The autism- and schizophrenia-associated protein CYFIP1 regulates bilateral brain connectivity and behaviour

Nat Commun. 2019 Aug 1;10(1):3454. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-11203-y.

Abstract

Copy-number variants of the CYFIP1 gene in humans have been linked to autism spectrum disorders (ASD) and schizophrenia (SCZ), two neuropsychiatric disorders characterized by defects in brain connectivity. Here, we show that CYFIP1 plays an important role in brain functional connectivity and callosal functions. We find that Cyfip1-heterozygous mice have reduced functional connectivity and defects in white matter architecture, similar to phenotypes found in patients with ASD, SCZ and other neuropsychiatric disorders. Cyfip1-deficient mice also present decreased myelination in the callosal axons, altered presynaptic function, and impaired bilateral connectivity. Finally, Cyfip1 deficiency leads to abnormalities in motor coordination, sensorimotor gating and sensory perception, which are also known neuropsychiatric disorder-related symptoms. These results show that Cyfip1 haploinsufficiency compromises brain connectivity and function, which might explain its genetic association to neuropsychiatric disorders.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Animals
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / diagnostic imaging
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / genetics*
  • Autism Spectrum Disorder / metabolism*
  • Axons
  • Behavior, Animal
  • Brain / diagnostic imaging
  • Brain / metabolism*
  • DNA Copy Number Variations
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Genetic Association Studies
  • Genetic Predisposition to Disease / genetics*
  • Haploinsufficiency
  • Heterozygote
  • Humans
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Nervous System / metabolism
  • Nervous System Physiological Phenomena / genetics
  • Phenotype
  • Psychomotor Performance
  • Schizophrenia / diagnostic imaging
  • Schizophrenia / genetics
  • Schizophrenia / metabolism*
  • Sensory Gating
  • White Matter

Substances

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Cyfip1 protein, mouse
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins