Christina Gross

Arc/Arg3.1 Is Essential for the Consolidation of Synaptic Plasticity and Memories

Arc/Arg3.1 is robustly induced by plasticity-producing stimulation and specifically targeted to stimulated synaptic areas. To investigate the role of Arc/Arg3.1 in synaptic plasticity and learning and memory, we generated Arc/Arg3.1 knockout mice. These animals fail to form long-lasting memories for implicit and explicit learning tasks, despite intact short-term memory. Moreover, they exhibit a biphasic alteration of hippocampal long-term potentiation in the dentate gyrus and area CA1 with an enhanced early and absent late phase. In addition, long-term depression is significantly impaired. Together, these results demonstrate a critical role for Arc/Arg3.1 in the consolidation of enduring synaptic plasticity and memory storage.

Dysregulated Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor-Dependent Translation of AMPA Receptor and Postsynaptic Density-95 mRNAs at Synapses in a Mouse Model of Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X syndrome, a common form of inherited mental retardation, is caused by the loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), an mRNA binding protein that is hypothesized to regulate local mRNA translation in dendrites downstream of gp1 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). However, specific FMRP-associated mRNAs that localize to dendrites in vivo and show altered mGluR-dependent translation at synapses of Fmr1 knock-out mice are unknown so far. Using fluorescence in situ hybridization, we discovered that GluR1/2 and postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) mRNAs are localized to dendrites of cortical and hippocampal neurons in vivo. Quantitative analyses of their dendritic mRNA levels in cultured neurons and synaptoneurosomes did not detect differences between wild-type and Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mice. In contrast, PSD-95, GluR1/2, and calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase IIα (CaMKIIα) mRNA levels in actively translating polyribosomes were dysregulated in synaptoneurosomes from Fmr1 knock-out mice in response to mGluR activation. [35S]methionine incorporation into newly synthesized proteins similarly revealed impaired stimulus-induced protein synthesis of CaMKIIα and PSD-95 in synaptoneurosomes from Fmr1 KO mice. Quantitative analysis of mRNA levels in FMRP-specific immunoprecipitations from synaptoneurosomes demonstrated the association of FMRP with CaMKIIα, PSD-95, and GluR1/2 mRNAs. These findings suggest a novel mechanism whereby FMRP regulates the local synthesis AMPA receptor (AMPAR) subunits, PSD-95, and CaMKIIα downstream of mGluR-activation. Dysregulation of local translation of AMPAR and associated factors at synapses may impair control of the molecular composition of the postsynaptic density and consequently alter synaptic transmission, causing impairments of neuronal plasticity observed in Fmr1 knock-out mice and fragile X syndrome.

Reversible inhibition of PSD-95 mRNA translation by miR-125a, FMRP phosphorylation and mGluR signaling

The molecular mechanism for how RISC and microRNAs selectively and reversibly regulate mRNA translation in response to receptor signaling is unknown but could provide a means for temporal and spatial control of translation. Here we show that miR-125a targeting PSD-95 mRNA allows reversible inhibition of translation and regulation by gp1 mGluR signaling. Inhibition of miR-125a increased PSD-95 levels in dendrites and altered dendritic spine morphology. Bidirectional control of PSD-95 expression depends on miR-125a and FMRP phosphorylation status. miR-125a levels at synapses and its association with AGO2 are reduced in Fmr1 KO. FMRP phosphorylation promotes the formation of an AGO2-miR-125a inhibitory complex on PSD-95 mRNA, whereas mGluR signaling of translation requires FMRP dephosphorylation and release of AGO2 from the mRNA. These findings reveal a mechanism whereby FMRP phosphorylation provides a reversible switch for AGO2 and microRNA to selectively regulate mRNA translation at synapses in response to receptor activation.

