Compromised transcription-mRNA export factor THOC2 causes R-loop accumulation, DNA damage and adverse neurodevelopment

TL;DR

THOC2 gene disruption causes a neurodevelopmental disorder by leading to DNA damage and brain dysfunction in mice and patients.

Contribution

The study reveals the molecular mechanism of THOC2 syndrome through a mouse model and patient cells.

Findings

Thoc2Δ/Y mice show neurodevelopmental deficits and brain cell death due to R-loop accumulation and DNA damage.

THOC2 disruption leads to R-loop dysregulation and altered transcriptome in both mice and patient cells.

The study links compromised THOC2 function to adverse neurodevelopment and intellectual disability.

Abstract

We implicated the X-chromosome THOC2 gene, which encodes the largest subunit of the highly-conserved TREX (Transcription-Export) complex, in a clinically complex neurodevelopmental disorder with intellectual disability as the core phenotype. To study the molecular pathology of this essential eukaryotic gene, we generated a mouse model based on a hypomorphic Thoc2 exon 37–38 deletion variant of a patient with ID, speech delay, hypotonia, and microcephaly. The Thoc2 exon 37–38 deletion male (Thoc2Δ/Y) mice recapitulate the core phenotypes of THOC2 syndrome including smaller size and weight, and significant deficits in spatial learning, working memory and sensorimotor functions. The Thoc2Δ/Y mouse brain development is significantly impacted by compromised THOC2/TREX function resulting in R-loop accumulation, DNA damage and consequent cell death. Overall, we suggest that perturbed R-loop homeostasis, in stem cells and/or differentiated cells in mice and the patient, and DNA damage-associated functional alterations are at the root of THOC2 syndrome.

THOC2 is an essential subunit of Transcription mRNA Export complex of eukaryotic cells and its compromise causes adverse (neuro)development. Using mouse model and patient cells the authors unravel molecular pathology of the syndrome, from R-loops dysregulation, to altered transcriptome and DNA damage triggered cell death.

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