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Eom K, Jung J, Kim B, Hyun JH. Molecular tools for recording and intervention of neuronal activity. Mol Cells 2024; 47:100048. [PMID: 38521352 PMCID: PMC11021360 DOI: 10.1016/j.mocell.2024.100048] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2023] [Revised: 03/12/2024] [Accepted: 03/17/2024] [Indexed: 03/25/2024] Open
Abstract
Observing the activity of neural networks is critical for the identification of learning and memory processes, as well as abnormal activities of neural circuits in disease, particularly for the purpose of tracking disease progression. Methodologies for describing the activity history of neural networks using molecular biology techniques first utilized genes expressed by active neurons, followed by the application of recently developed techniques including optogenetics and incorporation of insights garnered from other disciplines, including chemistry and physics. In this review, we will discuss ways in which molecular biological techniques used to describe the activity of neural networks have evolved along with the potential for future development.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kisang Eom
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Jinhwan Jung
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Byungsoo Kim
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea
| | - Jung Ho Hyun
- Department of Brain Sciences, Daegu Gyeongbuk Institute of Science and Technology (DGIST), Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea; Center for Synapse Diversity and Specificity, DGIST, Daegu 42988, Republic of Korea.
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Xie C, Kessi M, Yin F, Peng J. Roles of KCNA2 in Neurological Diseases: from Physiology to Pathology. Mol Neurobiol 2024:10.1007/s12035-024-04120-9. [PMID: 38517617 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-024-04120-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/31/2023] [Accepted: 03/10/2024] [Indexed: 03/24/2024]
Abstract
Potassium voltage-gated channel subfamily a member 2 (Kv1.2, encoded by KCNA2) is highly expressed in the central and peripheral nervous systems. Based on the patch clamp studies, gain-of function (GOF), loss-of-function (LOF), and a mixed type (GOF/LOF) variants can cause different conditions/disorders. KCNA2-related neurological diseases include epilepsy, intellectual disability (ID), attention deficit/hyperactive disorder (ADHD), autism spectrum disorder (ASD), pain as well as autoimmune and movement disorders. Currently, the molecular mechanisms for the reported variants in causing diverse disorders are unknown. Consequently, this review brings up to date the related information regarding the structure and function of Kv1.2 channel, expression patterns, neuronal localizations, and tetramerization as well as important cell and animal models. In addition, it provides updates on human genetic variants, genotype-phenotype correlations especially highlighting the deep insight into clinical prognosis of KCNA2-related developmental and epileptic encephalopathy, mechanisms, and the potential treatment targets for all KCNA2-related neurological disorders.
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Affiliation(s)
- Changning Xie
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road 87, Hunan, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Miriam Kessi
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road 87, Hunan, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Fei Yin
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road 87, Hunan, Changsha, 410008, China
| | - Jing Peng
- Department of Pediatrics, Xiangya Hospital, Central South University, Xiangya Road 87, Hunan, Changsha, 410008, China.
- Hunan Intellectual and Development Disabilities Research Center, Hunan, Changsha, 410008, China.
