RESUMEN
During the development of the nervous system, there is an overproduction of neurons and synapses. Hebbian competition between neighboring nerve endings and synapses performing different activity levels leads to their elimination or strengthening. We have extensively studied the involvement of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor-Tropomyosin-related kinase B receptor neurotrophic retrograde pathway, at the neuromuscular junction, in the axonal development and synapse elimination process versus the synapse consolidation. The purpose of this review is to describe the neurotrophic influence on developmental synapse elimination, in relation to other molecular pathways that we and others have found to regulate this process. In particular, we summarize our published results based on transmitter release analysis and axonal counts to show the different involvement of the presynaptic acetylcholine muscarinic autoreceptors, coupled to downstream serine-threonine protein kinases A and C (PKA and PKC) and voltage-gated calcium channels, at different nerve endings in developmental competition. The dynamic changes that occur simultaneously in several nerve terminals and synapses converge across a postsynaptic site, influence each other, and require careful studies to individualize the mechanisms of specific endings. We describe an activity-dependent balance (related to the extent of transmitter release) between the presynaptic muscarinic subtypes and the neurotrophin-mediated TrkB/p75NTR pathways that can influence the timing and fate of the competitive interactions between the different axon terminals. The downstream displacement of the PKA/PKC activity ratio to lower values, both in competing nerve terminals and at postsynaptic sites, plays a relevant role in controlling the elimination of supernumerary synapses. Finally, calcium entry through L- and P/Q- subtypes of voltage-gated calcium channels (both channels are present, together with the N-type channel in developing nerve terminals) contributes to reduce transmitter release and promote withdrawal of the most unfavorable nerve terminals during elimination (the weakest in acetylcholine release and those that have already become silent). The main findings contribute to a better understanding of punishment-rewarding interactions between nerve endings during development. Identifying the molecular targets and signaling pathways that allow synapse consolidation or withdrawal of synapses in different situations is important for potential therapies in neurodegenerative diseases.
RESUMEN
Age-related conditions, such as sarcopenia, cause physical disabilities for an increasing section of society. At the neuromuscular junction, the postsynaptic-derived neurotrophic factors brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and neurotrophin 4 (NT-4) have neuroprotective functions and contribute to the correct regulation of the exocytotic machinery. Similarly, presynaptic muscarinic signalling plays a fundamental modulatory function in this synapse. However, whether or not these signalling pathways are compromised in ageing neuromuscular system has not yet been analysed. The present study analyses, through Western blotting, the differences in expression and activation of the main key proteins of the BDNF/NT-4 and muscarinic pathways related to neurotransmission in young versus ageing Extensor digitorum longus (EDL) rat muscles. The main results show an imbalance in several sections of these pathways: (i) a change in the stoichiometry of BDNF/NT-4, (ii) an imbalance of Tropomyosin-related kinase B receptor (TrkB)-FL/TrkB-T1 and neurotrophic receptor p 75 (p75NTR), (iii) no changes in the cytosol/membrane distribution of phosphorylated downstream protein kinase C (PKC)ßI and PKCε, (iv) a reduction in the M2-subtype muscarinic receptor and P/Q-subtype voltage-gated calcium channel, (v) an imbalance of phosphorylated mammalian uncoordinated-18-1 (Munc18-1) (S313) and synaptosomal-associated protein 25 (SNAP-25) (S187), and (vi) normal levels of molecules related to the management of acetylcholine (Ach). Based on this descriptive analysis, we hypothesise that these pathways can be adjusted to ensure neurotransmission rather than undergoing negative alterations caused by ageing. However, further studies are needed to assess this hypothetical suggestion. Our results contribute to the understanding of some previously described neuromuscular functional age-related impairments. Strategies to promote these signalling pathways could improve the neuromuscular physiology and quality of life of older people.