Excess Phosphoinositide 3-Kinase Subunit Synthesis and Activity as a Novel Therapeutic Target in Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an inherited neurologic disease caused by loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), which is hypothesized to mediate negative regulation of mRNA translation at synapses. A prominent feature of FXS animal models is exaggerated signaling through group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors (gp1 mGluRs), and therapeutic strategies to treat FXS are targeted mainly at gp1 mGluRs. Recent studies, however, indicate that a variety of receptor-mediated signal transduction pathways are dysregulated in FXS, suggesting that FMRP acts on a common downstream signaling molecule. Here, we show that deficiency of FMRP results in excess activity of phosphoinositide 3-kinase (PI3K), a downstream signaling molecule of many cell surface receptors. In Fmr1 knock-out neurons, excess synaptic PI3K activity can be reduced by perturbation of gp1 mGluR-mediated signaling. Remarkably, increased PI3K activity was also observed in FMRP-deficient non-neuronal cells in the absence of gp1 mGluRs. Here, we show that FMRP regulates the synthesis and synaptic localization of p110β, the catalytic subunit of PI3K. In wild type, gp1 mGluR activation induces p110β translation, p110β protein expression, and PI3K activity. In contrast, both p110β protein synthesis and PI3K activity are elevated and insensitive to gp1 mGluR stimulation in Fmr1 knock-out. This suggests that dysregulated PI3K signaling may underlie the synaptic impairments in FXS. In support of this hypothesis, we show that PI3K antagonists rescue three FXS-associated phenotypes: dysregulated synaptic protein synthesis, excess AMPA receptor internalization, and increased spine density. Targeting excessive PI3K activity might thus be a potent therapeutic strategy for FXS.

Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein Regulates Protein Expression and mRNA Translation of the Potassium Channel Kv4.2

A prominent characteristic of the inherited intellectual impairment disease fragile X syndrome (FXS) is neuronal hyperexcitability, resulting in a variety of symptoms, such as hyperactivity, increased sensitivity to sensory stimuli, and a high incidence of epileptic seizures. These symptoms account for a significant part of the disease pattern, but the underlying molecular mechanisms of neuronal hyperexcitability in FXS remain poorly understood. FXS is caused by loss of expression of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), which regulates synaptic protein synthesis and is a key player to limit signaling pathways downstream of metabotropic glutamate receptors 1/5 (mGlu1/5). Recent findings suggest that FMRP might also directly regulate voltage-gated potassium channels. Here, we show that total and plasma membrane protein levels of Kv4.2, the major potassium channel regulating hippocampal neuronal excitability, are reduced in the brain of an FXS mouse model. Antagonizing mGlu5 activity with 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP) partially rescues reduced surface Kv4.2 levels in Fmr1 knock-out (KO) mice, suggesting that excess mGlu1/5 signal activity contributes to Kv4.2 dysregulation. As an additional mechanism, we show that FMRP is a positive regulator of Kv4.2 mRNA translation and protein expression and associates with Kv4.2 mRNA in vivo and in vitro. Our results suggest that absence of FMRP-mediated positive control of Kv4.2 mRNA translation, protein expression, and plasma membrane levels might contribute to excess neuronal excitability in Fmr1 KO mice, and thus imply a potential mechanism underlying FXS-associated epilepsy.

Therapeutic strategies in fragile X syndrome: dysregulated mGluR signaling and beyond.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is an inherited neurodevelopmental disease caused by loss of function of the fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). In the absence of FMRP, signaling through group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors is elevated and insensitive to stimulation, which may underlie many of the neurological and neuropsychiatric features of FXS. Treatment of FXS animal models with negative allosteric modulators of these receptors and preliminary clinical trials in human patients support the hypothesis that metabotropic glutamate receptor signaling is a valuable therapeutic target in FXS. However, recent research has also shown that FMRP may regulate diverse aspects of neuronal signaling downstream of several cell surface receptors, suggesting a possible new route to more direct disease-targeted therapies. Here, we summarize promising recent advances in basic research identifying and testing novel therapeutic strategies in FXS models, and evaluate their potential therapeutic benefits. We provide an overview of recent and ongoing clinical trials motivated by some of these findings, and discuss the challenges for both basic science and clinical applications in the continued development of effective disease mechanism-targeted therapies for FXS.

