Researchers reverse autism-like behaviors by turning down a single protein
Scientists discovered that overproduction of a translation protein called eIF4E drives autism-spectrum behaviors in mice by disrupting brain circuits that control movement and impulse control. Reducing the protein in adulthood restored normal function, suggesting a potential therapeutic target for treating motor symptoms in autism that affects millions worldwide.
Originaltitel: Postnatal reduction of eIF4E overexpression in D1-SPNs ameliorates KCNQ channel dysfunction, hyperexcitability and ASD-like behaviours
An imbalance between the direct and indirect pathways of the striatum has been linked to the pathophysiology of autism spectrum disorder (ASD), manifesting as repetitive behaviours and hyperactivity. We have investigated cell-specific dysfunctions in spiny projection neurons (SPNs) in a mouse model of ASD characterised by elevated expression of the eukaryotic initiation factor 4E (eIF4E), a key regulator of cap-dependent translation. eIF4E-TG mice, which exhibit ASD-like motor behaviours, were examined using a combination of fibre photometry, electrophysiology, conditional gene silencing, and behavioural assays. Direct pathway SPNs showed elevated activity during exploratory behaviour, along with hyperexcitability and reduced KCNQ potassium channel function in striatal slices. Conditional reduction of eIF4E in direct pathway SPNs of adult mice ameliorated KCNQ channel function, reduced excitability, and attenuated repetitive and hyperactive behaviours. These findings provide novel evidence that eIF4E-dependent translational dysregulation is associated with altered potassium channel function in direct pathway SPNs, and that postnatal reduction of eIF4E can mitigate motor phenotypes relevant to ASD in a cell-type-specific manner.