The Sleep Quality- and Myopia-Linked PDE11A-Y727C Variant Impacts Neural Physiology by Reducing Catalytic Activity and Altering Subcellular Compartmentalization of the Enzyme.

Recently, a Y727C variant in the dual-specific 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A-Y727C) was linked to increased sleep quality and reduced myopia risk in humans. Given the well-established role that the PDE11 substrates cAMP and cGMP play in eye physiology and sleep, we determined if (1) PDE11A protein is expressed in the retina or other eye segments in mice, (2) PDE11A-Y7272C affects catalytic activity and/or subcellular compartmentalization more so than the nearby suicide-associated PDE11A-M878V variant, and (3) Pde11a deletion alters eye growth or sleep quality in male and female mice. Western blots show distinct protein expression of PDE11A4, but not PDE11A1-3, in eyes of Pde11a WT, but not KO mice, that vary by eye segment and age. In HT22 and COS-1 cells, PDE11A4-Y727C reduces PDE11A4 catalytic activity far more than PDE11A4-M878V, with both variants reducing PDE11A4-cAMP more so than PDE11A4-cGMP activity. Despite this, Pde11a deletion does not alter age-related changes in retinal or lens thickness or axial length, nor vitreous or anterior chamber depth. Further, Pde11a deletion only minimally changes refractive error and sleep quality. That said, both variants also dramatically alter the subcellular compartmentalization of human and mouse PDE11A4, an effect occurring independently of dephosphorylating PDE11A4-S117/S124 or phosphorylating PDE11A4-S162. Rather, re-compartmentalization of PDE11A4-Y727C is due to the loss of the tyrosine changing how PDE11A4 is packaged/repackaged via the trans-Golgi network. Therefore, the protective impact of the Y727C variant may reflect a gain-of-function (e.g., PDE11A4 displacing another PDE) that warrants further investigation in the context of reversing/preventing sleep disturbances or myopia.

The sleep quality- and myopia-linked PDE11A-Y727C variant impacts neural physiology by reducing catalytic activity and altering subcellular compartmentalization of the enzyme.

Recently, a Y727C variant in the dual-specific 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A-Y727C) was linked to increased sleep quality and reduced myopia risk in humans. Given the well-established role that the PDE11 substrates cAMP and cGMP play in eye physiology and sleep, we determined if 1) PDE11A protein is expressed in the retina or other eye segments in mouse, 2) PDE11A-Y7272C affects catalytic activity and/or subcellular compartmentalization more so than the nearby suicide-associated PDE11A-M878V variant, and 3) Pde11a deletion alters eye growth or sleep quality in male and female mice. Western blots show distinct protein expression of PDE11A4, but not PDE11A1-3, in eyes of Pde11a WT-but not KO mice-that vary by eye segment and age. In HT22 and COS-1 cells, PDE11A4-Y727C reduces PDE11A4 catalytic activity far more than PDE11A4-M878V, with both variants reducing PDE11A4-cAMP more so than PDE11A4-cGMP activity. Despite this, Pde11a deletion does not alter age-related changes in retinal or lens thickness, axial length, nor vitreous or anterior chamber depth. Further, Pde11a deletion only minimally changes refractive error and sleep quality. That said, both variants also dramatically alter the subcellular compartmentalization of human and mouse PDE11A4, an effect occurring independently of dephosphorylating PDE11A4-S117/S124 or phosphorylating PDE11A4-S162. Rather, re-compartmentalization of PDE11A4-Y727C is due to the loss of the tyrosine changing how PDE11A4 is packaged/repackaged via the trans-Golgi network. Therefore, the protective impact of the Y727C variant may reflect a gain-of-function (e.g., PDE11A4 displacing another PDE) that warrants further investigation in the context of reversing/preventing sleep disturbances or myopia.

First Optimization of Novel, Potent, Selective PDE11A4 Inhibitors for Age-Related Cognitive Decline.

