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. 2015 Aug 12;41(3):802–810. doi: 10.1038/npp.2015.206

Cognitive Deficits in Calsyntenin-2-deficient Mice Associated with Reduced GABAergic Transmission

Tatiana V Lipina 1,2,6, Tuhina Prasad 3,6, Daisaku Yokomaku 3,6, Lin Luo 3,6, Steven A Connor 3,4, Hiroshi Kawabe 5, Yu Tian Wang 4, Nils Brose 5, John C Roder 1, Ann Marie Craig 3,*
PMCID: PMC4707826  PMID: 26171716

Abstract

Calsyntenin-2 has an evolutionarily conserved role in cognition. In a human genome-wide screen, the CLSTN2 locus was associated with verbal episodic memory, and expression of human calsyntenin-2 rescues the associative learning defect in orthologous Caenorhabditis elegans mutants. Other calsyntenins promote synapse development, calsyntenin-1 selectively of excitatory synapses and calsyntenin-3 of excitatory and inhibitory synapses. We found that targeted deletion of calsyntenin-2 in mice results in a selective reduction in functional inhibitory synapses. Reduced inhibitory transmission was associated with a selective reduction of parvalbumin interneurons in hippocampus and cortex. Clstn2−/− mice showed normal behavior in elevated plus maze, forced swim test, and novel object recognition assays. However, Clstn2−/− mice were hyperactive in the open field and showed deficits in spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze and Barnes maze. These results confirm a function for calsyntenin-2 in cognitive performance and indicate an underlying mechanism that involves parvalbumin interneurons and aberrant inhibitory transmission.

INTRODUCTION

Calsyntenin-2, also known as alcadein-γ, is a neuronal cell surface synaptic protein with an evolutionarily conserved role in learning and memory. In humans, CLSTN2 encoding calsyntenin-2 was identified in a genome-wide screen for memory-related variants in cognitively normal cohorts (Papassotiropoulos et al, 2006). CLSTN2 alleles were associated with significant differences in delayed word recall, reflecting episodic hippocampus-dependent memory. Association of CLSTN2 alleles with verbal memory was replicated in adolescents (Jacobsen et al, 2009), and association with semantic memory and global cognitive performance was found in an old age population (Laukka et al, 2013). Further, CLSTN2 and KIBRA showed interactive effects on verbal episodic memory (Pantzar et al, 2014; Preuschhof et al, 2010). Such interactive effects may explain why association of CLSTN2 alleles with episodic memory was not seen in all cohorts (Papassotiropoulos et al, 2006). An influence of CLSTN2 allele on memory is supported by neuroimaging data. CLSTN2 genotype associated with the level of functional connectivity between right parahippocampal gyrus, bilateral caudate nuclei, and frontal cortical regions recruited during verbal recognition (Jacobsen et al, 2009). CLSTN2 was independently reported to affect temporal lobe volume (Kohannim et al, 2012). Furthermore, mutations in the Caenorhabditis elegans ortholog, CASY-1, result in learning deficits in multiple paradigms (Hoerndli et al, 2009; Ikeda et al, 2008), and expression of human calsyntenin-2 rescues the associative learning defect of CASY-1 mutants (Hoerndli et al, 2009).

Despite this evidence for a conserved role of calsyntenin-2 in cognitive function, calsyntenin-2 is poorly characterized in terms of molecular interactions and cellular function, and information on a calsyntenin-2-deficient mouse model has been lacking. All three calsyntenins share a similar domain structure, with extracellular cadherin and LNS domains and an intracellular calcium-binding domain, and all undergo prominent ectodomain cleavage (Araki et al, 2004). Calsyntenin-2 mRNA is expressed in a brain-specific manner with high levels in hippocampal CA2-CA3 pyramidal neurons, dentate gyrus hilar neurons, presumptive interneurons throughout cortex and hippocampus, olfactory bulb mitral cells and cerebellar Purkinje cells, and at a moderate level in many cortical layer 5-6 pyramidal cells (Hintsch et al, 2002). All calsyntenin proteins were observed to be localized at postsynaptic sites (Hintsch et al, 2002). Mice with targeted deletions in the other calsyntenin family members exhibit deficits in synapse development. Hippocampal neurons of Clstn1−/− mice show a delay in maturation of excitatory synapses and dendrite arbors (Ster et al, 2014) related to the interaction of calsyntenin-1 with kinesin-1 light chain and a vesicular transport function (Araki et al, 2007; Konecna et al, 2006). Hippocampal neurons of Clstn3−/− mice show reductions in excitatory and inhibitory synapse density and synaptic transmission related to the interaction of calsyntenin-3 with the synaptic organizing protein α-neurexin and synaptogenic function (Pettem et al, 2013). In contrast, calsyntenin-2 lacks synaptogenic activity and did not bind neurexin in similar assays as were used for calsyntenin-3 (Pettem et al, 2013), and a vesicular transport function has not been reported for calsyntenin-2 as for calsyntenin-1. Thus, calsyntenin family members may have distinct functions.

