1
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Wang T, Frank CA. Using Electrophysiology to Study Homeostatic Plasticity at the Drosophila Neuromuscular Junction. Cold Spring Harb Protoc 2025; 2025:pdb.top108393. [PMID: 38688539 PMCID: PMC11522024 DOI: 10.1101/pdb.top108393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/02/2024]
Abstract
The Drosophila melanogaster neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a superb system for studying synapse function. Beyond that, the NMJ is also great for studying forms of synaptic plasticity. Over the last 25 years, Drosophila NMJ neuroscientists have pioneered understanding of a form of plasticity called homeostatic synaptic plasticity, which imparts functional stability on synaptic connections. The reason is straightforward: The NMJ has a robust capacity for stability. Moreover, many strategies that the NMJ uses to maintain appropriate levels of function are mirrored at other metazoan synapses. Here, we introduce core approaches that neurophysiologists use to study homeostatic synaptic plasticity at the peripheral Drosophila NMJ. We focus on methods to study a specific form of homeostatic plasticity termed presynaptic homeostatic potentiation (PHP), which is the most well-characterized one. Other forms such as presynaptic homeostatic depression and developmental forms of homeostasis are briefly discussed. Finally, we share lists of several dozen factors and conditions known to influence the execution of PHP.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tingting Wang
- Department of Pharmacology and Physiology, Georgetown University Medical Center, Washington, D.C. 20007, USA
| | - C Andrew Frank
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa 52242, USA
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2
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Neisch AL, Pengo T, Avery AW, Li MG, Hays TS. Dynein-driven regulation of postsynaptic membrane architecture and synaptic function. J Cell Sci 2025; 138:JCS263844. [PMID: 39865922 PMCID: PMC11959486 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.263844] [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: 01/13/2025] [Accepted: 01/18/2025] [Indexed: 01/28/2025] Open
Abstract
Cytoplasmic dynein is essential in motor neurons for retrograde cargo transport that sustains neuronal connectivity. Little, however, is known about dynein function on the postsynaptic side of the circuit. Here, we report distinct postsynaptic roles for dynein at neuromuscular junctions in Drosophila. Intriguingly, we show that dynein puncta accumulate postsynaptically at glutamatergic synaptic terminals. Moreover, Skittles (Sktl), a phosphatidylinositol 4-phosphate 5-kinase that produces phosphatidylinositol 4,5-bisphosphate (PIP2) to organize the spectrin cytoskeleton, also localizes specifically to glutamatergic synaptic terminals. Depletion of postsynaptic dynein disrupted the accumulation of Skittles and the PIP2 phospholipid, and organization of the spectrin cytoskeleton at the postsynaptic membrane. Coincidental with dynein depletion, we observed an increase in the size of ionotropic glutamate receptor (iGluR) fields and an increase in the amplitude and frequency of miniature excitatory junctional potentials. PIP2 levels did not affect iGluR clustering, nor did dynein affect the levels of iGluR subunits at the neuromuscular junction. Our observations suggest a separate, transport-independent function for dynein in iGluR cluster organization. Based on the close apposition of dynein puncta to the iGluR fields, we speculate that dynein at the postsynaptic membrane contributes to the organization of the receptor fields, hence ensuring proper synaptic transmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Amanda L. Neisch
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Thomas Pengo
- University of Minnesota Informatics Institute, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Adam W. Avery
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Min-Gang Li
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
| | - Thomas S. Hays
- Department of Genetics, Cell Biology, and Development, University of Minnesota, Minneapolis, MN 55455, USA
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3
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Chien C, He K, Perry S, Tchitchkan E, Han Y, Li X, Dickman D. Distinct input-specific mechanisms enable presynaptic homeostatic plasticity. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2025; 11:eadr0262. [PMID: 39951523 PMCID: PMC11827636 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.adr0262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/11/2024] [Accepted: 01/15/2025] [Indexed: 02/16/2025]
Abstract
Synapses are endowed with the flexibility to change through experience, but must be sufficiently stable to last a lifetime. This tension is illustrated at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ), where two motor inputs that differ in structural and functional properties coinnervate most muscles to coordinate locomotion. To stabilize NMJ activity, motor neurons augment neurotransmitter release following diminished postsynaptic glutamate receptor functionality, termed presynaptic homeostatic potentiation (PHP). How these distinct inputs contribute to PHP plasticity remains enigmatic. We have used a botulinum neurotoxin to selectively silence each input and resolve their roles in PHP, demonstrating that PHP is input specific: Chronic (genetic) PHP selectively targets the tonic MN-Ib, where active zone remodeling enhances Ca2+ influx to promote increased glutamate release. In contrast, acute (pharmacological) PHP selectively increases vesicle pools to potentiate phasic MN-Is. Thus, distinct homeostatic modulations in active zone nanoarchitecture, vesicle pools, and Ca2+ influx collaborate to enable input-specific PHP expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Chien
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- USC Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Kaikai He
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- USC Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Sarah Perry
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Elizabeth Tchitchkan
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yifu Han
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- USC Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Xiling Li
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
- USC Neuroscience Graduate Program, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Dion Dickman
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
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4
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Bell C, Kilo L, Gottschalk D, Arian J, Deneke L, Kern H, Rickert C, Kobler O, Strauß J, Heine M, Duch C, Ryglewski S. Specific presynaptic functions require distinct Drosophila Ca v2 splice isoforms. eLife 2025; 13:RP100394. [PMID: 39951027 PMCID: PMC11828482 DOI: 10.7554/elife.100394] [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] [Indexed: 02/16/2025] Open
Abstract
At many vertebrate synapses, presynaptic functions are tuned by expression of different Cav2 channels. Most invertebrate genomes contain only one Cav2 gene. The Drosophila Cav2 homolog, cacophony (cac), induces synaptic vesicle release at presynaptic active zones (AZs). We hypothesize that Drosophila cac functional diversity is enhanced by two mutually exclusive exon pairs that are not conserved in vertebrates, one in the voltage sensor and one in the loop binding Caβ and Gβγ subunits. We find that alternative splicing in the voltage sensor affects channel activation voltage. Only the isoform with the higher activation voltage localizes to AZs at the glutamatergic Drosophila larval neuromuscular junction and is imperative for normal synapse function. By contrast, alternative splicing at the other alternative exon pair tunes multiple aspects of presynaptic function. While expression of one exon yields normal transmission, expression of the other reduces channel number in the AZ and thus release probability. This also abolishes presynaptic homeostatic plasticity. Moreover, reduced channel number affects short-term plasticity, which is rescued by increasing the external calcium concentration to match release probability to control. In sum, in Drosophila alternative splicing provides a mechanism to regulate different aspects of presynaptic functions with only one Cav2 gene.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christopher Bell