Phosphodiesterase 11A4 (PDE11A4) is a dual-acting cyclic nucleotide hydrolase expressed in neurons in the CA1, subiculum, amygdalostriatal transition area and amygdalohippocampal area of the extended hippocampal formation. PDE11A4 is the only PDE enzyme to emanate solely from hippocampal formation, a key brain region for the formation of long-term memory. PDE11A4 expression increases in the hippocampal formation of both humans and rodents as they age. Interestingly, PDE11A knockout mice do not show age-related deficits in associative memory and show no gross histopathology. This suggests that inhibition of PDE11A4 might serve as a therapeutic option for age-related cognitive decline. A novel, yeast-based high throughput screen previously identified moderately potent, selective PDE11A4 inhibitors, and this work describes initial efforts that improved potency more than 10-fold and improved some pharmaceutical properties of one of these scaffolds, leading to selective, cell-penetrant PDE11A4 inhibitors, one of which is 10-fold more potent compared to tadalafil in cell-based activity.

Biologic that disrupts PDE11A4 homodimerization in hippocampus CA1 reverses age-related cognitive decline of social memories in mice.

Age-related abnormalities in phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A), which degrades 3',5'-cAMP/cGMP and is enriched in the ventral hippocampus (VHIPP), drive age-related cognitive decline (ARCD) of social memories. Age-related PDE11A4 ectopically accumulates within the membrane compartment and in filamentous structures termed ghost axons. Previous studies show that expressing an isolated PDE11A4-GAF-B binding domain disrupts homodimerization and reverses aging-like PDE11A4 accumulations in vitro. Here, we show that in vivo lentiviral expression of the isolated PDE11A4-GAFB domain in hippocampal CA1 of aged mice reverses age-related PDE11A4 accumulations and ARCD of social transmission of food preference memory (STFP). It also improves 7-day remote long-term memory for social odor recognition without affecting non-social odor recognition. In vitro studies show that disrupting homodimerization does not alter the catalytic activity of PDE11A4 but may reverse age-related decreases in cGMP by relocating PDE11A4 from a cGMP-rich to a cAMP-rich pool independently of other intramolecular relocation signals (PDE11A4-pS162). Altogether, these data suggest that a biologic designed to disrupt PDE11A4 homodimerization may hold therapeutic potential for age-related PDE11A4 proteinopathies.

Conserved age-related increases in hippocampal PDE11A4 cause unexpected proteinopathies and cognitive decline of social associative memories.

In humans, associative memories are more susceptible to age-related cognitive decline (ARCD) than are recognition memories. Reduced cAMP/cGMP signaling in the hippocampus may contribute to ARCD. Here, we found that both aging and traumatic brain injury-associated dementia increased the expression of the cAMP/cGMP-degrading enzyme phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A) in the human hippocampus. Further, age-related increases in hippocampal PDE11A4 mRNA and protein were conserved in mice, as was the increased vulnerability of associative versus recognition memories to ARCD. Interestingly, mouse PDE11A4 protein in the aged ventral hippocampus (VHIPP) ectopically accumulated in the membrane fraction and filamentous structures we term "ghost axons." These age-related increases in expression were driven by reduced exoribonuclease-mediated degradation of PDE11A mRNA and increased PDE11A4-pS117/pS124, the latter of which also drove the punctate accumulation of PDE11A4. In contrast, PDE11A4-pS162 caused dispersal. Importantly, preventing age-related increases in PDE11 expression via genetic deletion protected mice from ARCD of short-term and remote long-term associative memory (aLTM) in the social transmission of food preference assay, albeit at the expense of recent aLTM. Further, mimicking age-related overexpression of PDE11A4 in CA1 of old KO mice caused aging-like impairments in CREB function and remote social-but not non-social-LTMs. RNA sequencing and phosphoproteomic analyses of VHIPP identified cGMP-PKG-as opposed to cAMP-PKA-as well as circadian entrainment, glutamatergic/cholinergic synapses, calcium signaling, oxytocin, and retrograde endocannabinoid signaling as mechanisms by which PDE11A deletion protects against ARCD. Together, these data suggest that PDE11A4 proteinopathies acutely impair signaling in the aged brain and contribute to ARCD of social memories.

