scholarly journals Cul4 ubiquitin ligase cofactor DCAF12 promotes neurotransmitter release and homeostatic plasticity

2019 ◽  
Vol 218 (3) ◽  
pp. 993-1010 ◽  
Author(s):  
Lilian A. Patrón ◽  
Kei Nagatomo ◽  
David Tyler Eves ◽  
Mays Imad ◽  
Kimberly Young ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glutamate Receptor ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Ubiquitin Ligase ◽  
Neurotransmitter Release ◽  
Neuromuscular Junctions ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Homeostatic Plasticity ◽  
Independent Functions ◽  
Synaptic Boutons

We genetically characterized the synaptic role of the Drosophila homologue of human DCAF12, a putative cofactor of Cullin4 (Cul4) ubiquitin ligase complexes. Deletion of Drosophila DCAF12 impairs larval locomotion and arrests development. At larval neuromuscular junctions (NMJs), DCAF12 is expressed presynaptically in synaptic boutons, axons, and nuclei of motor neurons. Postsynaptically, DCAF12 is expressed in muscle nuclei and facilitates Cul4-dependent ubiquitination. Genetic experiments identified several mechanistically independent functions of DCAF12 at larval NMJs. First, presynaptic DCAF12 promotes evoked neurotransmitter release. Second, postsynaptic DCAF12 negatively controls the synaptic levels of the glutamate receptor subunits GluRIIA, GluRIIC, and GluRIID. The down-regulation of synaptic GluRIIA subunits by nuclear DCAF12 requires Cul4. Third, presynaptic DCAF12 is required for the expression of synaptic homeostatic potentiation. We suggest that DCAF12 and Cul4 are critical for normal synaptic function and plasticity at larval NMJs.

Antibodies Against Cysteine String Proteins Inhibit Evoked Neurotransmitter Release at Xenopus Neuromuscular Junctions

1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (1) ◽  
pp. 50-59 ◽  
Author(s):  
Robert E. Poage ◽  
Stephen D. Meriney ◽  
Cameron B. Gundersen ◽  
Joy A. Umbach
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Neurotransmitter Release ◽  
Neuromuscular Junctions ◽  
Selective Inhibition ◽  
Spinal Motor Neurons ◽  
Neurotransmitter Secretion ◽  
Spinal Motor ◽  
Evolutionarily Conserved ◽  
Antibody Effects

Cysteine string proteins (CSPs) are evolutionarily conserved proteins that are associated with synaptic vesicles and other regulated secretory organelles. To investigate the role of CSPs in vertebrate neuromuscular transmission, we introduced anti-CSP antibodies into the cell bodies of Xenopus spinal motor neurons that form synapses with embryonic muscle cells in culture. These antibodies produced a rapid (within 3–6 min), and in most cases complete, inhibition of stimulus-dependent neurotransmitter secretion. However, spontaneous neurotransmitter release was stable (both in frequency and amplitude) throughout the period of antibody exposure. Several control experiments validated the specificity of the anti-CSP antibody effects. First, the anti-CSP antibody actions were not mimicked either by antibodies against another synaptic vesicle protein SV2, or by nonspecific immunoglobins. Second, heat treatment of the anti-CSP antibodies eliminated their effect on evoked secretion. Third, immunoblot experiments showed that the anti-CSP and anti-SV2 antibodies were highly selective for their respective antigens in these Xenopus cultures. We conclude from these results that CSPs are vital constituents of the pathway for regulated neurotransmitter release in vertebrates. Moreover, the selective inhibition of evoked, but not spontaneous transmitter release by anti-CSP antibodies indicates that there is a fundamental difference in the machinery that mediates these secretory processes.

scholarly journals The p75NTR neurotrophin receptor is required to organize the mature neuromuscular synapse by regulating synaptic vesicle availability

2019 ◽  
Vol 7 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Viviana Pérez ◽  
Francisca Bermedo-Garcia ◽  
Diego Zelada ◽  
Felipe A. Court ◽  
Miguel Ángel Pérez ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Neuromuscular Junction ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Neuromuscular Junctions ◽  
Neuronal Damage ◽  
Neuromuscular Synapse ◽  
Force Production ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Neurotrophin Receptor ◽  
Acetylcholinesterase Inhibition ◽  
Pharmacological Intervention