Asunto(s)
Envejecimiento , Factor Neurotrófico Derivado del Encéfalo , Unión Neuromuscular , Receptor trkB , Transducción de Señal , Factor Neurotrófico Derivado del Encéfalo/metabolismo , Animales , Unión Neuromuscular/metabolismo , Envejecimiento/metabolismo , Ratas , Receptor trkB/metabolismo , Factores de Crecimiento Nervioso/metabolismo , Masculino , Receptores Muscarínicos/metabolismo , Transmisión Sináptica , Receptores de Factor de Crecimiento Nervioso/metabolismo , Ratas WistarRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Protein kinase A (PKA) enhances neurotransmission at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), which is retrogradely regulated by nerve-induced muscle contraction to promote Acetylcholine (ACh) release through the phosphorylation of molecules involved in synaptic vesicle exocytosis (SNAP-25 and Synapsin-1). However, the molecular mechanism of the retrograde regulation of PKA subunits and its targets by BDNF/TrkB pathway and muscarinic signalling has not been demonstrated until now. At the NMJ, retrograde control is mainly associated with BDNF/TrkB signalling as muscle contraction enhances BDNF levels and controls specific kinases involved in the neurotransmission. Neurotransmission at the NMJ is also highly modulated by muscarinic receptors M1 and M2 (mAChRs), which are related to PKA and TrkB signallings. Here, we investigated the hypothesis that TrkB, in cooperation with mAChRs, regulates the activity-dependent dynamics of PKA subunits to phosphorylate SNAP-25 and Synapsin-1. METHODS: To explore this, we stimulated the rat phrenic nerve at 1Hz (30 minutes), with or without subsequent contraction (abolished by µ-conotoxin GIIIB). Pharmacological treatments were conducted with the anti-TrkB antibody clone 47/TrkB for TrkB inhibition and exogenous h-BDNF; muscarinic inhibition with Pirenzepine-dihydrochloride and Methoctramine-tetrahydrochloride for M1 and M2 mAChRs, respectively. Diaphragm protein levels and phosphorylation' changes were detected by Western blotting. Location of the target proteins was demonstrated using immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: While TrkB does not directly impact the levels of PKA catalytic subunits Cα and Cß, it regulates PKA regulatory subunits RIα and RIIß, facilitating the phosphorylation of critical exocytotic targets such as SNAP-25 and Synapsin-1. Furthermore, the muscarinic receptors pathway maintains a delicate balance in this regulatory process. These findings explain the dynamic interplay of PKA subunits influenced by BDNF/TrkB signalling, M1 and M2 mAChRs pathways, that are differently regulated by pre- and postsynaptic activity, demonstrating the specific roles of the BDNF/TrkB and muscarinic receptors pathway in retrograde regulation. CONCLUSION: This complex molecular interplay has the relevance of interrelating two fundamental pathways in PKA-synaptic modulation: one retrograde (neurotrophic) and the other autocrine (muscarinic). This deepens the fundamental understanding of neuromuscular physiology of neurotransmission that gives plasticity to synapses and holds the potential for identifying therapeutic strategies in conditions characterized by impaired neuromuscular communication.
Asunto(s)
Factor Neurotrófico Derivado del Encéfalo , Proteínas Quinasas Dependientes de AMP Cíclico , Unión Neuromuscular , Receptor trkB , Transducción de Señal , Sinapsinas , Proteína 25 Asociada a Sinaptosomas , Sinapsinas/metabolismo , Animales , Factor Neurotrófico Derivado del Encéfalo/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinasas Dependientes de AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Unión Neuromuscular/metabolismo , Fosforilación , Receptor trkB/metabolismo , Ratas , Masculino , Proteína 25 Asociada a Sinaptosomas/metabolismo , Ratas Wistar , Receptores Muscarínicos/metabolismoRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: Bidirectional communication between presynaptic and postsynaptic components contribute to the homeostasis of the synapse. In the neuromuscular synapse, the arrival of the nerve impulse at the presynaptic terminal triggers the molecular mechanisms associated with ACh release, which can be retrogradely regulated by the resulting muscle contraction. This retrograde regulation, however, has been poorly studied. At the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), protein kinase A (PKA) enhances neurotransmitter release, and the phosphorylation of the molecules of the release machinery including synaptosomal associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25) and Synapsin-1 could be involved. METHODS: Accordingly, to study the effect of synaptic retrograde regulation of the PKA subunits and its activity, we stimulated the rat phrenic nerve (1 Hz, 30 min) resulting or not in contraction (abolished by µ-conotoxin GIIIB). Changes in protein levels and phosphorylation were detected by western blotting and cytosol/membrane translocation by subcellular fractionation. Synapsin-1 was localized in the levator auris longus (LAL) muscle by immunohistochemistry. RESULTS: Here we show that synaptic PKA Cß subunit regulated by RIIß or RIIα subunits controls activity-dependent phosphorylation of SNAP-25 and Synapsin-1, respectively. Muscle contraction retrogradely downregulates presynaptic activity-induced pSynapsin-1 S9 while that enhances pSNAP-25 T138. Both actions could coordinately contribute to decreasing the neurotransmitter release at the NMJ. CONCLUSION: This provides a molecular mechanism of the bidirectional communication between nerve terminals and muscle cells to balance the accurate process of ACh release, which could be important to characterize molecules as a therapy for neuromuscular diseases in which neuromuscular crosstalk is impaired.
