G2C::Genetics

TNIK is required for postsynaptic and nuclear signalling pathways and cognitive function

Marcello P. Coba1,2*, Noboru H. Komiyama1,3*, Jess Nithianantharajah1,3*, Maksym V. Kopanitsa1,4, Tim Indersmitten5, Nathan G. Skene1, Ellie J. Tuck1,4, David G. Fricker1,4, Kathryn A. Elsegood1,3, Lianne E. Stanford1, Nurudeen Afinowi1,4, Lisa M. Saksida6, Timothy J. Bussey6, Thomas J. O'Dell7 and Seth G.N. Grant1,3,6

Author email: Seth.Grant@ed.ac.uk   * - These authors contributed equally to this work

  1. Genes to Cognition Programme, The Wellcome Trust Sanger Institute, Genome Campus, Hinxton, Cambridgeshire, CB10 1SA, UK
  2. Zilkha Neurogenetic Institute, Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California, 90089, USA
  3. Centre for Clinical Brain Sciences and Centre for Neuroregeneration, The University of Edinburgh, Chancellors Building, 47 Little France Crescent, Edinburgh EH16 4SB, UK
  4. Synome Ltd, Babraham Research Campus, Cambridge, CB22 3AT, UK
  5. Interdepartmental PhD Program for Neuroscience, UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA
  6. Department of Experimental Psychology, University of Cambridge, UK; The MRC and Wellcome Trust Behavioural and Clinical Neuroscience Institute, University of Cambridge, Downing St., Cambridge CB2 3EB, UK
  7. Department of Physiology, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, Los Angeles, California 90095, USA

 

 

Traf2 and NcK interacting Kinase (TNiK) contains serine-threonine kinase and scaffold domains and has been implicated in cell proliferation and glutamate receptor regulation in vitro. Here we report its role in vivo using mice carrying a knockout mutation.

TNiK binds protein complexes in the synapse linking it to the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) via AKAP9. NMDAR and metabotropic receptors bidirectionally regulate TNiK phosphorylation and TNiK was required for AMPA expression and synaptic function. TNiK also organises nuclear complexes and in the absence of TNiK, there was a marked elevation in GSK3Β and phosphorylation levels of its cognate phosphorylation sites on NeuroD1 with alterations in Wnt pathway signalling.

We observed impairments in dentate gyrus neurogenesis in TNiK knockout mice and cognitive testing using the touchscreen apparatus revealed impairments in pattern separation on a test of spatial discrimination. Object-location paired associates learning, which is dependent on glutamatergic signalling was also impaired. Additionally, TNiK knockout mice displayed hyperlocomotor behavior that could be rapidly reversed by GSK3Β inhibitors, indicating the potential for pharmacological rescue of a behavioral phenotype.

These data establish TNiK as a critical regulator of cognitive functions and suggest it may play a regulatory role in diseases impacting on its interacting proteins and complexes.

Supplementary Figure 1. Generation of AKAP9 mutant mice

A mouse embryonic stem (ES) cell line (XP0050, strain 129/Ola) with an insertional mutation in Akap9 was obtained from Sanger Institute Gene Trap Resource (SIGTR - sanger.ac.uk/PostGenomics/genetrap/). The insertional mutation in XP0050 by the gene-trapping vector, pGT0lxr, was designed to create an in-frame fusion between the 5' exons of the trapped gene and a reporter, Β-geo (a fusion of Β-galactosidase and neomycin phosphotransferase II) occurred in intron 14-15 (Transcript: Akap9-001 (ENSMUST00000044492) Ensembl release 56). Thus, the gene-trapped locus is predicted to yield a fusion transcript containing exons 1-14 of Akap9 and Β-geo. Integration of the gene-trapping vector was confirmed by RT-PCR. A 217bp product was amplified from the gene trap clone cDNA using primer x (GAAGCTGTCTAAGAGAGTGTG) that hybridises the sequence encoded by the part of exon 14 with reverse Primer z (GATCCTCTAGAGTCCAGATCTG) within the Β-geo cassette. This gene trap ES cell clone was injected into C57/BL6 blastocysts to create chimeric mice, which were bred with 129S5 mice to generate heterozygous (+/–) Akap9 mutant mice. Those F1 heterozygous mice had been backcrossed with 129S5 mice for 1-2 times before being used for intercrossing.

TNiK Supplementary Figure 1

TNiK Supplementary Figure 1
Enlarge this image (578 x 900)

A. Gene trap vector for the generation of AKAP9 knockout mice. Linear structure of AKAP9 protein domain (top diagram). AKAP9 is a 48 exon protein. The gene-trapping vector, pGT0lxr, is inserted between exon14 and 15. Primers used for genotyping (see supplementary methods) are shown (bottom diagram). SA, splice acceptor; pA, polyadenylation signal; Β-geo, fusion of Β-galactosidase and neomycin phosphotransferase II.