To assess the role of calsyntenin-2 in brain function, we generated and characterized mice with a targeted deletion in Clstn2. The results presented here confirm roles for calsyntenin-2 in cognitive function and brain development, specifically in development of inhibitory synapses and parvalbumin interneurons.

MATERIALS AND METHODS

Generation of Clstn2−/− Mice

All animal procedures were approved by the institutional Animal Care Committees and were conducted in compliance with state guidelines, the Canadian Council on Animal Care, and the Russian Academy of Science based on ECC Directive 86/609/EEC. The Clstn2 locus was targeted by homologous recombination in 129/Ola embryonic stem cells as detailed in the Supplementary Data. The mutant allele was backcrossed for at least nine generations with C57BL/6 J mice.

Antibodies

Antibodies against calsyntenin-2 were raised in rabbits (Covance) against GST fusions with the cytosolic domain (RVRIA…INIWK for C-terminal antibody) or membrane-proximal extracellular domain (ISCLQ…QVLHH for N-terminal antibody) expressed from the pGEX-4T-1 vector and purified from bacteria. The antibody against calsyntenin-1 was raised against a GST fusion with a membrane-proximal extracellular domain (IDCLY…EVLHL). The antibody against calsyntenin-3 and calsyntenin expression vectors were described previously (Pettem et al, 2013). Primary antibodies were used for tissue immunofluorescence against: MAP2 (chicken polyclonal IgY; 1:2000; Abcam ab5392); VGluT1 (rabbit, 1:1000; Synaptic Systems 135 302); GAD65 (mouse IgG2a, 1:100, GAD-6-c, Developmental Studies Hybridoma Bank); parvalbumin (mouse IgG1, 1:4000; Sigma P3088); somatostatin (rat IgG2b, 1:1000, Millipore MAB354); calretinin (mouse IgG1, 1:1000, Millipore MAB1568); and calbindin (mouse IgG1,1:1000, Swant 300).

Tissue Immunofluorescence and Image Analysis

For immunofluorescence studies, brain tissue samples were collected from P30 Clstn2−/− and littermate wild-type (WT) male mice. The mice were anesthetized with 20% urethane and perfused transcardially with cold PBS followed by 4% paraformaldehyde with 4% sucrose in PBS (pH 7.4). The brains were post-fixed in cold 4% paraformaldehyde in PBS overnight. The brains were then cryoprotected in 30% sucrose in PBS at 4°C and frozen in OCT (Tissue-Tek; Sakura-Finetek) using dry ice. Coronal cryostat sections (20 μm) were cut at hippocampal level and mounted on Superfrost Plus slides. Sections for analysis were chosen at approximately interaural 1.74 mm, bregma −2.06 mm. The sections were incubated in blocking solution (5% BSA+5% normal goat serum+0.25% Triton X100 in PBS) for 1 h then incubated overnight (or 60 h for somatostatin staining) at 4 °C with primary antibodies diluted in blocking solution. Sections were washed in PBS and incubated for 1 h at room temperature with the appropriate secondary antibodies conjugated to Alexa 488, 568 or 647 (Molecular Probes/Invitrogen). Sections were washed in PBS containing the nuclear counterstain DAPI (4′,6 diamidino-2-phenylindole), and mounted in elvanol (Tris-HCl, glycerol, and polyvinyl alcohol with 2% 1,4-diazabi-cyclo[2,2,2]octane).

All image acquisition and analysis was performed with the experimenter blind to genotype. Quantification of excitatory (VGluT1) and inhibitory (GAD65) synaptic markers as well as parvalbumin positive terminals was performed on a minimum of six sections per animal from 3–5 pairs of Clstn2−/− and WT mice for each region. Digital images were captured using a Zeiss LSM 700 confocal microscope at × 40 magnification with × 3 zoom using customized filters. Puncta were defined by an intensity threshold, and total integrated intensity of puncta were measured. For interneuron cell counts, images were captured on an Olympus FluoView 1000 or Zeiss LSM 700 confocal microscope using a × 10 lens. Images were viewed in Photoshop (Adobe) and cell counts were performed manually. Analysis was performed using Metamorph 6.1 (Molecular Devices), Image J, Excel (Microsoft), and Prism (GraphPad Software). All data are reported as the mean±SEM.