Asunto(s)
Neurotransmisores , Sinapsinas , Animales , Ratas , Fosforilación , Transporte Biológico , HomeostasisRESUMEN
In recent years, we have studied by immunohistochemistry, intracellular recording, and western blotting the role of the muscarinic acetylcholine receptors (mAChRs; M1, M2, and M4 subtypes) in the mammalian neuromuscular junction (NMJ) during development and in the adult. Here, we evaluate our published data to emphasize the mAChRs' relevance in developmental synaptic elimination and their crosstalk with other metabotropic receptors, downstream kinases, and voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs). The presence of mAChRs in the presynaptic membrane of motor nerve terminals allows an autocrine mechanism in which the secreted acetylcholine influences the cell itself in feedback. mAChR subtypes are coupled to different downstream pathways, so their feedback can move in a broad range between positive and negative. Moreover, mAChRs allow direct activity-dependent interaction through ACh release between the multiple competing axons during development. Additional regulation from pre- and postsynaptic sites (including neurotrophic retrograde control), the agonistic and antagonistic contributions of adenosine receptors (AR; A1 and A2A), and the tropomyosin-related kinase B receptor (TrkB) cooperate with mAChRs in the axonal competitive interactions which lead to supernumerary synapse elimination that achieves the optimized monoinnervation of musculoskeletal cells. The metabotropic receptor-driven balance between downstream PKA and PKC activities, coupled to developmentally regulated VGCC, explains much of how nerve terminals with different activities finally progress to their withdrawal or strengthening.
Asunto(s)
Axones , Unión Neuromuscular , Animales , Unión Neuromuscular/metabolismo , Axones/metabolismo , Receptores Muscarínicos/metabolismo , Acetilcolina/metabolismo , Canales de Calcio/metabolismo , Mamíferos/metabolismoRESUMEN
During the nervous system development, synapses are initially overproduced. In the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) however, competition between several motor nerve terminals and the synapses they made ends with the maturation of only one axon. The competitive signaling between axons is mediated by the differential activity-dependent release of the neurotransmitter ACh, co-transmitters, and neurotrophic factors. A multiple metabotropic receptor-driven downstream balance between PKA and PKC isoforms modulates the phosphorylation of targets involved in transmitter release and nerve terminal stability. Previously, we observed in the weakest endings on the polyinnervated NMJ that M1 mAChR receptors reduce ACh release through the PKC pathway coupled to an excess of Ca2+ inflow through P/Q- N- and L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC). This signaling would contribute to the elimination of this nerve terminal. Here, we investigate the involvement of the P/Q-, N-, and L-subtype channels in transgenic B6.Cg-Tg (Thy1-YFP)16-Jrs/J mice during synapse elimination. Then, the axon number and postsynaptic receptor cluster morphologic maturation were evaluated. The results show that both L- and P/Q-type VGCC (but not the N-type) are equally involved in synapse elimination. Their normal function favors supernumerary axonal loss by jointly enhancing intracellular calcium [Ca2+]i. The block of these VGCCs or [Ca2+]i i sequestration results in the same delay of axonal loss as the cPKCßI and nPKCε isoform block or PKA activation. The specific block of the muscle cell's contraction with µ-conotoxin GIIIB also delays synapse maturation, and thus, a retrograde influence from the postsynaptic site regulating the presynaptic CaV1.3 may contribute to the synapse elimination.