Abstract The coordinated movement of organisms relies on efficient nerve-muscle communication at the neuromuscular junction. After peripheral nerve injury or neurodegeneration, motor neurons and Schwann cells increase the expression of the p75NTR pan-neurotrophin receptor. Even though p75NTR targeting has emerged as a promising therapeutic strategy to delay peripheral neuronal damage progression, the effects of long-term p75NTR inhibition at the mature neuromuscular junction have not been elucidated. We performed quantitative neuroanathomical analyses of the neuromuscular junction in p75NTR null mice by laser confocal and electron microscopy, which were complemented with electromyography, locomotor tests, and pharmacological intervention studies. Mature neuromuscular synapses of p75NTR null mice show impaired postsynaptic organization and ultrastructural complexity, which correlate with altered synaptic function at the levels of nerve activity-induced muscle responses, muscle fiber structure, force production, and locomotor performance. Our results on primary myotubes and denervated muscles indicate that muscle-derived p75NTR does not play a major role on postsynaptic organization. In turn, motor axon terminals of p75NTR null mice display a strong reduction in the number of synaptic vesicles and active zones. According to the observed pre and postsynaptic defects, pharmacological acetylcholinesterase inhibition rescued nerve-dependent muscle response and force production in p75NTR null mice. Our findings revealing that p75NTR is required to organize mature neuromuscular junctions contribute to a comprehensive view of the possible effects caused by therapeutic attempts to target p75NTR.

Different VAMP/Synaptobrevin Complexes for Spontaneous and Evoked Transmitter Release at the Crayfish Neuromuscular Junction

1998 ◽  
Vol 80 (6) ◽  
pp. 3233-3246 ◽  
Author(s):  
Shao-Ying Hua ◽  
Dorota A. Raciborska ◽  
William S. Trimble ◽  
Milton P. Charlton
Keyword(s):  
Neuromuscular Junction ◽  
Transmitter Release ◽  
Neurotransmitter Release ◽  
Action Potentials ◽  
Neuromuscular Junctions ◽  
Spontaneous Release ◽  
Intracellular Ca ◽  
Crayfish Neuromuscular Junction ◽  
Evoked Transmitter Release

Hua, Shao-Ying, Dorota A. Raciborska, William S. Trimble, and Milton P. Charlton. Different VAMP/synaptobrevin complexes for spontaneous and evoked transmitter release at the crayfish neuromuscular junction. J. Neurophysiol. 80: 3233–3246, 1998. Although vesicle-associated membrane protein (VAMP/synaptobrevin) is essential for evoked neurotransmitter release, its role in spontaneous transmitter release remains uncertain. For instance, many studies show that tetanus toxin (TeNT), which cleaves VAMP, blocks evoked transmitter release but leaves some spontaneous transmitter release. We used recombinant tetanus and botulinum neurotoxin catalytic light chains (TeNT-LC, BoNT/B-LC, and BoNT/D-LC) to examine the role of VAMP in spontaneous transmitter release at neuromuscular junctions (nmj) of crayfish. Injection of TeNT-LC into presynaptic axons removed most of the VAMP immunoreactivity and blocked evoked transmitter release without affecting nerve action potentials or Ca2+ influx. The frequency of spontaneous transmitter release was little affected by the TeNT-LC when the evoked transmitter release had been blocked by >95%. The spontaneous transmitter release left after TeNT-LC treatment was insensitive to increases in intracellular Ca2+. BoNT/B-LC, which cleaves VAMP at the same site as TeNT-LC but uses a different binding site, also blocked evoked release but had minimal effect on spontaneous release. However, BoNT/D-LC, which cleaves VAMP at a different site from the other two toxins but binds to the same position on VAMP as TeNT, blocked both evoked and spontaneous transmitter release at similar rates. The data indicate that different VAMP complexes are employed for evoked and spontaneous transmitter release; the VAMP used in spontaneous release is not readily cleaved by TeNT or BoNT/B. Because the exocytosis that occurs after the action of TeNT cannot be increased by increased intracellular Ca2+, the final steps in neurotransmitter release are Ca2+ independent.

