Female-specific synaptic dysfunction and cognitive impairment in a mouse model of PCDH19 disorder

Protocadherin-19 (PCDH19) mutations cause early-onset seizures and cognitive impairment. The PCDH19 gene is on the X-chromosome. Unlike most X-linked disorders, PCDH19 mutations affect heterozygous females (PCDH19(HET female)) but not hemizygous males (PCDH19(HEMI male)); however, the reason why remains to be elucidated. We demonstrate that PCDH19, a cell-adhesion molecule, is enriched at hippocampal mossy fiber synapses. Pcdh19(HET female) but not Pcdh19(HEMI male) mice show impaired mossy fiber synaptic structure and physiology. Consistently, Pcdh19(HET female) but not Pcdh19(HEMI male) mice exhibit reduced pattern completion and separation abilities, which require mossy fiber synaptic function. Furthermore, PCDH19 appears to interact with N-cadherin at mossy fiber synapses. In Pcdh19(HET female) conditions, mismatch between PCDH19 and N-cadherin diminishes N-cadherin-dependent signaling and impairs mossy fiber synapse development; N-cadherin overexpression rescues Pcdh19(HET female) phenotypes. These results reveal previously unknown molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying the female-specific PCDH19 disorder phenotype.

Automated summary

Mutations in the PCDH19 gene can lead to early-onset seizures and cognitive impairment, affecting heterozygous females but not hemizygous males. Research has shown that PCDH19 is enriched at hippocampal mossy fiber synapses, and heterozygous female mice display impaired synaptic structure and function in this area.