The Role of PDE11A4 in Social Isolation-Induced Changes in Intracellular Signaling and Neuroinflammation.

Phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A), an enzyme that degrades cyclic nucleotides (cAMP and cGMP), is the only PDE whose mRNA expression in brain is restricted to the hippocampal formation. Previously, we showed that chronic social isolation changes subsequent social behaviors in adult mice by reducing expression of PDE11A4 in the membrane fraction of the ventral hippocampus (VHIPP). Here we seek extend these findings by determining 1) if isolation-induced decreases in PDE11A4 require chronic social isolation or if they occur acutely and are sustained long-term, 2) if isolation-induced decreases occur uniquely in adults (i.e., not adolescents), and 3) how the loss of PDE11 signaling may increase neuroinflammation. Both acute and chronic social isolation decrease PDE11A4 expression in adult but not adolescent mice. This decrease in PDE11A4 is specific to the membrane compartment of the VHIPP, as it occurs neither in the soluble nor nuclear fractions of the VHIPP nor in any compartment of the dorsal HIPP. The effect of social isolation on membrane PDE11A4 is also selective in that PDE2A and PDE10A expression remain unchanged. Isolation-induced decreases in PDE11A4 expression appear to be functional as social isolation elicited changes in PDE11A-relevant signal transduction cascades (i.e., decreased pCamKIIα and pS6-235/236) and behavior (i.e., increased remote long-term memory for social odor recognition). Interestingly, we found that isolation-induced decreases in membrane PDE11A4 correlated with increased expression of interleukin-6 (IL-6) in the soluble fraction, suggesting pro-inflammatory signaling for this cytokine. This effect on IL-6 is consistent with the fact that PDE11A deletion increased microglia activation, although it left astrocytes unchanged. Together, these data suggest that isolation-induced decreases in PDE11A4 may alter subsequent social behavior via increased neuroinflammatory processes in adult mice.

Aging triggers an upregulation of a multitude of cytokines in the male and especially the female rodent hippocampus but more discrete changes in other brain regions.

BACKGROUND: Despite widespread acceptance that neuroinflammation contributes to age-related cognitive decline, studies comparing protein expression of cytokines in the young versus old brains are surprisingly limited in terms of the number of cytokines and brain regions studied. Complicating matters, discrepancies abound-particularly for interleukin 6 (IL-6)-possibly due to differences in sex, species/strain, and/or the brain regions studied. METHODS: As such, we clarified how cytokine expression changes with age by using a Bioplex and Western blot to measure multiple cytokines across several brain regions of both sexes, using 2 mouse strains bred in-house as well as rats obtained from NIA. Parametric and nonparametric statistical tests were used as appropriate. RESULTS: In the ventral hippocampus of C57BL/6J mice, we found age-related increases in IL-1α, IL-1ß, IL-2, IL-3, IL-4, IL-6, IL-9, IL-10, IL-12p40, IL-12p70, IL-13, IL-17, eotaxin, G-CSF, interfeuron δ, KC, MIP-1a, MIP-1b, rantes, and TNFα that are generally more pronounced in females, but no age-related change in IL-5, MCP-1, or GM-CSF. We also find aging is uniquely associated with the emergence of a module (a.k.a. network) of 11 strongly intercorrelated cytokines, as well as an age-related shift from glycosylated to unglycosylated isoforms of IL-10 and IL-1ß in the ventral hippocampus. Interestingly, age-related increases in extra-hippocampal cytokine expression are more discreet, with the prefrontal cortex, striatum, and cerebellum of male and female C57BL/6J mice demonstrating robust age-related increase in IL-6 expression but not IL-1ß. Importantly, we found this widespread age-related increase in IL-6 also occurs in BALB/cJ mice and Brown Norway rats, demonstrating conservation across species and rearing environments. CONCLUSIONS: Thus, age-related increases in cytokines are more pronounced in the hippocampus compared to other brain regions and can be more pronounced in females versus males depending on the brain region, genetic background, and cytokine examined.