Asunto(s)
Canales de Calcio , Unión Neuromuscular , Animales , Axones/metabolismo , Calcio/metabolismo , Canales de Calcio/metabolismo , Ratones , Unión Neuromuscular/metabolismo , Isoformas de Proteínas/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal , Sinapsis/metabolismoRESUMEN
At the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), motor neurons and myocytes maintain a bidirectional communication that guarantees adequate functionality. Thus, motor neurons' firing pattern, which is influenced by retrograde muscle-derived neurotrophic factors, modulates myocyte contractibility. Myocytes can be fast-twitch fibers and become easily fatigued or slow-twitch fibers and resistant to fatigue. Extraocular muscles (EOM) show mixed properties that guarantee fast contraction speed and resistance to fatigue and the degeneration caused by Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) disease. The TrkB signaling is an activity-dependent pathway implicated in the NMJ well-functioning. Therefore, it could mediate the differences between fast and slow myocytes' resistance to fatigue. The present study elucidates a specific protein expression profile concerning the TrkB signaling that correlates with higher resistance to fatigue and better neuroprotective capacity through time. The results unveil that Extra-ocular muscles (EOM) express lower levels of NT-4 that extend TrkB signaling, differential PKC expression, and a higher abundance of phosphorylated synaptic proteins that correlate with continuous neurotransmission requirements. Furthermore, common molecular features between EOM and slow soleus muscles including higher neurotrophic consumption and classic and novel PKC isoforms balance correlate with better preservation of these two muscles in ALS. Altogether, higher resistance of Soleus and EOM to fatigue and ALS seems to be associated with specific protein levels concerning the TrkB neurotrophic signaling.
RESUMEN
During the development of the nervous system, synaptogenesis occurs in excess though only the appropriate connections consolidate. At the neuromuscular junction, competition between several motor nerve terminals results in the maturation of a single axon and the elimination of the others. The activity-dependent release of transmitter, cotransmitters, and neurotrophic factors allows the direct mutual influence between motor axon terminals through receptors such as presynaptic muscarinic ACh autoreceptors and the tropomyosin-related kinase B neurotrophin receptor. In previous studies, we investigated the synergistic and antagonistic relations between these receptors and their downstream coupling to PKA and PKC pathways and observed a metabotropic receptor-driven balance between PKA (stabilizes multinnervation) and PKC (promotes developmental axonal loss). However, how much does each kinase contribute in the developmental synapse elimination process? A detailed statistical analysis of the differences between the PKA and PKC effects in the synapse elimination could help to explore this point. The present short communication provides this analysis and results show that a similar level of PKA inhibition and PKC potentiation would be required during development to promote synapse loss.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas Quinasas Dependientes de AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Desarrollo Musculoesquelético , Neurogénesis , Unión Neuromuscular/crecimiento & desarrollo , Terminales Presinápticos/metabolismo , Proteína Quinasa C/metabolismo , Animales , Proteínas Quinasas Dependientes de AMP Cíclico/genética , Ratones , Ratones Transgénicos , Unión Neuromuscular/genética , Proteína Quinasa C/genética , Transducción de Señal/genética , Transmisión Sináptica/genéticaRESUMEN
Physical exercise improves motor control and related cognitive abilities and reinforces neuroprotective mechanisms in the nervous system. As peripheral nerves interact with skeletal muscles at the neuromuscular junction, modifications of this bidirectional communication by physical activity are positive to preserve this synapse as it increases quantal content and resistance to fatigue, acetylcholine receptors expansion, and myocytes' fast-to-slow functional transition. Here, we provide the intermediate step between physical activity and functional and morphological changes by analyzing the molecular adaptations in the skeletal muscle of the full BDNF/TrkB downstream signaling pathway, directly involved in acetylcholine release and synapse maintenance. After 45 days of training at different intensities, the BDNF/TrkB molecular phenotype of trained muscles from male B6SJLF1/J mice undergo a fast-to-slow transition without affecting motor neuron size. We provide further knowledge to understand how exercise induces muscle molecular adaptations towards a slower phenotype, resistant to prolonged trains of stimulation or activity that can be useful as therapeutic tools.