B. Electrophoresis gel image showing confirmation by RTPCR that trap is correctly inserted.

C. RT-PCR genotyping. Homozygote (-/-) product is 205bp larger than wt (+/+) product.

D. PCR genotyping of targeted AKAP9-/- mice using a common forward primer, a, and reverse primers b and y to amplify the wt and mutant alleles respectively.

Supplementary Table 1. Hippocampal mRNA expression profile of TNiK-/- mice

Shown are the 200 most significant genes from the mRNA expression profiling, the whole genome array results are downloadable.

Download whole genome microarray results

Gene SymbolGene DescriptionEnsembl Gene IDEntrez Gene IDAverage Expressionlog Fold ChangeP ValueAdjusted P ValuetGenomic LocationProbe LocationRefSeq transcriptsProbe id
Spata13Spermatogenesis associated 13ENSMUSG000000219909.20-0.3576.44E-091.49E-04-7.17chr14:61383157:61383206:+3pUTRXM_923227 XM_901902ILMN_2751037
CortCortistatinENSMUSG000000289712584538.400.3783.32E-083.84E-046.69chr4:148499369:148499418:-CDSNM_007745ILMN_1226607
BC050868Mus musculus adult male cerebellum cDNA, RIKEN full-length enriched library, clone:1500031A17 product:TRAF2 AND NCK INTERACTING KINASE, SPLICE VARIANT 8 homolog [Homo sapiens], full insert sequence.ENSMUSG0000002769210.07-0.4036.85E-085.28E-04-6.47chr3:28569142:28569191:+3pUTRXM_001473621 XM_001473602 XM_001474909 XM_001474897ILMN_2524251
C4bComplement component 4B (Childo blood group)ENSMUSG000000734182122858.68-0.3353.40E-061.66E-02-5.32chr17:34866134:34866183:-CDSNM_009780 NM_011413 XM_973028 XM_972987 XM_973068ILMN_1215092
Scara3Scavenger receptor class A, member 3ENSMUSG0000003446326899610.26-0.2835.07E-061.66E-02-5.20chr14:66538293:66538342:-3pUTRNM_172604ILMN_2706268
Slc30a3Solute carrier family 30 (zinc transporter), member 3ENSMUSG000000291512278412.22-0.2835.20E-061.66E-02-5.19chr5:31388548:31388597:-3pUTRILMN_2521965
C4bComplement component 4B (Childo blood group)ENSMUSG00000015451788298.53-0.2885.82E-061.66E-02-5.15chr17:34865420:34865469:-CDSNM_009780 NM_011413 XM_973028 XM_972987 XM_973068ILMN_3049559
Tcirg1T-cell, immune regulator 1, ATPase, H+ transporting, lysosomal V0 protein A3ENSMUSG000000017502582037.57-0.1036.47E-061.66E-02-5.12chr19:3903583:3903632:-CDSNM_016921ILMN_2643879
Hn1Hematological and neurological expressed sequence 1ENSMUSG000000207376920212.59-0.1966.80E-061.66E-02-5.11chr11:115358689:115358738:-3pUTRNM_008258ILMN_2914744
Cox6a2Cytochrome c oxidase, subunit VI a, polypeptide 2ENSMUSG000000307852582898.530.3367.19E-061.66E-025.09chr7:135349162:135349211:-3pUTRNM_009943ILMN_2629581
9130213B05RikRIKEN cDNA 9130213B05 geneENSMUSG0000003498123144011.200.4371.20E-052.23E-024.93chr5:92052926:92052975:+3pUTRNM_145562ILMN_2756704
Ebf3Early B-cell factor 3ENSMUSG000000104767.950.1271.22E-052.23E-024.93chr7:144385579:144385628:-3pUTRNM_001113414 NM_001113415 NM_010096ILMN_2422615
RhagRhesus blood group-associated A glycoproteinENSMUSG00000023926164287.55-0.0841.25E-052.23E-02-4.92chr17:40971620:40971669:+CDSNM_011269ILMN_2745515
RabggtbRAB geranylgeranyl transferase, b subunitENSMUSG000000389753383607.74-0.1461.64E-052.70E-02-4.84chr3:153573046:153573095:-3pUTRILMN_2703263
Myo5bMyosin VBENSMUSG00000025885179199.94-0.4232.07E-053.19E-02-4.77chr18:74930039:74930088:+CDSNM_201600ILMN_2539489
A830018L16RikRIKEN cDNA A830018L16 gene690358.72-0.2102.23E-053.23E-02-4.75chr1:11588290:11588339:+3pUTRILMN_1213044
Nat8lN-acetyltransferase 8-likeENSMUSG00000048142562089.720.2842.59E-053.53E-024.70chr5:34345517:34345566:+3pUTRNM_001001985ILMN_2594039
GraspGRP1 (general receptor for phosphoinositides 1)-associated scaffold proteinENSMUSG000000005316769211.35-0.2162.84E-053.64E-02-4.67chr15:101063106:101063155:+3pUTRNM_019518ILMN_2596396
Usp52Ubiquitin specific peptidase 52ENSMUSG00000005682745598.57-0.2543.42E-053.66E-02-4.61chr10:127758185:127758234:+3pUTRNM_133992ILMN_2790392
Bat2dBAT2 domain containing 1ENSMUSG00000040225719837.820.3053.67E-053.66E-024.59chr1:164640509:164640558:-CDSNM_001081290ILMN_1239599
LumLumicanENSMUSG000000364468.24-0.2793.72E-053.66E-02-4.59chr10:97034583:97034632:+CDSNM_008524ILMN_3001540
Tle1Transducin-like enhancer of split 1, homolog of Drosophila E(spl)ENSMUSG000000083052406678.62-0.2754.25E-053.66E-02-4.55chr4:71819008:71819057:-3pUTRILMN_1245089
IfnzInterferon zetaENSMUSG00000073810747537.59-0.0894.58E-053.66E-02-4.52chr4:88428166:88428215:+5pUTRNM_197889ILMN_3021483
B4galnt4Beta-1,4-N-acetyl-galactosaminyl transferase 43306718.51-0.1784.67E-053.66E-02-4.52chr7:148254691:148254740:+CDSILMN_2540866
Zzz3Zinc finger, ZZ domain containing 3ENSMUSG00000039068154817.610.0934.68E-053.66E-024.52chr3:152085636:152085685:+5pUTRXR_001912 XR_032051 NM_198416 NM_001080755ILMN_2424408
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Supplementary Table 2. Antibodies used in WB, IP, IHC and IF assays

