Development of GABAergic Inputs Is Not Altered in Early Maturation of Adult Born Dentate Granule Neurons in Fragile X Mice

Abstract

Fragile X syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited mental retardation and the most common known cause of autism. Loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) in mice (Fmr1KO) leads to altered synaptic and circuit maturation in the hippocampus that is correlated with alterations in hippocampal-dependent behaviors. Previous studies have demonstrated that loss of FMRP increased the rate of proliferation of progenitor cells and altered their fate specification in adultFmr1KO mice. While these studies clearly demonstrate a role for FMRP in adult neurogenesis in the hippocampus, it is not known whether the functional synaptic maturation and integration of adult-born dentate granule cells (abDGCs) into hippocampal circuits is affected inFmr1KO mice. Here, we used retroviral labeling to birthdate abDGCs inFmr1KO mice which allowed us to perform targeted patch clamp recording to measure the development of synaptic inputs to these neurons at precise time points after differentiation. The frequency and amplitude of spontaneous GABAergic events increased over the first three weeks after differentiation; however, this normal development of GABAergic synapses was not altered inFmr1KO mice. Furthermore, the relatively depolarized GABA reversal potential (EGABA) in immature abDGCs was unaffected by loss of FMRP as was the development of dendritic arbor of the adult generated neurons. These studies systematically characterized the functional development of abDGCs during the first four weeks after differentiation and demonstrate that the maturation of GABAergic synaptic inputs to these neurons is not grossly affected by the loss of FMRP.

Document Details

Document Type
Pub Defense Publication
Publication Date
Nov 01, 2018
Source ID
10.1523/eneuro.0137-18.2018

Entities

People

  • Anis Contractor
  • Christine L. Remmers

Organizations

  • National Center for Advancing Translational Sciences
  • National Institute of Mental Health
  • United States Department of Defense

Tags

Fields of Study

  • Biology

Readers

  • Child and Adolescent Substance Abuse Science in Autism Spectrum Disorders.
  • Molecular Biology and Genetics
  • Neuroscience