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Biocenter 1MainzGermany
| | - Lukas Kilo
- RWTH Aachen University, Lehrstuhl für EntwicklungsbiologieAachenGermany
| | - Daniel Gottschalk
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Biocenter 1MainzGermany
| | - Jashar Arian
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Biocenter 1MainzGermany
| | - Lea Deneke
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Biocenter 1MainzGermany
| | - Hanna Kern
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Biocenter 1MainzGermany
| | - Christof Rickert
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Biocenter 1MainzGermany
| | - Oliver Kobler
- Leibniz Institute for Neurobiology Magdeburg, Combinatorial NeuroImaging Core FacilityMagdeburgGermany
| | - Julia Strauß
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Biocenter 1MainzGermany
| | - Martin Heine
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Biocenter 1MainzGermany
| | - Carsten Duch
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Biocenter 1MainzGermany
| | - Stefanie Ryglewski
- Johannes Gutenberg University Mainz, Institute of Developmental Biology and Neurobiology, Biocenter 1MainzGermany
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5
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Mallik B, Frank CA. Mitochondrial Complex I and ROS control synapse function through opposing pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.12.30.630694. [PMID: 39803545 PMCID: PMC11722341 DOI: 10.1101/2024.12.30.630694] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/16/2025]
Abstract
Neurons require high amounts energy, and mitochondria help to fulfill this requirement. Dysfunctional mitochondria trigger problems in various neuronal tasks. Using the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ) as a model synapse, we previously reported that Mitochondrial Complex I (MCI) subunits were required for maintaining NMJ function and growth. Here we report tissue-specific adaptations at the NMJ when MCI is depleted. In Drosophila motor neurons, MCI depletion causes profound cytological defects and increased mitochondrial reactive oxygen species (ROS). But instead of diminishing synapse function, neuronal ROS triggers a homeostatic signaling process that maintains normal NMJ excitation. We identify molecules mediating this compensatory response. MCI depletion in muscles also enhances local ROS. But high levels of muscle ROS cause destructive responses: synapse degeneration, mitochondrial fragmentation, and impaired neurotransmission. In humans, mutations affecting MCI subunits cause severe neurological and neuromuscular diseases. The tissue-level effects that we describe in the Drosophila system are potentially relevant to forms of mitochondrial pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhagaban Mallik
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
| | - C. Andrew Frank
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, 52242, USA
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6
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Medeiros AT, Gratz SJ, Delgado A, Ritt JT, O'Connor-Giles KM. Ca 2+ channel and active zone protein abundance intersects with input-specific synapse organization to shape functional synaptic diversity. eLife 2024; 12:RP88412. [PMID: 39291956 PMCID: PMC11410372 DOI: 10.7554/elife.88412] [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] [Indexed: 09/19/2024] Open
Abstract
Synaptic heterogeneity is a hallmark of nervous systems that enables complex and adaptable communication in neural circuits. To understand circuit function, it is thus critical to determine the factors that contribute to the functional diversity of synapses. We investigated the contributions of voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) abundance, spatial organization, and subunit composition to synapse diversity among and between synapses formed by two closely related Drosophila glutamatergic motor neurons with distinct neurotransmitter release probabilities (Pr). Surprisingly, VGCC levels are highly predictive of heterogeneous Pr among individual synapses of either low- or high-Pr inputs, but not between inputs. We find that the same number of VGCCs are more densely organized at high-Pr synapses, consistent with tighter VGCC-synaptic vesicle coupling. We generated endogenously tagged lines to investigate VGCC subunits in vivo and found that the α2δ-3 subunit Straightjacket along with the CAST/ELKS active zone (AZ) protein Bruchpilot, both key regulators of VGCCs, are less abundant at high-Pr inputs, yet positively correlate with Pr among synapses formed by either input. Consistently, both Straightjacket and Bruchpilot levels are dynamically increased across AZs of both inputs when neurotransmitter release is potentiated to maintain stable communication following glutamate receptor inhibition. Together, these findings suggest a model in which VGCC and AZ protein abundance intersects with input-specific spatial and molecular organization to shape the functional diversity of synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Audrey T Medeiros
- Neuroscience Graduate Training Program, Brown University, Providence, United States
| | - Scott J Gratz
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, United States
| | - Ambar Delgado
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, United States
| | - Jason T Ritt
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, United States
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, United States
| | - Kate M O'Connor-Giles
- Neuroscience Graduate Training Program, Brown University, Providence, United States
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, United States
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, United States
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7
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Chien C, He K, Perry S, Tchitchkan E, Han Y, Li X, Dickman D. Distinct input-specific mechanisms enable presynaptic homeostatic plasticity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2024.09.10.612361. [PMID: 39314403 PMCID: PMC11419068 DOI: 10.1101/2024.09.10.612361] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/25/2024]
Abstract
Synapses are endowed with the flexibility to change through experience, but must be sufficiently stable to last a lifetime. This tension is illustrated at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction (NMJ), where two motor inputs that differ in structural and functional properties co-innervate most muscles to coordinate locomotion. To stabilize NMJ activity, motor neurons augment neurotransmitter release following diminished postsynaptic glutamate receptor functionality, termed presynaptic homeostatic potentiation (PHP). How these distinct inputs contribute to PHP plasticity remains enigmatic. We have used a botulinum neurotoxin to selectively silence each input and resolve their roles in PHP, demonstrating that PHP is input-specific: Chronic (genetic) PHP selectively targets the tonic MN-Ib, where active zone remodeling enhances Ca2+ influx to promote increased glutamate release. In contrast, acute (pharmacological) PHP selectively increases vesicle pools to potentiate phasic MN-Is. Thus, distinct homeostatic modulations in active zone nanoarchitecture, vesicle pools, and Ca2+ influx collaborate to enable input-specific PHP expression.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chun Chien
- University of Southern California, Department of Neurobiology, Los Angeles, CA USA
- USC Neuroscience Graduate Program
| | - Kaikai He
- University of Southern California, Department of Neurobiology, Los Angeles, CA USA
- USC Neuroscience Graduate Program
| | - Sarah Perry
