Synaptic Imbalance, Stereotypies, and Impaired Social Interactions in Mice with Altered Neuroligin 2 Expression
Synaptic Imbalance, Stereotypies, and Impaired Social Interactions in Mice with Altered Neuroligin 2 Expression
The level of excitation in the brain is kept under control through inhibitory signals mainly exerted by GABA neurons. However, the molecular machinery that regulates the balance between excitation and inhibition (E/I) remains unclear. Candidate molecules implicated in this process are neuroligin (NL) adhesion molecules, which are differentially enriched at either excitatory or inhibitory contacts. In this study, we use transgenic mouse models expressing NL1 or NL2 to examine whether enhanced expression of specific NLs results in synaptic imbalance and altered neuronal excitability and animal behavior. Our analysis reveals several abnormalities selectively manifested in transgenic mice with enhanced expression of NL2 but not NL1. A small change in NL2 expression results in enlarged synaptic contact size and vesicle reserve pool in frontal cortex synapses and an overall reduction in the E/I ratio. The frequency of miniature inhibitory synaptic currents was also found to be increased in the frontal cortex of transgenic NL2 mice. These animals also manifested stereotyped jumping behavior, anxiety, impaired social interactions, and enhanced incidence of spike-wave discharges, as depicted by EEG analysis in freely moving animals. These findings may provide the neural basis for E/I imbalance and altered behavior associated with neurodevelopmental disorders.
- University of Dundee United Kingdom
- University of British Columbia Canada
- University of British Columbia, Faculty of Medicine Canada
- University of British Colombia Canada
- University of Toronto Canada
Patch-Clamp Techniques, Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal, autism, 610, Prefrontal Cortex, Mice, Transgenic, Nerve Tissue Proteins, Anxiety, MOUSE, Mice, AUTISM-SPECTRUM DISORDERS, Microscopy, Electron, Transmission, synapse, excitatory/inhibitory ratio, Chlorocebus aethiops, Animals, Picrotoxin, Interpersonal Relations, LOBE EPILEPSY, transgenic, 6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, Analysis of Variance, Behavior, Animal, Pyramidal Cells, BETA-NEUREXINS, Membrane Proteins, Electroencephalography, RETT-SYNDROME, INHIBITORY SYNAPSES, FRONTAL-CORTEX, neurodevelopmental disorder, AMYGDALA, Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials, COS Cells, neuroligin, CELL-ADHESION, BEHAVIOR
Patch-Clamp Techniques, Cell Adhesion Molecules, Neuronal, autism, 610, Prefrontal Cortex, Mice, Transgenic, Nerve Tissue Proteins, Anxiety, MOUSE, Mice, AUTISM-SPECTRUM DISORDERS, Microscopy, Electron, Transmission, synapse, excitatory/inhibitory ratio, Chlorocebus aethiops, Animals, Picrotoxin, Interpersonal Relations, LOBE EPILEPSY, transgenic, 6-Cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione, Analysis of Variance, Behavior, Animal, Pyramidal Cells, BETA-NEUREXINS, Membrane Proteins, Electroencephalography, RETT-SYNDROME, INHIBITORY SYNAPSES, FRONTAL-CORTEX, neurodevelopmental disorder, AMYGDALA, Inhibitory Postsynaptic Potentials, COS Cells, neuroligin, CELL-ADHESION, BEHAVIOR
9 Research products, page 1 of 1
- 2017IsRelatedTo
- 2017IsRelatedTo
- 2017IsRelatedTo
- 2019IsRelatedTo
- 2019IsRelatedTo
- 2017IsRelatedTo
- 2017IsRelatedTo
- 2017IsRelatedTo
- 2017IsRelatedTo
citations This is an alternative to the "Influence" indicator, which also reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).154 popularity This indicator reflects the "current" impact/attention (the "hype") of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network.Top 10% influence This indicator reflects the overall/total impact of an article in the research community at large, based on the underlying citation network (diachronically).Top 10% impulse This indicator reflects the initial momentum of an article directly after its publication, based on the underlying citation network.Top 10%