Role of ATP-Dependent Calcium Regulation in Modulation of Drosophila Synaptic Thermotolerance

2009 ◽  
Vol 102 (2) ◽  
pp. 901-913 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. K. Klose ◽  
G. L. Boulianne ◽  
R. M. Robertson ◽  
H. L. Atwood
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Elevated Temperatures ◽  
Neuromuscular Junctions ◽  
Energy Levels ◽  
Calcium Regulation ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Calcium Stores ◽  
Presynaptic Calcium ◽  
Presynaptic Nerve Terminals

Maintenance of synaptic transmission requires regulation of intracellular Ca2+ in presynaptic nerve terminals; loss of this regulation at elevated temperatures may cause synaptic failure. Accordingly, we examined the thermosensitivity of presynaptic calcium regulation in Drosophila larval neuromuscular junctions, testing for effects of disrupting calcium clearance. Motor neurons were loaded with the ratiometric Ca2+ indicator Fura-dextran to monitor calcium regulation as temperature increased. Block of the Na+/Ca2+ exchanger or removal of extracellular Ca2+ prevented the normal temperature-induced increase in resting calcium. Conversely, two treatments that interfered with Ca2+ clearance—inactivation of the endoplasmic reticulum Ca2+-ATPase with thapsigargin and inhibition of the plasma membrane Ca2+-ATPase with high pH—significantly accelerated the temperature-induced rise in resting Ca2+ concentration and reduced the thermotolerance of synaptic transmission. Disrupting Ca2+-ATPase function by interfering with energy production also facilitated the temperature-induced rise in resting [Ca2+] and reduced thermotolerance of synaptic transmission. Conversely, fortifying energy levels with extra intracellular ATP extended the operating temperature range of both synaptic transmission and Ca2+ regulation. In each of these cases, Ca2+ elevations evoked by an electrical stimulation of the nerve (evoked Ca2+ responses) failed when resting Ca2+ remained >e 200 nM for several minutes. Failure of synaptic function was correlated with the release of intracellular calcium stores, and we provide evidence suggesting that release from the mitochondria disrupts evoked calcium responses and synaptic transmission. Thus the thermal limit of synaptic transmission may be directly linked to the stability of ATP-dependent mechanisms that regulate intracellular ion concentrations in the nerve terminal.

scholarly journals Distinct target-specific mechanisms homeostatically stabilize transmission at pre-and post-synaptic compartments

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pragya Goel ◽  
Samantha Nishimura ◽  
Karthik Chetlapalli ◽  
Xiling Li ◽  
Catherine Chen ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Glutamate Receptor ◽  
Active Zone ◽  
Neurotransmitter Release ◽  
Neuromuscular Junctions ◽  
Synaptic Strength ◽  
The Other ◽  
Retrograde Signaling ◽  
Functional Characteristics ◽  
Homeostatic Control ◽  
Signaling Systems

ABSTRACTNeurons must establish and stabilize connections made with diverse targets, each with distinct demands and functional characteristics. At Drosophila neuromuscular junctions, synaptic strength remains stable in a manipulation that simultaneously induces hypo-innervation on one target and hyper-innervation on the other. However, the expression mechanisms that achieve this exquisite target-specific homeostatic control remain enigmatic. Here, we identify the distinct target-specific homeostatic expression mechanisms. On the hypo-innervated target, an increase in postsynaptic glutamate receptor (GluR) abundance is sufficient to compensate for reduced innervation, without any apparent presynaptic adaptations. In contrast, a target-specific reduction in presynaptic neurotransmitter release probability is reflected by a decrease in active zone components restricted to terminals of hyper-innervated targets. Finally, loss of postsynaptic GluRs on one target induces a compartmentalized, homeostatic enhancement of presynaptic neurotransmitter release called presynaptic homeostatic potentiation that can be precisely balanced with the adaptations required for both hypo- and hyper-innervation to maintain stable synaptic strength. Thus, distinct anterograde and retrograde signaling systems operate at pre- and post-synaptic compartments to enable target-specific, homeostatic control of neurotransmission.

scholarly journals Endogenous tagging reveals differential regulation of Ca2+ channels at single AZs during presynaptic homeostatic potentiation and depression

2017 ◽  
Author(s):  
Scott J. Gratz ◽  
Pragya Goel ◽  
Joseph J. Bruckner ◽  
Roberto X. Hernandez ◽  
Karam Khateeb ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Information Flow ◽  
Neurotransmitter Release ◽  
Synaptic Strength ◽  
Live Imaging ◽  
Differential Regulation ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Homeostatic Plasticity ◽  
Multiple Forms ◽  
Active Zones ◽  
Ca2 Channels

