Mouse models ofSYNGAP1-related intellectual disability
Authors: Araki Yoichi , Gerber Elizabeth E. , Rajkovich Kacey E. , Hong Ingie , Johnson Richard C. , Lee Hey-Kyoung , Kirkwood Alfredo , Huganir Richard L. 
Published: May 2023

SYNGAP1 is a Ras-GTPase activating protein highly enriched at excitatory synapses in the brain.De novoloss-of-function mutations inSYNGAP1are a major cause of genetically defined neurodevelopmental disorders (NDD). These mutations are highly penetrant and causeSYNGAP1-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 heterozygousSyngap1knockout mice have deficits in synaptic plasticity, learning and memory, and have seizures (9, 12-14). However, how specificSYNGAP1mutations 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 inSyngap1mRNA 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 Statement

SYNGAP1 is a protein enriched at excitatory synapses in the brain that is an important regulator of synapse structure and function.SYNGAP1mutations causeSYNGAP1-related intellectual disability (SRID), a neurodevelopmental disorder with cognitive impairment, social deficits, seizures, and sleep disturbances. To explore howSYNGAP1mutations 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 decreasedSyngap1mRNA 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.

Highlights

Two mouse models withSYNGAP1-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.

Both SRID mouse models show 35∼50% reduction in mRNA and ∼50% reduction in Syngap1 protein.

Both SRID mouse models display deficits in synaptic plasticity and behavioral phenotypes found in people.

RNA-seq confirmed cryptic splice acceptor activity in one SRID mouse model and revealed broad transcriptional changes also identified inSyngap1+/-mice.

Novel SRID mouse models generated here provide a resource and establish a framework for development of future therapeutic intervention.