Fragile x syndrome (FXS) is the most common form of inherited intellectual disability and monogenic cause of autism. FXS is caused by silencing of the FMR1 gene encoding FMRP, the fragile x messenger ribonucleoprotein 1. FMRP is a mRNA binding protein known to regulate mRNA translation, including local protein synthesis important for synapse development and function. Impaired surface expression of glutamate receptors and ion channels are believed to contribute to altered synaptic plasticity and neuronal hyperexcitability, respectively, in FXS. Recent work suggests even more global defects in membrane trafficking and the endocytic pathway may occur at synapses in FXS. A critical gap is lack of understanding of underlying mechanisms for how FMRP might regulate endocytosis and membrane protein surface expression to control neuronal function. Our central hypothesis is that FMRP directly regulates endocytic machinery via local translation and/or non-canonical mechanisms to control membrane surface protein expression. In this application, we investigate a greatly neglected area of the Clathrin-Associated Adaptor Complex Protein-2 dependent regulatory mechanism at the translational level by FMRP. This is a new concept as AP2 regulation studies have been traditionally focused on adaptor post-translational modification with very little work on post- transcriptional mechanisms for any adapter protein by any RNA binding protein. Aim 1 will test the hypothesis that FMRP is a negative regulator of the Clathrin-Associated Adaptor Complex Protein-2 (AP2) mediated endocytosis. We propose to investigate the effects of FMRP deficiency on AP2 subunit translation, expression, and synaptic localization in mouse cortical neurons. As AP2 is known to be required for regulation of AMPA receptor endocytosis, we will investigate whether exaggerated internalization of AMPA receptors in FXS neurons can be rescued by modulating aberrant expression of AP2 subunits. Aim 2 will test the hypothesis that loss of FMRP has broad effects on the surface expression of membrane proteins and endocytosis. We propose to use a mass spectrometry approach for an unbiased characterization of the surface proteome in WT versus FMR1 KO neurons. Lastly, we will investigate whether modulating aberrant expression of AP2 subunits using genetic and pharmacologic strategies can normalize defects in the expression of surface proteins including ion channels. The proposed studies will identify new biology for FMRP mediated control of the dynamics of membrane protein surface expression via AP2 subunit regulation. We will broadly identify the specific surface proteins adversely affected in FXS model neurons to guide future research. This research has implications for future development of therapeutic strategies that may target AP2 to correct for altered membrane protein surface expression contributing to impairments in synaptic plasticity and neuronal hyperexcitability in FXS.

Fragile X syndrome (FXS), caused by loss of FMRP, is a common form of inherited intellectual disability and the leading monogenetic cause of autism. This research in a mouse model will identify a novel function for FMRP to regulate endocytic adapter proteins, which are essential for proper communication at synapses in the brain. This research will explore a potential new therapeutic strategy to correct for impairments in synapse plasticity and hyperexcitability in FXS.