Tatton-Brown-Rahman Syndrome-associated DNMT3A mutations de-repress cortical interneuron differentiation to disrupt neuronal network function
Year: 2025
Type: preprint
Abstract: Pathogenic mutations in DNMT3A cause Tatton-Brown-Rahman Syndrome (TBRS), a disorder characterized by somatic overgrowth of multiple tissues including the brain and intellectual disability (OGID). Here, we investigated TBRS etiology using new human pluripotent stem cell models, modeling varying levels of TBRS-associated loss of DNMT3A function. We identified lineage-specific overgrowth in TBRS ventral forebrain medial ganglionic eminence (MGE)-like progenitors, due in part to increased signaling through the PIK3/AKT/mTOR pathway that could be modulated to ameliorate this phenotype. By contrast, reduced DNA methylation during MGE-like progenitor differentiation into GABAergic interneurons caused premature expression of neuronal and synaptic genes, triggering precocious neuronal maturation. As a result, TBRS GABAergic neurons exhibited hyperactivity sufficient to alter the development and structure of neuronal networks, likely contributing to the intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorder common to TBRS patients. Together, this work elucidates new roles for DNMT3A-mediated gene repression in human cortical development, identifying critical requirements for regulating GABAergic neuron production and neuronal network function. These findings also provide evidence for interrelated pathogenic mechanisms underlying TBRS and other OGIDs, including PIK3CA-related overgrowth syndrome and Weaver Syndrome, providing a foundation and rationale for future studies to identify common paradigms to treat these related disorders.
Authors: Gareth Chapman, Julianna J. Determan, John R. Edwards, Faiza Batool, James E. Huettner, Ramachandran Prakasam, Sydney R. Crump, Yasmin Razia, Sofia Malik, Travis E. Law, Haley Jetter, Harrison W. Gabel, Kristen L. Kroll
Institution: Washington University in St. Louis
Language: English
Subfield: Genetics
Domain: Life Sciences
Open Access status: green
Funders: Washington University in St. Louis, Alvin J. Siteman Cancer Center, Hope Center for Neurological Disorders, National Institutes of Health, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, National Cancer Institute, National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, National Center for Research Resources, Intellectual and Developmental Disabilities Research Center, Washington University School of Medicine in St. Louis, Common Fund
OpenAlex ID: W4411640574