No abstract

Beta-amyloid (Aβ) has been recognized as an early trigger in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) leading to synaptic and cognitive impairments. Aβ can alter neuronal signaling through interactions with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), contributing to synaptic dysfunction in AD. The three major nAChR subtypes in the hippocampus are composed of α7-, α4β2-, and α3β4-nAChRs. Aβ selectively affects α7- and α4β2-nAChRs, but not α3β4-nAChRs in hippocampal neurons, resulting in neuronal hyperexcitation. However, how nAChR subtype selectivity for Aβ affects synaptic function in AD is not completely understood. Here, we showed that Aβ associated with α7- and α4β2-nAChRs but not α3β4-nAChRs. Computational modeling suggested that two amino acids in α7-nAChRs, arginine 208 and glutamate 211, were important for the interaction between Aβ and α7-containing nAChRs. These residues are conserved only in the α7 and α4 subunits. We therefore mutated these amino acids in α7-containing nAChRs to mimic the α3 subunit and found that mutant α7-containing receptors were unable to interact with Aβ. In addition, mutant α3-containing nAChRs mimicking the α7 subunit interact with Aβ. This provides direct molecular evidence for how Aβ selectively interacted with α7- and α4β2-nAChRs, but not α3β4-nAChRs. Selective coactivation of α7- and α4β2-nAChRs also sufficiently reversed Aβ-induced AMPA receptor dysfunction, including Aβ-induced reduction of AMPA receptor phosphorylation and surface expression in hippocampal neurons. Moreover, costimulation of α7- and α4β2-nAChRs reversed the Aβ-induced disruption of long-term potentiation. These findings support a novel mechanism for Aβ's impact on synaptic function in AD, namely, the differential regulation of nAChR subtypes.

Synaptic strength is altered during synaptic plasticity by controlling the number of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) at excitatory synapses. During long-term potentiation and synaptic up-scaling, AMPARs are accumulated at synapses to increase synaptic strength. Neuronal activity leads to phosphorylation of AMPAR subunit GluA1 and subsequent elevation of GluA1 surface expression, either by an increase in receptor forward trafficking to the synaptic membrane or a decrease in receptor internalization. However, the molecular pathways underlying GluA1 phosphorylation-induced elevation of surface AMPAR expression are not completely understood. Here, we employ fluorescence recovery after photobleaching (FRAP) to reveal that phosphorylation of GluA1 Serine 845 (S845) predominantly plays a role in receptor internalization than forward trafficking during synaptic plasticity. Notably, internalization of AMPARs depends upon the clathrin adaptor, AP2, which recruits cargo proteins into endocytic clathrin coated pits. In fact, we further reveal that an increase in GluA1 S845 phosphorylation by two distinct forms of synaptic plasticity diminishes the binding of the AP2 adaptor, reducing internalization, and resulting in elevation of GluA1 surface expression. We thus demonstrate a mechanism of GluA1 phosphorylation-regulated clathrin-mediated internalization of AMPARs.

Beta-amyloid (Aβ) has been recognized as an early trigger in the pathogenesis of Alzheimers disease (AD) leading to synaptic and cognitive impairments. Aβ can alter neuronal signaling through interactions with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), contributing to synaptic dysfunction in AD. The three major nAChR subtypes in the hippocampus are composed of α7-, α4β2-, and α3β4-nAChRs. A selectively affects α7- and α4β2-nAChRs, but not α3β4-nAChRs in hippocampal neurons, resulting inneuronal hyperexcitation. However, how nAChR subtype selectivity for Aβ affects synaptic function in AD is not completely understood. Here, we showed that Aβ associated with α7- and α4-containing nAChRs but not α3-containing receptors. Computational modeling suggested two amino acids in α7-nAChRs, Arginine 208 and Glutamate 211, were important for the interaction between Aβ and α7-containing nAChRs. These residues were found to be conserved only in the α7 and α4 subunits. We therefore mutated these amino acids in α7-containing nAChRs to mimic the α3 subunit and found that mutant α7-containing receptors were unable to interact with Aβ, providing direct molecular evidence for how Aβ selectively interacted with α7- and α4-containing receptors, but not α3-containing nAChRs. Selective co-activation of α7- and α4β2-nAChRs was also sufficient to reverse Aβ-induced AMPA receptor (AMPAR) dysfunction, including Aβ-induced reduction of AMPAR phosphorylation and surface expression in hippocampal neurons. Moreover, the Aβ-induced disruption of long-term potentiation was reversed by co-stimulation of α7- and α4β2-nAChRs. These findings support a novel mechanism for Aβ's impact on synaptic function in AD, namely the differential regulation of nAChR subtypes.

α-Conotoxin MII (α-CTxMII) is a 16 amino acid peptide with the sequence GCCSNPVCHLEHSNLC containing disulfide bonds between Cys2-Cys8 and Cys3-Cys16. This peptide, isolated from the venom of the marine cone snail Conus magus, is a potent and selective antagonist of neuronal nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs). To evaluate the impact of channel-ligand interactions on ligand binding affinity, homology models of the heteropentameric α3β2-nAChR were constructed. The models were created in MODELLER using crystal structures of the Torpedo marmorata-nAChR (Tm-nAChR, PDB ID: 2BG9) and the Aplysia californica-acetylcholine binding protein (Ac-AChBP, PDB ID: 2BR8) as templates for the α3 and β2 subunit isoforms derived from rat neuronal nAChR primary amino acid sequences. Molecular docking calculations were performed with AutoDock to evaluate interactions of the heteropentameric nAChR homology models with the ligands acetylcholine (ACh) and α-CTxMII. The nAChR homology models described here bind ACh with commensurate binding energies to previously reported systems, and identify critical interactions that facilitate both ACh and α-CTxMII ligand binding. The docking calculations revealed an increased binding affinity of the α3β2-nAChR for α-CTxMII with ACh bound to the receptor, which was confirmed through two-electrode voltage clamp experiments on oocytes from Xenopus laevis. These findings provide insights into the inhibition and mechanism of electrostatically driven antagonist properties of the α-CTxMIIs on nAChRs.