- University of Southern California, Department of Neurobiology, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Elizabeth Tchitchkan
- University of Southern California, Department of Neurobiology, Los Angeles, CA USA
| | - Yifu Han
- University of Southern California, Department of Neurobiology, Los Angeles, CA USA
- USC Neuroscience Graduate Program
| | - Xiling Li
- University of Southern California, Department of Neurobiology, Los Angeles, CA USA
- USC Neuroscience Graduate Program
| | - Dion Dickman
- University of Southern California, Department of Neurobiology, Los Angeles, CA USA
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8
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Medeiros AT, Gratz S, Delgado A, Ritt J, O’Connor-Giles KM. Ca 2+ channel and active zone protein abundance intersects with input-specific synapse organization to shape functional synaptic diversity. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2024:2023.04.02.535290. [PMID: 37034654 PMCID: PMC10081318 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.02.535290] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/11/2023]
Abstract
Synaptic heterogeneity is a hallmark of nervous systems that enables complex and adaptable communication in neural circuits. To understand circuit function, it is thus critical to determine the factors that contribute to the functional diversity of synapses. We investigated the contributions of voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) abundance, spatial organization, and subunit composition to synapse diversity among and between synapses formed by two closely related Drosophila glutamatergic motor neurons with distinct neurotransmitter release probabilities (Pr). Surprisingly, VGCC levels are highly predictive of heterogeneous Pr among individual synapses of either low- or high-Pr inputs, but not between inputs. We find that the same number of VGCCs are more densely organized at high-Pr synapses, consistent with tighter VGCC-synaptic vesicle coupling. We generated endogenously tagged lines to investigate VGCC subunits in vivo and found that the α2δ-3 subunit Straightjacket along with the CAST/ELKS active zone (AZ) protein Bruchpilot, both key regulators of VGCCs, are less abundant at high-Pr inputs, yet positively correlate with Pr among synapses formed by either input. Consistently, both Straightjacket and Bruchpilot levels are dynamically increased across AZs of both inputs when neurotransmitter release is potentiated to maintain stable communication following glutamate receptor inhibition. Together, these findings suggest a model in which VGCC and AZ protein abundance intersects with input-specific spatial and molecular organization to shape the functional diversity of synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- A. T. Medeiros
- Neuroscience Graduate Training Program, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - S.J. Gratz
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - A. Delgado
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - J.T. Ritt
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI
| | - Kate M. O’Connor-Giles
- Neuroscience Graduate Training Program, Brown University, Providence, RI
- Department of Neuroscience, Brown University, Providence, RI
- Carney Institute for Brain Science, Brown University, Providence, RI
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Leahy SN, Vita DJ, Broadie K. PTPN11/Corkscrew Activates Local Presynaptic Mapk Signaling to Regulate Synapsin, Synaptic Vesicle Pools, and Neurotransmission Strength, with a Dual Requirement in Neurons and Glia. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1077232024. [PMID: 38471782 PMCID: PMC11044113 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1077-23.2024] [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: 06/04/2023] [Revised: 03/01/2024] [Accepted: 03/05/2024] [Indexed: 03/14/2024] Open
Abstract
Cytoplasmic protein tyrosine phosphatase nonreceptor type 11 (PTPN11) and Drosophila homolog Corkscrew (Csw) regulate the mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) pathway via a conserved autoinhibitory mechanism. Disease-causing loss-of-function (LoF) and gain-of-function (GoF) mutations both disrupt this autoinhibition to potentiate MAPK signaling. At the Drosophila neuromuscular junction glutamatergic synapse, LoF/GoF mutations elevate transmission strength and reduce activity-dependent synaptic depression. In both sexes of LoF/GoF mutations, the synaptic vesicles (SV)-colocalized synapsin phosphoprotein tether is highly elevated at rest, but quickly reduced with stimulation, suggesting a larger SV reserve pool with greatly heightened activity-dependent recruitment. Transmission electron microscopy of mutants reveals an elevated number of SVs clustered at the presynaptic active zones, suggesting that the increased vesicle availability is causative for the elevated neurotransmission. Direct neuron-targeted extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) GoF phenocopies both increased local presynaptic MAPK/ERK signaling and synaptic transmission strength in mutants, confirming the presynaptic regulatory mechanism. Synapsin loss blocks this elevation in both presynaptic PTPN11 and ERK mutants. However, csw null mutants cannot be rescued by wild-type Csw in neurons: neurotransmission is only rescued by expressing Csw in both neurons and glia simultaneously. Nevertheless, targeted LoF/GoF mutations in either neurons or glia alone recapitulate the elevated neurotransmission. Thus, PTPN11/Csw mutations in either cell type are sufficient to upregulate presynaptic function, but a dual requirement in neurons and glia is necessary for neurotransmission. Taken together, we conclude that PTPN11/Csw acts in both neurons and glia, with LoF and GoF similarly upregulating MAPK/ERK signaling to enhance presynaptic Synapsin-mediated SV trafficking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shannon N Leahy
- Departments of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37235
| | - Dominic J Vita
- Departments of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37235
| | - Kendal Broadie
- Departments of Biological Sciences, Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37235
- Cell and Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37235
- Pharmacology, Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37235
- Vanderbilt Brain Institute, Vanderbilt University and Medical Center, Nashville, Tennessee 37235
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10
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Chakraborty P, Hasan G. ER-Ca 2+ stores and the regulation of store-operated Ca 2+ entry in neurons. J Physiol 2024; 602:1463-1474. [PMID: 36691983 DOI: 10.1113/jp283827] [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: 11/18/2022] [Accepted: 01/16/2023] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Key components of endoplasmic reticulum (ER) Ca2+ release and store-operated Ca2+ entry (SOCE) are likely expressed in all metazoan cells. Due to the complexity of canonical Ca2+ entry mechanisms in neurons, the functional significance of ER-Ca2+ release and SOCE has been difficult to identify and establish. In this review we present evidence of how these two related mechanisms of Ca2+ signalling impact multiple aspects of neuronal physiology and discuss their interaction with the better understood classes of ion channels that are gated by either voltage changes or extracellular ligands in neurons. Given how a small imbalance in Ca2+ homeostasis can have strongly detrimental effects on neurons, leading to cell death, it is essential that neuronal SOCE is carefully regulated. We go on to discuss some mechanisms of SOCE regulation that have been identified in Drosophila and mammalian neurons. These include specific splice variants of stromal interaction molecules, different classes of membrane-interacting proteins and an ER-Ca2+ channel. So far these appear distinct from the mechanisms of SOCE regulation identified in non-excitable cells. Finally, we touch upon the significance of these studies in the context of certain human neurodegenerative diseases.
