Reduced mitochondrial fusion and Huntingtin levels contribute to impaired dendritic maturation and behavioral deficits in Fmr1-mutant mice

Nat Neurosci. 2019 Mar;22(3):386-400. doi: 10.1038/s41593-019-0338-y. Epub 2019 Feb 11.

Abstract

Fragile X syndrome results from a loss of the RNA-binding protein fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP). How FMRP regulates neuronal development and function remains unclear. Here we show that FMRP-deficient immature neurons exhibit impaired dendritic maturation, altered expression of mitochondrial genes, fragmented mitochondria, impaired mitochondrial function, and increased oxidative stress. Enhancing mitochondrial fusion partially rescued dendritic abnormalities in FMRP-deficient immature neurons. We show that FMRP deficiency leads to reduced Htt mRNA and protein levels and that HTT mediates FMRP regulation of mitochondrial fusion and dendritic maturation. Mice with hippocampal Htt knockdown and Fmr1-knockout mice showed similar behavioral deficits that could be rescued by treatment with a mitochondrial fusion compound. Our data unveil mitochondrial dysfunction as a contributor to the impaired dendritic maturation of FMRP-deficient neurons and suggest a role for interactions between FMRP and HTT in the pathogenesis of fragile X syndrome.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dendrites / metabolism*
  • Dentate Gyrus / growth & development
  • Dentate Gyrus / metabolism*
  • Female
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein / genetics
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein / metabolism*
  • Gene Knockdown Techniques
  • Genes, Mitochondrial
  • Huntingtin Protein / genetics
  • Huntingtin Protein / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mitochondrial Dynamics*
  • Oxidative Stress

Substances

  • Fmr1 protein, mouse
  • Htt protein, mouse
  • Huntingtin Protein
  • Fragile X Mental Retardation Protein