Electrophysiology

Clstn2−/− mice and WT littermates (6–10-week old) were killed following a cervical dislocation and brains were placed in ice-cold slicing solution consisting of (in mM): 120 NMDG, 2.5 KCl, 1.2 NaH2PO4, 25 NaHCO3, 1.0 CaCl2, 7.0 MgCl2, 2.4 Na-pyruvate, 1.3 Na-ascorbate, 20 D-glucose with pH adjusted to 7.35 using HCl acid (unless stated, all chemicals and drugs were purchased from Sigma or BioShop, Canada). The hippocampus was dissected out and sliced in the transverse plane (400 μm thickness) using a manual tissue chopper (Stoelting). Slices were collected in ACSF composed of (in mM): 124 NaCl, 3 KCl, 1.25 NaH2PO4, 1 MgSO47H2O, 2 CaCl2, 26 NaHCO3 and 15 D-glucose bubbled continuously with carbogen (95%O2/5%CO2) to maintain the pH at 7.3, for 1 h at 30 °C then 30 min at room temperature. For recording, slices were sampled randomly from the entire dorsal ventral axis. Slices were transferred to a submerged chamber and continuously perfused with carbogenated ACSF (2–3 ml/min) at room temperature. Whole-cell recordings of CA1 pyramidal neurons were performed using the ‘blind' method with a MultiClamp 700B amplifier. For miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (mEPSC) recordings, cells were voltage clamped at −60 mV in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX; 500 nM; Ascent Scientific) and bicuculline methiodide (10 μM; Abcam). Recording pipettes were filled with solution containing (in mM): 122.5 Cs-methanesulfonate, 17.5 CsCl, 2 MgCl2, 10 EGTA, 10 HEPES, 4 ATP (K), and 5 QX-314, with pH adjusted to 7.2 by CsOH. For mIPSC recordings, cells were voltage clamped at −70 mV in the presence of TTX (500 nM), CNQX (10 μM), DL-AP5 (50 μM) and the recording pipette was filled with solution containing (in mM): 140 CsCl, 0.1 CaCl2, 2 MgCl2, 10 HEPES, 10 EGTA, and 4 ATP(K), with pH adjusted to 7.2 using CsOH. WinLTP in continuous acquisition mode was used for recording. Analyses for frequency and amplitude were conducted using MiniAnalysis software. Statistical analyses were completed using GraphPad InStat and SigmaPlot.

Behavioral Experiments

Clstn2 mutant mice were maintained on a 12 h light/dark cycle (lights on at 0700 h) with ad libitum food and water. Behavioral tests were done between 0900 and 1600 h on adult mice (2–4 months of age). The behavioral equipment was cleaned with 70% ethanol between mice to remove residual odors. All behavioral testing procedures were conducted from less aversive to more stressful tests, separated by 3–5 days from each other. Experiments were performed with the experimenter blind to genotype. For the open-field and forced swim tests, behavioral data for males and females were pooled and analyzed together due to the lack of sex effects. Only males were tested in the elevated plus maze, Morris water maze, Barnes maze, and object recognition tests. Details of the elevated plus maze and forced swim test are presented in Supplementary Data.

Open Field

Each mouse was placed in the middle of a directly illuminated (200 Lux) automated activity cage (42 cm × 42 cm × 30 cm; Accuscan Instruments). Travel distance was measured over 30 min and time in the center over 5 min.

Morris Water Maze

The water maze consisted of a 185-cm diameter cylindrical tank that contained a 15-cm circular platform and water (26±1 oC) rendered opaque by the addition of white nontoxic paint. Cues were placed on each wall of the room, including a colorful (1 m tall) plastic toy wagon jutting from the wall, a checker board (1 m × 1 m), a blue fitness ball (75 cm in diameter), and a cross of black stripes (each stripe 1.5 m × 30 cm). The task was performed as described (Saab et al, 2011) with minor modifications. Mice were released randomly from one out of five points far from the escape platform. The training regime consisted of a training session to a visible platform on the first day and then to a submerged platform in the northeast quadrant for 4 days (four trials per day; maximum duration 90 s; inter-trial interval 30 min). Subjects not able to find the platform during acquisition trials were directed by the experimenter to its location and left resting there for 10 s before being removed from the pool. A retention trial (90 s) with the platform removed from the pool was performed 24 h after the last acquisition trial.

Barnes Maze

The Barnes maze was performed essentially as described (Han et al, 2014). The maze is a planar, round white plywood platform (122 cm diameter) with 40 evenly spaced holes (5 cm diameter) located 4 cm from the edge. Spatial cues with distinct patterns and shapes were placed on the wall of the testing room. Additional cues (vertical and horizontal stripes) were also placed beneath the Barnes maze, visible to mice through the holes. In this open environment, mice naturally seek a dark enclosed place provided by a black goal box (8 cm × 23 cm × 4 cm) under one of the holes. Aversive bright light (~1000 lux) was turned on during the trials.

