Lack of kinase regulation of canonical transient receptor potential 3 (TRPC3) channel-dependent currents in cerebellar Purkinje cells

Neuronal Nitric Oxide Synthase Regulates Cerebellar Parallel Fiber Slow EPSC in Purkinje Neurons by Modulating STIM1-Gated TRPC3-Containing Channels

Responding to burst stimulation of parallel fibers (PFs), cerebellar Purkinje neurons (PNs) generate a convolved synaptic response displaying a fast excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSCFast) followed by a slow EPSC (EPSCSlow). The latter is companied with a rise of intracellular Ca2+ and critical for motor coordination. The genesis of EPSCSlow in PNs results from activation of metabotropic type 1 glutamate receptor (mGluR1), oligomerization of stromal interaction molecule 1 (STIM1) on the membrane of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) and opening of transient receptor potential canonical 3 (TRPC3) channels on the plasma membrane. Neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) is abundantly expressed in PFs and granule neurons (GNs), catalyzing the production of nitric oxide (NO) hence regulating PF-PN synaptic function. We recently found that nNOS/NO regulates the morphological development of PNs through mGluR1-regulated Ca2+-dependent mechanism. This study investigated the role of nNOS/NO in regulating EPSCSlow. Electrophysiological analyses showed that EPSCSlow in cerebellar slices of nNOS knockout (nNOS-/-) mice was significantly larger than that in wildtype (WT) mice. Activation of mGluR1 in cultured PNs from nNOS-/- mice evoked larger TRPC3-channel mediated currents and intracellular Ca2+ rise than that in PNs from WT mice. In addition, nNOS inhibitor and NO-donor increased and decreased, respectively, the TRPC3-current and Ca2+ rise in PNs. Moreover, the NO-donor effectively decreased TRPC3 currents in HEK293 cells expressing WT STIM1, but not cells expressing a STIM1 with cysteine mutants. These novel findings indicate that nNOS/NO inhibits TRPC3-containig channel mediated cation influx during EPSCSlow, at least in part, by S-nitrosylation of STIM1.

Heterogeneity in Slow Synaptic Transmission Diversifies Purkinje Cell Timing

The cerebellum plays an important role in diverse brain functions, ranging from motor learning to cognition. Recent studies have suggested that molecular and cellular heterogeneity within cerebellar lobules contributes to functional differences across the cerebellum. However, the specific relationship between molecular and cellular heterogeneity and diverse functional outputs of different regions of the cerebellum remains unclear. Here, we describe a previously unappreciated form of synaptic heterogeneity at parallel fiber synapses to Purkinje cells in the mouse cerebellum (both sexes). In contrast to uniform fast synaptic transmission, we found that the properties of slow synaptic transmission varied by up to threefold across different lobules of the mouse cerebellum, resulting in surprising heterogeneity. Depending on the location of a Purkinje cell, the time of peak of slow synaptic currents varied by hundreds of milliseconds. The duration and decay time of these currents also spanned hundreds of milliseconds, based on lobule. We found that, as a consequence of the heterogeneous synaptic dynamics, the same brief input stimulus was transformed into prolonged firing patterns over a range of timescales that depended on Purkinje cell location.

TRPC3 Channel Activity and Viability of Purkinje Neurons can be Regulated by a Local Signalosome

Canonical transient receptor potential channels (TRPC3) may play a pivotal role in the development and viability of dendritic arbor in Purkinje neurons. This is a novel postsynaptic channel for glutamatergic synaptic transmission. In the cerebellum, TRPC3 appears to regulate functions relating to motor coordination in a highly specific manner. Gain of TRPC3 function is linked to significant alterations in the density and connectivity of dendritic arbor in Purkinje neurons. TRPC3 signals downstream of class I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1). Moreover, diacylglycerol (DAG) can directly bind and activate TRPC3 molecules. Here, we investigate a key question: How can the activity of the TRPC3 channel be regulated in Purkinje neurons? We also explore how mGluR1 activation, Ca²⁺ influx, and DAG homeostasis in Purkinje neurons can be linked to TRPC3 activity modulation. Through systems biology approach, we show that TRPC3 activity can be modulated by a Purkinje cell (PC)–specific local signalosome. The assembly of this signalosome is coordinated by DAG generation after mGluR1 activation. Our results also suggest that purinergic receptor activation leads to the spatial and temporal organization of the TRPC3 signaling module and integration of its key effector molecules such as DAG, PKCγ, DGKγ, and Ca²⁺ into an organized local signalosome. This signaling machine can regulate the TRPC3 cycling between active, inactive, and desensitized states. Precise activity of the TRPC3 channel is essential for tightly regulating the Ca²⁺ entry into PCs and thus the balance of lipid and Ca²⁺ signaling in Purkinje neurons and hence their viability. Cell-type–specific understanding of mechanisms regulating TRPC3 channel activity could be key in identifying therapeutic targeting opportunities.