Dephosphorylation-Induced Ubiquitination and Degradation of FMRP in Dendrites: A Role in Immediate Early mGluR-Stimulated Translation

Fragile X syndrome is caused by the loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), which represses and reversibly regulates the translation of a subset of mRNAs in dendrites. Protein synthesis can be rapidly stimulated by mGluR-induced and protein phosphatase 2a (PP2A)-mediated dephosphorylation of FMRP, which is coupled to the dissociation of FMRP and target mRNAs from miRNA-induced silencing complexes. Here, we report the rapid ubiquitination and ubiquitin proteasome system (UPS)-mediated degradation of FMRP in dendrites upon DHPG (3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine) stimulation in cultured rat neurons. Using inhibitors to PP2A and FMRP phosphomutants, degradation of FMRP was observed to depend on its prior dephosphorylation. Translational induction of an FMRP target, postsynaptic density-95 mRNA, required both PP2A and UPS. Thus, control of FMRP levels at the synapse by dephosphorylation-induced and UPS-mediated degradation provides a mode to regulate protein synthesis.

Identification of axon-enriched MicroRNAs localized to growth cones of cortical neurons

There is increasing evidence that localized mRNAs in axons and growth cones play an important role in axon extension and pathfinding via local translation. A few studies have revealed the presence of microRNAs (miRNAs) in axons, which may control local protein synthesis during axon development. However, so far, there has been no attempt to screen for axon‐enriched miRNAs and to validate their possible localization to growth cones of developing axons from neurons of the central nervous system. In this study, the localization of miRNAs in axons and growth cones in cortical neurons was examined using a “neuron ball” culture method that is suitable to prepare axonal miRNAs with high yield and purity. Axonal miRNAs prepared from the neuron ball cultures of mouse cortical neurons were analyzed by quantitative real‐time RT‐PCR. Among 375 miRNAs that were analyzed, 105 miRNAs were detected in axons, and six miRNAs were significantly enriched in axonal fractions when compared with cell body fractions. Fluorescence in situ hybridization revealed that two axon‐enriched miRNAs, miR‐181a‐1* and miR‐532, localized as distinct granules in distal axons and growth cones. The association of these miRNAs with the RNA‐induced silencing complex further supported their function to regulate mRNA levels or translation in the brain. These results suggest a mechanism to localize specific miRNAs to distal axons and growth cones, where they could be involved in local mRNA regulation. These findings provide new insight into the presence of axonal miRNAs and motivate further analysis of their function in local protein synthesis underlying axon guidance.

Increased expression of the PI3K enhancer PIKE mediates deficits in synaptic plasticity and behavior in fragile X syndrome.

The PI3K enhancer PIKE links PI3K catalytic subunits to group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu1/5) and activates PI3K signaling. The roles of PIKE in synaptic plasticity and the etiology of mental disorders are unknown. Here, we show that increased PIKE expression is a key mediator of impaired mGlu1/5-dependent neuronal plasticity in mouse and fly models of the inherited intellectual disability fragile X syndrome (FXS). Normalizing elevated PIKE protein levels in FXS mice reversed deficits in molecular and cellular plasticity and improved behavior. Notably, PIKE reduction rescued PI3K-dependent and -independent neuronal defects in FXS. We further show that PI3K signaling is increased in a fly model of FXS and that genetic reduction of the Drosophila ortholog of PIKE, CenG1A rescued excessive PI3K signaling, mushroom body defects, and impaired short-term memory in these flies. Our results demonstrate a crucial role of increased PIKE expression in exaggerated mGlu1/5 signaling causing neuronal defects in FXS.

Therapeutic Strategies in Fragile X Syndrome: From Bench to Bedside and Back

Fragile X syndrome (FXS), an inherited intellectual disability often associated with autism, is caused by the loss of expression of the fragile X mental retardation protein. Tremendous progress in basic, preclinical, and translational clinical research has elucidated a variety of molecular-, cellular-, and system-level defects in FXS. This has led to the development of several promising therapeutic strategies, some of which have been tested in larger-scale controlled clinical trials. Here, we will summarize recent advances in understanding molecular functions of fragile X mental retardation protein beyond the well-known role as an mRNA-binding protein, and will describe current developments and emerging limitations in the use of the FXS mouse model as a preclinical tool to identify therapeutic targets. We will review the results of recent clinical trials conducted in FXS that were based on some of the preclinical findings, and discuss how the observed outcomes and obstacles will inform future therapy development in FXS and other autism spectrum disorders.