scholarly journals Distinct roles for extracellular and intracellular domains in neuroligin function at inhibitory synapses

eLife ◽  
2016 ◽  
Vol 5 ◽  
Author(s):  
Quynh-Anh Nguyen ◽  
Meryl E Horn ◽  
Roger A Nicoll
Keyword(s):  
Cell Adhesion Molecules ◽  
Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Inhibitory Synapses ◽  
Functional Difference ◽  
Extracellular Region ◽  
Putative Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Independent Mechanism ◽  
And Function ◽  
Intracellular Domains ◽  
Dependent Mechanism

Neuroligins (NLGNs) are postsynaptic cell adhesion molecules that interact trans-synaptically with neurexins to mediate synapse development and function. NLGN2 is only at inhibitory synapses while NLGN3 is at both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. We found that NLGN3 function at inhibitory synapses in rat CA1 depends on the presence of NLGN2 and identified a domain in the extracellular region that accounted for this functional difference between NLGN2 and 3 specifically at inhibitory synapses. We further show that the presence of a cytoplasmic tail (c-tail) is indispensible, and identified two domains in the c-tail that are necessary for NLGN function at inhibitory synapses. These domains point to a gephyrin-dependent mechanism that is disrupted by an autism-associated mutation at R705 and a gephyrin-independent mechanism reliant on a putative phosphorylation site at S714. Our work highlights unique and separate roles for the extracellular and intracellular regions in specifying and carrying out NLGN function respectively.

scholarly journals Activity-dependent inhibitory synapse remodeling through gephyrin phosphorylation

2014 ◽  
Vol 112 (1) ◽  
pp. E65-E72 ◽  
Author(s):  
Carmen E. Flores ◽  
Irina Nikonenko ◽  
Pablo Mendez ◽  
Jean-Marc Fritschy ◽  
Shiva K. Tyagarajan ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Activity Patterns ◽  
Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Morphological Plasticity ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Inhibitory Synapse ◽  
Inhibitory Synapses ◽  
Synapse Plasticity ◽  
Inhibitory Plasticity ◽  
And Function ◽  
Activity Dependent

Maintaining a proper balance between excitation and inhibition is essential for the functioning of neuronal networks. However, little is known about the mechanisms through which excitatory activity can affect inhibitory synapse plasticity. Here we used tagged gephyrin, one of the main scaffolding proteins of the postsynaptic density at GABAergic synapses, to monitor the activity-dependent adaptation of perisomatic inhibitory synapses over prolonged periods of time in hippocampal slice cultures. We find that learning-related activity patterns known to induce N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-dependent long-term potentiation and transient optogenetic activation of single neurons induce within hours a robust increase in the formation and size of gephyrin-tagged clusters at inhibitory synapses identified by correlated confocal electron microscopy. This inhibitory morphological plasticity was associated with an increase in spontaneous inhibitory activity but did not require activation of GABAA receptors. Importantly, this activity-dependent inhibitory plasticity was prevented by pharmacological blockade of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), it was associated with an increased phosphorylation of gephyrin on a site targeted by CaMKII, and could be prevented or mimicked by gephyrin phospho-mutants for this site. These results reveal a homeostatic mechanism through which activity regulates the dynamics and function of perisomatic inhibitory synapses, and they identify a CaMKII-dependent phosphorylation site on gephyrin as critically important for this process.

scholarly journals PKC-phosphorylation of Liprin-α3 triggers phase separation and controls presynaptic active zone structure

2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Javier Emperador-Melero ◽  
Man Yan Wong ◽  
Shan Shan H. Wang ◽  
Giovanni de Nola ◽  
Hajnalka Nyitrai ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phase Separation ◽  
Active Zone ◽  
Neurotransmitter Release ◽  
Hippocampal Neurons ◽  
Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Double Knockout ◽  
Zone Structure ◽  
Presynaptic Nerve Terminal ◽  
Condensate Formation ◽  
And Function

AbstractThe active zone of a presynaptic nerve terminal defines sites for neurotransmitter release. Its protein machinery may be organized through liquid–liquid phase separation, a mechanism for the formation of membrane-less subcellular compartments. Here, we show that the active zone protein Liprin-α3 rapidly and reversibly undergoes phase separation in transfected HEK293T cells. Condensate formation is triggered by Liprin-α3 PKC-phosphorylation at serine-760, and RIM and Munc13 are co-recruited into membrane-attached condensates. Phospho-specific antibodies establish phosphorylation of Liprin-α3 serine-760 in transfected cells and mouse brain tissue. In primary hippocampal neurons of newly generated Liprin-α2/α3 double knockout mice, synaptic levels of RIM and Munc13 are reduced and the pool of releasable vesicles is decreased. Re-expression of Liprin-α3 restored these presynaptic defects, while mutating the Liprin-α3 phosphorylation site to abolish phase condensation prevented this rescue. Finally, PKC activation in these neurons acutely increased RIM, Munc13 and neurotransmitter release, which depended on the presence of phosphorylatable Liprin-α3. Our findings indicate that PKC-mediated phosphorylation of Liprin-α3 triggers its phase separation and modulates active zone structure and function.

