Precisely controlling endogenous protein dosage in hPSCs and derivatives to model FOXG1 syndrome

Nat Commun. 2019 Feb 25;10(1):928. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-08841-7.

Abstract

Dosage of key regulators impinge on developmental disorders such as FOXG1 syndrome. Since neither knock-out nor knock-down strategy assures flexible and precise protein abundance control, to study hypomorphic or haploinsufficiency expression remains challenging. We develop a system in human pluripotent stem cells (hPSCs) using CRISPR/Cas9 and SMASh technology, with which we can target endogenous proteins for precise dosage control in hPSCs and at multiple stages of neural differentiation. We also reveal FOXG1 dose-dependently affect the cellular constitution of human brain, with 60% mildly affect GABAergic interneuron development while 30% thresholds the production of MGE derived neurons. Abnormal interneuron differentiation accounts for various neurological defects such as epilepsy or seizures, which stimulates future innovative cures of FOXG1 syndrome. By means of its robustness and easiness, dosage-control of proteins in hPSCs and their derivatives will update the understanding and treatment of additional diseases caused by abnormal protein dosage.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Differentiation
  • Disease Models, Animal
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / genetics
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors / metabolism*
  • Humans
  • Interneurons / cytology
  • Interneurons / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, SCID
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders / genetics
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders / metabolism*
  • Neurodevelopmental Disorders / physiopathology
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / cytology
  • Pluripotent Stem Cells / metabolism*
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid / metabolism

Substances

  • FOXG1 protein, human
  • Forkhead Transcription Factors
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • gamma-Aminobutyric Acid