Altered Glutamate Receptor Ionotropic Delta Subunit 2 expression in Stau2 deficient cerebellar Purkinje cells in the adult brain

Staufen2 (Stau2) is an RNA-binding protein that is involved in dendritic spine morphogenesis and function. Several studies have recently investigated the role of Stau2 in the regulation of its neuronal target mRNAs, with particular focus on the hippocampus. Here, we provide evidence for Stau2 expression and function in cerebellar Purkinje cells. We show that Stau2 downregulation (Stau2GT) lead to an increase of the glutamate receptor ionotropic delta subunit 2 (GluD2) in Purkinje cells when animals performed physical activity by voluntary wheel running. Furthermore, Stau2GT mice showed lower performance in motor coordination assays but enhanced motor learning abilities, concomitantly with an increase in dendritic GluD2 expression. Together, our results suggest a novel role of Stau2 in Purkinje cell synaptogenesis in the mouse cerebellum Total RNA isolated from wildtype and Stau2 knockout mice brain before and after behavioural training.