scholarly journals Implication of Contactins in Demyelinating Pathologies

Life ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
pp. 51
Author(s):  
Ilias Kalafatakis ◽  
Maria Savvaki ◽  
Theodora Velona ◽  
Domna Karagogeos
Keyword(s):  
Nervous System ◽  
White Matter ◽  
Cell Adhesion Molecules ◽  
White Matter Lesions ◽  
Myelinated Axon ◽  
Immunoglobulin Superfamily ◽  
Proper Function ◽  
Myelinated Axons ◽  
And Function

Demyelinating pathologies comprise of a variety of conditions where either central or peripheral myelin is attacked, resulting in white matter lesions and neurodegeneration. Myelinated axons are organized into molecularly distinct domains, and this segregation is crucial for their proper function. These defined domains are differentially affected at the different stages of demyelination as well as at the lesion and perilesion sites. Among the main players in myelinated axon organization are proteins of the contactin (CNTN) group of the immunoglobulin superfamily (IgSF) of cell adhesion molecules, namely Contactin-1 and Contactin-2 (CNTN1, CNTN2). The two contactins perform their functions through intermolecular interactions, which are crucial for myelinated axon integrity and functionality. In this review, we focus on the implication of these two molecules as well as their interactors in demyelinating pathologies in humans. At first, we describe the organization and function of myelinated axons in the central (CNS) and the peripheral (PNS) nervous system, further analyzing the role of CNTN1 and CNTN2 as well as their interactors in myelination. In the last section, studies showing the correlation of the two contactins with demyelinating pathologies are reviewed, highlighting the importance of these recognition molecules in shaping the function of the nervous system in multiple ways.

The role of GABAA receptor biogenesis, structure and function in epilepsy

2006 ◽  
Vol 34 (5) ◽  
pp. 863-867 ◽  
Author(s):  
S. Mizielinska ◽  
S. Greenwood ◽  
C.N. Connolly
Keyword(s):  
Gabaa Receptor ◽  
Structure And Function ◽  
Inhibitory Synapses ◽  
Normal Brain ◽  
Synaptic Targeting ◽  
Acid Type ◽  
Normal Brain Function ◽  
And Function ◽  
The Brain

Maintaining the correct balance in neuronal activation is of paramount importance to normal brain function. Imbalances due to changes in excitation or inhibition can lead to a variety of disorders ranging from the clinically extreme (e.g. epilepsy) to the more subtle (e.g. anxiety). In the brain, the most common inhibitory synapses are regulated by GABAA (γ-aminobutyric acid type A) receptors, a role commensurate with their importance as therapeutic targets. Remarkably, we still know relatively little about GABAA receptor biogenesis. Receptors are constructed as pentameric ion channels, with α and β subunits being the minimal requirement, and the incorporation of a γ subunit being necessary for benzodiazepine modulation and synaptic targeting. Insights have been provided by the discovery of several specific assembly signals within different GABAA receptor subunits. Moreover, a number of recent studies on GABAA receptor mutations associated with epilepsy have further enhanced our understanding of GABAA receptor biogenesis, structure and function.

scholarly journals Molecular Characterization and Phylogenetic Analysis of MADS-Box Gene VroAGL11 Associated with Stenospermocarpic Seedlessness in Muscadine Grapes

Genes ◽  
2021 ◽  
Vol 12 (2) ◽  
pp. 232
Author(s):  
M Atikur Rahman ◽  
Subramani P Balasubramani ◽  
Sheikh M Basha
Keyword(s):  
Phylogenetic Analysis ◽  
Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Orthologous Gene ◽  
Mads Box ◽  
Vitis Species ◽  
Vitis Rotundifolia ◽  
Seed Content ◽  
Putative Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Mads Box Gene ◽  
Muscadine Grapes

