared to induce CCND1 and CCND2 expression in neuronal progenitor and stem cells in vitro. Overexpression of Mycn mimicking the p.Thr58Met mutation also promoted neuronal cell proliferation, and affected neuronal cell migration during corticogenesis in mouse embryos. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a de novo c.173C>T mutation in MYCN which leads to stabilisation and accumulation of the MYCN protein, leading to prolonged CCND1 and CCND2 expression. This may promote neurogenesis in the developing cerebral cortex, leading to megalencephaly. While loss-of-function mutations in MYCN are known to cause Feingold syndrome, this is the first report of a germline gain-of-function mutation in MYCN identified in a patient with a novel megalencephaly syndrome similar to, but distinct from, CCND2-related megalencephaly-polymicrogyria-polydactyly-hydrocephalus syndrome. The data obtained here provide new insight into the critical role of MYCN in brain development, as well as the consequences of MYCN defects.

Expression Analyses of POGZ, A Responsible Gene for Neurodevelopmental Disorders, during Mouse Brain Development.

POGZ is a heterochromatin protein 1 α-binding protein and regulates gene expression. On the other hand, accumulating pieces of evidence indicate that the POGZ gene abnormalities are involved in various neurodevelopmental disorders. In this study, we prepared a specific antibody against POGZ, anti-POGZ, and carried out biochemical and morphological characterization with mouse brain tissues. Western blotting analyses revealed that POGZ is expressed strongly at embryonic day 13 and then gradually decreased throughout the brain development process. In immunohistochemical analyses, POGZ was found to be enriched in cerebrocortical and hippocampal neurons in the early developmental stage. The nuclear expression was also detected in Purkinje cells in cerebellum at postnatal day (P)7 and P15 but disappeared at P30. In primary cultured hippocampal neurons, while POGZ was distributed mainly in the nucleus, it was also visualized in axon and dendrites with partial localization at synapses in consistency with the results obtained in biochemical fractionation analyses. The obtained results suggest that POGZ takes part in the regulation of synaptic function as well as gene expression during brain development.

De novo PHACTR1 mutations in West syndrome and their pathophysiological effects.

Trio-based whole exome sequencing identified two de novo heterozygous missense mutations [c.1449T > C/p.(Leu500Pro) and c.1436A > T/p.(Asn479Ile)] in PHACTR1, encoding a molecule critical for the regulation of protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) and the actin cytoskeleton, in unrelated Japanese individuals with West syndrome (infantile spasms with intellectual disability). We then examined the role of Phactr1 in the development of mouse cerebral cortex and the pathophysiological significance of these two mutations and others [c.1561C > T/p.(Arg521Cys) and c.1553T > A/p.(Ile518Asn)], which had been reported in undiagnosed patients with intellectual disability. Immunoprecipitation analyses revealed that actin-binding activity of PHACTR1 was impaired by the p.Leu500Pro, p.Asn479Ile and p.Ile518Asn mutations while the p.Arg521Cys mutation exhibited impaired binding to PP1. Acute knockdown of mouse Phactr1 using in utero electroporation caused defects in cortical neuron migration during corticogenesis, which were rescued by an RNAi-resistant PHACTR1 but not by the four mutants. Experiments using knockdown combined with expression mutants, aimed to mimic the effects of the heterozygous mutations under conditions of haploinsufficiency, suggested a dominant negative effect of the mutant allele. As for dendritic development in vivo, only the p.Arg521Cys mutant was determined to have dominant negative effects, because the three other mutants appeared to be degraded with these experimental conditions. Electrophysiological analyses revealed abnormal synaptic properties in Phactr1-deficient excitatory cortical neurons. Our data show that the PHACTR1 mutations may cause morphological and functional defects in cortical neurons during brain development, which is likely to be related to the pathophysiology of West syndrome and other neurodevelopmental disorders.

Expression analyses of Dusp22 (Dual-specificity phosphatase 22) in mouse tissues.

Dusp22 (dual-specificity phosphatase 22) is considered to regulate various cellular processes through the regulation of protein dephosphorylation. In this study, we prepared a specific antibody against Dusp22, anti-Dusp22, and carried out expression analyses with mouse tissues and cultured cell lines. Western blotting analyses demonstrated a tissue-dependent expression profile of Dusp22 in the adult mouse, and strongly suggested the presence of isoforms with larger molecular masses. In fibroblast NIH3T3 cells, while both endogenous and Myc-tagged Dusp22 was diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm, Myc-Dusp22 was partially colocalized with actin cytoskeleton. From the obtained results, anti-Dusp22 was found to be a useful tool for biochemical and cell biological analyses of Dusp22.

Role of a heterotrimeric G-protein, Gi2, in the corticogenesis: possible involvement in periventricular nodular heterotopia and intellectual disability.

