Auts2 deletion involves in DG hypoplasia and social recognition deficit: The developmental and neural circuit mechanisms

Sci Adv. 2022 Mar 4;8(9):eabk1238. doi: 10.1126/sciadv.abk1238. Epub 2022 Mar 2.

Abstract

The involvement of genetic risk and the underlying developmental and neural circuit mechanisms in autism-related social deficit are largely unclear. Here, we report that deletion of AUTS2, a high-susceptibility gene of ASDs, caused postnatal dentate gyrus (DG) hypoplasia, which was closely relevant to social recognition deficit. Furthermore, a previously unknown mechanism for neural cell migration in postnatal DG development was identified, in which Auts2-related signaling played a vital role as the transcription repressor. Moreover, the supramammillary nucleus (SuM)-DG-CA3 neural circuit was found to be involved in social recognition and affected in Auts2-deleted mice due to DG hypoplasia. Correction of DG-CA3 synaptic transmission by using a pharmacological approach or chemo/optogenetic activation of the SuM-DG circuit restored the social recognition deficit in Auts2-deleted mice. Our findings demonstrated the vital role of Auts2 in postnatal DG development, and this role was critical for SuM-DG-CA3 neural circuit-mediated social recognition behavior.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Mice
  • Neurogenesis
  • Optogenetics
  • Recognition, Psychology*
  • Synaptic Transmission*
  • Transcription Factors

Substances

  • Auts2 protein, mouse
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Transcription Factors