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The human cognition-enhancing CORD7 mutation increases active zone number and synaptic release.

Mila M Paul1,2, Sven Dannhäuser1, Lydia Morris3

  • 1Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, 97070 Würzburg, Germany.

Brain : a Journal of Neurology
|January 13, 2022
PubMed
Summary

The cone-rod dystrophy 7 (CORD7) mutation enhances synaptic transmission, leading to faster neurotransmitter release and increased cognitive abilities in patients. This study used fruit flies to model the mutation

Keywords:
dSTORMCORD7 mutationRIMactive zonecoupling distance

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Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Genetics
  • Molecular Biology

Background:

  • The CORD7 mutation in RIMS1/RIM1 is linked to enhanced verbal IQ and working memory.
  • RIM protein is crucial for presynaptic active zones and neurotransmitter release.
  • The precise impact of the CORD7 mutation on synaptic function was previously unknown.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To investigate the effects of the CORD7 mutation on RIM function and synaptic vesicle release using a Drosophila melanogaster disease model.
  • To elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the CORD7-associated cognitive enhancements.

Main Methods:

  • X-ray crystallography to determine the structure of the Drosophila RIM C2A domain.
  • CRISPR/Cas9 gene editing to create Drosophila models with CORD7-like mutations.
  • Electrophysiology (two-electrode voltage clamp, focal recordings) to analyze synaptic transmission.
  • Super-resolution microscopy to examine presynaptic active zone organization.

Main Results:

  • The CORD7 mutation in Drosophila RIM causes semi-dominant effects on synaptic transmission.
  • Observed faster, more efficient synaptic release, an increased readily releasable pool, and more release sites.
  • The mutation did not alter the nanoscopic organization of presynaptic active zones.

Conclusions:

  • The CORD7 mutation enhances synaptic efficiency through tighter release coupling and an expanded readily releasable pool.
  • These synaptic improvements likely contribute to the enhanced cognitive functions observed in CORD7 patients.
  • Drosophila serves as a valuable model for studying CORD7 and related synaptic disorders.