Astrotactin 2 (ASTN2) regulates emotional and cognitive functions by affecting neuronal morphogenesis and monoaminergic systems

Astrotactin2 (ASTN2) regulates neuronal migration and synaptic strength through the trafficking and degradation of surface proteins. Deletion of ASTN2 in copy number variants has been identified in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder in copy number variant (CNV) analysis. Disruption of ASTN2 is a risk factor for these neurodevelopmental disorders, including schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, autism spectrum disorder, and attention deficit hyperactivity disorder. However, the importance of ASTN2 in physiological functions remains poorly understood. To elucidate the physiological functions of ASTN2, we investigated whether deficiency of ASTN2 affects cognitive and/or emotional behaviors and neurotransmissions using ASTN2-deficient mice. Astn2 knockout (KO) mice produced by CRISPR/Cas9 technique showed no obvious differences in physical characteristics and circadian rhythm. Astn2 KO mice showed increased exploratory activity in a novel environment, social behavior and impulsivity, or decreased despair-, anxiety-like behaviors and exploratory preference for the novel object. Some behavioral abnormalities, such as increased exploratory activity and impulsivity, or decreased exploratory preference were specifically attenuated by risperidone, but not by haloperidol. While, the both drugs did not affect any emotion-related behavioral abnormalities in Astn2 KO mice. Dopamine contents were decreased in the striatum, and serotonin or dopamine turnover were increased in the striatum, nucleus accumbens, and amygdala of Astn2 KO mice. In morphological analyses, thinning of neural cell layers in the hippocampus, reduction of neural cell bodies in the prefrontal cortex, and decrease in spine density and PSD95 protein in both tissues were observed in Astn2 KO mice. The present findings suggest that ASTN2 deficiency develops some emotional or cognitive impairments related to monoaminergic dysfunctions and abnormal neuronal morphogenesis with shrinkage of neuronal soma. ASTN2 protein may contribute to the pathogenic mechanism and symptom onset of mental disorders.

Automated summary

Astrotactin2 (ASTN2) regulates neuronal migration and synaptic strength through the trafficking and degradation of surface proteins. Deletion of ASTN2 has been found in patients with schizophrenia, bipolar disorder, and autism spectrum disorder. ASTN2-deficient mice showed increased exploratory activity and social behavior, or decreased despair-, anxiety-like behaviors. These behavioral abnormalities were partially attenuated by risperidone, but not by haloperidol. Dopamine contents were decreased in the striatum, and serotonin or dopamine turnover were increased in multiple brain regions of Astn2 KO mice. Morphological analyses revealed thinning of neural cell layers in the hippocampus, reduction of neural cell bodies in the prefrontal cortex, and decrease in spine density and PSD95 protein in both tissues. ASTN2 deficiency may contribute to the pathogenic mechanism and symptom onset of mental disorders.