GPR37L1 modulates seizure susceptibility: Evidence from mouse studies and analyses of a human GPR37L1 variant.

Creator(s)

Michelle M. Giddens
Jennifer C. Wong
Jason P. Schroeder
Emily G. Farrow, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Brilee M. Smith
Sharon Owino
Sarah E. Soden, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Rebecca C. Meyer
Carol J. Saunders, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
Jean-Baptist LePichon, Children's Mercy HospitalFollow
David Weinshenker
Andrew Escayg
Randy A. Hall

Document Type

Article

Publication Date

10-2017

Identifier

DOI: 10.1016/j.nbd.2017.07.006; PMCID: PMC5569905

Abstract

Progressive myoclonus epilepsies (PMEs) are disorders characterized by myoclonic and generalized seizures with progressive neurological deterioration. While several genetic causes for PMEs have been identified, the underlying causes remain unknown for a substantial portion of cases. Here we describe several affected individuals from a large, consanguineous family presenting with a novel PME in which symptoms begin in adolescence and result in death by early adulthood. Whole exome analyses revealed that affected individuals have a homozygous variant in GPR37L1 (c.1047G>T [Lys349Asn]), an orphan G protein-coupled receptor (GPCR) expressed predominantly in the brain. In vitro studies demonstrated that the K349N substitution in Gpr37L1 did not grossly alter receptor expression, surface trafficking or constitutive signaling in transfected cells. However, in vivo studies revealed that a complete loss of Gpr37L1 function in mice results in increased seizure susceptibility. Mice lacking the related receptor Gpr37 also exhibited an increase in seizure susceptibility, while genetic deletion of both receptors resulted in an even more dramatic increase in vulnerability to seizures. These findings provide evidence linking GPR37L1 and GPR37 to seizure etiology and demonstrate an association between a GPR37L1 variant and a novel progressive myoclonus epilepsy.

Journal Title

Neurobiology of disease

Volume

106

First Page

181

Last Page

190

MeSH Keywords

Adolescent; Animals; Brain; Child; Female; Genetic Predisposition to Disease; Genetic Variation; HEK293 Cells; Humans; Male; Mice; Mice, Inbred C57BL; Mice, Knockout; Myoclonic Epilepsies, Progressive; NIH 3T3 Cells; Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; Seizures; Young Adult

Keywords

Brain; Disease; Epilepsy; Mutant; Mutation; Orphan GPCR; Receptors

Comments

Grant support

• T32 NS007480/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States
• R01 NS090319/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States
• P50 AG025688/AG/NIA NIH HHS/United States
• P30 NS055077/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States
• R01 NS088413/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States

• R21 NS091986/NS/NINDS NIH HHS/United States
• T32 GM008602/GM/NIGMS NIH HHS/United States

Recommended Citation

Giddens MM, Wong JC, Schroeder JP, et al. GPR37L1 modulates seizure susceptibility: Evidence from mouse studies and analyses of a human GPR37L1 variant. Neurobiol Dis. 2017;106:181-190. doi:10.1016/j.nbd.2017.07.006