Mice were randomly assigned to one out of four escape hole locations, invariant throughout the experiment. On the first habituation day, for each of two trials, mice were placed near the goal box and left for 3 min. If a mouse did not escape into the goal box, it was gently guided there and left for 60 s. During each acquisition trial (four trials per day for 4 days), mice were released in the center of the maze and given 3 min to enter the escape hole. On the day after the training period, for the probe trial, the goal box was removed and mice were allowed to move freely for 60 s. Behavioral parameters were recorded using EthoVision XT-10 (Noldus Information Technology). Weighted mean distance was calculated according to the formula: ∑[de] × ne/∑ntotal, where de=distance moved to the escape hole; ne=number of nose pokes into the escape hole; and ntotal=total number of nose pokes into all holes.

Object Recognition

The novel object recognition test is based on the tendency of mice to explore a novel object rather than a familiar one. It was performed essentially as described (Sik et al, 2003). At 1 h after an acquisition session exposing mice to two identical objects, mice were placed back in the testing arena in which one of the familiar objects remained and the other was replaced with a novel object. The time examining each object was recorded for 5 min by EthoVision XT-10 and expressed as a percentage of the total time of object exploration. The displaced object recognition procedure was conducted essentially as described (Ng et al, 2009). At 2–3 min after an acquisition session to two identical objects, mice were assessed for exploration time to the same two objects, one remaining in the same location and the second displaced to the opposite corner of the testing arena. Further details are provided in the Supplementary Data.

RESULTS

Calsyntenin-2 Deletion Results in Loss of Functional Inhibitory Synapses and Parvalbumin Interneurons

To assess the roles of calsyntenin-2 in brain development and cognitive function, we generated targeted Clstn2−/− mice (Supplementary Figure S1). Loss of calsyntenin-2, with no change in expression of other calsyntenins, was confirmed by western blotting of brain homogenates (Figure 1a) with custom made antibodies (Supplementary Figure S2). N-terminal calsyntenin antibodies detected two bands corresponding to full-length proteins and the large cleaved ectodomains. Although full-length and cleaved calsyntenins 1 and 3 were detected in roughly equal amounts in adult brain, calsyntenin-2 was detected mainly as the large cleaved ectodomain with little full-length protein (Figure 1a). Mice lacking calsyntenin-2 showed no obvious deficits in survival or fertility. The gross brain morphology of Clstn2−/− mice appeared normal (Figure 1b), as did the overall organization of the excitatory synapse marker VGluT1 and the inhibitory synapse marker glutamic acid decarboxylase GAD65. However, quantitative high-resolution confocal analysis of hippocampal CA1 and CA3 regions revealed significant reductions in GAD65 but not VGluT1 punctate immunofluorescence in adult mice lacking calsyntenin-2 as compared to WT littermate controls (Figure 1c–f). This GABAergic synaptic marker was reduced by 26–33% across brain regions analyzed in Clstn2−/− as compared with WT mice.

Figure 1.

Figure 1

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Clstn2 −/− mice show reductions of an inhibitory but not excitatory synaptic marker. (a) Western blot analysis of post-nuclear brain samples reveals loss of calsyntenin-2 in Clstn2−/− mice but no change in the levels of other calsyntenins. The signal remaining with the C-terminal antibody (arrow) likely represents other calsyntenins (Supplementary Figure S1). Note the gene dosage effect on calsyntenin-2 expression in the heterozygous brain. (b) Clstn2−/− mice showed no gross anatomical differences from WT, as shown here in hippocampal regions with DAPI nuclear stain, and in CA1 regions with immunofluorescence staining for the dendritic marker microtubule associated protein 2 (MAP2). Scale bars, 200 μm (left) and 50 μm (right). (c, d) VGluT1 puncta immunofluorescence was unaltered in hippocampal regions of Clstn2−/− mice. Two-way repeated measures (RM) ANOVA, no genotype effect, F(1,16)=0.0041, P=0.95. Scale bar, 10 μm. (e, f) GAD65 puncta immunofluorescence was reduced in all regions analyzed in Clstn2−/−mice. Two-way RM ANOVA, genotype effect F(1,8)=92.0, P<0.0001 and *P<0.05, **P<0.01 and ***P<0.001 by Bonferroni post hoc test comparing with WT for the same region. Scale bar, 10 μm. sp, stratum pyramidale; sr, stratum radiatum; AU, arbitrary units.

