Dysregulation of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel expression in nonsyndromal mental retardation due to a cereblon p.R419X mutation

A nonsense mutation (R419X) in the human cereblon gene [mutation (mut) CRBN] causes a mild type of autosomal recessive nonsyndromal mental retardation (ARNSMR). CRBN, a cytosolic protein, regulates the assembly and neuronal surface expression of large-conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channels (BKCa) in brain regions involved in memory and learning. Using the real-time quantitative polymerase chain reaction, we show that mut CRBN disturbs the development of adult brain BKCa isoforms. These changes are predicted to result in BKCa channels with a higher intracellular Ca2+ sensitivity, faster activation, and slower deactivation kinetics. Such alterations may contribute to cognitive impairments in patients with mild ARNSMR.