TRIM32 Deficiency Impairs Synaptic Plasticity by Excitatory-Inhibitory Imbalance via Notch Pathway

2020 ◽  
Vol 30 (8) ◽  
pp. 4617-4632
Author(s):  
Michael Ntim ◽  
Qi-Fa Li ◽  
Yue Zhang ◽  
Xiao-Da Liu ◽  
Na Li ◽  
...  

Abstract Synaptic plasticity is the neural basis of physiological processes involved in learning and memory. Tripartite motif-containing 32 (TRIM32) has been found to play many important roles in the brain such as neural stem cell proliferation, neurogenesis, inhibition of nerve proliferation, and apoptosis. TRIM32 has been linked to several nervous system diseases including autism spectrum disorder, depression, anxiety, and Alzheimer’s disease. However, the role of TRIM32 in regulating the mechanism of synaptic plasticity is still unknown. Our electrophysiological studies using hippocampal slices revealed that long-term potentiation of CA1 synapses was impaired in TRIM32 deficient (KO) mice. Further research found that dendritic spines density, AMPA receptors, and synaptic plasticity-related proteins were also reduced. NMDA receptors were upregulated whereas GABA receptors were downregulated in TRIM32 deficient mice, explaining the imbalance in excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission. This caused overexcitation leading to decreased neuronal numbers in the hippocampus and cortex. In summary, this study provides this maiden evidence on the synaptic plasticity changes of TRIM32 deficiency in the brain and proposes that TRIM32 relates the notch signaling pathway and its related mechanisms contribute to this deficit.

1999 ◽  
Vol 82 (4) ◽  
pp. 2024-2028 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hongyan Wang ◽  
John J. Wagner

The activity history of a given neuron has been suggested to influence its future responses to synaptic input in one prominent model of experience-dependent synaptic plasticity proposed by Bienenstock, Cooper, and Munro (BCM theory). Because plasticity of synaptic plasticity (i.e., metaplasticity) is similar in concept to aspects of the BCM proposal, we have tested the possibility that a form of metaplasticity induced by a priming stimulation protocol might exhibit BCM-like characteristics. CA1 field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (EPSPs) obtained from rat hippocampal slices were used to monitor synaptic responses before and after conditioning stimuli (3–100 Hz) of the Schaffer collateral inputs. A substantial rightward shift (>5-fold) in the frequency threshold between long-term depression (LTD) and long-term potentiation (LTP) was observed <1 h after priming. This change in the LTD/P crossover point occurred at both primed and unprimed synaptic pathways. These results provide new support for the existence of a rapid, heterosynaptic, experience-dependent mechanism that is capable of modifying the synaptic plasticity phenomena that are commonly proposed to be important for developmental and learning/memory processes in the brain.


2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yong Liu ◽  
Supeng Ding ◽  
Yifei Luan ◽  
Zhichao Zhu ◽  
Yingkui Liu

Abstract Ginkgo biloba extract 761 (Egb761), a standardized extract from the Ginkgo biloba leaf, is purported to inhibit NMDA receptor-mediated neuronal excitotoxicity and protect neurons form ischemic injury. However, the specific signal pathway involved in the effects of Egb761 on synaptic plasticity is still in dispute. In this article, effects of Egb761 and its monomer component Ginkgolide A (GA), Ginkgolide B (GB) and Ginkgolide C (GC) on rat hippocampal synaptic plasticity were studied. The evoked Excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) and miniature EPSCs were recorded on hippocampal slices from SD rats (14–21 days of age) by whole-cell patch-clamp recording and long-term potentiation (LTP) was induced by theta-burst stimulation. Acutely applied Egb761 inhibited the LTP, but bilaterally affect the EPSCs, that is EPSC increase at lower concentration of Egb761, then EPSC decrease at higher concentration of Egb761. Egb761 monomer component GA, GB and GC could also inhibit the TBS-induced LTP and EPSC amplitude but not paired-pulse ratio (PPR). Simultaneously, Egb761 and its monomer components inhibited the post-ischemic LTP (i-LTP) by inhibiting the EPSCs and the AMPA receptor subunit GluA1 expression on postsynaptic membrane. The results indicated that high concentration of Egb761 might inhibit LTP and i-LTP through inhibition effects of GA, GB and GC on AMPA receptors.