A genetic basis for friendship? Homophily for membrane-associated PDE11A-cAMP-CREB signaling in CA1 of hippocampus dictates mutual social preference in male and female mice.

Although the physical and mental benefits of friendships are clear, the neurobiological mechanisms driving mutual social preferences are not well understood. Studies in humans suggest friends are more genetically similar, particularly for targets within the 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) cascade. Unfortunately, human studies can not provide conclusive evidence for such a biological driver of friendship given that other genetically related factors tend to co-segregate with friendship (e.g., geographical proximity). As such, here we use mice under controlled conditions to test the hypothesis that homophily in the cAMP-degrading enzyme phosphodiesterase 11A4 (PDE11A4) can dictate mutual social preference. Using C57BL/6J and BALB/cJ mice in two different behavioral assays, we showed that mice with two intact alleles of Pde11a prefer to interact with Pde11 wild-type (WT) mice of the same genetic background over knockout (KO) mice or novel objects; whereas, Pde11 KO mice prefer to interact with Pde11 KO mice over WT mice or novel objects. This mutual social preference was seen in both adult and adolescent mice, and social preference could be eliminated or artificially elicited by strengthening or weakening PDE11A homodimerization, respectively. Stereotactic delivery of an isolated PDE11A GAF-B domain to the mouse hippocampus revealed the membrane-associated pool of PDE11A-cAMP-CREB signaling specifically within the CA1 subfield of hippocampus is most critical for regulating social preference. Our study here not only identifies PDE11A homophily as a key driver of mutual social preference across the lifespan, it offers a paradigm in which other mechanisms can be identified in a controlled fashion.

Alterations in cyclic nucleotide signaling are implicated in healthy aging and age-related pathologies of the brain.

It is not only important to consider how hormones may change with age, but also how downstream signaling pathways that couple to hormone receptors may change. Among these hormone-coupled signaling pathways are the 3',5'-cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP) and 3',5'-cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) intracellular second messenger cascades. Here, we test the hypothesis that dysfunction of cAMP and/or cGMP synthesis, execution, and/or degradation occurs in the brain during healthy and pathological diseases such as Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, and Huntington's disease. Although most studies report lower cyclic nucleotide signaling in the aged brain, with further reductions noted in the context of age-related diseases, there are select examples where cAMP signaling may be elevated in select tissues. Thus, therapeutics would need to target cAMP/cGMP in a tissue-specific manner if efficacy for select symptoms is to be achieved without worsening others.

Genetic manipulation of cyclic nucleotide signaling during hippocampal neuroplasticity and memory formation.

Decades of research have underscored the importance of cyclic nucleotide signaling in memory formation and synaptic plasticity. In recent years, several new genetic techniques have expanded the neuroscience toolbox, allowing researchers to measure and modulate cyclic nucleotide gradients with high spatiotemporal resolution. Here, we will provide an overview of studies using genetic approaches to interrogate the role cyclic nucleotide signaling plays in hippocampus-dependent memory processes and synaptic plasticity. Particular attention is given to genetic techniques that measure real-time changes in cyclic nucleotide levels as well as newly-developed genetic strategies to transiently manipulate cyclic nucleotide signaling in a subcellular compartment-specific manner with high temporal resolution.

Phosphodiesterases PDE2A and PDE10A both change mRNA expression in the human brain with age, but only PDE2A changes in a region-specific manner with psychiatric disease.