Reduced expression of MADS-box gene AGAMOUS-LIKE11 (VviAGL11) is responsible for stenospermocarpic seedlessness in bunch grapes. This study is aimed to characterize the VviAGL11 orthologous gene (VroAGL11) in native muscadine grapes (Vitis rotundifolia) at the molecular level and analyze its divergence from other plants. The VroAGL11 transcripts were found in all muscadine cultivars tested and highly expressed in berries while barely detectable in leaves. RT-PCR and sequencing of predicted ORFs from diverse grape species showed that AGL11 transcripts were conservatively spliced. The encoded VroAGL11 protein contains highly conserved MADS-MEF2-like domain, MADS domain, K box, putative phosphorylation site and two sumoylation motifs. The muscadine VroAGL11 proteins are almost identical (99%) to that of seeded bunch cultivar, Chardonnay, except in one amino acid (A79G), but differs from mutant protein of seedless bunch grape, Sultanina, in two amino acids, R197L and T210A. Phylogenetic analysis showed that AGL11 gene of muscadine and other Vitis species formed a separate clade than that of other eudicots and monocots. Muscadine grape cultivar “Jane Bell” containing the highest percentage of seed content in berry (7.2% of berry weight) had the highest VroAGL11 expression, but almost none to nominal expression in seedless cultivars Fry Seedless (muscadine) and Reliance Seedless (bunch). These findings suggest that VroAGL11 gene controls the seed morphogenesis in muscadine grapes like in bunch grape and can be manipulated to induce stenospermocarpic seedlessness using gene editing technology.

scholarly journals Somatostatin and insulin mediate glucose-inhibited glucagon secretion in the pancreatic α-cell by lowering cAMP

2015 ◽  
Vol 308 (2) ◽  
pp. E130-E143 ◽  
Author(s):  
Amicia D. Elliott ◽  
Alessandro Ustione ◽  
David W. Piston
Keyword(s):  
Metabolic Disease ◽  
Pancreatic Islets ◽  
Insulin Signaling ◽  
Glucagon Secretion ◽  
Critical Component ◽  
Signaling Mechanisms ◽  
Independent Mechanism ◽  
Glucagon Suppression ◽  
Phosphodiesterase 3B ◽  
And Function

The dysregulation of glucose-inhibited glucagon secretion from the pancreatic islet α-cell is a critical component of diabetes pathology and metabolic disease. We show a previously uncharacterized [Ca2+]i-independent mechanism of glucagon suppression in human and murine pancreatic islets whereby cAMP and PKA signaling are decreased. This decrease is driven by the combination of somatostatin, which inhibits adenylyl cyclase production of cAMP via the Gαi subunit of the SSTR2, and insulin, which acts via its receptor to activate phosphodiesterase 3B and degrade cytosolic cAMP. Our data indicate that both somatostatin and insulin signaling are required to suppress cAMP/PKA and glucagon secretion from both human and murine α-cells, and the combination of these two signaling mechanisms is sufficient to reduce glucagon secretion from isolated α-cells as well as islets. Thus, we conclude that somatostatin and insulin together are critical paracrine mediators of glucose-inhibited glucagon secretion and function by lowering cAMP/PKA signaling with increasing glucose.

scholarly journals Calmodulin Regulates L-Selectin Adhesion Molecule Expression and Function through a Protease-Dependent Mechanism

Cell ◽  
1998 ◽  
Vol 92 (6) ◽  
pp. 809-818 ◽  
Author(s):  
Julius Kahn ◽  
Bruce Walcheck ◽  
Grace I Migaki ◽  
Mark A Jutila ◽  
Takashi Kei Kishimoto
Keyword(s):  
Adhesion Molecule ◽  
Adhesion Molecule Expression ◽  
And Function ◽  
Dependent Mechanism

scholarly journals Effect of time and vascular pressure on permeability and cyclic nucleotides in ischemic lungs

2000 ◽  
Vol 279 (5) ◽  
pp. H2077-H2084 ◽  
Author(s):  
David B. Pearse ◽  
Patrice M. Becker
Keyword(s):  
Nitric Oxide ◽  
High Pressure ◽  
Reflection Coefficient ◽  
Cyclic Nucleotides ◽  
Fluid Flux ◽  
No Donor ◽  
Independent Mechanism ◽  
Dependent Mechanism ◽  
Intravascular Pressure

We previously found that increased intravascular pressure decreased ischemic lung injury by a nitric oxide (NO)-dependent mechanism (Becker PM, Buchanan W, and Sylvester JT. J Appl Physiol 84: 803–808, 1998). To determine the role of cyclic nucleotides in this response, we measured the reflection coefficient for albumin (ςalb), fluid flux ( J˙), cGMP, and cAMP in ferret lungs subjected to either 45 min (“short”; n = 7) or 180 min (“long”) of ventilated ischemia. Long ischemic lungs had “low” (1–2 mmHg, n = 8) or “high” (7–8 mmHg, n = 6) vascular pressure. Other long low lungs were treated with the NO donor ( Z)-1-[ N-(3-ammoniopropyl)- N-( n-propyl)amino]diazen-1-ium-1,2-diolate (PAPA-NONOate; 5 × 10−4 M, n = 6) or 8-bromo-cGMP (5 × 10−4 M, n = 6). Compared with short ischemia, long low ischemia decreased ςalb (0.23 ± 0.04 vs. 0.73 ± 0.08; P < 0.05) and increased J˙ (1.93 ± 0.26 vs. 0.58 ± 0.22 ml · min−1 · 100 g−1; P < 0.05). High pressure prevented these changes. Lung cGMP decreased by 66% in long compared with short ischemia. Lung cAMP did not change. PAPA-NONOate and 8-bromo-cGMP increased lung cGMP, but only 8-bromo-cGMP decreased permeability. These results suggest that ischemic vascular injury was, in part, mediated by a decrease in cGMP. Increased vascular pressure prevented injury by a cGMP-independent mechanism that could not be mimicked by administration of exogenous NO.

