Summary: A genetic mutation of Caps2 impairs the release of oxytocin, leading to problems in regulating social behavior in those on the autism spectrum.
Source: Tokyo University of Science
Autism spectrum disorder is a neurodevelopmental condition involving impaired social abilities, and this makes it a fascinating subject for neuroscientists like Prof. Teiichi Furuichi of the Tokyo University of Science who study the neuroscience of social behavior. Prof. Furuichi and his colleagues have previously worked on developing mouse models of autism to unravel the condition’s neurochemical mechanisms.
In a paper recently published in the prestigious Journal of Neuroscience, they provide evidence that a genetic mutation associated with autism can impair the release of a peptide called oxytocin that plays an important role in regulating social behavior.
This finding promises to broaden our understanding of the neurobiology of social behavior.
The gene that Prof. Furuichi’s team chose to study is Caps2, which encodes a protein called Ca2+-dependent activator protein for secretion 2 (CAPS2) that regulates the release of brain chemicals (or “neurotransmitters”). Previous studies have shown that CAPS2 deficiencies in mice cause behavioral impairments such as reduced sociality, increased anxiety, and disrupted circadian rhythms.
Furthermore, a study of Japanese patients with autism spectrum disorder revealed that some of them had Caps2 mutations that adversely affect the CAPS2 protein’s functions. Prof. Furuichi and his colleagues had previously discovered that the CAPS2 protein is expressed in neurons in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland that release the neuropeptide oxytocin.
This information formed the basis of their recent study. As Prof. Furuichi explains, “We hypothesized that CAPS2 deficiencies in mice should alter oxytocin release, which should in turn result in impaired social behavior.”
To test this hypothesis, researchers Shuhei Fujima, Graduate Student at Tokyo University of Science; Yoshitake Sano, Junior Associate Professor at Tokyo University of Science; Yo Shinoda, Associate Professor at Tokyo University of Pharmacy and Life Sciences; Tetsushi Sadakata, Associate Professor in Gunma University; Manabu Abe, Associate Professor at Niigata University; and Kenji Sakimura, a Fellow of Niigata University, among others, led by Prof. Furuichi conducted a series of experiments involving mice that carried genetic alterations that prevented them from expressing the CAPS2 protein.
These mice had lower-than-normal oxytocin levels in their blood but higher-than-normal oxytocin levels in the hypothalamus and pituitary gland. The researchers interpreted this finding as evidence that CAPS2 deficiencies impede the normal release of oxytocin from these brain regions into the bloodstream.
Unsurprisingly, the reduced bloodstream levels of oxytocin had clear behavioral effects. When placed inside a rectangular box, the oxytocin neuron-specific CAPS2-deficient mice were unwilling to spend much time in the center of the box, and the researchers interpreted this as evidence of increased anxiety about the risk of a predator attacking them.
The CAPS2-deficient mice also exhibited diminished willingness to engage in social interactions when introduced to unfamiliar mice. Interestingly, spraying an oxytocin solution into the noses of the CAPS2-deficient mice acted to restore their willingness to socially interact with unfamiliar mice.
Based on these findings, Prof. Furuichi and his colleagues conclude that the CAPS2 protein plays a critical role in facilitating the release of peripheral oxytocin into the bloodstream.
They similarly suggest that CAPS2 is also involved in the release of central oxytocin into the brain regions relating to the control of sociality. Given the key role that oxytocin plays in regulating social behaviors, this could help to explain how mutations in the Caps2 gene could lead to atypical patterns of social behavior in persons with autism spectrum disorder.
When asked about the social significance of his team’s work, Prof. Furuichi remarks, “We believe that this research, although basic, is an important achievement that will contribute to the development of tools for the early molecular diagnosis and effective treatment of autism spectrum disorder.”
Given the relatively high prevalence of autism and how extremely disabling severe cases can be, the development of effective treatments would have major benefits for people with autism and the society as a whole.
About this autism research news
Source: Tokyo University of Science
Contact: Tsutomu Shimizu – Tokyo University of Science
Image: The image is credited to Tokyo University of Science
Original Research: Closed access.
“CAPS2 deficiency impairs the release of the social peptide, oxytocin, as well as oxytocin-associated social behavior” by Shuhei Fujima, Ryosuke Yamaga, Haruka Minami, Shota Mizuno, Yo Shinoda, Tetsushi Sadakata, Manabu Abe, Kenji Sakimura, Yoshitake Sano and Teiichi Furuichi. Journal of Neuroscience
Abstract
CAPS2 deficiency impairs the release of the social peptide, oxytocin, as well as oxytocin-associated social behavior
Ca2+-dependent activator protein for secretion 2 (CAPS2) regulates dense-core vesicle (DCV) exocytosis to facilitate peptidergic and catecholaminergic transmitter release. CAPS2 deficiency in mice has mild neuronal effects but markedly impairs social behavior. Rare de novo Caps2alterations also occur in autism spectrum disorder, although whether CAPS2-mediated release influences social behavior remains unclear.
Here, we demonstrate that CAPS2 is associated with DCV exocytosis-mediated release of the social interaction modulatory peptide oxytocin (OXT). CAPS2 is expressed in hypothalamic OXT neurons and localizes to OXT nerve projection and OXT release sites, such as the pituitary. Caps2 KO mice exhibited reduced plasma albeit increased hypothalamic and pituitary OXT levels, indicating insufficient release.
OXT neuron-specific Caps2conditional KO supported CAPS2 function in pituitary OXT release, also affording impaired social interaction and recognition behavior that could be ameliorated by exogenous OXT administered intranasally. Thus, CAPS2 appears critical for OXT release, thereby being associated with social behavior.
Significance Statement
The role of the neuropeptide, oxytocin, in enhancing social interaction and social bonding behavior has attracted considerable public and neuroscientific attention. A central issue in oxytocin biology concerns how oxytocin release is regulated.
Our study provides an important insight into the understanding of oxytocin-dependent social behavior from the perspective of the CAPS2-regulated release mechanism.