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Nomura T, Taniguchi S, Wang YZ, Yeh NH, Wilen AP, Castillon CCM, Foote KM, Xu J, Armstrong JN, Savas JN, Swanson GT, Contractor A. A Pathogenic Missense Mutation in Kainate Receptors Elevates Dendritic Excitability and Synaptic Integration through Dysregulation of SK Channels. J Neurosci 2023; 43:7913-7928. [PMID: 37802657 PMCID: PMC10669804 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1259-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2023] [Revised: 09/12/2023] [Accepted: 09/16/2023] [Indexed: 10/08/2023] Open
Abstract
Numerous rare variants that cause neurodevelopmental disorders (NDDs) occur within genes encoding synaptic proteins, including ionotropic glutamate receptors. However, in many cases, it remains unclear how damaging missense variants affect brain function. We determined the physiological consequences of an NDD causing missense mutation in the GRIK2 kainate receptor (KAR) gene, that results in a single amino acid change p.Ala657Thr in the GluK2 receptor subunit. We engineered this mutation in the mouse Grik2 gene, yielding a GluK2(A657T) mouse, and studied mice of both sexes to determine how hippocampal neuronal function is disrupted. Synaptic KAR currents in hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons from heterozygous A657T mice exhibited slow decay kinetics, consistent with incorporation of the mutant subunit into functional receptors. Unexpectedly, CA3 neurons demonstrated elevated action potential spiking because of downregulation of the small-conductance Ca2+ activated K+ channel (SK), which mediates the post-spike afterhyperpolarization. The reduction in SK activity resulted in increased CA3 dendritic excitability, increased EPSP-spike coupling, and lowered the threshold for the induction of LTP of the associational-commissural synapses in CA3 neurons. Pharmacological inhibition of SK channels in WT mice increased dendritic excitability and EPSP-spike coupling, mimicking the phenotype in A657T mice and suggesting a causative role for attenuated SK activity in aberrant excitability observed in the mutant mice. These findings demonstrate that a disease-associated missense mutation in GRIK2 leads to altered signaling through neuronal KARs, pleiotropic effects on neuronal and dendritic excitability, and implicate these processes in neuropathology in patients with genetic NDDs.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Damaging mutations in genes encoding synaptic proteins have been identified in various neurodevelopmental disorders, but the functional consequences at the cellular and circuit level remain elusive. By generating a novel knock-in mutant mouse, this study examined the role of a pathogenic mutation in the GluK2 kainate receptor (KAR) subunit, a subclass of ionotropic glutamate receptors. Analyses of hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons determined elevated action potential firing because of an increase in dendritic excitability. Increased dendritic excitability was attributable to reduced activity of a Ca2+ activated K+ channel. These results indicate that a pathogenic KAR mutation results in dysregulation of dendritic K+ channels, which leads to an increase in synaptic integration and backpropagation of action potentials into distal dendrites.
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Affiliation(s)
- Toshihiro Nomura
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Sakiko Taniguchi
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Yi-Zhi Wang
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Nai-Hsing Yeh
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Anika P Wilen
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Charlotte C M Castillon
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Kendall M Foote
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Jian Xu
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - John N Armstrong
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Jeffrey N Savas
- Department of Neurology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Geoffrey T Swanson
- Department of Pharmacology, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611
- Department of Neurobiology, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611
| | - Anis Contractor
- Department of Neuroscience, Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611
- Department of Psychiatry and Behavioral Sciences Feinberg School of Medicine, Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611
- Department of Neurobiology, Weinberg College of Arts and Sciences Northwestern University, Chicago, Illinois 60611
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Eom K, Lee HR. Measuring Pattern Separation in Hippocampus by in Situ Hybridization. Curr Protoc 2022; 2:e522. [PMID: 35980141 DOI: 10.1002/cpz1.522] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 06/15/2023]
Abstract
Distinguishing different contexts is thought to involve a form of pattern separation that minimizes overlap between neural ensembles representing similar experiences. Theoretical models suggest that the dentate gyrus (DG) segregates cortical input patterns before relaying its discriminated output patterns to the CA3 hippocampal field. This suggests that the evaluation of neural ensembles in DG and CA3 could be an important means to investigate the process of pattern separation. In the past, measurement of entorhinal cortex (EC), DG, and CA3 ensembles was largely dependent upon in vivo electrophysiological recording, which is technically difficult. This protocol provides a method to instead measure pattern separation by a molecular method that provides direct spatial resolution at the cellular level. © 2022 Wiley Periodicals LLC. Basic Protocol: Measuring pattern separation by molecular methods.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kisang Eom
- Department of Physiology, Keimyung University, School of Medicine, Daegu, Republic of Korea
| | - Hyoung-Ro Lee
- Cell Physiology Lab., Department of Physiology, Seoul National University College of Medicine, Seoul, Republic of Korea
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