Loss-of-function mutations in members of the neuroligin (NL) family of trans-synaptic cell adhesion molecules have been implicated in human autism and mental retardation. Animal models of autism have been severely limited, but these human genetic findings provide a novel path to develop bona fide mouse models of at least a subtype of human autism or mental retardation. NLs are postsynaptic transmembrane proteins that bind presynaptic beta-neurexins to induce formation of excitatory and inhibitory synapses and to control excitatory/inhibitory (E/I) synapse balance in cultured neurons. Alterations in E/I balance have been proposed as important in pathogenesis of autism and mental retardation. The precise role of NL in vivo and in neurobehavioral abnormalities in autism and mental retardation, however, remains to be determined. We will determine the role of neuroligin in vivo using electrophysiologic and behavioral characterization of NL knockout, human disease mutation knockin, and, in follow-up studies, conditional knockout mice. The driving hypothesis is that mice deficient in NL genes, or carrying known disease-linked mutations in NL, will exhibit behavioral differences consistent with those in human autism or mental retardation, and that these behavioral differences will be associated with specific abnormalities in E/I balance or synaptic function in cortical circuits in vivo. The following specific aims will be addressed: 1. To determine whether NL3 disease-linked mutation or deletion of NL3 result in autism and mental retardation-related behavioral abnormalities. 2. To determine whether deletion of NL3 or NL3 disease-linked mutations result in altered excitatory and inhibitory synaptic connectivity and function. 3. To determine whether deletion of NL3 or NL3 disease-linked mutations alter the threshold for inducing NMDA-receptor-dependent synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus.

Public Health Relevance

Autism spectrum disorder and mental retardation are common, debilitating disorders involving social interaction or cognitive function with clinical overlap in a subset of patients. Recently, loss-of-function mutations in members of the Neuroligin family of trans-synaptic cell adhesion molecules have been implicated in human autism and mental retardation. Mice with genetic alterations of Neuroligin will be characterized as potential animal models of autism and mental retardation in an effort to better understand the cause and treatment of these debilitating disorders.

Agency
National Institute of Health (NIH)
Institute
National Institute of Mental Health (NIMH)
Type
Research Project (R01)
Project #
5R01MH081164-05
Application #
8389578
Study Section
Developmental Brain Disorders Study Section (DBD)
Program Officer
Asanuma, Chiiko
Project Start
2008-12-23
Project End
2014-11-30
Budget Start
2012-12-01
Budget End
2014-11-30
Support Year
5
Fiscal Year
2013
Total Cost
$373,032
Indirect Cost
$135,432
Name
University of Texas Sw Medical Center Dallas
Department
Neurology
Type
Schools of Medicine
DUNS #
800771545
City
Dallas
State
TX
Country
United States
Zip Code
75390
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