Structural biology of ionotropic glutamate delta receptors and their crosstalk with metabotropic glutamate receptors

Enigmatic orphan glutamate delta receptors (GluD) are one of the four classes of the ionotropic glutamate receptors (iGluRs) that play key roles in synaptic transmission and plasticity. While members of other iGluR families viz AMPA, NMDA, and kainate receptors are gated by glutamate, the GluD receptors neither bind glutamate nor evoke ligand-induced currents upon binding of glycine and D-serine. Thus, the GluD receptors were considered to function as structural proteins that facilitate the formation, maturation, and maintenance of synapses in the hippocampus and cerebellum. Recent work has revealed that GluD receptors have extensive crosstalk with metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlus) and are also gated by their activation. The latest development of a novel optopharamcological tool and the cryoEM structures of GluD receptors would help define the molecular and chemical basis of the GluD receptor's role in synaptic physiology. This article is part of the special Issue on "Glutamate Receptors - Orphan iGluRs".

HERV-W env regulates calcium influx via activating TRPC3 channel together with depressing DISC1 in human neuroblastoma cells

The activation and involvement of human endogenous retroviruses W family envelope gene (HERV-W env, also called ERVWE1) have been reported in several neuropsychiatric disorders, including schizophrenia, as well as in multiple sclerosis (MS). Dysregulation of intracellular calcium content is also involved in the pathogenesis of these diseases. Our previous studies showed that HERV-W env overexpression results in activation of small conductance Ca2+-activated K+ channel protein 3 (SK3), a potential risk factor for schizophrenia. In the present study, we aimed to elucidate the relationship between HERV-W env and calcium signaling in schizophrenia. Our results showed that HERV-W env could induce Ca2+ influx in two human neuroblastoma cell lines and upregulate the expression and activation of TRPC3 in cells. The abnormal increase in intracellular Ca2+ concentration was inhibited by addition of the TRPC3 channel blocker pyr3, demonstrating that the Ca2+ influx induced by HERV-W env was TRPC3-dependent. Further experiments showed that HERV-W env overexpression downregulated DISC1, while knockdown of DISC1 promoted activation of TRPC3 without affecting TRPC3 expression. In conclusion, HERV-W env induced Ca2+ influx in human neuroblastoma cells by activating the TRPC3 channel through directly regulating its expression or downregulating DISC1, which could also increase TRPC3 activation without affecting TRPC3 expression. These findings provide new insights into how HERV-W env affects neuronal activity and contributes to the pathogenesis of schizophrenia.

Ca2+ signaling and spinocerebellar ataxia

Spinocerebellar ataxia (SCA) is a neural disorder, which is caused by degenerative changes in the cerebellum. SCA is primarily characterized by gait ataxia, and additional clinical features include nystagmus, dysarthria, tremors and cerebellar atrophy. Forty-four hereditary SCAs have been identified to date, along with >35 SCA-associated genes. Despite the great diversity and distinct functionalities of the SCA-related genes, accumulating evidence supports the occurrence of a common pathophysiological event among several hereditary SCAs. Altered calcium (Ca²⁺) homeostasis in the Purkinje cells (PCs) of the cerebellum has been proposed as a possible pathological SCA trigger. In support of this, signaling events that are initiated from or lead to aberrant Ca²⁺ release from the type 1 inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP₃R1), which is highly expressed in cerebellar PCs, seem to be closely associated with the pathogenesis of several SCA types. In this review, we summarize the current research on pathological hereditary SCA events, which involve altered Ca²⁺ homeostasis in PCs, through IP₃R1 signaling.

