Publication: A network of autism linked genes stabilizes two pools of synaptic GABAA receptors
Open/View Files
Date
2015
Published Version
Journal Title
Journal ISSN
Volume Title
Publisher
eLife Sciences Publications, Ltd
The Harvard community has made this article openly available. Please share how this access benefits you.
Citation
Tong, Xia-Jing, Zhitao Hu, Yu Liu, Dorian Anderson, and Joshua M Kaplan. 2015. “A network of autism linked genes stabilizes two pools of synaptic GABAA receptors.” eLife 4 (1): e09648. doi:10.7554/eLife.09648. http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.09648.
Research Data
Abstract
Changing receptor abundance at synapses is an important mechanism for regulating synaptic strength. Synapses contain two pools of receptors, immobilized and diffusing receptors, both of which are confined to post-synaptic elements. Here we show that immobile and diffusing GABAA receptors are stabilized by distinct synaptic scaffolds at C. elegans neuromuscular junctions. Immobilized GABAA receptors are stabilized by binding to FRM-3/EPB4.1 and LIN-2A/CASK. Diffusing GABAA receptors are stabilized by the synaptic adhesion molecules Neurexin and Neuroligin. Inhibitory post-synaptic currents are eliminated in double mutants lacking both scaffolds. Neurexin, Neuroligin, and CASK mutations are all linked to Autism Spectrum Disorders (ASD). Our results suggest that these mutations may directly alter inhibitory transmission, which could contribute to the developmental and cognitive deficits observed in ASD. DOI: http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.09648.001
Description
Other Available Sources
Keywords
autism, synaptic transmission, GABA-A receptors, CASK, neurexin, neuroligin,
Terms of Use
This article is made available under the terms and conditions applicable to Other Posted Material (LAA), as set forth at Terms of Service