The THO Complex Coordinates Transcripts for Synapse Development and Dopamine Neuron Survival.

Synaptic vesicle and active zone proteins are required for synaptogenesis. The molecular mechanisms for coordinated synthesis of these proteins are not understood. Using forward genetic screens, we identified the conserved THO nuclear export complex (THOC) as an important regulator of presynapse development in C. elegans dopaminergic neurons. In THOC mutants, synaptic messenger RNAs are retained in the nucleus, resulting in dramatic decrease of synaptic protein expression, near complete loss of synapses, and compromised dopamine function. CRE binding protein (CREB) interacts with THOC to mark synaptic transcripts for efficient nuclear export. Deletion of Thoc5, a THOC subunit, in mouse dopaminergic neurons causes severe defects in synapse maintenance and subsequent neuronal death in the substantia nigra compacta. These cellular defects lead to abrogated dopamine release, ataxia, and animal death. Together, our results argue that nuclear export mechanisms can select specific mRNAs and be a rate-limiting step for neuronal differentiation and survival.

Monomeric α-synuclein activates the plasma membrane calcium pump.

Alpha-synuclein (aSN) is a membrane-associated and intrinsically disordered protein, well known for pathological aggregation in neurodegeneration. However, the physiological function of aSN is disputed. Pull-down experiments have pointed to plasma membrane Ca2+ -ATPase (PMCA) as a potential interaction partner. From proximity ligation assays, we find that aSN and PMCA colocalize at neuronal synapses, and we show that calcium expulsion is activated by aSN and PMCA. We further show that soluble, monomeric aSN activates PMCA at par with calmodulin, but independent of the autoinhibitory domain of PMCA, and highly dependent on acidic phospholipids and membrane-anchoring properties of aSN. On PMCA, the key site is mapped to the acidic lipid-binding site, located within a disordered PMCA-specific loop connecting the cytosolic A domain and transmembrane segment 3. Our studies point toward a novel physiological role of monomeric aSN as a stimulator of calcium clearance in neurons through activation of PMCA.

SGIP1 binding to the α-helical H9 domain of cannabinoid receptor 1 promotes axonal surface expression.

Endocannabinoid signalling mediated by cannabinoid receptor 1 (CB1R, also known as CNR1) is critical for homeostatic neuromodulation of both excitatory and inhibitory synapses. This requires highly polarised axonal surface expression of CB1R, but how this is achieved remains unclear. We previously reported that the α-helical H9 domain in the intracellular C terminus of CB1R contributes to axonal surface expression by an unknown mechanism. Here, we show in rat primary neuronal cultures that the H9 domain binds to the endocytic adaptor protein SGIP1 to promote CB1R expression in the axonal membrane. Overexpression of SGIP1 increases CB1R axonal surface localisation but has no effect on CB1R lacking the H9 domain (CB1RΔH9). Conversely, SGIP1 knockdown reduces axonal surface expression of CB1R but does not affect CB1RΔH9. Furthermore, SGIP1 knockdown diminishes CB1R-mediated inhibition of presynaptic Ca2+ influx in response to neuronal activity. Taken together, these data advance mechanistic understanding of endocannabinoid signalling by demonstrating that SGIP1 interaction with the H9 domain underpins axonal CB1R surface expression to regulate presynaptic responsiveness.

Distinct functional developments of surviving and eliminated presynaptic terminals.

For neuronal circuits in the brain to mature, necessary synapses must be maintained and redundant synapses eliminated through experience-dependent mechanisms. However, the functional differentiation of these synapse types during the refinement process remains elusive. Here, we addressed this issue by distinct labeling and direct recordings of presynaptic terminals fated for survival and for elimination in the somatosensory thalamus. At surviving terminals, the number of total releasable vesicles was first enlarged, and then calcium channels and fast-releasing synaptic vesicles were tightly coupled in an experience-dependent manner. By contrast, transmitter release mechanisms did not mature at terminals fated for elimination, irrespective of sensory experience. Nonetheless, terminals fated for survival and for elimination both exhibited developmental shortening of action potential waveforms that was experience independent. Thus, we dissected experience-dependent and -independent developmental maturation processes of surviving and eliminated presynaptic terminals during neuronal circuit refinement.