Asunto(s)
Factor Neurotrófico Derivado del Encéfalo/metabolismo , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Unión Neuromuscular/metabolismo , Proteínas Tirosina Quinasas/metabolismo , Carrera/fisiología , Natación/fisiología , Animales , Masculino , Ratones Endogámicos , Neuronas Motoras/metabolismo , Proteínas Munc18/metabolismo , Músculo Esquelético/fisiología , Factores de Crecimiento Nervioso/metabolismo , Condicionamiento Físico Animal/fisiología , Proteínas Serina-Treonina Quinasas/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal , Vesículas Sinápticas/metabolismo , Proteína 25 Asociada a Sinaptosomas/metabolismoRESUMEN
Muscarinic acetylcholine receptor 1 subtype (M1 ) and muscarinic acetylcholine receptor 2 subtype (M2 ) presynaptic muscarinic receptor subtypes increase and decrease, respectively, neurotransmitter release at neuromuscular junctions. M2 involves protein kinase A (PKA), although the muscarinic regulation to form and inactivate the PKA holoenzyme is unknown. Here, we show that M2 signaling inhibits PKA by downregulating Cß subunit, upregulating RIIα/ß and liberating RIß and RIIα to the cytosol. This promotes PKA holoenzyme formation and reduces the phosphorylation of the transmitter release target synaptosome-associated protein 25 and the gene regulator cAMP response element binding. Instead, M1 signaling, which is downregulated by M2 , opposes to M2 by recruiting R subunits to the membrane. The M1 and M2 reciprocal actions are performed through the anchoring protein A kinase anchor protein 150 as a common node. Interestingly, M2 modulation on protein expression needs M1 signaling. Altogether, these results describe the dynamics of PKA subunits upon M2 muscarinic signaling in basal and under presynaptic nerve activity, uncover a specific involvement of the M1 receptor and reveal the M1 /M2 balance to activate PKA to regulate neurotransmission. This provides a molecular mechanism to the PKA holoenzyme formation and inactivation which could be general to other synapses and cellular models.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas Quinasas Activadas por AMP/metabolismo , Unión Neuromuscular/metabolismo , Receptor Muscarínico M1/metabolismo , Receptor Muscarínico M2/metabolismo , Proteínas Quinasas Activadas por AMP/genética , Animales , Femenino , Células HEK293 , Humanos , Masculino , Ratas , Ratas Sprague-DawleyRESUMEN
Nerve-induced muscle contraction regulates the BDNF/TrkB neurotrophic signalling to retrogradely modulate neurotransmission and protect the neuromuscular junctions and motoneurons. In muscles with amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, this pathway is strongly misbalanced and neuromuscular junctions are destabilized, which may directly cause the motoneuron degeneration and muscular atrophy observed in this disease. Here, we sought to demonstrate (1) that physical exercise, whose recommendation has been controversial in amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, would be a good option for its therapy, because it normalizes and improves the altered neurotrophin pathway and (2) a plausible molecular mechanism underlying its positive effect. SOD1-G93A mice were trained following either running or swimming-based protocols since the beginning of the symptomatic phase (day 70 of age) until day 115. Next, the full BDNF pathway, including receptors, downstream kinases and proteins related with neurotransmission, was characterized and motoneuron survival was analysed. The results establish that amyotrophic lateral sclerosis-induced damaging molecular changes in the BDNF/TrkB pathway are reduced, prevented or even overcompensated by precisely defined exercise protocols that modulate TrkB isoforms and neurotransmission regulatory proteins and reduce motoneuron death. Altogether, the maintenance of the BDNF/TrkB signalling and the downstream pathway, particularly after the swimming protocol, adds new molecular evidence of the benefits of physical exercise to reduce the impact of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis. These results are encouraging since they reveal an improvement even starting the therapy after the onset of the disease.
Asunto(s)
Esclerosis Amiotrófica Lateral/patología , Unión Neuromuscular/metabolismo , Condicionamiento Físico Animal , Transducción de Señal , Natación , Esclerosis Amiotrófica Lateral/metabolismo , Animales , Factor Neurotrófico Derivado del Encéfalo/metabolismo , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Femenino , Masculino , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Ratones , Ratones Transgénicos , Neuronas Motoras/metabolismo , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Polimorfismo de Nucleótido Simple , Isoformas de Proteínas/metabolismo , Proteína Quinasa C-alfa/metabolismo , Proteínas Tirosina Quinasas/metabolismo , Proteínas SNARE/metabolismo , Superóxido Dismutasa-1/genética , Superóxido Dismutasa-1/metabolismoRESUMEN
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) promotes neuron survival in adulthood in the central nervous system. In the peripheral nervous system, BDNF is a contraction-inducible protein that, through its binding to tropomyosin-related kinase B receptor (TrkB), contributes to the retrograde neuroprotective control done by muscles, which is necessary for motor neuron function. BDNF/TrkB triggers downstream presynaptic pathways, involving protein kinase C, essential for synaptic function and maintenance. Undeniably, this reciprocally regulated system exemplifies the tight communication between nerve terminals and myocytes to promote synaptic function and reveals a new view about the complementary and essential role of pre and postsynaptic interplay in keeping the synapse healthy and strong. This signaling at the neuromuscular junction (NMJ) could establish new intervention targets across neuromuscular diseases characterized by deficits in presynaptic activity and muscle contractility and by the interruption of the connection between nervous and muscular tissues, such as amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS). Indeed, exercise and other therapies that modulate kinases are effective at delaying ALS progression, preserving NMJs and maintaining motor function to increase the life quality of patients. Altogether, we review synaptic activity modulation of the BDNF/TrkB/PKC signaling to sustain NMJ function, its and other kinases' disturbances in ALS and physical and molecular mechanisms to delay disease progression.
