Impaired maturation of dendritic spines without disorganization of cortical cell layers in mice lacking NRG1/ErbB signaling in the central nervous system

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Mar 17;106(11):4507-12. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0900355106. Epub 2009 Feb 24.

Abstract

Neuregulin-1 (NRG1) and its ErbB2/B4 receptors are encoded by candidate susceptibility genes for schizophrenia, yet the essential functions of NRG1 signaling in the CNS are still unclear. Using CRE/LOX technology, we have inactivated ErbB2/B4-mediated NRG1 signaling specifically in the CNS. In contrast to expectations, cell layers in the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum develop normally in the mutant mice. Instead, loss of ErbB2/B4 impairs dendritic spine maturation and perturbs interactions of postsynaptic scaffold proteins with glutamate receptors. Conversely, increased NRG1 levels promote spine maturation. ErbB2/B4-deficient mice show increased aggression and reduced prepulse inhibition. Treatment with the antipsychotic drug clozapine reverses the behavioral and spine defects. We conclude that ErbB2/B4-mediated NRG1 signaling modulates dendritic spine maturation, and that defects at glutamatergic synapses likely contribute to the behavioral abnormalities in ErbB2/B4-deficient mice.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Animals
  • Antipsychotic Agents / pharmacology
  • Central Nervous System
  • Cerebral Cortex / cytology*
  • Clozapine / pharmacology
  • Dendritic Spines / pathology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / deficiency
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / physiology*
  • Neuregulin-1
  • Oncogene Proteins v-erbB / deficiency
  • Oncogene Proteins v-erbB / physiology
  • Receptor, ErbB-2 / physiology*
  • Receptors, Glutamate
  • Signal Transduction*

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Antipsychotic Agents
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neuregulin-1
  • Nrg1 protein, mouse
  • Oncogene Proteins v-erbB
  • Receptors, Glutamate
  • Receptor, ErbB-2
  • Clozapine