GRIN1 mutation associated with intellectual disability alters NMDA receptor trafficking and function

J Hum Genet. 2017 Jun;62(6):589-597. doi: 10.1038/jhg.2017.19. Epub 2017 Feb 23.

Abstract

N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) play important roles in brain development and neurological disease. We report two individuals with similar dominant de novo GRIN1 mutations (c.1858 G>A and c.1858 G>C; both p.G620R). Both individuals presented at birth with developmental delay and hypotonia associated with behavioral abnormalities and stereotypical movements. Recombinant NMDARs containing the mutant GluN1-G620R together with either GluN2A or GluN2B were evaluated for changes in their trafficking to the plasma membrane and their electrophysiological properties. GluN1-G620R/GluN2A complexes showed a mild reduction in trafficking, a ~2-fold decrease in glutamate and glycine potency, a strong decrease in sensitivity to Mg2+ block, and a significant reduction of current responses to a maximal effective concentration of agonists. GluN1-G620R/GluN2B complexes showed significantly reduced delivery of protein to the cell surface associated with similarly altered electrophysiology. These results indicate these individuals may have suffered neurodevelopmental deficits as a result of the decreased presence of GluN1-G620R/GluN2B complexes on the neuronal surface during embryonic brain development and reduced current responses of GluN1-G620R-containing NMDARs after birth. These cases emphasize the importance of comprehensive functional characterization of de novo mutations and illustrates how a combination of several distinct features of NMDAR expression, trafficking and function can be present and influence phenotype.

Publication types

  • Case Reports

MeSH terms

  • Adult
  • Cell Membrane / genetics
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Child
  • Female
  • Glycine / genetics
  • Humans
  • Intellectual Disability / genetics*
  • Intellectual Disability / pathology
  • Male
  • Mutation
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / pathology
  • Protein Transport / genetics
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / genetics*
  • Recombinant Proteins / genetics

Substances

  • GRIN1 protein, human
  • NR2B NMDA receptor
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Glycine