The Autism Related Protein Contactin-Associated Protein-Like 2 (CNTNAP2) Stabilizes New Spines: An In Vivo Mouse Study.

The establishment and maintenance of neuronal circuits depends on tight regulation of synaptic contacts. We hypothesized that CNTNAP2, a protein associated with autism, would play a key role in this process. Indeed, we found that new dendritic spines in mice lacking CNTNAP2 were formed at normal rates, but failed to stabilize. Notably, rates of spine elimination were unaltered, suggesting a specific role for CNTNAP2 in stabilizing new synaptic circuitry

The Autism Related Protein Contactin-Associated Protein-Like 2 (CNTNAP2) Stabilizes New Spines: An In Vivo Mouse Study.

The establishment and maintenance of neuronal circuits depends on tight regulation of synaptic contacts. We hypothesized that CNTNAP2, a protein associated with autism, would play a key role in this process. Indeed, we found that new dendritic spines in mice lacking CNTNAP2 were formed at normal rates, but failed to stabilize. Notably, rates of spine elimination were unaltered, suggesting a specific role for CNTNAP2 in stabilizing new synaptic circuitry

Correction: The Autism Related Protein Contactin-Associated Protein-Like 2 (CNTNAP2) Stabilizes New Spines: An In Vivo Mouse Study

The establishment and maintenance of neuronal circuits depends on tight regulation of synaptic contacts. We hypothesized that CNTNAP2, a protein associated with autism, would play a key role in this process. Indeed, we found that new dendritic spines in mice lacking CNTNAP2 were formed at normal rates, but failed to stabilize. Notably, rates of spine elimination were unaltered, suggesting a specific role for CNTNAP2 in stabilizing new synaptic circuitry

Loss of Cntnap2-/- decreases spine density.

<p><b>a.</b> Low magnification images of dendrites and spines in WT mouse (<b>left)</b>, and in Cntnap2-/- mouse <b>(right)</b>. <b>b.</b> Quantification of spine-density. <b>Top plot</b> analysis per mouse (n = 10 Cntnap2-/- mice, n = 8 WT mice). <b>Bottom plot</b> analysis per cell (n = 23 Cntnap2-/- neurons, n = 18 WT neurons). Note the significant decrease in spine density in Cntnap2-/- mice (right) relative to WT (left).(Error bars indicate standard error (SEM), * P<0.05; **P<0.01; t-Test).</p

Loss of Cntnap2 decreases specifically stabilization of new spines.

<p><b>a.</b> From left to right: Chronic imaging through a cranial window of L5 pyramidal neuron. The 3 images on the right show the dynamics of spines on a dendrite segment followed for 11 days. <b>b-e. Top</b> a spine (red) on a dendrite (black) at the indicated imaging days. <b>Left plots</b> analysis per mouse (n = 10 Cntnap2-/- mice, n = 8 WT mice). <b>Right plots</b> analysis per cell (n = 23 Cntnap2-/- neurons, n = 18 WT neurons). <b>b.</b> The fraction of spines lost during 4 days. Note the significant increase in spine loss in Cntnap2-/- mice. <b>c.</b> The fraction of spines gain. Note the absence of a significant difference between WT and Cntnap2-/- animals. <b>d.</b> The fraction of maintained spines out of the spines which were stable during the first 4 days. Note the absence of a significant difference between WT and Cntnap2-/- animals. <b>e.</b> The fraction of stable spines out of the spines gained in the first 4 days. Note the significant decrease in Cntnap2-/- mice. (Error bars indicate standard error (SEM), NS non significant; * P<0.05; **P<0.01; t-Tests).</p

Building bridges through science

WOS: 000415310800007PubMed ID: 29144972Science is ideally suited to connect people from different cultures and thereby foster mutual understanding. To promote international life science collaboration, we have launched "The Science Bridge'' initiative. Our current project focuses on partnership between Western and Middle Eastern neuroscience communities.Medical Research Council [MC_UP_1202/5