FMRP Sustains Presynaptic Function via Control of Activity-Dependent Bulk Endocytosis.

Synaptic vesicle (SV) recycling is essential for the maintenance of neurotransmission, with a number of neurodevelopmental disorders linked to defects in this process. Fragile X syndrome (FXS) results from a loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) encoded by the FMR1 gene. Hyperexcitability of neuronal circuits is a key feature of FXS, therefore we investigated whether SV recycling was affected by the absence of FMRP during increased neuronal activity. We revealed that primary neuronal cultures from male Fmr1 knock-out (KO) rats display a specific defect in activity-dependent bulk endocytosis (ADBE). ADBE is dominant during intense neuronal activity, and this defect resulted in an inability of Fmr1 KO neurons to sustain SV recycling during trains of high-frequency stimulation. Using a molecular replacement strategy, we also revealed that a human FMRP mutant that cannot bind BK channels failed to correct ADBE dysfunction in KO neurons, however this dysfunction was corrected by BK channel agonists. Therefore, FMRP performs a key role in sustaining neurotransmitter release via selective control of ADBE, suggesting intervention via this endocytosis mode may correct the hyperexcitability observed in FXS.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Loss of fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) results in fragile X syndrome (FXS), however whether its loss has a direct role in neurotransmitter release remains a matter of debate. We demonstrate that neurons lacking FMRP display a specific defect in a mechanism that sustains neurotransmitter release during intense neuronal firing, called activity-dependent bulk endocytosis (ADBE). This discovery provides key insights into mechanisms of brain communication that occur because of loss of FMRP function. Importantly it also reveals ADBE as a potential therapeutic target to correct the circuit hyperexcitability observed in FXS.

The phospho-regulated amphiphysin/endophilin interaction is required for synaptic vesicle endocytosis.

The multidomain adaptor protein amphiphysin-1 (Amph1) is an important coordinator of clathrin-mediated endocytosis in non-neuronal cells and synaptic vesicle (SV) endocytosis at central nerve terminals. Amph1 contains a lipid-binding N-BAR (Bin/Amphiphysin/Rvs) domain, central proline-rich (PRD) and clathrin/AP2 (CLAP) domains, and a C-terminal SH3 domain. Amph1 interacts with both lipids and proteins, with all of these interactions required for SV endocytosis, with the exception of the Amph1 PRD. The Amph1 PRD associates with the endocytosis protein endophilin A1, however, the role of this interaction in SV endocytosis has not been investigated. In this study, we set out to determine whether the Amph1 PRD and its interaction with endophilin A1 was essential for efficient SV endocytosis at typical small central synapses. To achieve this, domain-specific interactions of Amph1 were validated using in vitro GST pull-down assays, with the role of these interactions in SV endocytosis determined in molecular replacement experiments in primary neuronal culture. Using this approach, we confirmed important roles for CLAP and SH3 domain interactions of Amph1 in the control of SV endocytosis. Importantly, we identified the interaction site for endophilin A1 within the Amph1 PRD and exploited specific binding mutants to reveal a key role for this interaction in SV endocytosis. Finally, we determined that the formation of the Amph1-endophilin A1 complex is dependent on the phosphorylation status of Amph1-S293 within the PRD and that the phosphorylation status of this residue is essential for efficient SV regeneration. This work, therefore, reveals a key role for the dephosphorylation-dependent Amph1-endophilin A1 interaction in efficient SV endocytosis.

Direct imaging of rapid tethering of synaptic vesicles accompanying exocytosis at a fast central synapse.

