Npas3 deficiency impairs cortical astrogenesis and induces autistic-like behaviors

Transcription factors with basic-helix-loop-helix (bHLH) motifs can control neural progenitor fate determination to neurons and oligodendrocytes. How bHLH transcription factors regulate astrogenesis remains largely unknown. Here, we report that NPAS3, a bHLH transcription factor, is a critical regulator of astrogenesis. Npas3 deficiency impairs cortical astrogenesis, correlating with abnormal brain development and autistic-like behaviors. Single-cell transcriptomes reveal that Npas3 knockout induces abnormal transition states in the differentiation trajectories from radial glia to astrocytes. Analysis of chromatin immunoprecipitation sequencing data in primary cortical astrocytes shows that NPAS3 binding targets are involved in functions of brain development and synapse organization. Co-culture assay further indicates that NPAS3-impaired astrogenesis induces synaptic deficits in wild-type neurons. Astrocyte-specific knockdown of NPAS3 in wild-type cortex causes synaptic and behavioral abnormalities associated with the core symptoms in autism. Together, our findings suggest that transcription factor NPAS3 regulates astrogenesis and its subsequent consequences for brain development and behavior.