IP3 receptor mutations and brain diseases in human and rodents

The inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptor (IP₃ R) is a huge Ca²⁺ channel that is localized at the endoplasmic reticulum. The IP₃ R releases Ca²⁺ from the endoplasmic reticulum upon binding to IP₃ , which is produced by various extracellular stimuli through phospholipase C activation. All vertebrate organisms have three subtypes of IP₃ R genes, which have distinct properties of IP₃ -binding and Ca²⁺ sensitivity, and are differently regulated by phosphorylation and by their associated proteins. Each cell type expresses the three subtypes of IP₃ R in a distinct proportion, which is important for creating and maintaining spatially and temporally appropriate intracellular Ca²⁺ level patterns for the regulation of specific physiological phenomena. Of the three types of IP₃ Rs, the type 1 receptor (IP₃ R1) is dominantly expressed in the brain and is important for brain function. Recent emerging evidence suggests that abnormal Ca²⁺ signals from the IP₃ R1 are closely associated with human brain pathology. In this review, we focus on the recent advances in our knowledge of the regulation of IP₃ R1 and its functional implication in human brain diseases, as revealed by IP₃ R mutation studies and analysis of human disease-associated genes. This article is part of the mini review series "60th Anniversary of the Japanese Society for Neurochemistry".

mGlu1 receptor canonical signaling pathway contributes to the opening of the orphan GluD2 receptor

The orphan Glutamate receptor Delta2 (GluD2) intrinsic ion channel activity is indirectly triggered by glutamate through stimulation of the metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGlu1), in cerebellar Purkinje cells. However, the mechanisms of GluD2 ion channel opening are entirely unknown. In this work, we investigated the signaling pathways underlying the mGlu1-induced GluD2 current, performing whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings from mGlu1 and GluD2 transfected HEK293 cells. We show that the activation of GluD2 channels via DHPG-induced mGlu1 stimulation is Gαq-dependent. Moreover, inhibition of the downstream components of the mGlu1 canonical signaling pathway PLC and PKC with U73122 and GF109203X, respectively, strongly reduced the DHPG-induced GluD2 current. These results were further confirmed on endogenous receptors at the Parallel Fiber - Purkinje Cell cerebellar synapse, indicating that the opening of the GluD2 channel by mGlu1 receptor mobilizes the canonical Gq-PLC-PKC pathway. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors, 5 years on'.

Motor Learning and the Cerebellum

Although our ability to store semantic declarative information can nowadays be readily surpassed by that of simple personal computers, our ability to learn and express procedural memories still outperforms that of supercomputers controlling the most advanced robots. To a large extent, our procedural memories are formed in the cerebellum, which embodies more than two-thirds of all neurons in our brain. In this review, we will focus on the emerging view that different modules of the cerebellum use different encoding schemes to form and express their respective memories. More specifically, zebrin-positive zones in the cerebellum, such as those controlling adaptation of the vestibulo-ocular reflex, appear to predominantly form their memories by potentiation mechanisms and express their memories via rate coding, whereas zebrin-negative zones, such as those controlling eyeblink conditioning, appear to predominantly form their memories by suppression mechanisms and express their memories in part by temporal coding using rebound bursting. Together, the different types of modules offer a rich repertoire to acquire and control sensorimotor processes with specific challenges in the spatiotemporal domain.

The Moonwalker mouse: new insights into TRPC3 function, cerebellar development, and ataxia

The Moonwalker (Mwk) mouse is a recent model of dominantly inherited cerebellar ataxia. The motor phenotype of the Mwk mouse is due to a gain-of-function mutation in the gene encoding the cation-permeable transient receptor potential channel (TRPC3). This mutation converts a threonine into an alanine in the highly conserved cytoplasmic S4–S5 linker of the channel, affecting channel gating. TRPC3 is highly expressed in cerebellar Purkinje cells and type II unipolar brush cells that both degenerate in the Mwk mouse. Studies of the Mwk mouse have provided new insights into the role of TRPC3 in cerebellar development and disease, which could not have been predicted from the Trpc3 knockout phenotype. Here, the genetic, behavioral, histological, and functional characterization of the Mwk mouse is reviewed. Moreover, the relationship of the Mwk mutant to other cerebellar mouse models and its relevance as a model for cerebellar ataxia are discussed.

