Modeling AP2M1 Developmental and Epileptic Encephalopathy in Drosophila

Abstract

Genetic defects in AP2M1, which encodes the -subunit of the adaptor protein complex 2 (AP-2) essential for clathrin-mediated endocytosis (CME), cause a rare form of developmental and epileptic encephalopathy (DEE). In this study, we modeled AP2M1-DEE in Drosophila melanogaster to gain deeper insights into the underlying disease mechanisms. Pan-neuronal knock-down of the Drosophila AP2M1 ortholog, AP-2{micro}, resulted in a consistent heat-sensitive paralysis phenotype and altered morphology in class IV dendritic arborization (c4da) neurons. Unexpectedly, affected flies were resistant to antiseizure medications and exhibited increased resistance to electrically induced seizures. A CRISPR-engineered fly line carrying the recurrent human disease variant p.Arg170Trp displayed a milder seizure resistance phenotype. While these findings contrast with the human phenotype, they align with previous studies on other CME-related genes in Drosophila. Our results suggest that hyperexcitability and seizures in AP2M1-DEE may stem from broader defects in neuronal development rather than direct synaptic dysfunction.