Many studies implicate altered cyclic nucleotide signaling in the pathophysiology of major depressive disorder (MDD), bipolar disorder (BPD), and schizophrenia (SCZ). As such, we explored how phosphodiesterases 2A (PDE2A) and 10A (PDE10A)-enzymes that break down cyclic nucleotides-may be altered in brains of these patients. Using autoradiographic in situ hybridization on postmortem brain tissue from the Stanley Foundation Neuropathology Consortium, we measured expression of PDE2 and PDE10 mRNA in multiple brain regions implicated in psychiatric pathophysiology, including cingulate cortex, orbital frontal cortex (OFC), superior temporal gyrus, hippocampus, parahippocampal cortex, amygdala, and the striatum. We also assessed how PDE2A and PDE10A expression changes in these brain regions across development using the Allen Institute for Brain Science Brainspan database. Compared to controls, patients with SCZ, MDD and BPD all showed reduced PDE2A mRNA in the amygdala. In contrast, PDE2A expression changes in frontal cortical regions were only significant in patients with SCZ, while those in caudal entorhinal cortex, hippocampus, and the striatum were most pronounced in patients with BPD. PDE10A expression was only detected in striatum and did not differ by disease group; however, all groups showed significantly less PDE10A mRNA expression in ventral versus dorsal striatum. Across development, PDE2A mRNA increased in these brain regions; whereas, PDE10A mRNA expression decreased in all regions except striatum. Thus, PDE2A mRNA expression changes in both a disorder- and brain region-specific manner, potentially implicating PDE2A as a novel diagnostic and/or patient-selection biomarker or therapeutic target.

Therapeutic targeting of 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases: inhibition and beyond.

Phosphodiesterases (PDEs), enzymes that degrade 3',5'-cyclic nucleotides, are being pursued as therapeutic targets for several diseases, including those affecting the nervous system, the cardiovascular system, fertility, immunity, cancer and metabolism. Clinical development programmes have focused exclusively on catalytic inhibition, which continues to be a strong focus of ongoing drug discovery efforts. However, emerging evidence supports novel strategies to therapeutically target PDE function, including enhancing catalytic activity, normalizing altered compartmentalization and modulating post-translational modifications, as well as the potential use of PDEs as disease biomarkers. Importantly, a more refined appreciation of the intramolecular mechanisms regulating PDE function and trafficking is emerging, making these pioneering drug discovery efforts tractable.

Loss of Function of Phosphodiesterase 11A4 Shows that Recent and Remote Long-Term Memories Can Be Uncoupled.

Systems consolidation is a process by which memories initially require the hippocampus for recent long-term memory (LTM) but then become increasingly independent of the hippocampus and more dependent on the cortex for remote LTM. Here, we study the role of phosphodiesterase 11A4 (PDE11A4) in systems consolidation. PDE11A4, which degrades cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) and cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), is preferentially expressed in neurons of CA1, the subiculum, and the adjacently connected amygdalohippocampal region. In male and female mice, deletion of PDE11A enhances remote LTM for social odor recognition and social transmission of food preference (STFP) despite eliminating or silencing recent LTM for those same social events. Measurement of a surrogate marker of neuronal activation (i.e., Arc mRNA) suggests the recent LTM deficits observed in Pde11 knockout mice correspond with decreased activation of ventral CA1 relative to wild-type littermates. In contrast, the enhanced remote LTM observed in Pde11a knockout mice corresponds with increased activation and altered functional connectivity of anterior cingulate cortex, frontal association cortex, parasubiculum, and the superficial layer of medial entorhinal cortex. The apparent increased neural activation observed in prefrontal cortex of Pde11a knockout mice during remote LTM retrieval may be related to an upregulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor subunits NR1 and NR2A. Viral restoration of PDE11A4 to vCA1 alone is sufficient to rescue both the LTM phenotypes and upregulation of NR1 exhibited by Pde11a knockout mice. Together, our findings suggest remote LTM can be decoupled from recent LTM, which may have relevance for cognitive deficits associated with aging, temporal lobe epilepsy, or transient global amnesia.

Identification of new PDE9A isoforms and how their expression and subcellular compartmentalization in the brain change across the life span.