Asunto(s)
Esclerosis Amiotrófica Lateral/etiología , Esclerosis Amiotrófica Lateral/metabolismo , Factor Neurotrófico Derivado del Encéfalo/metabolismo , Glicoproteínas de Membrana/metabolismo , Unión Neuromuscular/metabolismo , Proteína Quinasa C/metabolismo , Receptor trkB/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal , Animales , Ejercicio Físico , Expresión Génica , Humanos , Neuronas Motoras/metabolismo , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Músculo Esquelético/fisiopatologíaRESUMEN
BACKGROUND: During neuromuscular junction (NMJ) development, synapses are produced in excess. By sensing the activity-dependent release of ACh, adenosine, and neurotrophins, presynaptic receptors prompt axonal competition and loss of the unnecessary axons. The receptor action is mediated by synergistic and antagonistic relations when they couple to downstream kinases (mainly protein kinases A and C (PKA and PKC)), which phosphorylate targets involved in axonal disconnection. Here, we directly investigated the involvement of PKA subunits and PKC isoforms in synapse elimination. METHODS: Selective PKA and PKC peptide modulators were applied daily to the Levator auris longus (LAL) muscle surface of P5-P8 transgenic B6.Cg-Tg (Thy1-YFP) 16 Jrs/J (and also C57BL/6J) mice, and the number of axons and the postsynaptic receptor cluster morphology were evaluated in P9 NMJ. RESULTS: PKA (PKA-I and PKA-II isozymes) acts at the pre- and postsynaptic sites to delay both axonal elimination and nAChR cluster differentiation, PKC activity promotes both axonal loss (a cPKCßI and nPKCε isoform action), and postsynaptic nAChR cluster maturation (a possible role for PKCθ). Moreover, PKC-induced changes in axon number indirectly influence postsynaptic maturation. CONCLUSIONS: PKC and PKA have opposed actions, which suggests that changes in the balance of these kinases may play a major role in the mechanism of developmental synapse elimination.
Asunto(s)
Proteínas Quinasas Dependientes de AMP Cíclico/metabolismo , Unión Neuromuscular/embriología , Proteína Quinasa C/metabolismo , Acetilcolina/metabolismo , Animales , Axones/metabolismo , Diferenciación Celular , Isoenzimas/metabolismo , Masculino , Ratones , Ratones Endogámicos C57BL , Ratones Transgénicos , Placa Motora/embriología , Placa Motora/metabolismo , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Unión Neuromuscular/metabolismo , Fosforilación , Isoformas de Proteínas , Receptores Muscarínicos/metabolismo , Receptores Purinérgicos P1/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal , Sinapsis/metabolismoRESUMEN
Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (ALS) is a chronic neurodegenerative disease characterized by progressive motor weakness. It is accepted that it is caused by motoneuron degeneration leading to a decrease in muscle stimulation. However, ALS is being redefined as a distal axonopathy, in that neuromuscular junction dysfunction precedes and may even influence motoneuron loss. In this synapse, several metabotropic receptor-mediated signaling pathways converge on effector kinases that phosphorylate targets that are crucial for synaptic stability and neurotransmission quality. We have previously shown that, in physiological conditions, nerve-induced muscle contraction regulates the brain-derived neurotrophic factor/tropomyosin-related kinase B (BDNF/TrkB) signaling to retrogradely modulate presynaptic protein kinases PKC and PKA, which are directly involved in the modulation of acetylcholine release. In ALS patients, the alteration of this signaling may significantly contribute to a motor impairment. Here, we investigate whether BDNF/TrkB signaling, the downstream PKC (cPKCßI, cPKCα, and nPKCε isoforms), and PKA (regulatory and catalytic subunits) and some SNARE/SM exocytotic machinery proteins (Munc18-1 and SNAP-25) are altered in the skeletal muscle of pre- and symptomatic SOD1-G93A mice. We found that this pathway is strongly affected in symptomatic ALS mice muscles including an unbalance between (I) BDNF and TrkB isoforms, (II) PKC isoforms and PKA subunits, and (III) Munc18-1 and SNAP-25 phosphorylation ratios. Changes in TrkB.T1 and cPKCßI are precociously observed in presymptomatic mice. Altogether, several of these molecular alterations can be partly associated with the known fast-to-slow motor unit transition during the disease process but others can be related with the initial disease pathogenesis.
