How a Gene Alteration Modifies Social Behavior in Autism

Summary: Researchers have uncovered a link between the Nlgn3 gene and the oxytocin signaling pathway in mouse models of ASD. Nlgn3 disrupts the oxytocin signaling pathway in neurons in the reward system, consequentially resulting in reduced social interactions in mice.

Source: University of Basel

A team of researchers at the Biozentrum, University of Basel, has discovered a new connection between a genetic alteration and social difficulties related to autism: A mutation in the neuroligin-3 gene reduces the effect of the hormone oxytocin. In the journal Nature, the researchers report on a treatment approach that could normalize social behavior in autism. They have already achieved promising results in an animal model.

Autism occurs in about one percent of the population and is characterized by alterations in communication, repetitive behavior and social difficulties. There are numerous genetic factors involved in the development of autism. Hundreds of different genes have been identified, including the gene encoding the synaptic adhesion molecule neuroligin-3. The mechanisms by which this large variety of genetic alterations is related to the symptoms of autism are still largely unknown and is one of the major challenges in the development of new treatments.

The research team led by Professor Peter Scheiffele at the Biozentrum of the University of Basel has now uncovered an unexpected link between neuroligin-3, a gene that contributes to the likelihood of autism, and the oxytocin signaling pathway in a mouse model. The hormone oxytocin regulates social behavior in mammals, in particular social interactions.

Mutation affects how neurons respond

Mice with mutations in certain genes which display a typical behavior linked to autism in humans are used as a model system to study autism and help scientists to learn more about the biology of this condition in humans.

In such a mouse model, Scheiffele’s team has demonstrated for the first time that an autism associated mutation in the neuroligin-3 gene disrupts the oxytocin signaling pathway in the neurons of the brain’s reward system in mice and, as a consequence, reduces social interactions between mice. Unexpectedly, loss of neuroligin affects the balance of protein synthesis in these neurons and thus the neuronal responses to oxytocin.

This shows a chalk drawing of a brain
The hormone oxytocin regulates social behavior in mammals, in particular social interactions. Image is credited to University of Basel.

It was already speculated that signals mediated by oxytocin could possibly play a role in autism. “However, we were very surprised to discover that mutations in neuroligin-3 impair oxytocin signaling pathways. We have succeeded in putting together two puzzle pieces of the mechanisms underlying autism,” says Scheiffele.

Altered oxytocin signaling is reversible

Furthermore, the research team demonstrated that alterations in the oxytocin system in mice with a neuroligin-3 mutation can be restored by treatment with a pharmacological inhibitor of protein synthesis. This treatment normalized the social behavior of the mice: Like their healthy conspecifics, they reacted differently to familiar mice or mice foreign to them. Importantly, the same inhibitor also improved behavioral symptoms in a second rodent model of autism, indicating that it could be more widely applied in the treatment of autism.

The newly discovered convergence between three important elements – a genetic factor, the changes in neuronal protein synthesis, and the regulation of social behavior by the oxytocin system -sheds some light onto how multiple factors implicated in autism may be connected. In addition, the findings may open new approaches for the treatment of certain aspects of social behavior in some cases of autism, where this is desirable.

About this autism and genetics research article

Source:
University of Basel
Contacts:
Peter Scheiffele – University of Basel
Image Source:
The image is credited to University of Basel.

Original Research: Closed access
“Rescue of oxytocin response and social behaviour in a mouse model of autism” by Hanna Hörnberg, Enrique Pérez-Garci, Dietmar Schreiner, Laetitia Hatstatt-Burklé, Fulvio Magara, Stephane Baudouin, Alex Matter, Kassoum Nacro, Eline Pecho-Vrieseling & Peter Scheiffele. Nature.


Abstract

Rescue of oxytocin response and social behaviour in a mouse model of autism

A fundamental challenge in developing treatments for autism spectrum disorders is the heterogeneity of the condition. More than one hundred genetic mutations confer high risk for autism, with each individual mutation accounting for only a small fraction of cases1,2,3. Subsets of risk genes can be grouped into functionally related pathways, most prominently those involving synaptic proteins, translational regulation, and chromatin modifications. To attempt to minimize this genetic complexity, recent therapeutic strategies have focused on the neuropeptides oxytocin and vasopressin4,5,6, which regulate aspects of social behaviour in mammals7. However, it is unclear whether genetic risk factors predispose individuals to autism as a result of modifications to oxytocinergic signalling. Here we report that an autism-associated mutation in the synaptic adhesion molecule Nlgn3 results in impaired oxytocin signalling in dopaminergic neurons and in altered behavioural responses to social novelty tests in mice. Notably, loss of Nlgn3 is accompanied by a disruption of translation homeostasis in the ventral tegmental area. Treatment of Nlgn3-knockout mice with a new, highly specific, brain-penetrant inhibitor of MAP kinase-interacting kinases resets the translation of mRNA and restores oxytocin signalling and social novelty responses. Thus, this work identifies a convergence between the genetic autism risk factor Nlgn3, regulation of translation, and oxytocinergic signalling. Focusing on such common core plasticity elements might provide a pragmatic approach to overcoming the heterogeneity of autism. Ultimately, this would enable mechanism-based stratification of patient populations to increase the success of therapeutic interventions.

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