Author(s):  
Ahmed Eltokhi ◽  
Miguel A. Gonzalez-Lozano ◽  
Lars-Lennart Oettl ◽  
Andrey Rozov ◽  
Claudia Pitzer ◽  
...  

AbstractMutations in SHANK genes play an undisputed role in neuropsychiatric disorders. Until now, research has focused on the postsynaptic function of SHANKs, and prominent postsynaptic alterations in glutamatergic signal transmission have been reported in Shank KO mouse models. Recent studies have also suggested a possible presynaptic function of SHANK proteins, but these remain poorly defined. In this study, we examined how SHANK2 can mediate electrophysiological, molecular, and behavioral effects by conditionally overexpressing either wild-type SHANK2A or the extrasynaptic SHANK2A(R462X) variant. SHANK2A overexpression affected pre- and postsynaptic targets and revealed a reversible, development-dependent autism spectrum disorder-like behavior. SHANK2A also mediated redistribution of Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors between apical and basal hippocampal CA1 dendrites, leading to impaired synaptic plasticity in the basal dendrites. Moreover, SHANK2A overexpression reduced social interaction and increased the excitatory noise in the olfactory cortex during odor processing. In contrast, overexpression of the extrasynaptic SHANK2A(R462X) variant did not impair hippocampal synaptic plasticity, but still altered the expression of presynaptic/axonal signaling proteins. We also observed an attention-deficit/hyperactivity-like behavior and improved social interaction along with enhanced signal-to-noise ratio in cortical odor processing. Our results suggest that the disruption of pre- and postsynaptic SHANK2 functions caused by SHANK2 mutations has a strong impact on social behavior. These findings indicate that pre- and postsynaptic SHANK2 actions cooperate for normal neuronal function, and that an imbalance between these functions may lead to different neuropsychiatric disorders.


2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Pojeong Park ◽  
John Georgiou ◽  
Thomas M. Sanderson ◽  
Kwang-Hee Ko ◽  
Heather Kang ◽  
...  

AbstractLong-term potentiation (LTP) at hippocampal CA1 synapses can be expressed by an increase either in the number (N) of AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid) receptors or in their single channel conductance (γ). Here, we have established how these distinct synaptic processes contribute to the expression of LTP in hippocampal slices obtained from young adult rodents. LTP induced by compressed theta burst stimulation (TBS), with a 10 s inter-episode interval, involves purely an increase in N (LTPN). In contrast, either a spaced TBS, with a 10 min inter-episode interval, or a single TBS, delivered when PKA is activated, results in LTP that is associated with a transient increase in γ (LTPγ), caused by the insertion of calcium-permeable (CP)-AMPA receptors. Activation of CaMKII is necessary and sufficient for LTPN whilst PKA is additionally required for LTPγ. Thus, two mechanistically distinct forms of LTP co-exist at these synapses.


1997 ◽  
Vol 77 (6) ◽  
pp. 3013-3020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiroshi Katsuki ◽  
Yukitoshi Izumi ◽  
Charles F. Zorumski

