Normalizing neuronal shape in fragile X

Abstract

Neuroscience Lack of the RNA-binding protein FMRP results in fragile X syndrome, a common inherited intellectual disability, and is associated with abnormal neuronal morphology. FMRP selectively suppresses messenger RNA translation, and Kashima et al. identified the transcript encoding the receptor BMPR2 as an FMRP target (see the Focus by Broihier). BMPR2 levels and activity of the downstream kinase LIMK1 were increased in the brains of FMRP-deficient flies and mice and in postmortem brain tissue from patients. LIMK1 triggers changes in cell shape, and a LIMK1 inhibitor suppressed abnormal neuronal morphology in mice lacking FMRP. Sci. Signal. 9 , ra58 and fs12 (2016).