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Affiliation(s)
- Pragnya Chakraborty
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
- SASTRA University, Thanjavur, Tamil Nadu, India
| | - Gaiti Hasan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, Tata Institute of Fundamental Research, Bangalore, India
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11
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Beckers CJ, Mrestani A, Komma F, Dannhäuser S. Versatile Endogenous Editing of GluRIIA in Drosophila melanogaster. Cells 2024; 13:323. [PMID: 38391936 PMCID: PMC10887371 DOI: 10.3390/cells13040323] [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: 01/15/2024] [Revised: 02/05/2024] [Accepted: 02/08/2024] [Indexed: 02/24/2024] Open
Abstract
Glutamate receptors at the postsynaptic side translate neurotransmitter release from presynapses into postsynaptic excitation. They play a role in many forms of synaptic plasticity, e.g., homeostatic scaling of the receptor field, activity-dependent synaptic plasticity and the induction of presynaptic homeostatic potentiation (PHP). The latter process has been extensively studied at Drosophila melanogaster neuromuscular junctions (NMJs). The genetic removal of the glutamate receptor subunit IIA (GluRIIA) leads to an induction of PHP at the synapse. So far, mostly imprecise knockouts of the GluRIIA gene have been utilized. Furthermore, mutated and tagged versions of GluRIIA have been examined in the past, but most of these constructs were not expressed under endogenous regulatory control or involved the mentioned imprecise GluRIIA knockouts. We performed CRISPR/Cas9-assisted gene editing at the endogenous locus of GluRIIA. This enabled the investigation of the endogenous expression pattern of GluRIIA using tagged constructs with an EGFP and an ALFA tag for super-resolution immunofluorescence imaging, including structured illumination microscopy (SIM) and direct stochastic optical reconstruction microscopy (dSTORM). All GluRIIA constructs exhibited full functionality and PHP could be induced by philanthotoxin at control levels. By applying hierarchical clustering algorithms to analyze the dSTORM data, we detected postsynaptic receptor cluster areas of ~0.15 µm2. Consequently, our constructs are suitable for ultrastructural analyses of GluRIIA.
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Affiliation(s)
- Constantin J. Beckers
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Achmed Mrestani
- Department of Neurology, University of Leipzig Medical Center, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany;
- Rudolf Schönheimer Institute of Biochemistry, Division of General Biochemistry, Medical Faculty, Leipzig University, D-04103 Leipzig, Germany
| | - Fabian Komma
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany
| | - Sven Dannhäuser
- Department of Neurophysiology, Institute of Physiology, University of Würzburg, D-97070 Würzburg, Germany
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12
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Mallik B, Brusich DJ, Heyrman G, Frank CA. Precise mapping of one classic and three novel GluRIIA mutants in Drosophila melanogaster. MICROPUBLICATION BIOLOGY 2023; 2023:10.17912/micropub.biology.000784. [PMID: 37334199 PMCID: PMC10276266 DOI: 10.17912/micropub.biology.000784] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/21/2023] [Revised: 04/24/2023] [Accepted: 05/25/2023] [Indexed: 06/20/2023]
Abstract
Mutation of the Drosophila melanogaster GluRIIA gene or pharmacological agents targeting it are commonly used to assess homeostatic synaptic function at the larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ). The commonly used mutation, GluRIIA SP16 , is a null allele created by a large and imprecise excision of a P-element which affects GluRIIA and multiple upstream genes. Here we mapped the exact bounds of the GluRIIA SP16 allele, refined a multiplex PCR strategy for positive identification of GluRIIA SP16 in homozygous or heterozygous backgrounds, and sequenced and characterized three new CRISPR-generated GluRIIA mutants. We found the three new GluRIIA alleles are apparent nulls that lack GluRIIA immunofluorescence signal at the 3 rd instar larval NMJ and are predicted to cause premature truncations at the genetic level. Further, these new mutants have similar electrophysiological outcomes as GluRIIA SP16 , including reduced miniature excitatory postsynaptic potential (mEPSP) amplitude and frequency compared to controls, and they express robust homeostatic compensation as evidenced by normal excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) amplitude and elevated quantal content. These findings and new tools extend the capacity of the D. melanogaster NMJ for assessment of synaptic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhagaban Mallik
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
| | - Douglas J Brusich
- Human Biology Department, University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States
| | - Georgette Heyrman
- Human Biology Department, University of Wisconsin–Green Bay, Green Bay, Wisconsin, United States
| | - C. Andrew Frank
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
- Carver College of Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
- Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, United States
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13
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Armstrong NS, Frank CA. The calcineurin regulator Sarah enables distinct forms of homeostatic plasticity at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2023; 14:1033743. [PMID: 36685082 PMCID: PMC9846150 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2022.1033743] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The ability of synapses to maintain physiological levels of evoked neurotransmission is essential for neuronal stability. A variety of perturbations can disrupt neurotransmission, but synapses often compensate for disruptions and work to stabilize activity levels, using forms of homeostatic synaptic plasticity. Presynaptic homeostatic potentiation (PHP) is one such mechanism. PHP is expressed at the Drosophila melanogaster larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) synapse, as well as other NMJs. In PHP, presynaptic neurotransmitter release increases to offset the effects of impairing muscle transmitter receptors. Prior Drosophila work has studied PHP using different ways to perturb muscle receptor function-either acutely (using pharmacology) or chronically (using genetics). Some of our prior data suggested that cytoplasmic calcium signaling was important for expression of PHP after genetic impairment of glutamate receptors. Here we followed up on that observation. Methods: We used a combination of transgenic Drosophila RNA interference and overexpression lines, along with NMJ electrophysiology, synapse imaging, and pharmacology to test if regulators of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin are necessary for the normal expression of PHP. Results: We found that either pre- or postsynaptic dysregulation of a Drosophila gene regulating calcineurin, sarah (sra), blocks PHP. Tissue-specific manipulations showed that either increases or decreases in sra expression are detrimental to PHP. Additionally, pharmacologically and genetically induced forms of expression of PHP are functionally separable depending entirely upon which sra genetic manipulation is used. Surprisingly, dual-tissue pre- and postsynaptic sra knockdown or overexpression can ameliorate PHP blocks revealed in single-tissue experiments. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of calcineurin corroborated this latter finding. Discussion: Our results suggest tight calcineurin regulation is needed across multiple tissue types to stabilize peripheral synaptic outputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah S. Armstrong