We analyzed the role of a heterotrimeric G-protein, Gi2, in the development of the cerebral cortex. Acute knockdown of the α-subunit (Gαi2) with in utero electroporation caused delayed radial migration of excitatory neurons during corticogenesis, perhaps because of impaired morphology. The migration phenotype was rescued by an RNAi-resistant version of Gαi2. On the other hand, silencing of Gαi2 did not affect axon elongation, dendritic arbor formation or neurogenesis at ventricular zone in vivo. When behavior analyses were conducted with acute Gαi2-knockdown mice, they showed defects in social interaction, novelty recognition and active avoidance learning as well as increased anxiety. Subsequently, using whole-exome sequencing analysis, we identified a de novo heterozygous missense mutation (c.680C>T; p.Ala227Val) in the GNAI2 gene encoding Gαi2 in an individual with periventricular nodular heterotopia and intellectual disability. Collectively, the phenotypes in the knockdown experiments suggest a role of Gαi2 in the brain development, and impairment of its function might cause defects in neuronal functions which lead to neurodevelopmental disorders.

Role of an adaptor protein Lin-7B in brain development: possible involvement in autism spectrum disorders.

Using comparative genomic hybridization analysis for an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patient, a 73-Kb duplication at 19q13.33 (nt. 49 562 755-49 635 956) including LIN7B and 5 other genes was detected. We then identified a novel frameshift mutation in LIN7B in another ASD patient. Since LIN7B encodes a scaffold protein essential for neuronal function, we analyzed the role of Lin-7B in the development of cerebral cortex. Acute knockdown of Lin-7B with in utero electroporation caused a delay in neuronal migration during corticogenesis. When Lin-7B was knocked down in cortical neurons in one hemisphere, their axons failed to extend efficiently into the contralateral hemisphere after leaving the corpus callosum. Meanwhile, enhanced expression of Lin-7B had no effects on both cortical neuron migration and axon growth. Notably, silencing of Lin-7B did not affect the proliferation of neuronal progenitors and stem cells. Taken together, Lin-7B was found to play a pivotal role in corticogenesis through the regulation of excitatory neuron migration and interhemispheric axon growth, while further analyses are required to directly link functional defects of Lin-7B to ASD pathophysiology. Lin-7 plays a pivotal role as a scaffold protein in synaptic development and plasticity. Based on genetic analyses we identified mutations in LIN-7B gene in some ASD (autism-spectrum disorder) patients. Functional defects in Lin-7B caused abnormal neuronal migration and interhemispheric axon growth during mouse brain development. Thus, functional deficiency in Lin-7B could be implicated in clinical phenotypes in some ASD patients through bringing about abnormal cortical architecture.

Analyses of Conditional Knockout Mice for Pogz, a Gene Responsible for Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Excitatory and Inhibitory Neurons in the Brain.

POGZ (Pogo transposable element derived with ZNF domain) is known to function as a regulator of gene expression. While variations in the POGZ gene have been associated with intellectual disabilities and developmental delays in humans, the exact pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. To shed light on this, we created two lines of conditional knockout mice for Pogz, one specific to excitatory neurons (Emx1-Pogz mice) and the other to inhibitory neurons (Gad2-Pogz mice) in the brain. Emx1-Pogz mice showed a decrease in body weight, similar to total Pogz knockout mice. Although the two lines did not display significant morphological abnormalities in the telencephalon, impaired POGZ function affected the electrophysiological properties of both excitatory and inhibitory neurons differently. These findings suggest that these mouse lines could be useful tools for clarifying the precise pathophysiological mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with POGZ gene abnormalities.

Biochemical and morphological characterization of A2BP1 in neuronal tissue.

A2BP1 is considered to regulate alternative splicing of important neuronal transcripts and has been implicated in a variety of neurological and developmental disorders. A2BP1 was found in neuronal cells and was analyzed biochemically and morphologically. In this study, we prepared a specific antibody against A2BP1, anti-A2BP1, and carried out protein expression and localization analyses of A2BP1 in rat and mouse tissues. By Western blotting, A2BP1 showed tissue-dependent expression profiles and was expressed in a developmental-stage-dependent manner in the brain. A2BP1 was detected at high levels in neocortex and cerebellum in the rat brain. Immunohistochemical analyses demonstrated that A2BP1 was highly expressed in differentiated neurons but not in mitotically active progenitor cells in the cerebral cortex during developmental stages. In cortical neurons, A2BP1 had accumulated mainly in the nucleus and diffusely distributed in the cell body and dendrites. In differentiated primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons, although A2BP1 was enriched in the nucleus and diffusely distributed in the cytoplasm, it was found in a punctate distribution adjacent to synapses. The results suggest that in neuronal tissues A2BP1 plays important roles, which are regulated in a spatiotemporal manner.