Postnatal Tshz3 Deletion Drives Altered Corticostriatal Function and Autism Spectrum Disorder–like Behavior

2019 
Abstract Background Heterozygous deletion of the TSHZ3 gene, encoding for the TSHZ3 transcription factor that is highly expressed in cortical projection neurons (CPNs), has been linked to an autism spectrum disorder (ASD) syndrome. Similarly, mice with Tshz3 haploinsufficiency show ASD-like behavior, paralleled by molecular changes in CPNs and corticostriatal synaptic dysfunctions. Here, we aimed at gaining more insight into "when" and "where" TSHZ3 is required for the proper development of the brain, and its deficiency crucial for developing this ASD syndrome. Methods We generated and characterized a novel mouse model of conditional Tshz3 deletion, obtained by crossing Tshz3 flox/flox with CaMKIIalpha-Cre mice, in which Tshz3 is deleted in CPNs from postnatal day 2-3 onward. We characterized these mice by a multilevel approach combining genetics, cell biology, electrophysiology, behavioral testing and bioinformatics. Results These conditional Tshz3 KO mice exhibit altered cortical expression of more than 1000 genes, ∼50% of which have their human orthologue involved in ASD, in particular genes encoding for glutamatergic synapse components. Consistently, we detected electrophysiological and synaptic changes in CPNs, and impaired corticostriatal transmission and plasticity. Furthermore, these mice showed strong ASD-like behavioral deficits. Conclusions Our study reveals a crucial postnatal role of TSHZ3 in the development and functioning of the corticostriatal circuitry, and provides evidence that dysfunction in these circuits might be determinant for ASD pathogenesis. Our conditional Tshz3 KO mouse constitutes a novel ASD model opening the possibility for an early postnatal therapeutic window for the syndrome linked to TSHZ3 haploinsufficiency.
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