A high rate of synaptic vesicle (SV) release is required at cerebellar mossy fiber terminals for rapid information processing. As the number of release sites is limited, fast SV reloading is necessary to achieve sustained release. However, rapid reloading has not been observed directly. Here, we visualize SV movements near presynaptic membrane using total internal reflection fluorescence (TIRF) microscopy. Upon stimulation, SVs appeared in the TIRF-field and became tethered to the presynaptic membrane with unexpectedly rapid time course, almost as fast as SVs disappeared due to release. However, such stimulus-induced tethering was abolished by inhibiting exocytosis, suggesting that the tethering is tightly coupled to preceding exocytosis. The newly tethered vesicles became fusion competent not immediately but only 300 ms to 400 ms after tethering. Together with model simulations, we propose that rapid tethering leads to an immediate filling of vacated spaces and release sites within <100 nm of the active zone by SVs, which serve as precursors of readily releasable vesicles, thereby shortening delays during sustained activity.

Presynaptic membrane protein dysfunction occurs prior to neurodegeneration and predicts faster cognitive decline.

INTRODUCTION: Although presynaptic loss measured by cerebrospinal fluid (CSF) growth-associated protein-43 (GAP-43) is significantly involved in Alzheimer's disease (AD), the sequential association between CSF GAP-43 and AD-typical neurodegeneration is poorly understood. METHODS: We compared baseline CSF GAP-43 levels (n = 730) and longitudinal CSF GAP-43 changes (n = 327) in various biological stages of AD, and investigated their relationships with cross-sectional and longitudinal measures of residual hippocampal volume, 18 F-fluorodeoxyglucose PET, regional gray matter volume and cortical thickness, and cognition. RESULTS: Elevated CSF GAP43 levels were significantly associated with faster rates of hippocampal atrophy, AD-signature hypometabolism and cortical thinning, and middle temporal gray matter atrophy-related and AD-signature hypometabolism-related cognitive decline. In contrast, baseline levels of all these neurodegeneration biomarkers did not predict longitudinal CSF GAP-43 increases. DISCUSSION: These findings suggest that presynaptic loss may occur prior to neurodegeneration, highlighting the importance of lowing tau aggregation and tau-related synaptic dysfunction in elderly adults and AD patients.

EGF Downregulates Presynaptic Maturation and Suppresses Synapse Formation In Vitro and In Vivo.

Neuronal differentiation, maturation, and synapse formation are regulated by various growth factors. Here we show that epidermal growth factor (EGF) negatively regulates presynaptic maturation and synapse formation. In cortical neurons, EGF maintained axon elongation and reduced the sizes of growth cones in culture. Furthermore, EGF decreased the levels of presynaptic molecules and number of presynaptic puncta, suggesting that EGF inhibits neuronal maturation. The reduction of synaptic sites is confirmed by the decreased frequencies of miniature EPSCs. In vivo analysis revealed that while peripherally administrated EGF decreased the levels of presynaptic molecules and numbers of synaptophysin-positive puncta in the prefrontal cortices of neonatal rats, EGF receptor inhibitors upregulated these indexes, suggesting that endogenous EGF receptor ligands suppress presynaptic maturation. Electron microscopy further revealed that EGF decreased the numbers, but not the sizes, of synaptic structures in vivo. These findings suggest that endogenous EGF and/or other EGF receptor ligands negatively modulates presynaptic maturation and synapse formation.

Loss of Piccolo Function in Rats Induces Cerebellar Network Dysfunction and Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia Type 3-like Phenotypes.