To determine if the inhibitory synaptic transmission was altered in the absence of calsyntenin-2, we performed whole-cell patch voltage-clamp recordings from CA1 pyramidal neurons in adult Clstn2−/− and WT acute hippocampal slices. Compared with WT littermates, there was a significant reduction in the frequency of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs; corresponding to an increased inter-event interval) in Clstn2−/− hippocampal slices, with no change in amplitude (Figure 2a–c). No significant differences were detected in mEPSC amplitude or frequency between Clstn2−/− mice and WT littermates (Figure 2d–f). Taken together with the imaging data, these results indicate that calsyntenin-2 is selectively required for generating or maintaining normal inhibitory GABAergic functional synapse density in vivo.

Figure 2.

Figure 2

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Inhibitory synaptic transmission is reduced in CA1 pyramidal neurons of Clstn2−/− mice. (a) Representative mIPSC recordings from hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons in acute slices from Clstn2−/− and WT adult mice. (b, c) Cumulative distributions of mIPSC amplitude (b) and inter-event intervals (c) in Clstn2−/− and WT neurons (Kolmogorov–Smirnov test, P<0.001 for inter-event intervals). Insets display mean±SEM for mIPSC amplitude (b) and frequency (c). mIPSC frequency but not amplitude was significantly reduced in Clstn2−/− neurons (Student's t-test, *P<0.05; n=10 cells for Clstn2−/− and 8 cells for WT). (d) Representative mEPSC recordings from hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons. (e, f) Cumulative distributions of mEPSC amplitude (e) and inter-event intervals (f) in Clstn2−/− and WT neurons. Insets display mean±SEM for mEPSC amplitude (e) and frequency (f). No significant differences were detected in mEPSCs between groups (n=8 cells for Clstn2−/− and 9 cells for WT).

Among the chemical classes of GABAergic synapses, parvalbumin-positive terminals are particularly abundant as inputs to hippocampal stratum pyramidale and have a prominent role in cognitive function in health and disease (Hu et al, 2014; Marin, 2012; Somogyi and Klausberger, 2005). Thus we assessed the density of parvalbumin-positive terminals and found a reduction by 26–40% in CA1 and CA3 stratum pyramidale of Clstn2−/− compared with WT mice (Figure 3a and b). This reduction in parvalbumin-positive terminals could result from a deficit in parvalbumin-positive neuron numbers or a deficiency in their development. Counts of parvalbumin-positive neurons revealed reduced numbers per area in hippocampal CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus, and reduced density in neocortex, by 25–56% (Figure 3c and d). To determine whether all interneuron classes are affected by loss of calsyntenin-2, we assessed interneurons immunoreactive for other markers (Figure 3c–g). There was no difference between Clstn2−/− and WT mice in the number of somatostatin-positive neurons in any of these brain regions. Similarly, the density of calretinin-positive neurons in hippocampal CA1, CA3 and neocortex, and of calbindin-positive neurons in hippocampal CA1 and neocortex, were indistinguishable between Clstn2−/− and WT mice (the other regions could not be assessed due to immunoreactivity from dentate gyrus hilar or granule cells, respectively). Thus, loss of calsyntenin-2 leads to a selective and widespread loss of parvalbumin-positive interneurons.

Figure 3.

Figure 3

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Parvalbumin-positive interneurons are selectively reduced in Clstn2−/− mice. (a, b) Parvalbumin (PV) punctate immunofluorescence was reduced in hippocampal regions of Clstn2−/− mice (sp, stratum pyramidale). Two-way RM ANOVA, genotype effect F(1,6)=20.0, P=0.0042 and **P<0.01 by Bonferroni post hoc test comparing with WT. Scale bar, 20 μm. (c) Sample immunofluorescence in hippocampal CA1 and cortex showing reduced numbers of parvalbumin-positive but not calbindin-positive interneurons in Clstn2−/− as compared with WT mice. Scale bar, 100 μm. (d) The number of parvalbumin-positive interneurons was reduced in multiple brain regions of Clstn2−/− mice. For each region, all laminae were included in the cell counts. For cortex, the primary motor cortex region was analyzed. Two-way RM ANOVA, genotype effect F(1,16)=50.4, P<0.0001 and *P<0.05, **P<0.01, and ***P<0.001 by Bonferroni post hoc test comparing with WT for the same region. (e–g) The numbers of somatostatin, calretinin and calbindin immunopositive interneurons were unaltered in Clstn2−/− mice. Two-way ANOVA, no genotype effect F(1,40)=0.019, P=0.89 (somatostatin), F(1,29)=0.056, P=0.82 (calretinin), F(1,16)=1.03, P=0.33 (calbindin).

