Genetic rescue of disrupted synaptic protein interaction network dynamics following <i>SYNGAP1</i> reactivation

Synaptic protein interaction networks (PINs) dynamically translate neural activity into biochemical signals that regulate synaptic structure and plasticity. Disruption of these coordinated networks is a common feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk genes, yet it remains unclear whether the molecular organization of a perturbed network can be restored after development. Here, we examined how post-developmental re-expression of the synaptic Ras GTPase-activating protein SynGAP1 affects network structure and signaling dynamics in a conditional SynGAP1 haploinsufficient mouse. Quantitative multiplex co-immunoprecipitation (QMI) across development revealed that SynGAP haploinsufficiency selectively reduced SynGAP-containing complexes without broadly disrupting NMDA-dependent network responses. Tamoxifen-inducible re-expression of SynGAP at postnatal day 21 fully restored both steady-state and activity-dependent interactions within the SynGAP module in hippocampus, and additionally normalized secondary alterations in Shank-Homer scaffolding complexes in somatosensory cortex. These data demonstrate that biochemical restoration of a disrupted synaptic network is achievable, even after early developmental windows have closed. Our findings suggest that while critical periods may constrain functional recovery, molecular network normalization remains possible through genetic reactivation of haploinsufficient synaptic regulators.

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Publication Details

Journal
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Published
2025-12-04
DOI
https://doi.org/10.64898/2025.12.02.691969
Citations
1
Primary Topic
Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
Type
article
Field-Weighted Citation Impact
0.91
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article

Genetic rescue of disrupted synaptic protein interaction network dynamics following SYNGAP1 reactivation

Vera Stamenković, Stephen Smith, Gavin Rumbaugh, Felicia Harsh et al.
1 citations
bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
0.91
article

Genetic rescue of disrupted synaptic protein interaction network dynamics following SYNGAP1 reactivation

Vera Stamenković, Stephen Smith, Gavin Rumbaugh, Felicia Harsh, Breann Kniffen
article en
1 citations

Abstract

Synaptic protein interaction networks (PINs) dynamically translate neural activity into biochemical signals that regulate synaptic structure and plasticity. Disruption of these coordinated networks is a common feature of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) risk genes, yet it remains unclear whether the molecular organization of a perturbed network can be restored after development. Here, we examined how post-developmental re-expression of the synaptic Ras GTPase-activating protein SynGAP1 affects network structure and signaling dynamics in a conditional SynGAP1 haploinsufficient mouse. Quantitative multiplex co-immunoprecipitation (QMI) across development revealed that SynGAP haploinsufficiency selectively reduced SynGAP-containing complexes without broadly disrupting NMDA-dependent network responses. Tamoxifen-inducible re-expression of SynGAP at postnatal day 21 fully restored both steady-state and activity-dependent interactions within the SynGAP module in hippocampus, and additionally normalized secondary alterations in Shank-Homer scaffolding complexes in somatosensory cortex. These data demonstrate that biochemical restoration of a disrupted synaptic network is achievable, even after early developmental windows have closed. Our findings suggest that while critical periods may constrain functional recovery, molecular network normalization remains possible through genetic reactivation of haploinsufficient synaptic regulators.

bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory)
University of Washington (US), The Herbert Wertheim UF Scripps Institute for Biomedical Innovation & Technology
Openalex Percentile: Top 19%
Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
0.91
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Genetic rescue of disrupted synaptic protein interaction network dynamics following <i>SYNGAP1</i> reactivation — Vera Stamenković, Stephen Smith, et al. · bioRxiv (Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory) (2025) | TGRS Research Map | TGRS