Brain transient receptor potential channels and stroke

Transient receptor potential (TRP) channels have been increasingly implicated in the pathological mechanisms of CNS disorders. TRP expression has been detected in neurons, astrocytes, oligodendrocytes, microglia, and ependymal cells as well as in the cerebral vascular endothelium and smooth muscle. In stroke, TRPC3/4/6, TRPM2/4/7, and TRPV1/3/4 channels have been found to participate in ischemia-induced cell death, whereas other TRP channels, in particular those expressed in nonneuronal cells, have been less well studied. This review summarizes the current knowledge on the expression and functions of the TRP channels in various cell types in the brain and our current understanding of TRP channels in stroke pathophysiology. In an aging society, the occurrence of stroke is expected to increase steadily, and there is an urgent requirement to improve the current stroke management strategy. Therefore, elucidating the roles of TRP channels in stroke could shed light on the development of novel therapeutic strategies and ultimately improve stroke outcome.

mGluR1-mediated excitation of cerebellar GABAergic interneurons requires both G protein-dependent and Src-ERK1/2-dependent signaling pathways

Stimulation of type I metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluR1/5) in several neuronal types induces slow excitatory responses through activation of transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels. GABAergic cerebellar molecular layer interneurons (MLIs) modulate firing patterns of Purkinje cells (PCs), which play a key role in cerebellar information processing. MLIs express mGluR1, and activation of mGluR1 induces an inward current, but its precise intracellular signaling pathways are unknown. We found that mGluR1 activation facilitated spontaneous firing of mouse cerebellar MLIs through an inward current mediated by TRPC1 channels. This mGluR1-mediated inward current depends on both G protein-dependent and -independent pathways. The nonselective protein tyrosine kinase inhibitors genistein and AG490 as well as the selective extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) inhibitors PD98059 and SL327 suppressed the mGluR1-mediated current responses. Following G protein blockade, the residual mGluR1-mediated inward current was significantly reduced by the selective Src tyrosine kinase inhibitor PP2. In contrast to cerebellar PCs, GABA_B receptor activation in MLIs did not alter the mGluR1-mediated inward current, suggesting that there is no cross-talk between mGluR1 and GABA_B receptors in MLIs. Thus, activation of mGluR1 facilitates firing of MLIs through the TRPC1-mediated inward current, which depends on not only G protein-dependent but also Src–ERK1/2-dependent signaling pathways, and consequently depresses the excitability of cerebellar PCs.

Cerebellar modules operate at different frequencies

Due to the uniform cyto-architecture of the cerebellar cortex, its overall physiological characteristics have traditionally been considered to be homogeneous. In this study, we show in awake mice at rest that spiking activity of Purkinje cells, the sole output cells of the cerebellar cortex, differs between cerebellar modules and correlates with their expression of the glycolytic enzyme aldolase C or zebrin. Simple spike and complex spike frequencies were significantly higher in Purkinje cells located in zebrin-negative than zebrin-positive modules. The difference in simple spike frequency persisted when the synaptic input to, but not intrinsic activity of, Purkinje cells was manipulated. Blocking TRPC3, the effector channel of a cascade of proteins that have zebrin-like distribution patterns, attenuated the simple spike frequency difference. Our results indicate that zebrin-discriminated cerebellar modules operate at different frequencies, which depend on activation of TRPC3, and that this property is relevant for all cerebellar functions.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02536.001

The cerebellum, located at the back of the brain underneath the cerebral hemispheres, is best known for its role in the control of movement. Despite its small size, the cerebellum contains more than half of the brain's neurons. These are organized in a repeating pattern in which cells called Purkinje cells receive inputs from two types of fibers: climbing fibers, which ascend into the cerebellum from the brainstem; and parallel fibers, which run perpendicular to the climbing fibers. This gives rise to a characteristic ‘crystalline’ structure.

As a result of this uniform circuitry, it was widely believed was that all Purkinje cells throughout the cerebellum would function the same way. However, the presence of distinct patterns of gene expression in different regions suggests that this is not the case. Molecules called zebrins, for example, are found in some Purkinje cells but not others, and this gives rise to a pattern of zebrin-positive and zebrin-negative stripes. A number of other molecules have similar distributions, suggesting that these differences in molecular machinery could underlie differences in cellular physiology.

Zhou, Lin et al. have now provided one of the first direct demonstrations of such physiological differences by showing that zebrin-positive cells generate action potentials at lower frequencies than zebrin-negative cells. This pattern is seen throughout the cerebellum, and is evident even when the positive and negative cells are neighbors, which indicates that these differences do not simply reflect differences in the locations of the cells or differences in the inputs they receive from parallel fibers. Additional experiments revealed that the distinct firing rates are likely not generated by zebrin itself, but rather by proteins that are expressed alongside zebrin, most notably those that work through an ion channel called TRPC3.

