Disruption of GpI mGluR-dependent Cav2.3 translation in a mouse model of Fragile X Syndrome

Fragile X Syndrome (FXS) is an inherited intellectual impairment that results from the loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP), an mRNA binding protein that regulates mRNA translation at synapses. The absence of FMRP leads to neuronal and circuit-level hyperexcitability that is thought to arise from the aberrant expression and activity of voltage-gated ion channels, although the identification and characterization of these ion channels has been limited. Here, we show that FMRP binds the mRNA of the R-type voltage-gated calcium channel Cav2.3 in mouse brain synaptoneurosomes and represses Cav2.3 translation under basal conditions. Consequently, in hippocampal neurons from male and female FMRP knock-out (KO) mice, we find enhanced Cav2.3 protein expression by western blotting and abnormally large R-currents in whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings. In agreement with previous studies showing that FMRP couples group I metabotropic glutamate receptor (GpI mGluR) signaling to protein translation, we find that GpI mGluR stimulation results in increased Cav2.3 translation and R-current in hippocampal neurons which is disrupted in FMRP KO mice. Thus, FMRP serves as a key translational regulator of Cav2.3 expression under basal conditions and in response to GpI mGluR stimulation. Loss of regulated Cav2.3 expression could underlie the neuronal hyperactivity and aberrant calcium spiking in FMRP KO mice and contribute to FXS, potentially serving as a novel target for future therapeutic strategies. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Patients with FXS exhibit signs of neuronal and circuit hyperexcitability including anxiety and hyperactive behavior, attention deficit disorder and seizures. FXS is caused by the loss of FMRP, an mRNA binding protein, and the neuronal hyperexcitability observed in the absence of FMRP likely results from its ability to regulate the expression and activity of voltage-gated ion channels. Here we find that FMRP serves as a key translational regulator of the voltage-gated calcium channel Cav2.3 under basal conditions and following activity. Cav2.3 impacts cellular excitability and calcium signaling, and the alterations in channel translation and expression observed in the absence of FMRP could contribute to the neuronal hyperactivity that underlies FXS.