3',5'-Cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases (PDEs) degrade 3',5' cyclic adenonosine monophosphate (cAMP) and 3',5' cyclic guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), with PDE9A having the highest affinity for cGMP. We show PDE9A6 and 3 novel PDE9 isoforms (PDE9X-100, PDE9X-120, and PDE9X-175) are reliably detected in the brain and lung of mice, whereas PDE9A2 and other isoforms are found elsewhere. PDE9A localizes to the membrane in all organs except the bladder, where it is cytosolic. Brain additionally shows PDE9 in the nuclear fraction. PDE9A mRNA expression/localization dramatically changes across neurodevelopment in a manner that is strikingly consistent between mice and humans (i.e., decreased expression in the hippocampus and cortex and inverted-U in the cerebellum). Study of the 4 PDE9 isoforms in the mouse brain from postnatal day 7 through 24 months similarly identifies dramatic effects of age on expression and subcellular compartmentalization that are isoform specific and brain region specific. Finally, PDE9A mRNA is elevated in the aged human hippocampus with dementia when there is a history of traumatic brain injury. Thus, brain PDE9 is localized to preferentially regulate nuclear- and membrane-proximal pools of cGMP, and its function likely changes across the life span.

A homozygous loss-of-function mutation in PDE2A associated to early-onset hereditary chorea.

BACKGROUND: We investigated a family that presented with an infantile-onset chorea-predominant movement disorder, negative for NKX2-1, ADCY5, and PDE10A mutations. METHODS: Phenotypic characterization and trio whole-exome sequencing was carried out in the family. RESULTS: We identified a homozygous mutation affecting the GAF-B domain of the 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase PDE2A gene (c.1439A>G; p.Asp480Gly) as the candidate novel genetic cause of chorea in the proband. PDE2A hydrolyzes cyclic adenosine/guanosine monophosphate and is highly expressed in striatal medium spiny neurons. We functionally characterized the p.Asp480Gly mutation and found that it severely decreases the enzymatic activity of PDE2A. In addition, we showed equivalent expression in human and mouse striatum of PDE2A and its homolog gene, PDE10A. CONCLUSIONS: We identified a loss-of-function homozygous mutation in PDE2A associated to early-onset chorea. Our findings possibly strengthen the role of cyclic adenosine monophosphate and cyclic guanosine monophosphate metabolism in striatal medium spiny neurons as a crucial pathophysiological mechanism in hyperkinetic movement disorders. © 2018 The Authors. Movement Disorders published by Wiley Periodicals, Inc. on behalf of International Parkinson and Movement Disorder Society.

Cyclic nucleotide signaling changes associated with normal aging and age-related diseases of the brain.

Deficits in brain function that are associated with aging and age-related diseases benefit very little from currently available therapies, suggesting a better understanding of the underlying molecular mechanisms is needed to develop improved drugs. Here, we review the literature to test the hypothesis that a break down in cyclic nucleotide signaling at the level of synthesis, execution, and/or degradation may contribute to these deficits. A number of findings have been reported in both the human and animal model literature that point to brain region-specific changes in Galphas (a.k.a. Gαs or Gsα), adenylyl cyclase, 3',5'-adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) levels, protein kinase A (PKA), cAMP response element binding protein (CREB), exchange protein activated by cAMP (Epac), hyperpolarization-activated cyclic nucleotide-gated ion channels (HCNs), atrial natriuretic peptide (ANP), brain natriuretic peptide (BNP), soluble and particulate guanylyl cyclase, 3',5'-guanosine monophosphate (cGMP), protein kinase G (PKG) and phosphodiesterases (PDEs). Among the most reproducible findings are 1) elevated circulating ANP and BNP levels being associated with cognitive dysfunction or dementia independent of cardiovascular effects, 2) reduced basal and/or NMDA-stimulated cGMP levels in brain with aging or Alzheimer's disease (AD), 3) reduced adenylyl cyclase activity in hippocampus and specific cortical regions with aging or AD, 4) reduced expression/activity of PKA in temporal cortex and hippocampus with AD, 5) reduced phosphorylation of CREB in hippocampus with aging or AD, 6) reduced expression/activity of the PDE4 family in brain with aging, 7) reduced expression of PDE10A in the striatum with Huntington's disease (HD) or Parkinson's disease, and 8) beneficial effects of select PDE inhibitors, particularly PDE10 inhibitors in HD models and PDE4 and PDE5 inhibitors in aging and AD models. Although these findings generally point to a reduction in cyclic nucleotide signaling being associated with aging and age-related diseases, there are exceptions. In particular, there is evidence for increased cAMP signaling specifically in aged prefrontal cortex, AD cerebral vessels, and PD hippocampus. Thus, if cyclic nucleotide signaling is going to be targeted effectively for therapeutic gain, it will have to be manipulated in a brain region-specific manner.

