CASPR2 forms a complex with GPR37 via MUPP1 but not with GPR37(R558Q), an autism spectrum disorder-related mutation.

Autism spectrum disorder (ASD) is a developmental brain disorder. Mutations in synaptic components including synaptic adhesion molecules have been found in ASD patients. Contactin-associated protein-like 2 (CASPR2) is one of the synaptic adhesion molecules associated with ASD. CASPR2 forms a complex with receptors via interaction with multiple PDZ domain protein 1 (MUPP1). Little is known about the relationship between impaired CASPR2-MUPP1-receptor complex and the pathogenesis of ASD. GPR37 is a receptor for survival factors. We recently identified mutations including R558Q in the G-protein-coupled receptor 37 (GPR37) gene in ASD patients. The mutated GPR37s accumulate in the endoplasmic reticulum. In this study, we show that GPR37 is a component of the CASPR2-MUPP1 receptor complex in the mouse brain. CASPR2 and GPR37 mainly interacted with the PDZ3 and PDZ11 domains of MUPP1, respectively. Compared to GPR37, GPR37(R558Q) slightly interacted with MUPP1 and caused dendritic alteration. GPR37, but not GPR37(R558Q) nor GPR37-deltaC which lacks its PDZ binding domain, was transported to the cell surface by MUPP1. In primary hippocampal neurons, GPR37 co-localized with MUPP1 and CASPR2 at the synapse, but not GPR37(R558Q). Thus, ASD-related mutation of GPR37 may cause the impaired CASPR2-MUPP1-GPR37 complex on the dendrites associated with one of the pathogenesis of ASD.