scholarly journals Characterization and Expression Analysis of Genes Encoding Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase and Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase Kinase of Lotus japonicus, a Model Legume

2003 ◽  
Vol 16 (4) ◽  
pp. 281-288 ◽  
Author(s):  
Tomomi Nakagawa ◽  
Tomoko Izumi ◽  
Mari Banba ◽  
Yosuke Umehara ◽  
Hiroshi Kouchi ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Phosphoenolpyruvate Carboxylase ◽  
Root Nodules ◽  
Expression Patterns ◽  
Phosphorylation Site ◽  
Lotus Japonicus ◽  
Specific Protein ◽  
Mrna Levels ◽  
Model Legume ◽  
Putative Phosphorylation Site

Phosphoenolpyruvate carboxylases (PEPCs), one form of which in each legume species plays a central role in the carbon metabolism in symbiotic root nodules, are activated through phosphorylation of a conserved residue by a specific protein kinase (PEPC-PK). We characterized the cDNAs for two PEPC isoforms of Lotus japonicus, an amide-translocating legume that forms determinate nodules. One gene encodes a nodule-enhanced form, which is more closely related to the PEPCs in amide-type indeterminate nodules than those in ureide-type determinate nodules. The other gene is expressed in shoots and roots at a low level. Both forms have the putative phosphorylation site, Ser11. We also isolated a cDNA and the corresponding genomic DNA for PEPC-PK of L. japonicus. The recombinant PEPC-PK protein expressed in Escherichia coli phosphorylated recombinant maize C4-form PEPC efficiently in vitro. The level of mRNA for PEPC-PK was high in root nodules, and those in shoots and roots were also significant. In situ hybridization revealed that the expression patterns of the transcripts for PEPC and PEPC-PK were similar in mature root nodules, but were different in emerging nodules. When L. japonicus seedlings were subjected to prolonged darkness and subsequent illumination, the activity of PEPC-PK and the mRNA levels of both PEPC and PEPC-PK in nodules decreased and then recovered, suggesting that they are regulated according to the amounts of photosynthates transported from shoots.

scholarly journals p27 regulates the autophagy-lysosomal pathway via the control of Ragulator and mTOR activity in amino acid deprived cells

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Ada Nowosad ◽  
Pauline Jeannot ◽  
Caroline Callot ◽  
Justine Creff ◽  
Renaud T. Perchey ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Amino Acid ◽  
Energy Homeostasis ◽  
Underlying Mechanism ◽  
Mtor Inhibition ◽  
Mtorc1 Signaling ◽  
And Function ◽  
Mtorc1 Activation ◽  
Catabolic Process ◽  
Mtor Activity ◽  
Dependent Mechanism

SummaryAutophagy is a catabolic process whereby cytoplasmic components are degraded within lysosomes, allowing cells to maintain energy homeostasis during nutrient depletion. Several studies have shown that the CDK inhibitor p27Kip1 promotes starvation-induced autophagy. However, the underlying mechanism remains unknown. Here, we report that in amino acid deprived cells, p27 controls autophagy via an mTORC1-dependent mechanism. During prolonged amino acid starvation, a fraction of p27 is recruited to lysosomes where it interacts with LAMTOR1, a component of the Ragulator complex required for mTORC1 lysosomal localization and activation. p27 binding to LAMTOR1 prevents Ragulator assembly and function and subsequent mTORC1 activation, thereby promoting autophagy. Conversely, upon amino acid withdrawal, p27−/− cells exhibit elevated mTORC1 signaling, impaired lysosomal activity and autophagy, and resistance to apoptosis. This is associated with sequestration of TFEB in the cytoplasm, preventing the induction of lysosomal genes required for lysosomal function. Silencing of LAMTOR1 or mTOR inhibition restores autophagy and induces apoptosis in p27−/− cells. Together, these results reveal a direct, coordinated regulation between the cell cycle and cell growth machineries.

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