Analyses of Conditional Knockout Mice for Pogz, a Gene Responsible for Neurodevelopmental Disorders in Excitatory and Inhibitory Neurons in the Brain.

Abstract

POGZ (Pogo transposable element derived with ZNF domain) is known to function as a regulator of gene expression. While variations in the POGZ gene have been associated with intellectual disabilities and developmental delays in humans, the exact pathophysiological mechanisms remain unclear. To shed light on this, we created two lines of conditional knockout mice for Pogz, one specific to excitatory neurons (Emx1-Pogz mice) and the other to inhibitory neurons (Gad2-Pogz mice) in the brain. Emx1-Pogz mice showed a decrease in body weight, similar to total Pogz knockout mice. Although the two lines did not display significant morphological abnormalities in the telencephalon, impaired POGZ function affected the electrophysiological properties of both excitatory and inhibitory neurons differently. These findings suggest that these mouse lines could be useful tools for clarifying the precise pathophysiological mechanisms of neurodevelopmental disorders associated with POGZ gene abnormalities.