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Neurexins in serotonergic neurons regulate neuronal survival, serotonin transmission, and complex mouse behaviors

Cheung, Amy
Konno, Kotaro
Imamura, Yuka
Matsui, Aya
Abe, Manabu
Sakimura, Kenji
Sasaoka, Toshikuni
Uemura, Takeshi
Watanabe, Masahiko
Futai, Kensuke
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Abstract

Extensive serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine, 5-HT) innervation throughout the brain corroborates 5-HT's modulatory role in numerous cognitive activities. Volume transmission is the major mode for 5-HT transmission but mechanisms underlying 5-HT signaling are still largely unknown. Abnormal brain 5-HT levels and function have been implicated in autism spectrum disorder (ASD). Neurexin (Nrxn) genes encode presynaptic cell adhesion molecules important for the regulation of synaptic neurotransmitter release, notably glutamatergic and GABAergic transmission. Mutations in Nrxn genes are associated with neurodevelopmental disorders including ASD. However, the role of Nrxn genes in the 5-HT system is poorly understood. Here, we generated a mouse model with all three Nrxn genes disrupted specifically in 5-HT neurons to study how Nrxns affect 5-HT transmission. Loss of Nrxns in 5-HT neurons reduced the number of serotonin neurons in the early postnatal stage, impaired 5-HT release, and decreased 5-HT release sites and serotonin transporter expression. Furthermore, 5-HT neuron-specific Nrxn knockout reduced sociability and increased depressive-like behavior. Our results highlight functional roles for Nrxns in 5-HT neurotransmission, 5-HT neuron survival, and the execution of complex behaviors.

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Cheung A, Konno K, Imamura Y, Matsui A, Abe M, Sakimura K, Sasaoka T, Uemura T, Watanabe M, Futai K. Neurexins in serotonergic neurons regulate neuronal survival, serotonin transmission, and complex mouse behaviors. Elife. 2023 Jan 25;12:e85058. doi: 10.7554/eLife.85058. PMID: 36695811; PMCID: PMC9876567.

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10.7554/eLife.85058
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36695811
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Copyright Cheung et al. This article is distributed under the terms of the Creative Commons Attribution License, which permits unrestricted use and redistribution provided that the original author and source are credited.Attribution 4.0 International