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States,Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - C. Andrew Frank
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States,Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States,Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States,*Correspondence: C. Andrew Frank
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14
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Mallik B, Frank CA. Roles for Mitochondrial Complex I Subunits in Regulating Synaptic Transmission and Growth. Front Neurosci 2022; 16:846425. [PMID: 35557603 PMCID: PMC9087048 DOI: 10.3389/fnins.2022.846425] [Citation(s) in RCA: 8] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/31/2021] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
To identify conserved components of synapse function that are also associated with human diseases, we conducted a genetic screen. We used the Drosophila melanogaster neuromuscular junction (NMJ) as a model. We employed RNA interference (RNAi) on selected targets and assayed synapse function and plasticity by electrophysiology. We focused our screen on genetic factors known to be conserved from human neurological or muscle functions (300 Drosophila lines screened). From our screen, knockdown of a Mitochondrial Complex I (MCI) subunit gene (ND-20L) lowered levels of NMJ neurotransmission. Due to the severity of the phenotype, we studied MCI function further. Knockdown of core MCI subunits concurrently in neurons and muscle led to impaired neurotransmission. We localized this neurotransmission function to the muscle. Pharmacology targeting MCI phenocopied the impaired neurotransmission phenotype. Finally, MCI subunit knockdowns or pharmacological inhibition led to profound cytological defects, including reduced NMJ growth and altered NMJ morphology. Mitochondria are essential for cellular bioenergetics and produce ATP through oxidative phosphorylation. Five multi-protein complexes achieve this task, and MCI is the largest. Impaired Mitochondrial Complex I subunits in humans are associated with disorders such as Parkinson’s disease, Leigh syndrome, and cardiomyopathy. Together, our data present an analysis of Complex I in the context of synapse function and plasticity. We speculate that in the context of human MCI dysfunction, similar neuronal and synaptic defects could contribute to pathogenesis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bhagaban Mallik
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - C. Andrew Frank
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- Carver College of Medicine and Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
- *Correspondence: C. Andrew Frank,
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15
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Upregulation of IP 3 receptor mediates APP-induced defects in synaptic downscaling and sleep homeostasis. Cell Rep 2022; 38:110594. [PMID: 35354048 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2022.110594] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/07/2021] [Revised: 12/14/2021] [Accepted: 03/09/2022] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
Evidence suggests that impaired synaptic and firing homeostasis represents a driving force of early Alzheimer's disease (AD) progression. Here, we examine synaptic and sleep homeostasis in a Drosophila model by overexpressing human amyloid precursor protein (APP), whose duplication and mutations cause familial early-onset AD. We find that APP overexpression induces synaptic hyperexcitability. RNA-seq data indicate exaggerated expression of Ca2+-related signaling genes in APP mutants, including genes encoding Dmca1D, calcineurin (CaN) complex, and IP3R. We further demonstrate that increased CaN activity triggers transcriptional activation of Itpr (IP3R) through activating nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). Strikingly, APP overexpression causes defects in synaptic downscaling and sleep deprivation-induced sleep rebound, and both defects could be restored by inhibiting IP3R. Our findings uncover IP3R as a shared signaling molecule in synaptic downscaling and sleep homeostasis, and its dysregulation may lead to synaptic hyperexcitability and AD progression at early stage.
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16
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Stahl A, Noyes NC, Boto T, Botero V, Broyles CN, Jing M, Zeng J, King LB, Li Y, Davis RL, Tomchik SM. Associative learning drives longitudinally graded presynaptic plasticity of neurotransmitter release along axonal compartments. eLife 2022; 11:e76712. [PMID: 35285796 PMCID: PMC8956283 DOI: 10.7554/elife.76712] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/30/2021] [Accepted: 03/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/27/2022] Open
Abstract
Anatomical and physiological compartmentalization of neurons is a mechanism to increase the computational capacity of a circuit, and a major question is what role axonal compartmentalization plays. Axonal compartmentalization may enable localized, presynaptic plasticity to alter neuronal output in a flexible, experience-dependent manner. Here, we show that olfactory learning generates compartmentalized, bidirectional plasticity of acetylcholine release that varies across the longitudinal compartments of Drosophila mushroom body (MB) axons. The directionality of the learning-induced plasticity depends on the valence of the learning event (aversive vs. appetitive), varies linearly across proximal to distal compartments following appetitive conditioning, and correlates with learning-induced changes in downstream mushroom body output neurons (MBONs) that modulate behavioral action selection. Potentiation of acetylcholine release was dependent on the CaV2.1 calcium channel subunit cacophony. In addition, contrast between the positive conditioned stimulus and other odors required the inositol triphosphate receptor, which maintained responsivity to odors upon repeated presentations, preventing adaptation. Downstream from the MB, a set of MBONs that receive their input from the γ3 MB compartment were required for normal appetitive learning, suggesting that they represent a key node through which reward learning influences decision-making. These data demonstrate that learning drives valence-correlated, compartmentalized, bidirectional potentiation, and depression of synaptic neurotransmitter release, which rely on distinct mechanisms and are distributed across axonal compartments in a learning circuit.