List of antibodies used in biochemical assays. Antibody: antibody target; Assay: assay in which the antibody was used; Dilution/concentration: Dilution and/or concentration used for each antibody; Company and Catalogue Number: company name and catalogue number for commercially available antibodies.

AntibodyAssayDilution/concentrationCompanyCatalogue Number
b-cateninWB1/2000Cell signaling9582
CRMP2WB-IP1/1000 - 1ug/100ulCell Signaling9393
CRMP2 pT514WB1/1000Cell Signaling9397
DISC1WB-IP1ug/ml- 1ug/100ulInvitrogen40-6800
DISC1WB-IP1ug/ml- 1ug/100ulInvitrogen40-6900
DISC1WB1/500Gift from Nick Brandonn/a
DoublecortinIHC1/250Cell signaling4604
GluR1WB-IP1/5000 - 1ug/100ulMilliporeAB1504
GluR1WB-IP1/2000 - 1ug/100ulMillipore05-855
GlurR1WB1/1000Santa Cruzsc-7609
GSK3-bWB-IP1/1000Cell Signaling9332
Ki67IF1/300Abcamab15580
NeuroD1WB1/1000Cell signaling4373
NeuroD1IF1/500Abcamab60704
NeuroD1 pS274WB1/1000Abcamab78900
NR1WB-IP1/1000 - 1ug/100ulInvitrogen32-0500
NR1IP1ug/100ulCreated in housen/a
NR1WB1ug/mlMillipore06-311
NR2BWB1ug/mlMillipore05-920
NR2BWB1/2000 - 1ug/100ulMillipore06-600
PSD95WB1/10000ThermoMA1-045
PSD95 pT19WB1ug/mlAbcamab16496
PSD95 pS418WB1ug/mlAbcamab16493
Tau pS396WB1/1000Gift from Michel Goedertn/a
TNiKWB-IP0.5ug/ml- 0.25ug/100ulBD biosciences612250
TNiKWB1/10000Santa Cruzsc-100206
TNiKWB1ug/ml- 0.5ug/100ulSigmaHPA012128
TNiKIP1ug/100ulThermoPA1-20639
TNiK pS735WB-IP1ug/ml- 1ug/100ulSanta Cruzsc-130221
TubulinWB1ug/mlMillipore05-559
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© G2C 2014. The Genes to Cognition Programme received funding from The Wellcome Trust and the EU FP7 Framework Programmes:
EUROSPIN (FP7-HEALTH-241498), SynSys (FP7-HEALTH-242167) and GENCODYS (FP7-HEALTH-241995).

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