Katsuki, Hiroshi, Yukitoshi Izumi, and Charles F. Zorumski. Noradrenergic regulation of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampal CA1 region. J. Neurophysiol. 77: 3013–3020, 1997. The effects of norepinephrine (NE) and related agents on long-lasting changes in synaptic efficacy induced by several patterns of afferent stimuli were investigated in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices. NE (10 μM) showed little effect on the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) triggered by theta-burst-patterned stimulation, whereas it inhibited the induction of long-term depression (LTD) triggered by 900 pulses of 1-Hz stimulation. In nontreated slices, 900 pulses of stimuli induced LTD when applied at lower frequencies (1–3 Hz), and induced LTP when applied at a higher frequency (30 Hz). NE (10 μM) caused a shift of the frequency-response relationship in the direction preferring potentiation. The effect of NE was most prominent at a stimulus frequency of 10 Hz, which induced no changes in control slices but clearly induced LTP in the presence of NE. The facilitating effect of NE on the induction of LTP by 10-Hz stimulation was blocked by theβ-adrenergic receptor antagonist timolol (50 μM), but not by the α receptor antagonist phentolamine (50 μM), and was mimicked by the β-agonist isoproterenol (0.3 μM), but not by the α1 agonist phenylephrine (10 μM). The induction of LTD by 1-Hz stimulation was prevented by isoproterenol but not by phenylephrine, indicating that the activation of β-receptors is responsible for these effects of NE. NE (10 μM) also prevented the reversal of LTP (depotentiation) by 900 pulses of 1-Hz stimulation delivered 30 min after LTP induction. In contrast to effects on naive (nonpotentiated) synapses, the effect of NE on previously potentiated synapses was only partially mimicked by isoproterenol, but fully mimicked by coapplication of phenylephrine and isoproterenol. In addition, the effect of NE was attenuated either by phentolamine or by timolol, indicating that activation of both α1 and β-receptors is required. These results show that NE plays a modulatory role in the induction of hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Althoughβ-receptor activation is essential, α1 receptor activation is also necessary in determining effects on previously potentiated synapses.


2020 ◽  
Vol 10 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Jiandong Sun ◽  
Yan Liu ◽  
Guoqi Zhu ◽  
Caleb Cato ◽  
Xiaoning Hao ◽  
...  

Abstract The ubiquitin ligase, Ube3a, plays important roles in brain development and functions, since its deficiency results in Angelman Syndrome (AS) while its over-expression increases the risk for autism. We previously showed that the lack of Ube3a-mediated ubiquitination of the Ca2+-activated small conductance potassium channel, SK2, contributes to impairment of synaptic plasticity and learning in AS mice. Synaptic SK2 levels are also regulated by protein kinase A (PKA), which phosphorylates SK2 in its C-terminal domain, facilitating its endocytosis. Here, we report that PKA activation restores theta burst stimulation (TBS)-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) in hippocampal slices from AS mice by enhancing SK2 internalization. While TBS-induced SK2 endocytosis is facilitated by PKA activation, SK2 recycling to synaptic membranes after TBS is inhibited by Ube3a. Molecular and cellular studies confirmed that phosphorylation of SK2 in the C-terminal domain increases its ubiquitination and endocytosis. Finally, PKA activation increases SK2 phosphorylation and ubiquitination in Ube3a-overexpressing mice. Our results indicate that, although both Ube3a-mediated ubiquitination and PKA-induced phosphorylation reduce synaptic SK2 levels, phosphorylation is mainly involved in TBS-induced endocytosis, while ubiquitination predominantly inhibits SK2 recycling. Understanding the complex interactions between PKA and Ube3a in the regulation of SK2 synaptic levels might provide new platforms for developing treatments for AS and various forms of autism.


2020 ◽  
Vol 6 (1) ◽  
pp. 103-111 ◽  
Author(s):  
Yosef Avchalumov ◽  
Chitra D. Mandyam

Alcohol is one of the oldest pharmacological agents used for its sedative/hypnotic effects, and alcohol abuse and alcohol use disorder (AUD) continues to be major public health issue. AUD is strongly indicated to be a brain disorder, and the molecular and cellular mechanism/s by which alcohol produces its effects in the brain are only now beginning to be understood. In the brain, synaptic plasticity or strengthening or weakening of synapses, can be enhanced or reduced by a variety of stimulation paradigms. Synaptic plasticity is thought to be responsible for important processes involved in the cellular mechanisms of learning and memory. Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a form of synaptic plasticity, and occurs via N-methyl-D-aspartate type glutamate receptor (NMDAR or GluN) dependent and independent mechanisms. In particular, NMDARs are a major target of alcohol, and are implicated in different types of learning and memory. Therefore, understanding the effect of alcohol on synaptic plasticity and transmission mediated by glutamatergic signaling is becoming important, and this will help us understand the significant contribution of the glutamatergic system in AUD. In the first part of this review, we will briefly discuss the mechanisms underlying long term synaptic plasticity in the dorsal striatum, neocortex and the hippocampus. In the second part we will discuss how alcohol (ethanol, EtOH) can modulate long term synaptic plasticity in these three brain regions, mainly from neurophysiological and electrophysiological studies. Taken together, understanding the mechanism(s) underlying alcohol induced changes in brain function may lead to the development of more effective therapeutic agents to reduce AUDs.