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Affiliation(s)
- Aaron Stahl
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research InstituteJupiterUnited States
| | - Nathaniel C Noyes
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research InstituteJupiterUnited States
| | - Tamara Boto
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research InstituteJupiterUnited States
| | - Valentina Botero
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research InstituteJupiterUnited States
| | - Connor N Broyles
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research InstituteJupiterUnited States
| | - Miao Jing
- Chinese Institute for Brain ResearchBeijingChina
| | - Jianzhi Zeng
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life SciencesBeijingChina
- PKU IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchBeijingChina
| | - Lanikea B King
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research InstituteJupiterUnited States
| | - Yulong Li
- Chinese Institute for Brain ResearchBeijingChina
- Peking-Tsinghua Center for Life Sciences, Peking UniversityBeijingChina
- State Key Laboratory of Membrane Biology, Peking University School of Life SciencesBeijingChina
- PKU IDG/McGovern Institute for Brain ResearchBeijingChina
| | - Ronald L Davis
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research InstituteJupiterUnited States
| | - Seth M Tomchik
- Department of Neuroscience, The Scripps Research InstituteJupiterUnited States
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17
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Cho TS, Beigaitė E, Klein NE, Sweeney ST, Bhattacharya MRC. The Putative Drosophila TMEM184B Ortholog Tmep Ensures Proper Locomotion by Restraining Ectopic Firing at the Neuromuscular Junction. Mol Neurobiol 2022; 59:2605-2619. [PMID: 35107803 PMCID: PMC9018515 DOI: 10.1007/s12035-022-02760-3] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/13/2021] [Accepted: 01/20/2022] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Abstract
TMEM184B is a putative seven-pass membrane protein that promotes axon degeneration after injury. TMEM184B mutation causes aberrant neuromuscular architecture and sensory and motor behavioral defects in mice. The mechanism through which TMEM184B causes neuromuscular defects is unknown. We employed Drosophila melanogaster to investigate the function of the closely related gene, Tmep (CG12004), at the neuromuscular junction. We show that Tmep is required for full adult viability and efficient larval locomotion. Tmep mutant larvae have a reduced body contraction rate compared to controls, with stronger deficits in females. In recordings from body wall muscles, Tmep mutants show substantial hyperexcitability, with many postsynaptic potentials fired in response to a single stimulation, consistent with a role for Tmep in restraining synaptic excitability. Additional branches and satellite boutons at Tmep mutant neuromuscular junctions are consistent with an activity-dependent synaptic overgrowth. Tmep is expressed in endosomes and synaptic vesicles within motor neurons, suggesting a possible role in synaptic membrane trafficking. Using RNAi knockdown, we show that Tmep is required in motor neurons for proper larval locomotion and excitability, and that its reduction increases levels of presynaptic calcium. Locomotor defects can be rescued by presynaptic knockdown of endoplasmic reticulum calcium channels or by reducing evoked release probability, further suggesting that excess synaptic activity drives behavioral deficiencies. Our work establishes a critical function for Tmep in the regulation of synaptic transmission and locomotor behavior.
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Affiliation(s)
- Tiffany S Cho
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, 1040 E 4th Street, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Eglė Beigaitė
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK.,York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Nathaniel E Klein
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, 1040 E 4th Street, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA
| | - Sean T Sweeney
- Department of Biology, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK.,York Biomedical Research Institute, University of York, York, YO10 5DD, UK
| | - Martha R C Bhattacharya
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Arizona, 1040 E 4th Street, Tucson, AZ, 85721, USA.
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18
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Nair AG, Muttathukunnel P, Müller M. Distinct molecular pathways govern presynaptic homeostatic plasticity. Cell Rep 2021; 37:110105. [PMID: 34910905 PMCID: PMC8692748 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2021.110105] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/15/2020] [Revised: 10/05/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 11/30/2022] Open
Abstract
Presynaptic homeostatic plasticity (PHP) stabilizes synaptic transmission by counteracting impaired neurotransmitter receptor function through neurotransmitter release potentiation. PHP is thought to be triggered by impaired receptor function and to involve a stereotypic signaling pathway. However, here we demonstrate that different receptor perturbations that similarly reduce synaptic transmission result in different responses at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. While receptor inhibition by the glutamate receptor (GluR) antagonist γ-D-glutamylglycine (γDGG) is not compensated by PHP, the GluR inhibitors Philanthotoxin-433 (PhTx) and Gyki-53655 (Gyki) induce compensatory PHP. Intriguingly, PHP triggered by PhTx and Gyki involve separable signaling pathways, including inhibition of distinct GluR subtypes, differential modulation of the active-zone scaffold Bruchpilot, and short-term plasticity. Moreover, while PHP upon Gyki treatment does not require genes promoting PhTx-induced PHP, it involves presynaptic protein kinase D. Thus, synapses not only respond differentially to similar activity impairments, but achieve homeostatic compensation via distinct mechanisms, highlighting the diversity of homeostatic signaling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anu G Nair
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Department of Neuroscience, Karolinska Institute, 17177 Stockholm, Sweden
| | - Paola Muttathukunnel
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich/ETH Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland
| | - Martin Müller
- Department of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Winterthurerstrasse 190, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland; Neuroscience Center Zurich, University of Zurich/ETH Zurich, 8057 Zurich, Switzerland.