Piccolo, a presynaptic active zone protein, is best known for its role in the regulated assembly and function of vertebrate synapses. Genetic studies suggest a further link to several psychiatric disorders as well as Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia type 3 (PCH3). We have characterized recently generated Piccolo KO (Pclogt/gt ) rats. Analysis of rats of both sexes revealed a dramatic reduction in brain size compared with WT (Pclowt/wt ) animals, attributed to a decrease in the size of the cerebral cortical, cerebellar, and pontine regions. Analysis of the cerebellum and brainstem revealed a reduced granule cell layer and a reduction in size of pontine nuclei. Moreover, the maturation of mossy fiber afferents from pontine neurons and the expression of the α6 GABAA receptor subunit at the mossy fiber-granule cell synapse are perturbed, as well as the innervation of Purkinje cells by cerebellar climbing fibers. Ultrastructural and functional studies revealed a reduced size of mossy fiber boutons, with fewer synaptic vesicles and altered synaptic transmission. These data imply that Piccolo is required for the normal development, maturation, and function of neuronal networks formed between the brainstem and cerebellum. Consistently, behavioral studies demonstrated that adult Pclogt/gt rats display impaired motor coordination, despite adequate performance in tasks that reflect muscle strength and locomotion. Together, these data suggest that loss of Piccolo function in patients with PCH3 could be involved in many of the observed anatomical and behavioral symptoms, and that the further analysis of these animals could provide fundamental mechanistic insights into this devastating disorder.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia Type 3 is a devastating developmental disorder associated with severe developmental delay, progressive microcephaly with brachycephaly, optic atrophy, seizures, and hypertonia with hyperreflexia. Recent genetic studies have identified non-sense mutations in the coding region of the PCLO gene, suggesting a functional link between this disorder and the presynaptic active zone. Our analysis of Piccolo KO rats supports this hypothesis, formally demonstrating that anatomical and behavioral phenotypes seen in patients with Pontocerebellar Hypoplasia Type 3 are also exhibited by these Piccolo deficient animals.

Current molecular approaches to investigate pre-synaptic dysfunction.

Over the course of the last few decades it has become clear that many neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders have a synaptic defect, which contributes to pathogenicity. A rise in new techniques, and in particular '-omics'-based methods providing large datasets, has led to an increase in potential proteins and pathways implicated in synaptic function and related disorders. Additionally, advancements in imaging techniques have led to the recent discovery of alternative modes of synaptic vesicle recycling. This has resulted in a lack of clarity over the precise role of different pathways in maintaining synaptic function and whether these new pathways are dysfunctional in neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. A greater understanding of the molecular detail of pre-synaptic function in health and disease is key to targeting new proteins and pathways for novel treatments and the variety of new techniques currently available provides an ideal opportunity to investigate these functions. This review focuses on techniques to interrogate pre-synaptic function, concentrating mainly on synaptic vesicle recycling. It further examines techniques to determine the underlying molecular mechanism of pre-synaptic dysfunction and discusses methods to identify molecular targets, along with protein-protein interactions and cellular localization. In combination, these techniques will provide an expanding and more complete picture of pre-synaptic function. With the application of recent technological advances, we are able to resolve events with higher spatial and temporal resolution, leading research towards a greater understanding of dysfunction at the presynapse and the role it plays in pathogenicity.

Reciprocal regulation of spontaneous synaptic vesicle fusion by Fragile X mental retardation protein and group I metabotropic glutamate receptors.

Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) is a neuronal protein mediating multiple functions, with its absence resulting in one of the most common monogenic causes of autism, Fragile X syndrome (FXS). Analyses of FXS pathophysiology have identified a range of aberrations in synaptic signaling pathways and plasticity associated with group I metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors. These studies, however, have mostly focused on the post-synaptic functions of FMRP and mGlu receptor activation, and relatively little is known about their presynaptic effects. Neurotransmitter release is mediated via multiple forms of synaptic vesicle (SV) fusion, each of which contributes to specific neuronal functions. The impacts of mGlu receptor activation and loss of FMRP on these SV fusion events remain unexplored. Here we combined electrophysiological and fluorescence imaging analyses on primary hippocampal cultures prepared from an Fmr1 knockout (KO) rat model. Compared to wild-type (WT) hippocampal neurons, KO neurons displayed an increase in the frequency of spontaneous excitatory post-synaptic currents (sEPSCs), as well as spontaneous SV fusion events. Pharmacological activation of mGlu receptors in WT neurons caused a similar increase in spontaneous SV fusion and sEPSC frequency. Notably, this increase in SV fusion was not observed when spontaneous activity was blocked using the sodium channel antagonist tetrodotoxin. Importantly, the effect of mGlu receptor activation on spontaneous SV fusion was occluded in Fmr1 KO neurons. Together, our results reveal that FMRP represses spontaneous presynaptic SV fusion, whereas mGlu receptor activation increases this event. This reciprocal control appears to be mediated via their regulation of intrinsic neuronal excitability.

