Dominant β-catenin mutations cause intellectual disability with recognizable syndromic features

Tucci, V., Kleefstra, T., Hardy, A., Heise, I., Maggi, S., Willemsen, M. H., Hilton, H., Esapa, C., Simon, M., Buenavista, M.-T., McGuffin, L. ORCID: https://orcid.org/0000-0003-4501-4767, Vizor, L., Dodero, L., Tsaftaris, S., Romero, R., Nillesen, W. N., Vissers, L. E. L. M., Kempers, M. J., Vulto-van Silfhout, A. T., Iqbal, Z., Orlando, M., Maccione, A., Lassi, G., Farisello, P., Constestabile, A., Tinarelli, F., Nieus, T., Raimondi, A., Greco, B., Cantatore, D., Gasparini, L., Berdondini, L., Bifone, A., Gozzi, A., Wells, S. and Nolan, P. M. (2014) Dominant β-catenin mutations cause intellectual disability with recognizable syndromic features. The Journal of Clinical Investigation, 124 (4). pp. 1468-1482. ISSN 0021-9738 doi: 10.1172/JCI70372

Abstract/Summary

The recent identification of multiple dominant mutations in the gene encoding β-catenin in both humans and mice has enabled exploration of the molecular and cellular basis of β-catenin function in cognitive impairment. In humans, β-catenin mutations that cause a spectrum of neurodevelopmental disorders have been identified. We identified de novo β-catenin mutations in patients with intellectual disability, carefully characterized their phenotypes, and were able to define a recognizable intellectual disability syndrome. In parallel, characterization of a chemically mutagenized mouse line that displays features similar to those of human patients with β-catenin mutations enabled us to investigate the consequences of β-catenin dysfunction through development and into adulthood. The mouse mutant, designated batface (Bfc), carries a Thr653Lys substitution in the C-terminal armadillo repeat of β-catenin and displayed a reduced affinity for membrane-associated cadherins. In association with this decreased cadherin interaction, we found that the mutation results in decreased intrahemispheric connections, with deficits in dendritic branching, long-term potentiation, and cognitive function. Our study provides in vivo evidence that dominant mutations in β-catenin underlie losses in its adhesion-related functions, which leads to severe consequences, including intellectual disability, childhood hypotonia, progressive spasticity of lower limbs, and abnormal craniofacial features in adults

Item Type	Article
URI	https://reading-clone.eprints-hosting.org/id/eprint/36195
Item Type	Article
Refereed	Yes
Divisions	Interdisciplinary centres and themes > Institute for Cardiovascular and Metabolic Research (ICMR) Life Sciences > School of Biological Sciences > Biomedical Sciences
Publisher	American Society for Clinical Investigation
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