WNT signalling control by KDM5C during development affects cognition. (https://pubmed.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/38383780/)

These scientists wanted to understand why some people have intellectual disabilities, which can make it harder for them to learn and remember things. They focused on a gene called KDM5C, which is often changed in people with intellectual disabilities.

To study this, the scientists used special cells that they created from patients with intellectual disabilities and mice that were missing the Kdm5c gene. They looked at how this gene affects the development of the brain and how it controls the production of different types of brain cells.

They found that KDM5C plays a very important role in making sure the brain develops properly at the right time. When this gene is not working correctly, it can lead to intellectual disabilities. They also discovered that a specific signaling pathway called WNT is controlled by KDM5C during a certain time in brain development.

By changing the activity of the WNT pathway in the cells and mice, the scientists were able to reverse some of the brain changes that were causing intellectual disabilities. They also found that altering the WNT pathway in normal mice could lead to anxiety and memory problems.

Overall, this study helped the scientists understand how the KDM5C gene is crucial for brain development and how changes in this gene can lead to intellectual disabilities. They also learned more about how the WNT pathway affects memory and anxiety in the brain.

Karwacki-Neisius V., Jang A., Cukuroglu E., Tai A., Jiao A., Predes D., Yoon J., Brookes E., Chen J., Iberg A., Halbritter F., Ounap K., Gecz J., Schlaeger TM., Ho Sui S., Goke J., He X., Lehtinen MK., Pomeroy SL., Shi Y. WNT signalling control by KDM5C during development affects cognition. Nature. 2024 Feb 21. doi: 10.1038/s41586-024-07067-y.