Preface to the Special Issue "Presynaptic Dysfunction and Disease".

The synapse is formed between a presynapse (which releases neurotransmitter) and the postsynapse (which transduces this chemical signal). Over the past decade, presynaptic dysfunction has emerged as a key mediator of a series of neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders. This special issue will highlight some of the important presynaptic molecules and mechanisms that are disrupted in these conditions and reveal potential routes for therapy.

Coordinated bi-directional trafficking of synaptic vesicle and active zone proteins in peripheral nerves.

Synaptic transmission is mediated by neurotransmitters that are stored in synaptic vesicles (SV) and released at the synaptic active zone (AZ). While in recent years major progress has been made in unraveling the molecular machinery responsible for SV docking, fusion and exocytosis, the mechanisms governing AZ protein and SV trafficking through axons still remain unclear. Here, we performed stop-flow nerve ligation to examine axonal trafficking of endogenous AZ and SV proteins. Rat sciatic nerves were collected 1 h, 3 h and 8 h post ligation and processed for immunohistochemistry and electron microscopy. First, we followed the transport of an integral synaptic vesicle protein, SV2A and a SV-associated protein involved in SV trafficking, Rab3a, and observed that while SV2A accumulated on both sides of ligation, Rab3a was only noticeable in the proximal segment of the ligated nerve indicating that only SV trans-membrane protein SV2A displayed a bi-directional axonal transport. We then demonstrate that multiple AZ proteins accumulate rapidly on either side of the ligation with a timescale similar to that of SV2A. Overall, our data uncovers an unexpected robust bi-directional, coordinated -trafficking of SV and AZ proteins in peripheral nerves. This implies that pathological disruption of axonal trafficking will not only impair trafficking of newly synthesized proteins to the synapse but will also affect retrograde transport, leading to neuronal dysfunction and likely neurodegeneration.

Activity-dependent bulk endocytosis proteome reveals a key presynaptic role for the monomeric GTPase Rab11.

Activity-dependent bulk endocytosis (ADBE) is the dominant mode of synaptic vesicle endocytosis during high-frequency stimulation, suggesting it should play key roles in neurotransmission during periods of intense neuronal activity. However, efforts in elucidating the physiological role of ADBE have been hampered by the lack of identified molecules which are unique to this endocytosis mode. To address this, we performed proteomic analysis on purified bulk endosomes, which are a key organelle in ADBE. Bulk endosomes were enriched via two independent approaches, a classical subcellular fractionation method and isolation via magnetic nanoparticles. There was a 77% overlap in proteins identified via the two protocols, and these molecules formed the ADBE core proteome. Bioinformatic analysis revealed a strong enrichment in cell adhesion and cytoskeletal and signaling molecules, in addition to expected synaptic and trafficking proteins. Network analysis identified Rab GTPases as a central hub within the ADBE proteome. Subsequent investigation of a subset of these Rabs revealed that Rab11 both facilitated ADBE and accelerated clathrin-mediated endocytosis. These findings suggest that the ADBE proteome will provide a rich resource for the future study of presynaptic function, and identify Rab11 as a regulator of presynaptic function.

The Presynaptic Scaffold Protein Bassoon in Forebrain Excitatory Neurons Mediates Hippocampal Circuit Maturation: Potential Involvement of TrkB Signalling.

A presynaptic active zone organizer protein Bassoon orchestrates numerous important functions at the presynaptic active zone. We previously showed that the absence of Bassoon exclusively in forebrain glutamatergic presynapses (BsnEmx1cKO) in mice leads to developmental disturbances in dentate gyrus (DG) affecting synaptic excitability, morphology, neurogenesis and related behaviour during adulthood. Here, we demonstrate that hyperexcitability of the medial perforant path-to-DG (MPP-DG) pathway in BsnEmx1cKO mice emerges during adolescence and is sustained during adulthood. We further provide evidence for a potential involvement of tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB), the high-affinity receptor for brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), mediated signalling. We detect elevated TrkB protein levels in the dorsal DG of adult mice (~3-5 months-old) but not in adolescent (~4-5 weeks-old) mice. Electrophysiological analysis reveals increased field-excitatory-postsynaptic-potentials (fEPSPs) in the DG of the adult, but not in adolescent BsnEmx1cKO mice. In line with an increased TrkB expression during adulthood in BsnEmx1cKO, blockade of TrkB normalizes the increased synaptic excitability in the DG during adulthood, while no such effect was observed in adolescence. Accordingly, neurogenesis, which has previously been found to be increased in adult BsnEmx1cKO mice, was unaffected at adolescent age. Our results suggest that Bassoon plays a crucial role in the TrkB-dependent postnatal maturation of the hippocampus.