2019 ◽  
Vol 29 (5) ◽  
pp. 705-715 ◽  
Author(s):  
Chun-An Chen ◽  
Wei Wang ◽  
Steen E Pedersen ◽  
Ayush Raman ◽  
Michelle L Seymour ◽  
...  

Abstract Bosch-Boonstra-Schaaf optic atrophy syndrome (BBSOAS) has been identified as an autosomal-dominant disorder characterized by a complex neurological phenotype, with high prevalence of intellectual disability and optic nerve atrophy/hypoplasia. The syndrome is caused by loss-of-function mutations in NR2F1, which encodes a highly conserved nuclear receptor that serves as a transcriptional regulator. Previous investigations to understand the protein’s role in neurodevelopment have mostly used mouse models with constitutive and tissue-specific homozygous knockout of Nr2f1. In order to represent the human disease more accurately, which is caused by heterozygous NR2F1 mutations, we investigated a heterozygous knockout mouse model and found that this model recapitulates some of the neurological phenotypes of BBSOAS, including altered learning/memory, hearing defects, neonatal hypotonia and decreased hippocampal volume. The mice showed altered fear memory, and further electrophysiological investigation in hippocampal slices revealed significantly reduced long-term potentiation and long-term depression. These results suggest that a deficit or alteration in hippocampal synaptic plasticity may contribute to the intellectual disability frequently seen in BBSOAS. RNA-sequencing (RNA-Seq) analysis revealed significant differential gene expression in the adult Nr2f1+/− hippocampus, including the up-regulation of multiple matrix metalloproteases, which are known to be critical for the development and the plasticity of the nervous system. Taken together, our studies highlight the important role of Nr2f1 in neurodevelopment. The discovery of impaired hippocampal synaptic plasticity in the heterozygous mouse model sheds light on the pathophysiology of altered memory and cognitive function in BBSOAS.


2003 ◽  
Vol 358 (1432) ◽  
pp. 715-720 ◽  
Author(s):  
Fabrice Duprat ◽  
Michael Daw ◽  
Wonil Lim ◽  
Graham Collingridge ◽  
John Isaac

AMPA-type glutamate receptors mediate most fast excitatory synaptic transmissions in the mammalian brain. They are critically involved in the expression of long-term potentiation and long-term depression, forms of synaptic plasticity that are thought to underlie learning and memory. A number of synaptic proteins have been identified that interact with the intracellular C-termini of AMPA receptor subunits. Here, we review recent studies and present new experimental data on the roles of these interacting proteins in regulating the AMPA receptor function during basal synaptic transmission and plasticity.


2016 ◽  
Vol 23 (3) ◽  
pp. 221-231 ◽  
Author(s):  
Victor Briz ◽  
Michel Baudry

Although calpain was proposed to participate in synaptic plasticity and learning and memory more than 30 years ago, the mechanisms underlying its activation and the roles of different substrates have remained elusive. Recent findings have provided evidence that the two major calpain isoforms in the brain, calpain-1 and calpain-2, play opposite functions in synaptic plasticity. In particular, while calpain-1 activation is the initial trigger for certain forms of synaptic plasticity, that is, long-term potentiation, calpain-2 activation restricts the extent of plasticity. Moreover, while calpain-1 rapidly cleaves regulatory and cytoskeletal proteins, calpain-2-mediated stimulation of local protein synthesis reestablishes protein homeostasis. These findings have important implications for our understanding of learning and memory and disorders associated with impairment in these processes.


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