Rare genetic variants in ANK2, which encodes ankyrin-B, are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs); however, their pathogenesis is poorly understood. We find that mice with prenatal deletion in cortical excitatory neurons and oligodendrocytes (Ank2-/-:Emx1-Cre), but not with adolescent deletion in forebrain excitatory neurons (Ank2-/-:CaMKIIα-Cre), display severe spontaneous seizures, increased mortality, hyperactivity, and social deficits. Calcium imaging of cortical slices from Ank2-/-:Emx1-Cre mice shows increased neuronal calcium event amplitude and frequency, along with network hyperexcitability and hypersynchrony. Quantitative proteomic analysis of cortical synaptic membranes reveals upregulation of dendritic spine plasticity-regulatory proteins and downregulation of intermediate filaments. Characterization of the ankyrin-B interactome identifies interactors associated with autism and epilepsy risk factors and synaptic proteins. The AMPA receptor antagonist, perampanel, restores cortical neuronal activity and partially rescues survival in Ank2-/-:Emx1-Cre mice. Our findings suggest that synaptic proteome alterations resulting from Ank2 deletion impair neuronal activity and synchrony, leading to NDDs-related behavioral impairments.
Keywords: CP: Developmental biology; CP: Neuroscience; LC-MS/MS; ankyrin; anti-epileptic drug; calcium imaging; postsynaptic interactome; proteomics; synchrony.
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