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Invertebrate studies have highlighted a role for EH and SH3 domain Intersectin (Itsn) proteins in synaptic vesicle recycling and morphology. Mammals have two Itsn genes (Itsn1 and Itsn2), both of which can undergo alternative splicing to include DBL/PH and C2 domains not present in invertebrate Itsn proteins. To probe for specific and redundant functions of vertebrate Itsn genes, we generated Itsn1, Itsn2, and double mutant mice. While invertebrate mutants showed severe synaptic abnormalities, basal synaptic transmission and plasticity were unaffected at Schaffer CA1 synapses in mutant mice. Surprisingly, intercortical tracts-corpus callosum, ventral hippocampal, and anterior commissures-failed to cross the midline in mice lacking Itsn1, but not Itsn2. In contrast, tracts extending within hemispheres and those that decussate to more caudal brain segments appeared normal. Itsn1 mutant mice showed severe deficits in Morris water maze and contextual fear memory tasks, whereas mice lacking Itsn2 showed normal learning and memory. Thus, coincident with the acquisition of additional signaling domains, vertebrate Itsn1 has been functionally repurposed to also facilitate interhemispheric connectivity essential for high order cognitive functions.

Original publication

DOI

10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4428-12.2013

Type

Journal article

Journal

J Neurosci

Publication Date

27/02/2013

Volume

33

Pages

4055 - 4065

Keywords

2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate, Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport, Analysis of Variance, Animals, Biophysics, Brain Mapping, Cerebral Cortex, Cognition, Conditioning, Psychological, Corpus Callosum, Cues, Diffusion Tensor Imaging, Embryo, Mammalian, Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists, Exploratory Behavior, Fear, Functional Laterality, Growth Cones, Hippocampus, Imaging, Three-Dimensional, In Vitro Techniques, Learning Disabilities, Magnetic Resonance Imaging, Maze Learning, Memory Disorders, Mice, Mice, Transgenic, Mutation, Nerve Fibers, Neuronal Plasticity, Neurons, Psychomotor Performance, Rats, Rats, Wistar, Synaptic Transmission, Vertebrates