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19
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Camargo WL, Kushmerick C, Pinto E, Souza N, Cavalcante W, Souza-Neto FP, Guatimosim S, Prado M, Guatimosim C, Naves LA. Homeostatic plasticity induced by increased acetylcholine release at the mouse neuromuscular junction. Neurobiol Aging 2021; 110:13-26. [PMID: 34844076 DOI: 10.1016/j.neurobiolaging.2021.10.010] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/07/2020] [Revised: 10/21/2021] [Accepted: 10/22/2021] [Indexed: 02/07/2023]
Abstract
At the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), changes to the size of the postsynaptic potential induce homeostatic compensation. At the Drosophila NMJ, increased glutamate release causes a compensatory decrease in quantal content, but it is unknown if this mechanism operates at the cholinergic mammalian NMJ. We addressed this question by recording endplate potentials (EPP) and muscle contraction in 3-month and 24-month ChAT-ChR2-EYFP mice that overexpress vesicular acetylcholine transporter and release more acetylcholine per vesicle. At 3 months, the quantal content of EPPs from ChAT-ChR2-EYFP mice were not different from WT controls, however tetanic depression was greater, and quantal size during high-frequency stimulation and the size of the readily releasable pool (RRP) were decreased. At 24 months of age, quantal content was reduced in ChAT-ChR2-EYFP mice, which normalized synaptic depression despite smaller RRP. The effect of pancuronium on indirect evoked muscle twitch was not different between groups. These results indicate that an increase in the amount of acetylcholine per vesicle induces two distinct age-dependent homeostatic mechanisms compensating excessive acetylcholine release.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | | | | | | | | | - Mam Prado
- Robarts Research Institute and Department of Physiology and Pharmacology and Anatomy & Cell Biology, University of Western Ontario, London, ON, Canada
| | | | - L A Naves
- Departments of Physiology and biophysics
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20
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Yeates CJ, Frank CA. Homeostatic Depression Shows Heightened Sensitivity to Synaptic Calcium. Front Cell Neurosci 2021; 15:618393. [PMID: 34025355 PMCID: PMC8139420 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2021.618393] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/16/2020] [Accepted: 04/13/2021] [Indexed: 12/18/2022] Open
Abstract
Synapses and circuits rely on homeostatic forms of regulation in order to transmit meaningful information. The Drosophila melanogaster neuromuscular junction (NMJ) is a well-studied synapse that shows robust homeostatic control of function. Most prior studies of homeostatic plasticity at the NMJ have centered on presynaptic homeostatic potentiation (PHP). PHP happens when postsynaptic muscle neurotransmitter receptors are impaired, triggering retrograde signaling that causes an increase in presynaptic neurotransmitter release. As a result, normal levels of evoked excitation are maintained. The counterpart to PHP at the NMJ is presynaptic homeostatic depression (PHD). Overexpression of the Drosophila vesicular glutamate transporter (VGlut) causes an increase in the amplitude of spontaneous events. PHD happens when the synapse responds to the challenge by decreasing quantal content (QC) during evoked neurotransmissionagain, resulting in normal levels of postsynaptic excitation. We hypothesized that there may exist a class of molecules that affects both PHP and PHD. Impairment of any such molecule could hurt a synapses ability to respond to any significant homeostatic challenge. We conducted an electrophysiology-based screen for blocks of PHD. We did not observe a block of PHD in the genetic conditions screened, but we found loss-of-function conditions that led to a substantial deficit in evoked amplitude when combined with VGlut overexpression. The conditions causing this phenotype included a double heterozygous loss-of-function condition for genes encoding the inositol trisphosphate receptor (IP3R itpr) and ryanodine receptor (RyR). IP3Rs and RyRs gate calcium release from intracellular stores. Pharmacological agents targeting IP3R and RyR recapitulated the genetic losses of these factors, as did lowering calcium levels from other sources. Our data are consistent with the idea that the homeostatic signaling process underlying PHD is especially sensitive to levels of calcium at the presynapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Catherine J Yeates
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States.,Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - C Andrew Frank
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States.,Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States.,Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States
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21
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Temporally and spatially partitioned neuropeptide release from individual clock neurons. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2021; 118:2101818118. [PMID: 33875606 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2101818118] [Citation(s) in RCA: 14] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 12/12/2022] Open
Abstract
Neuropeptides control rhythmic behaviors, but the timing and location of their release within circuits is unknown. Here, imaging in the brain shows that synaptic neuropeptide release by Drosophila clock neurons is diurnal, peaking at times of day that were not anticipated by prior electrical and Ca2+ data. Furthermore, hours before peak synaptic neuropeptide release, neuropeptide release occurs at the soma, a neuronal compartment that has not been implicated in peptidergic transmission. The timing disparity between release at the soma and terminals results from independent and compartmentalized mechanisms for daily rhythmic release: consistent with conventional electrical activity-triggered synaptic transmission, terminals require Ca2+ influx, while somatic neuropeptide release is triggered by the biochemical signal IP3 Upon disrupting the somatic mechanism, the rhythm of terminal release and locomotor activity period are unaffected, but the number of flies with rhythmic behavior and sleep-wake balance are reduced. These results support the conclusion that somatic neuropeptide release controls specific features of clock neuron-dependent behaviors. Thus, compartment-specific mechanisms within individual clock neurons produce temporally and spatially partitioned neuropeptide release to expand the peptidergic connectome underlying daily rhythmic behaviors.
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22
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Sharma A, Hasan G. Modulation of flight and feeding behaviours requires presynaptic IP 3Rs in dopaminergic neurons. eLife 2020; 9:e62297. [PMID: 33155978 PMCID: PMC7647402 DOI: 10.7554/elife.62297] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/20/2020] [Accepted: 10/25/2020] [Indexed: 12/17/2022] Open
Abstract
Innate behaviours, although robust and hard wired, rely on modulation of neuronal circuits, for eliciting an appropriate response according to internal states and external cues. Drosophila flight is one such innate behaviour that is modulated by intracellular calcium release through inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP3Rs). Cellular mechanism(s) by which IP3Rs modulate neuronal function for specific behaviours remain speculative, in vertebrates and invertebrates. To address this, we generated an inducible dominant negative form of the IP3R (IP3RDN). Flies with neuronal expression of IP3RDN exhibit flight deficits. Expression of IP3RDN helped identify key flight-modulating dopaminergic neurons with axonal projections in the mushroom body. Flies with attenuated IP3Rs in these presynaptic dopaminergic neurons exhibit shortened flight bouts and a disinterest in seeking food, accompanied by reduced excitability and dopamine release upon cholinergic stimulation. Our findings suggest that the same neural circuit modulates the drive for food search and for undertaking longer flight bouts.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anamika Sharma
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, TIFRBangaloreIndia
| | - Gaiti Hasan
- National Centre for Biological Sciences, TIFRBangaloreIndia
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23
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Agudelo A, St Amand V, Grissom L, Lafond D, Achilli T, Sahin A, Reenan R, Stilwell G. Age-dependent degeneration of an identified adult leg motor neuron in a Drosophila SOD1 model of ALS. Biol Open 2020; 9:bio049692. [PMID: 32994185 PMCID: PMC7595701 DOI: 10.1242/bio.049692] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.8] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/26/2019] [Accepted: 09/21/2020] [Indexed: 12/31/2022] Open
Abstract
Mutations in superoxide dismutase 1 (SOD1) cause familial amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) in humans. ALS is a neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive motor neuron loss leading to paralysis and inevitable death in affected individuals. Using a gene replacement strategy to introduce disease mutations into the orthologous Drosophila sod1 (dsod1) gene, here, we characterize changes at the neuromuscular junction using longer-lived dsod1 mutant adults. Homozygous dsod1H71Y/H71Y or dsod1null/null flies display progressive walking defects with paralysis of the third metathoracic leg. In dissected legs, we assessed age-dependent changes in a single identified motor neuron (MN-I2) innervating the tibia levitator muscle. At adult eclosion, MN-I2 of dsod1H71Y/H71Y or sod1null/null flies is patterned similar to wild-type flies indicating no readily apparent developmental defects. Over the course of 10 days post-eclosion, MN-I2 shows an overall reduction in arborization with bouton swelling and loss of the post-synaptic marker discs-large (dlg) in mutant dsod1 adults. In addition, increases in polyubiquitinated proteins correlate with the timing and extent of MN-I2 changes. Because similar phenotypes are observed between flies homozygous for either dsod1H71Y or dsod1null alleles, we conclude these NMJ changes are mainly associated with sod loss-of-function. Together these studies characterize age-related morphological and molecular changes associated with axonal retraction in a Drosophila model of ALS that recapitulate an important aspect of the human disease.This article has an associated First Person interview with the first author of the paper.
