AUTS2, a causative gene for microcephaly, regulates division of intermediate progenitor cells and production of upper-layer neurons

Abstract

AUTS2 mutations often exhibit neurodevelopmental disorders and microcephaly. However, how AUTS2 regulates neuron production and affects brain size remains unclear. Here, we show that AUTS2 cooperates with the Polycomb complex PRC2 to regulate gene expression and cortical neurogenesis. Auts2 mutant mice exhibit reduced division of intermediate progenitor cells (IPCs), leading to decreased neurons and thickness in the upper-layer cortex. Expression of Robo1 is increased in the mutants, which in turn suppresses IPC division. Transcriptome and chromatin profiling experiments show that, in IPCs, AUTS2 primarily represses transcription of genes, including Robo1. Promoter region of AUTS2 target genes is enriched with H3K27me3, a repressive histone modification, but its levels are reduced in Auts2 mutants. AUTS2 interacts with PRC2, and together, they promote IPC division. These suggest that AUTS2 collaborates with PRC2 to repress gene transcription through H3K27 trimethylation, promoting neuron production. This sheds light on AUTS2 pathophysiological mechanisms in neurogenesis and microcephaly.