A Role for Phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A) in the Formation of Social Memories and the Stabilization of Mood.

The most recently discovered 3',5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase family is the Phosphodiesterase 11 (PDE11) family, which is encoded by a single gene PDE11A. PDE11A is a dual-specific PDE, breaking down both cAMP and cGMP. There are four PDE11A splice variants (PDE11A1-4) with distinct tissue expression profiles and unique N-terminal regulatory regions, suggesting that each isoform could be individually targeted with a small molecule or biologic. PDE11A4 is the PDE11A isoform expressed in brain and is found in the hippocampal formation of humans and rodents. Studies in rodents show that PDE11A4 mRNA expression in brain is, in fact, restricted to the hippocampal formation (CA1, possibly CA2, subiculum, and the adjacently connected amygdalohippocampal area). Within the hippocampal formation of rodents, PDE11A4 protein is expressed in neurons but not astrocytes, with a distribution across nuclear, cytoplasmic, and membrane compartments. This subcellular localization of PDE11A4 is altered in response to social experience in mouse, and in vitro studies show the compartmentalization of PDE11A4 is controlled, at least in part, by homodimerization and N-terminal phosphorylation. PDE11A4 expression dramatically increases in the hippocampus with age in the rodent hippocampus, from early postnatal life to late aging, suggesting PDE11A4 function may evolve across the lifespan. Interestingly, PDE11A4 protein shows a three to tenfold enrichment in the rodent ventral hippocampal formation (VHIPP; a.k.a. anterior in primates) versus dorsal hippocampal formation (DHIPP). Consistent with this enrichment in VHIPP, studies in knockout mice show that PDE11A regulates the formation of social memories and the stabilization of mood and is a critical mechanism by which social experience feeds back to modify the brain and subsequent social behaviors. PDE11A4 likely controls behavior by regulating hippocampal glutamatergic, oxytocin, and cytokine signaling, as well as protein translation. Given its unique tissue distribution and relatively selective effects on behavior, PDE11A may represent a novel therapeutic target for neuropsychiatric, neurodevelopmental, or age-related disorders. Therapeutically targeting PDE11A4 may be a way to selectively restore aberrant cyclic nucleotide signaling in the hippocampal formation while leaving the rest of the brain and periphery untouched, thus, relieving deficits while avoiding unwanted side effects.

PDE11A regulates social behaviors and is a key mechanism by which social experience sculpts the brain.

