Mouse models of SYNGAP1-related intellectual disability

Abstract

SYNGAP1 is a Ras-GTPase activating protein highly enriched at excitatory synapses in the brain. De novo loss-of-function mutations in SYNGAP1 are a major cause of genetically defined neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). These mutations are highly penetrant and cause SYNGAP1-related intellectual disability (SRID), a NDD characterized by cognitive impairment, social deficits, early-onset seizures, and sleep disturbances (1-5). Studies in rodent neurons have shown that Syngap1 regulates developing excitatory synapse structure and function (6-11), and heterozygous Syngap1 knockout mice have deficits in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, and have seizures (9, 12-14). However, how specific SYNGAP1 mutations found in humans lead to disease has not been investigated in vivo. To explore this, we utilized the CRISPR-Cas9 system to generate knock-in mouse models with two distinct known causal variants of SRID: one with a frameshift mutation leading to a premature stop codon, SYNGAP1; L813RfsX22, and a second with a single-nucleotide mutation in an intron that creates a cryptic splice acceptor site leading to premature stop codon, SYNGAP1; c.3583-9G>A. While reduction in Syngap1 mRNA varies from 30-50% depending on the specific mutation, both models show [~]50% reduction in Syngap1 protein, have deficits in synaptic plasticity, and recapitulate key features of SRID including hyperactivity and impaired working memory. These data suggest that half the amount of SYNGAP1 protein is key to the pathogenesis of SRID. These results provide a resource to study SRID and establish a framework for the development of therapeutic strategies for this disorder. Significance StatementSYNGAP1 is a protein enriched at excitatory synapses in the brain that is an important regulator of synapse structure and function. SYNGAP1 mutations cause SYNGAP1-related intellectual disability (SRID), a neurodevelopmental disorder with cognitive impairment, social deficits, seizures, and sleep disturbances. To explore how SYNGAP1 mutations found in humans lead to disease, we generated the first knock-in mouse models with causal SRID variants: one with a frameshift mutation and a second with an intronic mutation that creates a cryptic splice acceptor site. Both models show decreased Syngap1 mRNA and Syngap1 protein and recapitulate key features of SRID including hyperactivity and impaired working memory. These results provide a resource to study SRID and establish a framework for the development of therapeutic strategies. HighlightsO_LITwo mouse models with SYNGAP1-related intellectual disability (SRID) mutations found in humans were generated: one with a frameshift mutation that results in a premature stop codon and the other with an intronic mutation resulting in a cryptic splice acceptor site and premature stop codon. C_LIO_LIBoth SRID mouse models show 35[~]50% reduction in mRNA and [~]50% reduction in Syngap1 protein. C_LIO_LIBoth SRID mouse models display deficits in synaptic plasticity and behavioral phenotypes found in people. C_LIO_LIRNA-seq confirmed cryptic splice acceptor activity in one SRID mouse model and revealed broad transcriptional changes also identified in Syngap1+/- mice. C_LIO_LINovel SRID mouse models generated here provide a resource and establish a framework for development of future therapeutic intervention. C_LI