Loss of TDP-43 induces synaptic dysfunction that is rescued by UNC13A splice-switching ASOs

Matthew J. Keuss; Peter Harley; Eugeni M. Ryadnov; Rachel E. Jackson; Matteo Zanovello; Oscar G. Wilkins; Simone Barattucci; Puja R. Mehta; Marcio Guiomar Oliveira; Joanna E. Parkes; Aparna Sinha; Andrés F. Correa-Sánchez; Peter L. Oliver; Elizabeth Fisher; Giampietro Schiavo; Mala M. Shah; Juan Burrone; Pietro Fratta

doi:10.1101/2024.06.20.599684

NeurosciencebioRxivJun 20, 2024

Preprint

Loss of TDP-43 induces synaptic dysfunction that is rescued by UNC13A splice-switching ASOs

Matthew J. Keuss iD, Peter Harley iD, Eugeni M. Ryadnov iD, Rachel E. Jackson iD, Matteo Zanovello iD, Oscar G. Wilkins iD, Simone Barattucci iD, Puja R. Mehta iD, Marcio Guiomar Oliveira iD, Joanna E. Parkes iD, Aparna Sinha iD, Andrés F. Correa-Sánchez iD, Peter L. Oliver iD, Elizabeth Fisher iD, Giampietro Schiavo iD, Mala M. Shah iD, Juan Burrone iD, Pietro Fratta iD

Abstract

TDP-43 loss of function induces multiple splicing changes, including a cryptic exon in the amyotrophic lateral sclerosis and fronto-temporal lobar degeneration risk gene UNC13A, leading to nonsense-mediated decay of UNC13A transcripts and loss of protein. UNC13A is an active zone protein with an integral role in coordinating pre-synaptic function. Here, we show TDP-43 depletion induces a severe reduction in synaptic transmission, leading to an asynchronous pattern of network activity. We demonstrate that these deficits are largely driven by a single cryptic exon in UNC13A. Antisense oligonucleotides targeting the UNC13A cryptic exon robustly rescue UNC13A protein levels and restore normal synaptic function, providing a potential new therapeutic approach for ALS and other TDP-43-related disorders.

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