Calsyntenin-2 Deletion Results in Hyperactivity and Deficits in Spatial Learning and Memory

Because loss of parvalbumin neurons is associated with psychiatric disorders (Marin, 2012) and CLSTN2 variants are linked to cognitive function (Jacobsen et al, 2009; Pantzar et al, 2014; Papassotiropoulos et al, 2006), we next tested Clstn2−/− mice in an array of behavioral assays. Tests were chosen to assess locomotor activity (open field), anxiety (elevated plus maze), behavioral despair (forced swim test), and multiple forms of learning and memory (Morris water maze, Barnes maze, novel object recognition, and displaced object recognition). Clstn2−/− and Clstn2+/− mice showed increased locomotor activity in the open field as compared with littermate WT mice (Figure 4a). The fraction of time spent in the center of the open field, an index reflecting anxiety in this task, was comparable between the genotypes (Figure 4a). Furthermore, there were no differences in behavior in the elevated plus maze or forced swim test, indicating that the hyperactivity seen in the open field was not because of changes in anxiety or behavioral despair (Figure 4b and c).

Figure 4.

Figure 4

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Clstn2−/− mice show hyperactivity but no differences in anxiety or depression related behaviors. (a) Clstn2−/− and Clstn2+/− mice showed increased locomotor activity in the open field (assessed by travel distance) as compared with WT. One-way ANOVA, F(2, 27)=16.3, P<0.0001, and **P<0.05, ***P<0.001 by Bonferroni post hoc test comparing with WT; n=9–11 mice per group. Mice of all genotypes spent a similar amount of time in the center of the open field (F(2,27)=0.98, P>0.05). (b) There was no effect of genotype on percent of time spent in each arm in the elevated plus maze. Two-way ANOVA, effect of genotype F(2, 81)=0.0000014, P=1.0, effect of compartment F(2,81)=309.1, P<0.0001, interaction F(4,81)=1.12, P=0.35, n=8–13 mice per group. Nor was there any effect of genotype on total number of entries into each arm, number of passages from one enclosed arm to another, number of head-dips, number of risk assessment postures, or the number of explorations of an open arm end (not shown; all P>0.10). (c) There was no difference between genotypes in the forced swim test. One-way ANOVA, F(2,27)=0.48, P=0.62, n=8–13 mice per group.

To test learning and memory in Clstn2−/− mice, we first used the Morris water maze assay. There was no difference in latency to reach a visible platform between Clstn2−/− and WT mice (Student's t-test, t(17)=0.80, P=0.44, n=9–10 mice per group) nor in swim speed (t-test, P=0.37). However, collectively over the training period the mutant mice took a longer time than WT to find the hidden platform (Figure 5a). A behavioral deficit related to spatial memory was observed in the subsequent probe trial, in which Clstn2−/− mice spent significantly less time in the target quadrant than WT mice (Figure 5b).

Figure 5.

Figure 5

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Clstn2−/− mice have selective deficits in spatial learning and memory. (a) In the Morris water maze, Clstn2−/− mice showed an increased time to reach the hidden platform. Two-way RM ANOVA, genotype effect F(1,17)=10.6, P=0.0046; training effect F(3,51)=11.4, P<0.0001; n=9–11 mice per group. (b) Clstn2−/− mice showed an associated memory deficit in the Morris water maze, indicated by reduced time spent in the target quadrant in the probe trial after the training phase. Student's t-test, t(17)=2.87, **P=0.011. (c) In the Barnes maze training sessions, Clstn2−/− mice made a larger number of correct nose pokes than WT before entering the goal box (two-way RM ANOVA genotype effect F(1,20)=16.3, P<0.001 and *P<0.05, **P<0.01 by Bonferroni post hoc test, n=10–12 mice per group). Clstn2−/− mice showed a longer escape latency than WT (genotype effect F(1,20)=39.8, P<0.001 and *P<0.05, **P<0.01 by Bonferroni post hoc test; training effect F(3,60)=9.37; P<0.01). Yet Clstn2−/− mice learned the location of the goal box as shown by no difference from WT in latency to the first correct nose poke (genotype effect F(1, 20)=0.20, P>0.05; training effect F(3,60)=2.96, P<0.05). (d) Clstn2−/− mice showed a memory deficit in the Barnes maze probe test, assessed by time in the target quadrant (Student's t-test, t(20)=4.30, ***P=0.0003), percentage of correct nose pokes (t(20)=5.69, ***P<0.0001), or weighted mean distance to target (t(20)=5.93, ***P<0.0001). (e) In the novel object recognition test, Clstn2−/− mice spent an equal fraction of time as WT mice exploring the novel object (Student's t-test, t(19)=0.99, P=0.33, n=10–11 mice per group). (f) In the displaced object recognition test, Clstn2−/− mice spent an equal fraction of time as WT mice exploring the displaced object (Student's t-test, t(19)=1.34, P=0.20, n=10–11 mice per group).