AbstractNeurons communicate through Ca2+-dependent neurotransmitter release at presynaptic active zones (AZs). Neurotransmitter release properties play a key role in defining information flow in circuits and are tuned during multiple forms of plasticity. Despite their central role in determining neurotransmitter release properties, little is known about how Ca2+ channel levels are modulated to calibrate synaptic function. We used CRISPR to tag the Drosophila CaV2 Ca2+ channel Cacophony (Cac) and investigated the regulation of endogenous Ca2+ channels during homeostatic plasticity in males in which all endogenous Cac channels are tagged. We found that heterogeneously distributed Cac is highly predictive of neurotransmitter release probability at individual AZs and differentially regulated during opposing forms of presynaptic homeostatic plasticity. Specifically, Cac levels at AZ are increased during chronic and acute presynaptic homeostatic potentiation (PHP), and live imaging during acute expression of PHP reveals proportional Ca2+ channel accumulation across heterogeneous AZs. In contrast, endogenous Cac levels do not change during presynaptic homeostatic depression (PHD), implying that the reported reduction in Ca2+ influx during PHD is achieved through functional adaptions to pre-existing Ca2+ channels. Thus, distinct mechanisms bi-directionally modulate presynaptic Ca2+ levels to maintain stable synaptic strength in response to diverse challenges, with Ca2+ channel abundance providing a rapidly tunable substrate for potentiating neurotransmitter release over both acute and chronic timescales.

Versatile role of the yeast ubiquitin ligase Rsp5p in intracellular trafficking

2008 ◽  
Vol 36 (5) ◽  
pp. 791-796 ◽  
Author(s):  
Naima Belgareh-Touzé ◽  
Sébastien Léon ◽  
Zoi Erpapazoglou ◽  
Marta Stawiecka-Mirota ◽  
Danièle Urban-Grimal ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Plasma Membrane ◽  
Membrane Protein ◽  
Ubiquitin Ligase ◽  
Protein Trafficking ◽  
Adaptor Proteins ◽  
Binding Domains ◽  
Independent Functions ◽  
Membrane Protein Trafficking ◽  
Ubiquitin Ligase E3

The ubiquitin ligase (E3) Rsp5p is the only member of the Nedd (neural-precursor-cell-expressed, developmentally down-regulated) 4 family of E3s present in yeast. Rsp5p has several proteasome-independent functions in membrane protein trafficking, including a role in the ubiquitination of most plasma membrane proteins, leading to their endocytosis. Rsp5p is also required for the ubiquitination of endosomal proteins, leading to their sorting to the internal vesicles of MVBs (multivesicular bodies). Rsp5p catalyses the attachment of non-conventional ubiquitin chains, linked through ubiquitin Lys-63, to some endocytic and MVB cargoes. This modification appears to be required for efficient sorting, possibly because these chains have a greater affinity for the ubiquitin-binding domains present within endocytic or MVB sorting complexes. The mechanisms involved in the recognition of plasma membrane and MVB substrates by Rsp5p remain unclear. A subset of Rsp5/Nedd4 substrates have a ‘PY motif’ and are recognized directly by the WW (Trp-Trp) domains of Rsp5p. Most Rsp5p substrates do not carry PY motifs, but some may depend on PY-containing proteins for their ubiquitination by Rsp5p, consistent with the latter's acting as specificity factors or adaptors. As in other ubiquitin-conjugating systems, these adaptors are also Rsp5p substrates and undergo ubiquitin-dependent trafficking. In the present review, we discuss recent examples illustrating the role of Rsp5p in membrane protein trafficking and providing new insights into the regulation of this E3 by adaptor proteins.

Glutamate is the Transmitter for N2v Retraction Phase Interneurons of the Lymnaea Feeding System

1997 ◽  
Vol 78 (6) ◽  
pp. 3408-3414 ◽  
Author(s):  
M. J. Brierley ◽  
M. S. Yeoman ◽  
P. R. Benjamin
Keyword(s):  
Nmda Receptors ◽  
Glutamate Receptor ◽  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Nmda Receptor Antagonist ◽  
Receptor Subtype ◽  
Feeding System ◽  
Cell Responses ◽  
Bath Application ◽  
Strong Candidate