Asunto(s)
Esclerosis Amiotrófica Lateral/patología , Factor Neurotrófico Derivado del Encéfalo/metabolismo , Unión Neuromuscular/patología , Proteínas Serina-Treonina Quinasas/metabolismo , Proteínas SNARE/metabolismo , Transducción de Señal , Superóxido Dismutasa-1/genética , Esclerosis Amiotrófica Lateral/metabolismo , Animales , Dominio Catalítico , Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Masculino , Ratones Transgénicos , Modelos Biológicos , Neuronas Motoras/metabolismo , Neuronas Motoras/patología , Músculos/metabolismo , Músculos/patología , Factores de Crecimiento Nervioso/metabolismo , Unión Neuromuscular/metabolismo , Receptores de Factor de Crecimiento Nervioso/metabolismo , Médula Espinal/patologíaRESUMEN
Protein kinase C (PKC) and substrates like SNAP-25 regulate neurotransmission. At the neuromuscular junction (NMJ), PKC promotes neurotransmitter release during synaptic activity. Thirty minutes of muscle contraction enhances presynaptic PKC isoform levels, specifically cPKCßI and nPKCε, through retrograde BDNF/TrkB signaling. This establishes a larger pool of these PKC isoforms ready to promote neuromuscular transmission. The PKC phosphorylation site in SNAP-25 has been mapped to the serine 187 (Ser-187), which is known to enhance calcium-dependent neurotransmitter release in vitro. Here, we localize SNAP-25 at the NMJ and investigate whether cPKCßI and/or nPKCε regulate SNAP-25 phosphorylation. We also investigate whether nerve and muscle cell activities regulate differently SNAP-25 phosphorylation and the involvement of BDNF/TrkB signaling. Our results demonstrate that nPKCε isoform is essential to positively regulate SNAP-25 phosphorylation on Ser-187 and that muscle contraction prevents it. TrkB and cPKCßI do not regulate SNAP-25 protein level or its phosphorylation during neuromuscular activity. The results provide evidence that nerve terminals need both pre- and postsynaptic activities to modulate SNAP-25 phosphorylation and ensure an accurate neurotransmission process.
Asunto(s)
Unión Neuromuscular/metabolismo , Fosfoserina/metabolismo , Proteína Quinasa C/metabolismo , Sinapsis/metabolismo , Proteína 25 Asociada a Sinaptosomas/metabolismo , Animales , Factor Neurotrófico Derivado del Encéfalo/metabolismo , Modelos Biológicos , Contracción Muscular , Músculo Esquelético/metabolismo , Fosforilación , Terminales Presinápticos/metabolismo , Ratas Sprague-Dawley , Receptor trkB/metabolismo , Transducción de SeñalRESUMEN
Myofascial pain syndrome is one of the most common forms of muscle pain. In this syndrome, pain is originated by the so-called trigger points, which consists of a set of palpable contraction knots in the muscle. It has been proposed that a high, spontaneous neurotransmission may be involved in the generation of these contraction knots. To confirm this hypothesis, we exposed mouse muscles to an anticholinesterasic agent to increase the neurotransmision in the synaptic cleft in two different conditions, in vivo and ex vivo experiments. Using intracellular recordings, a sharp increase in the spontaneous neurotransmission in the levator auris longus muscle and a lower increase in the diaphragm muscle could be seen. Likewise, electromyography recordings reveal an elevated endplate noise in gastrocnemius muscle of treated animals. These changes are associated with structural changes such as abundant neuromuscular contracted zones observed by rhodaminated α-bungarotoxin and the presence of abundant glycosaminoglycans around the contraction knots, as shown by Alcian PAS staining. In a second set of experiments, we aimed at demonstrating that the increases in the neurotransmission reproduced most of the clinical signs associated to a trigger point. We exposed rats to the anticholinesterase agent neostigmine, and 30 min afterward we observed the presence of palpable taut bands, the echocardiographic presence of contraction knots, and local twitch responses upon needle stimulation. In summary, we demonstrated that increased neurotransmission induced trigger points in both rats and mice, as evidenced by glycosaminoglycans around the contraction zones as a novel hallmark of this pathology. NEW & NOTEWORTHY In rodents, when neostigmine was injected subcutaneously, the neuromuscular neurotransmission increased, and several changes can be observed: an elevated endplate noise compared with normal endplate noise, as evidenced by electromyographyc recording; many muscular fibers with contraction knots (narrower sarcomeres and locally thickened muscle fiber) surrounded by infiltration of connective tissue like glycosaminoglycans molecules; and palpable taut bands and local twitch responses upon needle stimulation. Several of these signs are also observed in humans with muscle pain.
