CYFIP2 p.Arg87Cys Causes Neurological Defects and Degradation of CYFIP2

Abstract

Here, we report the generation and comprehensive characterization of a knockin mouse model for the hotspot p.Arg87Cys variant of the cytoplasmic FMR1-interacting protein 2 (CYFIP2) gene, which was recently identified in individuals diagnosed with West syndrome, a developmental and epileptic encephalopathy. The Cyfip2(+/R87C) mice recapitulated many neurological and neurobehavioral phenotypes of the patients, including spasmlike movements, microcephaly, and impaired social communication. Age-progressive cytoarchitectural disorganization and gliosis were also identified in the hippocampus of Cyfip2(+/R87C) mice. Beyond identifying a decrease in CYFIP2 protein levels in the Cyfip2(+/R87C) brains, we demonstrated that the p.Arg87Cys variant enhances ubiquitination and proteasomal degradation of CYFIP2. ANN NEUROL 2022