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Affiliation(s)
- Anthony Agudelo
- Department of Biology, Rhode Island College, 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Providence, RI, 02908 USA
| | - Victoria St Amand
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912 USA
| | - Lindsey Grissom
- Department of Biology, Rhode Island College, 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Providence, RI, 02908 USA
| | - Danielle Lafond
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912 USA
| | - Toni Achilli
- Department of Biology, Rhode Island College, 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Providence, RI, 02908 USA
| | - Asli Sahin
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912 USA
| | - Robert Reenan
- Department of Molecular Biology, Cell Biology & Biochemistry, Brown University, Providence, RI, 02912 USA
| | - Geoff Stilwell
- Department of Biology, Rhode Island College, 600 Mt. Pleasant Ave., Providence, RI, 02908 USA
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24
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Hasan G, Sharma A. Regulation of neuronal physiology by Ca2+ release through the IP3R. CURRENT OPINION IN PHYSIOLOGY 2020. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cophys.2020.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/02/2023]
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25
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Poovathumkadavil P, Jagla K. Genetic Control of Muscle Diversification and Homeostasis: Insights from Drosophila. Cells 2020; 9:cells9061543. [PMID: 32630420 PMCID: PMC7349286 DOI: 10.3390/cells9061543] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/30/2020] [Revised: 06/19/2020] [Accepted: 06/23/2020] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
In the fruit fly, Drosophila melanogaster, the larval somatic muscles or the adult thoracic flight and leg muscles are the major voluntary locomotory organs. They share several developmental and structural similarities with vertebrate skeletal muscles. To ensure appropriate activity levels for their functions such as hatching in the embryo, crawling in the larva, and jumping and flying in adult flies all muscle components need to be maintained in a functionally stable or homeostatic state despite constant strain. This requires that the muscles develop in a coordinated manner with appropriate connections to other cell types they communicate with. Various signaling pathways as well as extrinsic and intrinsic factors are known to play a role during Drosophila muscle development, diversification, and homeostasis. In this review, we discuss genetic control mechanisms of muscle contraction, development, and homeostasis with particular emphasis on the contractile unit of the muscle, the sarcomere.
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26
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Northcutt AJ, Schulz DJ. Molecular mechanisms of homeostatic plasticity in central pattern generator networks. Dev Neurobiol 2019; 80:58-69. [PMID: 31778295 DOI: 10.1002/dneu.22727] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/02/2019] [Revised: 10/09/2019] [Accepted: 11/22/2019] [Indexed: 01/27/2023]
Abstract
Central pattern generator (CPG) networks rely on a balance of intrinsic and network properties to produce reliable, repeatable activity patterns. This balance is maintained by homeostatic plasticity where alterations in neuronal properties dynamically maintain appropriate neural output in the face of changing environmental conditions and perturbations. However, it remains unclear just how these neurons and networks can both monitor their ongoing activity and use this information to elicit homeostatic physiological responses to ensure robustness of output over time. Evidence exists that CPG networks use a mixed strategy of activity-dependent, activity-independent, modulator-dependent, and synaptically regulated homeostatic plasticity to achieve this critical stability. In this review, we focus on some of the current understanding of the molecular pathways and mechanisms responsible for this homeostatic plasticity in the context of central pattern generator function, with a special emphasis on some of the smaller invertebrate networks that have allowed for extensive cellular-level analyses that have brought recent insights to these questions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Adam J Northcutt
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri
| | - David J Schulz
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri-Columbia, Columbia, Missouri
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27
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Frank CA, James TD, Müller M. Homeostatic control of Drosophila neuromuscular junction function. Synapse 2019; 74:e22133. [PMID: 31556149 PMCID: PMC6817395 DOI: 10.1002/syn.22133] [Citation(s) in RCA: 43] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/23/2019] [Revised: 09/05/2019] [Accepted: 09/19/2019] [Indexed: 02/06/2023]
Abstract
The ability to adapt to changing internal and external conditions is a key feature of biological systems. Homeostasis refers to a regulatory process that stabilizes dynamic systems to counteract perturbations. In the nervous system, homeostatic mechanisms control neuronal excitability, neurotransmitter release, neurotransmitter receptors, and neural circuit function. The neuromuscular junction (NMJ) of Drosophila melanogaster has provided a wealth of molecular information about how synapses implement homeostatic forms of synaptic plasticity, with a focus on the transsynaptic, homeostatic modulation of neurotransmitter release. This review examines some of the recent findings from the Drosophila NMJ and highlights questions the field will ponder in coming years.
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Affiliation(s)
- C Andrew Frank
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.,Interdisciplinary Programs in Neuroscience, Genetics, and Molecular Medicine, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Thomas D James
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, Iowa, USA.,Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, Iowa, USA
| | - Martin Müller
- Institute of Molecular Life Sciences, University of Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland.,Neuroscience Center Zurich, Zurich, Switzerland
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