p.C124W variant contributes to schizophrenia by attenuating LLPS-mediated synapse formation.

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A

Center for Medical Genetics, Hunan Key Laboratory of Medical Genetics, Key Lab of Rare Pediatric Diseases of Ministry of Education, School of Life Science, Central South University, Changsha, Hunan 410078, China.

Published: November 2024


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Article Abstract

KCTD10, a member of the potassium channel tetramerization domain (KCTD) family, is implicated in neuropsychiatric disorders and functions as a substrate recognition component within the RING-type ubiquitin ligase complex. A rare de novo variant of KCTD10, p.C124W, was identified in schizophrenia cases, yet its underlying pathogenesis remains unexplored. Here, we demonstrate that heterozygous KCTD10 C124W mice display pronounced synaptic abnormalities and exhibit schizophrenia-like behaviors. Mechanistically, we reveal that KCTD10 undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS), a process orchestrated by its intrinsically disordered region (IDR). p.C124W mutation disrupts this LLPS capability, leading to diminished degradation of RHOB and subsequent excessive accumulation in the postsynaptic density fractions. Notably, neither IDR deletion nor p.C124W mutation in KCTD10 mitigates the synaptic abnormalities caused by deficiency. Thus, our findings implicate that LLPS may be associated with the pathogenesis of KCTD10-associated brain disorders and highlight the potential of targeting RHOB as a therapeutic strategy for diseases linked to mutations in KCTD10 or RHOB.

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http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC11621769PMC
http://dx.doi.org/10.1073/pnas.2400464121DOI Listing

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