Cited by 117Genetics and Neurodevelopmental DisordersAutism Spectrum Disorder ResearchNeurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms

Pten Mutations Alter Brain Growth Trajectory and Allocation of Cell Types through Elevated -Catenin Signaling

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Chen, Y., Huang, W.-C., Sejourne, J., Clipperton-Allen, A. E., Page, D. T.·2015·Journal of Neuroscience

Abstract

Abnormal patterns of head and brain growth are a replicated finding in a subset of individuals with autism spectrum disorder (ASD). It is not known whether risk factors associated with ASD and abnormal brain growth (both overgrowth and undergrowth) converge on common biological pathways and cellular mechanisms in the developing brain. Heterozygous mutations in PTEN (PTEN(+/-)), which encodes a negative regulator of the PI3K-Akt-mTOR pathway, are a risk factor for ASD and macrocephaly. Here we use the developing cerebral cortex of Pten(+/-) mice to investigate the trajectory of brain overgrowth and underlying cellular mechanisms. We find that overgrowth is detectable from birth to adulthood, is driven by hyperplasia, and coincides with excess neurons at birth and excess glia in adulthood. β-Catenin signaling is elevated in the developing Pten(+/-) cortex, and a heterozygous mutation in Ctnnb1 (encoding β-catenin), itself a candidate gene for ASD and microcephaly, can suppress Pten(+/-) cortical overgrowth. Thus, a balance of Pten and β-catenin signaling regulates normal brain growth trajectory by controlling cell number, and imbalance in this relationship can result in abnormal brain growth. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT: We report that Pten haploinsufficiency leads to a dynamic trajectory of brain overgrowth during development and altered scaling of neuronal and glial cell populations. β-catenin signaling is elevated in the developing cerebral cortex of Pten haploinsufficient mice, and a heterozygous mutation in β-catenin, itself a candidate gene for ASD and microcephaly, suppresses Pten(+/-) cortical overgrowth. This leads to the new insight that Pten and β-catenin signaling act in a common pathway to regulate normal brain growth trajectory by controlling cell number, and disruption of this pathway can result in abnormal brain growth.

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Crossref · 10.1523/jneurosci.5272-14.2015

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Authors
Chen, Y., Huang, W.-C., Sejourne, J., Clipperton-Allen, A. E., & Page, D. T.
Affiliations
Scripps Research Institute (US)
Venue
Journal of Neuroscience
Published
2015-07-15
Volume
35
Issue
28
Pages
10252-10267
ISSN
  • 0270-6474 (ISSN-L)
  • 1529-2401
OpenAlex
W1511752676
Cited by
117
References
75
Citations by year
2026: 7 · 2025: 8 · 2024: 9 · 2023: 8 · 2022: 10 · 2021: 12 · 2020: 14 · 2019: 13 · 2018: 13 · 2017: 4 · 2016: 18 · 2015: 1
FWCI
8.25
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
Fraternal Order of Eagles
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Autism Spectrum Disorder Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
Keywords
PTEN, β-catenin signaling, autism spectrum disorder, brain overgrowth, macrocephaly, cortical development, glial cell proliferation, PI3K/AKT/mTOR pathway, CTNNB1, haploinsufficiency, cell number regulation, microcephaly
MeSH terms
Empty Spiracles Homeobox Proteins, Animals, Animals, Newborn, Brain, Carrier Proteins, Cell Cycle, Embryo, Mammalian, Female, Gene Expression Regulation, Male, Mice, Inbred C57BL, Mice, Transgenic, Nerve Tissue Proteins, Neuroglia, Neurons, Transcription Factors, Signal Transduction, Homeodomain Proteins, Cell Cycle Proteins, PTEN Phosphohydrolase, beta Catenin, Mice, Haploinsufficiency, TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases

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