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Adherens junction-associated protein 1 (AJAP1) has been implicated in brain diseases; however, a pathogenic mechanism has not been identified. AJAP1 is widely expressed in neurons and binds to γ-aminobutyric acid type B receptors (GBRs), which inhibit neurotransmitter release at most synapses in the brain. Here, we show that AJAP1 is selectively expressed in dendrites and trans-synaptically recruits GBRs to presynaptic sites of neurons expressing AJAP1. We have identified several monoallelic variants in individuals with epilepsy and/or neurodevelopmental disorders. Specifically, we show that the variant p.(W183C) lacks binding to GBRs, resulting in the inability to recruit them. Ultrastructural analysis revealed significantly decreased presynaptic GBR levels in and mice. Consequently, these mice exhibited reduced GBR-mediated presynaptic inhibition at excitatory and inhibitory synapses, along with impaired synaptic plasticity. Our study reveals that AJAP1 enables the postsynaptic neuron to regulate the level of presynaptic GBR-mediated inhibition, supporting the clinical relevance of loss-of-function variants.
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http://dx.doi.org/10.1126/sciadv.adk5462 | DOI Listing |
Biochem Biophys Res Commun
September 2025
CERVO Brain Research Centre, Quebec City, QC, Canada; Department of Medicine, Faculty of Medicine, Université Laval, Quebec City, QC, Canada. Electronic address:
Brugada syndrome is a rare inherited cardiac arrhythmia disorder primarily characterized by ventricular fibrillation, which can lead to sudden cardiac death. It follows an autosomal dominant pattern of inheritance and is most associated with dysfunction of the cardiac sodium channel Nav1.5.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFHeterozygous loss-of-function mutations are one established cause of isolated dystonia and hyposmia. Homozygous mutations have been reported in siblings with generalized dystonia and intellectual disability. encodes major [NM_001369387.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFBackground Over 300 mutations in have been identified as causes of early-onset Alzheimer's disease (EOAD). While these include missense mutations and a few insertions, deletions, or duplications, none result in open reading frame shifts, and all alter γ-secretase function to increase the long/short Aβ ratio. Methods We identified a novel heterozygous nonsense variant, c.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFAm J Hum Genet
August 2025
Department of Human Genetics, Emory University, Atlanta, GA 30322, USA. Electronic address:
Van der Woude syndrome (VWS) is an autosomal dominant disorder characterized by lower lip pits and orofacial clefts (OFCs). With a prevalence of ∼1 in 35,000 live births, it is the most common form of syndromic clefting. Most VWS is attributed to variants in IRF6 (∼70%) or GRHL3 (∼5%), leaving up to 25% of individuals without a molecular diagnosis.
View Article and Find Full Text PDFCancer Genet
August 2025
Cincinnati Children's Hospital Medical Center, Division of Oncology, Cincinnati, OH, USA; University of Cincinnati College of Medicine, Cincinnati, OH, USA. Electronic address:
Introduction: POT1 tumor predisposition (POT1-TPD) is associated with a spectrum of malignancies due to loss of function mutations in POT1 leading to telomere elongation and genomic instability. Osteosarcoma is the most common primary malignant bone tumor and has a poor prognosis when multifocal.
Case Presentation: A 15-year-old male was found to have a primary right distal femur osteosarcoma with multiple additional bony sites of disease.