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Modelos Animales de Enfermedad , Síndromes del Dolor Miofascial , Puntos Disparadores , Animales , Inhibidores de la Colinesterasa , Masculino , Ratones , Neostigmina , UltrasonografíaRESUMEN
No disponible
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Humanos , Masculino , Adulto , Variación Anatómica , Hematuria/etiología , Venas Renales/anatomía & histología , SíndromeAsunto(s)
Variación Anatómica , Hematuria/etiología , Venas Renales/anatomía & histología , Adulto , Humanos , Masculino , SíndromeRESUMEN
Munc18-1, a neuron-specific member of the Sec1/Munc18 family, is involved in neurotransmitter release by binding tightly to syntaxin. Munc18-1 is phosphorylated by PKC on Ser-306 and Ser-313 in vitro which reduces the amount of Munc18-1 able to bind syntaxin. We have previously identified that PKC is involved in neurotransmitter release when continuous electrical stimulation imposes a moderate activity on the NMJ and that muscle contraction through TrkB has an important impact on presynaptic PKC isoforms levels, specifically cPKCßI and nPKCε. Therefore, the present study was designed to understand how Munc18-1 phosphorylation is affected by (1) synaptic activity at the neuromuscular junction, (2) nPKCε and cPKCßI isoforms activity, (3) muscle contraction per se, and (4) the BDNF/TrkB signaling in a neuromuscular activity-dependent manner. We performed immunohistochemistry and confocal techniques to evidence the presynaptic location of Munc18-1 in the rat diaphragm muscle. To study synaptic activity, we stimulated the phrenic nerve (1 Hz, 30 min) with or without contraction (abolished by µ-conotoxin GIIIB). Specific inhibitory reagents were used to block nPKCε and cPKCßI activity and to modulate the tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB). Main results obtained from Western blot experiments showed that phosphorylation of Munc18-1 at Ser-313 increases in response to a signaling mechanism initiated by synaptic activity and directly mediated by nPKCε. Otherwise, cPKCßI and TrkB activities work together to prevent this synaptic activity-induced Munc18-1 phosphorylation by a negative regulation of cPKCßI over nPKCε. Therefore, a balance between the activities of these PKC isoforms could be a relevant cue in the regulation of the exocytotic apparatus. The results also demonstrate that muscle contraction prevents the synaptic activity-induced Munc18-1 phosphorylation through a mechanism that opposes the TrkB/cPKCßI/nPKCε signaling.
RESUMEN
In the last few years, we have studied the presence and involvement in synaptogenesis and mature transmitter release of the adenosine autoreceptors (AR) in the mammalian neuromuscular junction (NMJ). Here, we review and bring together the previously published data to emphasize the relevance of these receptors for developmental axonal competition, synaptic loss and mature NMJ functional modulation. However, in addition to AR, activity-dependent mediators originating from any of the three cells that make the synapse (nerve, muscle, and glial cells) cross the extracellular cleft to generate signals in target metabotropic receptors. Thus, the integrated interpretation of the complementary function of all these receptors is needed. We previously studied, in the NMJ, the links of AR with mAChR and the neurotrophin receptor TrkB in the control of synapse elimination and transmitter release. We conclude that AR cooperate with these receptors through synergistic and antagonistic effects in the developmental synapse elimination process. In the adult NMJ, this cooperation is manifested so as that the functional integrity of a given receptor group depends on the other receptors operating normally (i.e., the functional integrity of mAChR depends on AR operating normally). These observations underlie the relevance of AR in the NMJ function.