By showing that cells arranged in the same type of circuit can nevertheless have distinct firing rates, the work of Zhou, Lin et al. has revealed an additional level of complexity in the physiology of the cerebellum. In addition to improving our understanding of how the brain controls movement, these findings might also be of interest to researchers studying the increasing number of neurological and psychiatric disorders in which cerebellar dysfunction has been implicated.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.02536.002

Type 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGlu1) trigger the gating of GluD2 delta glutamate receptors

The orphan GluD2 receptor belongs to the ionotropic glutamate receptor family but does not bind glutamate. Ligand-gated GluD2 currents have never been evidenced, and whether GluD2 operates as an ion channel has been a long-standing question. Here, we show that GluD2 gating is triggered by type 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors, both in a heterologous expression system and in Purkinje cells. Thus, GluD2 is not only an adhesion molecule at synapses but also works as a channel. This gating mechanism reveals new properties of glutamate receptors that emerge from their interaction and opens unexpected perspectives regarding synaptic transmission and plasticity.

Lipid signaling cascades of orexin/hypocretin receptors

Orexins - orexin-A and orexin-B - are neuropeptides with significant role in regulation of fundamental physiological processes such as sleep-wakefulness cycle. Orexins act via G-protein-coupled OX1 and OX2 receptors, which are found, in addition to the central nervous system, also in a number of peripheral organs. Orexin receptors show high degree of signaling promiscuity. One particularly prominent way of signaling for these receptors is via phospholipase cascades, including the phospholipase C, phospholipase D and phospholipase A2 cascades, and also diacylglycerol lipase and phosphoinositide-3-kinase pathways. Most analyses have been performed in recombinant cells; there are indications of some of these cascades in native cells while the significance of other cascades remains to be shown. In this review, I present these pathways, their activation mechanisms and their physiological significance.

Alternative splicing of the TRPC3 ion channel calmodulin/IP3 receptor-binding domain in the hindbrain enhances cation flux

Canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC3) nonselective cation channels are effectors of G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs), activated via phospholipase C-diacylglycerol signaling. In cerebellar Purkinje cells, TRPC3 channels cause the metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR)-mediated slow EPSC (sEPSC). TRPC3 channels also provide negative feedback regulation of cytosolic Ca(2+), mediated by a C terminus "calmodulin and inositol trisphosphate receptor binding" (CIRB) domain. Here we report the alternative splicing of the TRPC3 mRNA transcript (designated TRPC3c), resulting in omission of exon 9 (approximately half of the CIRB domain) in mice, rats, and guinea pigs. TRPC3c expression is brain region specific, with prevalence in the cerebellum and brainstem. The TRPC3c channels expressed in HEK293 cells exhibit increased basal and GPCR-activated channel currents, and increased Ca(2+) fluorescence responses, compared with the previously characterized (TRPC3b) isoform when activated via either the endogenous M3 muscarinic acetylcholine receptor, or via coexpressed mGluR1. GPCR-induced TRPC3c channel opening rate (cell-attached patch) matched the maximum activation achieved with inside-out patches with zero cytosolic Ca(2+), whereas the GPCR-induced TRPC3b activation frequency was significantly less. Both TRPC3 channel isoforms were blocked with 2 mm Ca(2+), attributable to CIRB domain regulation. In addition, genistein blocked Purkinje cell (S)-2-amino-2-(3,5-dihydroxyphenyl) acetic acid (mGluR1)-activated TPRC3 current as for recombinant TRPC3c current. This novel TRPC3c ion channel therefore has enhanced efficacy as a neuronal GPCR-Ca(2+) signaling effector, and is associated with sensorimotor coordination, neuronal development, and brain injury.

TRPs in the Brain

The Transient receptor potential (TRP) family of cation channels is a large protein family, which is mainly structurally uniform. Proteins consist typically of six transmembrane domains and mostly four subunits are necessary to form a functional channel. Apart from this, TRP channels display a wide variety of activation mechanisms (ligand binding, G-protein coupled receptor dependent, physical stimuli such as temperature, pressure, etc.) and ion selectivity profiles (from highly Ca(2+) selective to non-selective for cations). They have been described now in almost every tissue of the body, including peripheral and central neurons. Especially in the sensory nervous system the role of several TRP channels is already described on a detailed level. This review summarizes data that is currently available on their role in the central nervous system. TRP channels are involved in neurogenesis and brain development, synaptic transmission and they play a key role in the development of several neurological diseases.