Light-Activated ROS Production Induces Synaptic Autophagy.

The regulated turnover of synaptic vesicle (SV) proteins is thought to involve the ubiquitin-dependent tagging and degradation through endo-lysosomal and autophagy pathways. Yet, it remains unclear which of these pathways are used, when they become activated, and whether SVs are cleared en masse together with SV proteins or whether both are degraded selectively. Equally puzzling is how quickly these systems can be activated and whether they function in real-time to support synaptic health. To address these questions, we have developed an imaging-based system that simultaneously tags presynaptic proteins while monitoring autophagy. Moreover, by tagging SV proteins with a light-activated ROS generator, Supernova, it was possible to temporally control the damage to specific SV proteins and assess their consequence to autophagy-mediated clearance mechanisms and synaptic function. Our results show that, in mouse hippocampal neurons of either sex, presynaptic autophagy can be induced in as little as 5-10 min and eliminates primarily the damaged protein rather than the SV en masse. Importantly, we also find that autophagy is essential for synaptic function, as light-activated damage to, for example, Synaptophysin only compromises synaptic function when autophagy is simultaneously blocked. These data support the concept that presynaptic boutons have a robust highly regulated clearance system to maintain not only synapse integrity, but also synaptic function.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The real-time surveillance and clearance of synaptic proteins are thought to be vital to the health, functionality, and integrity of vertebrate synapses and are compromised in neurodegenerative disorders, yet the fundamental mechanisms regulating these systems remain enigmatic. Our analysis reveals that presynaptic autophagy is a critical part of a real-time clearance system at synapses capable of responding to local damage of synaptic vesicle proteins within minutes and to be critical for the ongoing functionality of these synapses. These data indicate that synapse autophagy is not only locally regulated but also crucial for the health and functionality of vertebrate presynaptic boutons.

RIMB-1/RIM-Binding Protein and UNC-10/RIM Redundantly Regulate Presynaptic Localization of the Voltage-Gated Calcium Channel in Caenorhabditis elegans.

Presynaptic active zones (AZs) contain many molecules essential for neurotransmitter release and are assembled in a highly organized manner. A network of adaptor proteins known as cytomatrix at the AZ (CAZ) is important for shaping the structural characteristics of AZ. Rab3-interacting molecule (RIM)-binding protein (RBP) family are binding partners of the CAZ protein RIM and also bind the voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) in mice and flies. Here, we investigated the physiological roles of RIMB-1, the homolog of RBPs in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans RIMB-1 is expressed broadly in neurons and predominantly localized at presynaptic sites. Loss-of-function animals of rimb-1 displayed slight defects in motility and response to pharmacological inhibition of synaptic transmission, suggesting a modest involvement of rimb-1 in synapse function. We analyzed genetic interactions of rimb-1 by testing candidate genes and by an unbiased forward genetic screen for rimb-1 enhancer. Both analyses identified the RIM homolog UNC-10 that acts together with RIMB-1 to regulate presynaptic localization of the P/Q-type VGCC UNC-2/Cav2. We also find that the precise localization of RIMB-1 to presynaptic sites requires presynaptic UNC-2/Cav2. RIMB-1 has multiple FN3 and SH3 domains. Our transgenic rescue analysis with RIMB-1 deletion constructs revealed a functional requirement of a C-terminal SH3 in regulating UNC-2/Cav2 localization. Together, these findings suggest a redundant role of RIMB-1/RBP and UNC-10/RIM to regulate the abundance of UNC-2/Cav2 at the presynaptic AZ in C. elegans, depending on the bidirectional interplay between CAZ adaptor and channel proteins.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Presynaptic active zones (AZs) are highly organized structures for synaptic transmission with characteristic networks of adaptor proteins called cytomatrix at the AZ (CAZ). In this study, we characterized a CAZ protein RIMB-1, named for RIM-binding protein (RBP), in the nematode Caenorhabditis elegans Through systematic analyses of genetic interactions and an unbiased genetic enhancer screen of rimb-1, we revealed a redundant role of two CAZ proteins RIMB-1/RBP and UNC-10/RIM in regulating presynaptic localization of UNC-2/Cav2, a voltage-gated calcium channel (VGCC) critical for proper neurotransmitter release. Additionally, the precise localization of RIMB-1/RBP requires presynaptic UNC-2/Cav2. These findings provide new mechanistic insight about how the interplay among multiple CAZ adaptor proteins and VGCC contributes to the organization of presynaptic AZ.