Despite the fact that appropriate social behaviors are vital to thriving in one's environment, little is understood of the molecular mechanisms controlling social behaviors or how social experience sculpts these signaling pathways. Here, we determine if Phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A), an enzyme that is enriched in the ventral hippocampal formation (VHIPP) and that breaks down cAMP and cGMP, regulates social behaviors. PDE11 wild-type (WT), heterozygous (HT), and knockout (KO) mice were tested in various social approach assays and gene expression differences were measured by RNA sequencing. The effect of social isolation on PDE11A4 compartmentalization and subsequent social interactions and social memory was also assessed. Deletion of PDE11A triggered age- and sex-dependent deficits in social approach in specific social contexts but not others. Mice appear to detect altered social behaviors of PDE11A KO mice, because C57BL/6J mice prefer to spend time with a sex-matched PDE11A WT vs. its KO littermate; whereas, a PDE11A KO prefers to spend time with a novel PDE11A KO vs. its WT littermate. Not only is PDE11A required for intact social interactions, we found that 1month of social isolation vs. group housing decreased PDE11A4 protein expression specifically within the membrane fraction of VHIPP. This isolation-induced decrease in PDE11A4 expression appears functional because social isolation impairs subsequent social approach behavior and social memory in a PDE11A genotype-dependent manner. Pathway analyses following RNA sequencing suggests PDE11A is a key regulator of the oxytocin pathway and membrane signaling, consistent with its pivotal role in regulating social behavior.

Phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A), Enriched in Ventral Hippocampus Neurons, is Required for Consolidation of Social but not Nonsocial Memories in Mice.

The capacity to form long-lasting social memories is critical to our health and survival. cAMP signaling in the ventral hippocampal formation (VHIPP) appears to be required for social memory formation, but the phosphodiesterase (PDE) involved remains unknown. Previously, we showed that PDE11A, which degrades cAMP and cGMP, is preferentially expressed in CA1 and subiculum of the VHIPP. Here, we determine whether PDE11A is expressed in neurons where it could directly influence synaptic plasticity and whether expression is required for the consolidation and/or retrieval of social memories. In CA1, and possibly CA2, PDE11A4 is expressed throughout neuronal cell bodies, dendrites (stratum radiatum), and axons (fimbria), but not astrocytes. Unlike PDE2A, PDE9A, or PDE10A, PDE11A4 expression begins very low at postnatal day 7 (P7) and dramatically increases until P28, at which time it stabilizes to young adult levels. This expression pattern is consistent with the fact that PDE11A is required for social long-term memory (LTM) formation during adolescence and adulthood. Male and female PDE11 knockout (KO) mice show normal short-term memory (STM) for social odor recognition (SOR) and social transmission of food preference (STFP), but no LTM 24 h post training. Importantly, PDE11A KO mice show normal LTM for nonsocial odor recognition. Deletion of PDE11A may impair memory consolidation by impairing requisite protein translation in the VHIPP. Relative to WT littermates, PDE11A KO mice show reduced expression of RSK2 and lowered phosphorylation of S6 (pS6-235/236). Together, these data suggest PDE11A is selectively required for the proper consolidation of recognition and associative social memories.

Does phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A) hold promise as a future therapeutic target?

Phosphodiesterase 11A (PDE11A) is the most recently discovered 3', 5'-cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterase. By breaking down both cAMP and cGMP, PDE11A is a critical regulator of intracellular signaling. To date, PDE11A has been implicated to play a role in tumorigenesis, brain function, and inflammation. Here, we consolidate and, where necessary, reconcile the PDE11A literature to evaluate this enzyme as a potential therapeutic target. We compare the results and methodologies of numerous studies that report conflicting tissue expression profiles for PDE11A. We conclude that PDE11A expression is relatively restricted in the body, with reliable expression reported in tissues such as the brain (particularly the hippocampus), the prostate, and the adrenal gland. Each of the four PDE11A splice variants (PDE11A1-4) appears to exhibit a distinct tissue expression profile and has a unique N-terminal regulatory region, suggesting that each isoform could be individually targeted with a small molecule or biologic. Progress has been made in identifying a tool PDE11A inhibitor as well as an activator; however, the functional effects of these pharmacological tools remain to be determined. Importantly, PDE11A knockout mice do exist and appear healthy into late age, suggesting a potential safety window for targeting this enzyme. Considering the implication of PDE11A in disease-relevant biology, the potential to selectively target specific PDE11A variants, and the possibility of either activating or inhibiting the enzyme, we believe PDE11A holds promise as a potential future therapeutic target.