Brierley, Matthew J., Mark S. Yeoman, and Paul R. Benjamin. Glutamate is the transmitter for the N2v retraction phase interneurons of the Lymnaea feeding system. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 3408–3414, 1997. Electrophysiological and pharmacological methods were used to examine the role of glutamate in mediating the excitatory and inhibitory responses produced by the N2v rasp phase neurons on postsynaptic cells of the Lymnaea feeding network. The N2v → B3 motor neuron excitatory synaptic response could be mimicked by focal or bath application of l-glutamate at concentrations of ≥10−3 M. Quisqualate and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) were potent agonists for the B3 excitatory glutamate receptor (10−3 M), whereas kainate only produced very weak responses at the same concentration. This suggested that non- N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA), AMPA/quisqualate receptors were present on the B3 cell. The specific non-NMDA receptor antagonist 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX; 10−5 M) blocked 85% of the excitatory effects on the B3 cell produced by focal application of glutamate (10−3 M), confirming the presence of non-NMDA receptors. CNQX also blocked the major part of the excitatory postsynaptic potentials on the B3 cell produced by spontaneous or current-evoked bursts of spikes in the N2v cell. As with focal application of glutamate, a small delayed component remained that was CNQX insensitive. This provided direct evidence that glutamate acting via receptors of the non-NMDA, AMPA/quisqualate type were responsible for mediating the main N2v → B3 cell excitatory response. NMDA at 10−2 M also excited the B3 cell, but the effects were much more variable in size and absent in one-third of the 25 B3 cells tested. NMDA effects on B3 cells were not enhanced by bath application of glycine at 10−4 M or reduction of Mg2+ concentration in the saline to zero, suggesting the absence of typical NMDA receptors. The variability of the B3 cell responses to NMDA suggested these receptors were unlikely to be the main receptor type involved with N2v → B3 excitation. Quisqualate and AMPA at 10−3 M also mimicked N2v inhibitory effects on the B7 and B8 feeding motor neurons and the modulatory slow oscillator (SO) interneuron, providing further evidence for the role of AMPA/quisqualate receptors. Similar effects were seen with glutamate at the same concentration. However, CNQX could not block either glutamate or N2v inhibitory postsynaptic responses on the B7, B8, or SO cells, suggesting a different glutamate receptor subtype for inhibitory responses compared with those responsible for N2v → B3 excitation. We conclude that glutamate is a strong candidate transmitter for the N2v cells and that AMPA/quisquate receptors of different subtypes are likely to be responsible for the excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic responses.

scholarly journals The Impact of Mitochondrial Deficiencies in Neuromuscular Diseases

Antioxidants ◽  
2020 ◽  
Vol 9 (10) ◽  
pp. 964
Author(s):  
Judith Cantó-Santos ◽  
Josep M. Grau-Junyent ◽  
Glòria Garrabou
Keyword(s):  
Motor Neurons ◽  
Neuromuscular Junctions ◽  
Neuromuscular Diseases ◽  
Mitochondrial Respiratory Chain ◽  
Stress Generation ◽  
Rare Disorders ◽  
Ros Accumulation ◽  
Ros Burst ◽  
The Impact

Neuromuscular diseases (NMDs) are a heterogeneous group of acquired or inherited rare disorders caused by injury or dysfunction of the anterior horn cells of the spinal cord (lower motor neurons), peripheral nerves, neuromuscular junctions, or skeletal muscles leading to muscle weakness and waste. Unfortunately, most of them entail serious or even fatal consequences. The prevalence rates among NMDs range between 1 and 10 per 100,000 population, but their rarity and diversity pose difficulties for healthcare and research. Some molecular hallmarks are being explored to elucidate the mechanisms triggering disease, to set the path for further advances. In fact, in the present review we outline the metabolic alterations of NMDs, mainly focusing on the role of mitochondria. The aim of the review is to discuss the mechanisms underlying energy production, oxidative stress generation, cell signaling, autophagy, and inflammation triggered or conditioned by the mitochondria. Briefly, increased levels of inflammation have been linked to reactive oxygen species (ROS) accumulation, which is key in mitochondrial genomic instability and mitochondrial respiratory chain (MRC) dysfunction. ROS burst, impaired autophagy, and increased inflammation are observed in many NMDs. Increasing knowledge of the etiology of NMDs will help to develop better diagnosis and treatments, eventually reducing the health and economic burden of NMDs for patients and healthcare systems.

Sign in / Sign up

Export Citation Format

Share Document