Intrinsic and extrinsic mechanisms of synapse formation and specificity in C. elegans.

Precise neuronal wiring is critical for the function of the nervous system and is ultimately determined at the level of individual synapses. Neurons integrate various intrinsic and extrinsic cues to form synapses onto their correct targets in a stereotyped manner. In the past decades, the nervous system of nematode (Caenorhabditis elegans) has provided the genetic platform to reveal the genetic and molecular mechanisms of synapse formation and specificity. In this review, we will summarize the recent discoveries in synapse formation and specificity in C. elegans.

The Role of Cysteine String Protein α Phosphorylation at Serine 10 and 34 by Protein Kinase Cγ for Presynaptic Maintenance.

Protein kinase Cγ (PKCγ) knock-out (KO) animals exhibit symptoms of Parkinson's disease (PD), including dopaminergic neuronal loss in the substantia nigra. However, the PKCγ substrates responsible for the survival of dopaminergic neurons in vivo have not yet been elucidated. Previously, we found 10 potent substrates in the striatum of PKCγ-KO mice. Here, we focused on cysteine string protein α (CSPα), a protein from the heat shock protein (HSP) 40 cochaperone families localized on synaptic vesicles. We found that in cultured cells, PKCγ phosphorylates CSPα at serine (Ser) 10 and Ser34. Additionally, apoptosis was found to have been enhanced by the overexpression of a phosphorylation-null mutant of CSPα, CSPα(S10A/S34A). Compared with wild-type (WT) CSPα, the CSPα(S10A/S34A) mutant had a weaker interaction with HSP70. However, in sharp contrast, a phosphomimetic CSPα(S10D/S34D) mutant, compared with WT CSPα, had a stronger interaction with HSP70. In addition, total levels of synaptosomal-associated protein (SNAP) 25, a main downstream target of the HSC70/HSP70 chaperone complex, were found to have decreased by the CSPα(S10A/S34A) mutant through increased ubiquitination of SNAP25 in PC12 cells. In the striatum of 2-year-old male PKCγ-KO mice, decreased phosphorylation levels of CSPα and decreased SNAP25 protein levels were observed. These findings indicate the phosphorylation of CSPα by PKCγ may protect the presynaptic terminal from neurodegeneration. The PKCγ-CSPα-HSC70/HSP70-SNAP25 axis, because of its role in protecting the presynaptic terminal, may provide a new therapeutic target for the treatment of PD.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Cysteine string protein α (CSPα) is a protein belonging to the heat shock protein (HSP) 40 cochaperone families localized on synaptic vesicles, which maintain the presynaptic terminal. However, the function of CSPα phosphorylation by protein kinase C (PKC) for neuronal cell survival remains unclear. The experiments presented here demonstrate that PKCγ phosphorylates CSPα at serine (Ser) 10 and Ser34. CSPα phosphorylation at Ser10 and Ser34 by PKCγ protects the presynaptic terminal by promoting HSP70 chaperone activity. This report suggests that CSPα phosphorylation, because of its role in modulating HSP70 chaperone activity, may be a target for the treatment of neurodegeneration.