Selective deletion of from mouse cerebellar Purkinje neurons drives sex-specific behavioral impairments linked to autism.

There is a striking sex bias in the prevalence and severity of autism spectrum disorder (ASD) with 80% of diagnoses occurring in males. Because the molecular etiology of ASD is likely combinatorial, including interactions across multiple genetic and environmental factors, it is difficult to investigate the physiological mechanisms driving sex-specific differences. Loss of function mutations in result in dysregulated mTORC1 signaling and underlie a multi-system disorder known as tuberous sclerosis (TSC). Interestingly, more than 50% of individuals diagnosed with TSC are also diagnosed with ASD, making TSC mutations one of the most prevalent monogenic causes of ASD. Mice harboring targeted deletion of selectively in cerebellar Purkinje neurons, referred to here as , have multiple ASD-linked behavioral impairments, including deficits in social interactions, motor coordination, and vocalizations. However, these ASD-linked behavioral deficits have only been investigated using male animals. Here, we used cohorts of male and female animals to determine if behavioral impairments, previously identified in this model, are similar across sex. Specifically, we measured balance and motor coordination and social interaction behaviors in two age groups across sex. We determined balance and motor coordination deficits are similar in male and female mice, and that deficits in the firing of Purkinje neurons located in the cerebellar vermis are also similar across sex. However, impairments in social approach behavior were found to be significantly more severe in males compared to females. These results indicate the selective deletion of in Purkinje neurons differentially impairs cerebellar circuits based on sex.