In another spatial learning and memory assay, the Barnes maze, WT mice typically entered the goal box immediately upon the first nose poke into the goal box, whereas Clstn2−/− mice exhibited a larger number of nose pokes into the goal box before entering the goal box (Figure 5c). In keeping with this finding, perhaps related to their hyperactivity as assessed in the open field, Clstn2−/− mice exhibited a longer latency to enter the goal box (Figure 5c) and longer total distance traveled (two-way repeated measures (RM) ANOVA genotype effect F(1, 20)=26.6, P<0.001; training effect F(3, 60)=11.9, P<0.001) relative to WT mice during all training days. Importantly, the latency to the first nose poke into the goal box was indistinguishable between Clstn2−/− and WT mice, and diminished over days of training (Figure 5c). Similarly, distance travelled until the first nose poke into the goal box was indistinguishable between Clstn2−/− and WT mice, and diminished over days of training (genotype effect F(1,20)=0.20, P>0.05; training effect F(3,60)=2.96, P<0.05). Thus, Clstn2−/− mice learned the spatial location of the goal box equally well. However, in the subsequent probe trial, Clstn2−/− mice spent a lower percentage of time in the target quadrant, made a smaller percentage of correct nose pokes into the goal box, and exhibited a larger weighted distance to target than WT mice (Figure 5d). These results confirm a deficit in spatial memory in Clstn2−/− mice.

We then assessed Clstn2−/− mice in a non-spatial learning and memory task, novel object recognition. Like WT mice, Clstn2−/− mice spent more time investigating a novel object than a familiar object (Figure 5e). In the displaced object recognition task, two familiar objects are presented but one is displaced relative to its original position, introducing a spatial component. In this assay, like the WT mice, Clstn2−/− mice spent more time investigating the displaced object (Figure 5f). Thus, Clstn2−/− mice exhibited selective cognitive deficits in the Morris water maze and Barnes maze tasks but not in novel or displaced object recognition.

The deficits in spatial learning and memory and hyperactivity observed in Clstn2−/− mice were all confirmed with a second independent cohort. Again, travel distance in the open field was greater for Clstn2−/− than WT mice (Student's t-test, t(18)=6.91, P<0.0001, n=9–11 mice per group). In the Morris water maze, Clstn2−/− mice again showed an increased time to reach the hidden platform during training (two-way RM ANOVA, genotype effect F(1,17)=63.0, P<0.0001; training effect F(3,54)=86.8, P<0.0001; n=10–12 mice per group) and spent less time in the target quadrant in the probe trial after the training phase (Student's t-test, t(20)=2.39, P=0.027). In the Barnes maze, during training Clstn2−/− mice again exhibited a longer latency to enter the goal box than WT mice (two-way RM ANOVA, genotype effect F(1,20)=25.7, P<0.001; training effect F(3, 60)=7.37, P<0.01, n=10–12 mice per group) but a similar latency to the first nose poke into the goal box (genotype effect F(1,20)=0.26, P>0.05; training effect F(3,60)=7.30, P<0.01). In the subsequent probe trial, Clstn2−/− mice again spent a lower percentage of time in the target quadrant (Student's t-test, t(20)=5.13, P<0.0001), made a smaller percentage of correct nose pokes into the goal box (t(20)=3.34, P=0.003), and exhibited a larger weighted distance to target than WT mice (t(20)=2.83, P=0.011).

DISCUSSION

In this study, we generated a Clstn2−/− mouse model and found the mutant mice to be deficient in spatial learning and memory in the Morris water maze and Barnes maze tasks (Figure 5a–d). These results confirm the proposed role of calsyntenin-2 in hippocampus-dependent learning based on allele association of CLSTN2 with episodic memory in humans (Papassotiropoulos et al, 2006), and in line with data on calsyntenin-2 function in C. elegans (Hoerndli et al, 2009). Clstn2−/− mice performed normally in some cognitive tasks, specifically in novel and displaced object recognition (Figure 5e and f), but showed increased locomotor activity in the open field (Figure 4a). These behavioral changes in Clstn2−/− mice are not likely to be related to depression-like or anxiety features as the behavior of Clstn2−/− mice was indistinguishable from WT in the forced swim test and elevated plus maze test (Figure 4b and c). These phenotypic changes are likely related to the observed reduction in density of parvalbumin-positive interneurons, of inhibitory synaptic markers, and of functional inhibitory synapses in Clstn2−/− mouse hippocampus compared with WT (Figures 1, 2 and 3). The normal mIPSC amplitude indicates that the basal synaptic strength of the remaining inhibitory synapses is unaltered in Clstn2−/− mice, as are the density and basal strength of excitatory synapses (Figure 2).

