GSE169485
Deletion of a non-canonical regulatory sequence causes loss of Scn1a expression and epileptic phenotypes in mice II
Background: Genes with multiple co-active promoters appear common in brain, yet little is known about functional requirements for these potentially redundant genomic regulatory elements. SCN1A, which encodes the NaV1.1 sodium channel alpha subunit, is one such gene with two co-active promoters. Mutations in SCN1A are associated with epilepsy, including Dravet Syndrome (DS). The majority of DS patients harbor coding mutations causing SCN1A haploinsufficiency, however putative causal non-coding promoter mutations have been identified. Methods: To determine the functional role of one of these potentially redundant Scn1a promoters, we focused on the non-coding Scn1a 1b regulatory region, previously described as a non-canonical alternative transcriptional start site. We bred a transgenic mouse line with deletion of the extended evolutionarily-conserved 1b non-coding interval and characterized changes in gene and protein expression, and assessed seizure activity and alteration in behavior. Results: Mice harboring a deletion of the 1b non-coding interval exhibited surprisingly severe reductions of Scn1a and NaV1.1 expression throughout the brain. This was accompanied by electroencephalographic and thermal-evoked seizures, and some behavioral deficits. Conclusions: This work contributes to functional dissection of the regulatory wiring of a major epilepsy risk gene, SCN1A. We identified the 1b region as a critical disease-relevant regulatory element and provide evidence Overall design: Characterization of differential gene expression changes with Scn1a heterozygous and homozygous knockout.