The female epilepsy protein PCDH19 is a new GABA(A)R-binding partner that regulates GABAergic transmission as well as migration and morphological maturation of hippocampal neurons

The PCDH19 gene (Xp22.1) encodes the cell-adhesion protein protocadherin-19 (PCDH19) and is responsible for a neurodevelopmental pathology characterized by female-limited epilepsy, cognitive impairment and autistic features, the pathogenic mechanisms of which remain to be elucidated. Here, we identified a new interaction between PCDH19 and GABA(A) receptor (GABA(A)R) alpha subunits in the rat brain. PCDH19 shRNA-mediated downregulation reduces GABA(A)R surface expression and affects the frequency and kinetics of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents (mIPSCs) in cultured hippocampal neurons. In vivo, PCDH19 downregulation impairs migration, orientation and dendritic arborization of CA1 hippocampal neurons and increases rat seizure susceptibility. In sum, these data indicate a role for PCDH19 in GABAergic transmission as well as migration and morphological maturation of neurons.