Thus a common structure affected in all calsyntenin-deficient mice is the synapse, although different synapse types are involved, with calsyntenin-1 loss affecting excitatory synapses (Ster et al, 2014), calsyntenin-2 affecting inhibitory synapses (Figures 1 and 2), and calsyntenin-3 affecting both synapse types (Pettem et al, 2013). The observed reductions in punctate terminal immunofluorescence of GAD65 (Figure 1e and f) and parvalbumin (Figure 3a and b) and in density of parvalbumin-positive neurons (Figure 3c and d) upon deletion of calsyntenin-2 likely reflect loss of a subset of inhibitory neurons and synapses. The parvalbumin immunofluorescence signal is robust, and the same antibody as used here was recently used to show that other manipulations can alter parvalbumin expression level per neuron without altering the number of parvalbumin-positive neurons (Donato et al, 2013). In Clstn2−/− mice, loss of parvalbumin-positive neurons is likely a primary phenotype, leading to a reduction in inhibitory synapses. Further work will be needed to determine the molecular mechanisms by which calsyntenin-2 controls interneuron density, for example, by affecting parvalbumin neuron proliferation, migration, differentiation, maturation, or survival. Thus, although calsyntenin-3 regulates synapse development by binding to presynaptic α-neurexins (Pettem et al, 2013), calsyntenin-2 may alter synapses by a more indirect mechanism, by controlling numbers of parvalbumin interneurons.

Consistent with the association of CLSTN2 alleles with episodic memory in humans, Clstn2−/− mice consistently showed impairment in remembering goal locations, both in the Morris water maze and in the Barnes maze. Both of these tasks examine hippocampus-dependent spatial reference memory (Barnes, 1979; Morris et al, 1982; Riedel et al, 1999). The Barnes maze is less stressful than the Morris water maze (Harrison et al, 2009). Limited motivating stress in the Barnes maze, together with the apparent hyperactive phenotype of Clstn2−/− mice, may explain why the mutant mice exhibited a larger number of correct pokes and longer escape latency as compared with WT mice. In another spatial task, displaced object recognition, Clstn2−/− mice performed equally well as WT littermates, which is intriguing but explainable as several studies have shown a double dissociation between performance in the Morris water maze and displaced object recognition. For example, lateral entorhinal cortex lesions impair performance in the displaced object recognition task but not in the Morris water maze (Van Cauter et al, 2013), and medial entorhinal cortex lesions impair performance in the Morris water maze (Hales et al, 2014) but can spare behavior in the displaced object recognition task (Van Cauter et al, 2013). The involvement of the hippocampus in novel object recognition is debated, and may depend on the particular parameters including the interval between sampling and test (Cohen and Stackman, 2015). Our confocal and functional analyses revealed a role for calsyntenin-2 in inhibitory synapse development in hippocampus, and the reduction in parvalbumin interneurons indicates a similar function in cortex. Although further work will be needed to understand the regional contribution of calsyntenin-2 to performance in the tasks mentioned above, behavioral deficits are likely to be a result of the reduction in parvalbumin neurons and inhibitory synaptic transmission.

Other mouse models that exhibit a reduced density of interneurons, particularly of parvalbumin-positive neurons, share some behavioral characteristics with Clstn2−/−mice. Cntnap2−/− mice, in which the density of multiple interneuron classes is reduced, exhibit hyperactivity (Penagarikano et al, 2011). En2−/− mice, in which a subset of interneurons including parvalbumin-positive cells are reduced, show a learning deficit in the Morris water maze (Brielmaier et al, 2012; Sgado et al, 2013). Git1−/− mice, that show reduced numbers of parvalbumin-positive terminals, but not of somatostatin, calretinin, or calbindin immunopositive terminals, show hyperactivity and a learning deficit in the Morris water maze (Won et al, 2011). Finally, an overlapping phenotypic spectrum is also found in mice with parvalbumin neuron-specific deletion of ErbB4 (Shamir et al, 2012). These phenotypic similarities between genetically unrelated mutants at the synaptic/cellular and behavioral levels indicate that the inhibitory drive provided by parvalbumin-positive interneurons is a major determinant of cognitive behavior in mice, which is in line with their assumed role in many neuropsychiatric disorders.

FUNDING AND DISCLOSURE

This work was supported by the National Institutes of Health (MH070860; AMC), a Canada Research Chair salary award (AMC), the German Research Foundation (SPP1365/KA3423/1-1; HK and NB), the Fritz Thyssen Foundation (HK), the European Union (IMI EU-AIMS; NB), and a Brain Canada Postdoctoral Fellowship (SAC). The authors declare no conflict of interest.

Acknowledgments

We thank Nazarine Fernandes for excellent technical assistance and Konstantin Pavlov for skillful assistance with EthoVision.

Footnotes

Supplementary Information accompanies the paper on the Neuropsychopharmacology website (http://www.nature.com/npp)

Supplementary Material

Supplementary Information
Click here for additional data file. (477.6KB, pdf)

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Supplementary Information
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