δ-catenin is expressed in excitatory synapses and functions as an anchor for the glutamatergic AMPA receptor (AMPAR) GluA2 subunit in the postsynaptic density. The glycine 34 to serine (G34S) mutation in the δ-catenin gene has been found in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients and results in loss of δ-catenin functions at excitatory synapses, which is presumed to underlie ASD pathogenesis in humans. However, how the G34S mutation causes loss of δ-catenin functions to induce ASD remains unclear. Here, using neuroblastoma cells, we identify that the G34S mutation increases glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β)-dependent δ-catenin degradation to reduce δ-catenin levels, which likely contributes to the loss of δ-catenin functions. Synaptic δ-catenin and GluA2 levels in the cortex are significantly decreased in mice harboring the δ-catenin G34S mutation. The G34S mutation increases glutamatergic activity in cortical excitatory neurons while it is decreased in inhibitory interneurons, indicating changes in cellular excitation and inhibition. δ-catenin G34S mutant mice also exhibit social dysfunction, a common feature of ASD. Most importantly, pharmacological inhibition of GSK3β activity reverses the G34S-induced loss of δ-catenin function effects in cells and mice. Finally, using δ-catenin knockout mice, we confirm that δ-catenin is required for GSK3β inhibition-induced restoration of normal social behavior in δ-catenin G34S mutant animals. Taken together, we reveal that the loss of δ-catenin functions arising from the ASD-associated G34S mutation induces social dysfunction via alterations in glutamatergic activity and that GSK3β inhibition can reverse δ-catenin G34S-induced synaptic and behavioral deficits.

δ–catenin is expressed in excitatory synapses and functions as an anchor for the glutamatergic AMPA receptor (AMPAR) GluA2 subunit in the postsynaptic density. The glycine 34 to serine (G34S) mutation in theδ–cateningene is found in autism spectrum disorder (ASD) patients and induces loss of δ–catenin functions at excitatory synapses, which is presumed to underlie ASD pathogenesis in humans. However, how the G34S mutation causes loss of δ–catenin functions to induce ASD remains unclear. Here, using neuroblastoma cells, we discover that the G34S mutation generates an additional phosphorylation site for glycogen synthase kinase 3β (GSK3β). This promotes δ–catenin degradation and causes the reduction of δ–catenin levels, which likely contributes to the loss of δ–catenin functions. Synaptic δ–catenin and GluA2 levels in the cortex are significantly decreased in mice harboring the δ–catenin G34S mutation. The G34S mutation increases glutamatergic activity in cortical excitatory neurons while it is decreased in inhibitory interneurons, indicating changes in cellular excitation and inhibition. δ–catenin G34S mutant mice also exhibit social dysfunction, a common feature of ASD. Most importantly, inhibition of GSK3β activity reverses the G34S-induced loss of δ–catenin function effects in cells and mice. Finally, using δ–catenin knockout mice, we confirm that δ–catenin is required for GSK3β inhibition-induced restoration of normal social behaviors in δ–catenin G34S mutant animals. Taken together, we reveal that the loss of δ–catenin functions arising from the ASD-associated G34S mutation induces social dysfunction via alterations in glutamatergic activity and that GSK3β inhibition can reverse δ–catenin G34S-induced synaptic and behavioral deficits.

Beta‐amyloid (Aβ) has been recognized as an early trigger in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD) leading to synaptic and cognitive impairments. Aβ can alter neuronal signaling through interactions with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs), contributing to synaptic dysfunction in AD. The three major nAChR subtypes in the hippocampus are composed of α7‐, α4β2‐, and α3β4‐nAChRs. Aβ selectively affects α7‐ and α4β2‐nAChRs, but not α3β4‐nAChRs in hippocampal neurons, resulting in neuronal hyperexcitation. However, how nAChR subtype selectivity for Aβ affects synaptic function in AD is not completely understood. Here, we showed that Aβ associated with α7‐ and α4β2‐nAChRs but not α3β4‐nAChRs. Computational modeling suggested two amino acids in α7‐nAChRs, arginine (R208) and glutamate (E211), were important for the interaction between Aβ and α7‐containing nAChRs. These residues are conserved only in the α7 and α4 subunits. We therefore mutated these amino acids in α7‐containing nAChRs to mimic the α3 subunit and found that mutant α7‐containing receptors were unable to interact with Aβ. Additionally, mutant α3‐containing nAChRs mimicking the α7 subunit interact with Aβ. This provides direct molecular evidence for how Aβ selectively interacted with α7‐ and α4β2‐nAChRs, but not α3β4‐nAChRs. Selective co‐activation of α7‐ and α4β2‐nAChRs also sufficiently reversed Aβ‐induced AMPA receptor (AMPAR) dysfunction, including Aβ‐induced reduction of AMPAR phosphorylation and surface expression in hippocampal neurons. Moreover, co‐stimulation of α7‐ and α4β2‐nAChRs reversed the Aβ‐induced disruption of long‐term potentiation. These findings support a novel mechanism for Aβ’s impact on synaptic function in AD, namely the differential regulation of nAChR subtypes.