1
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Lamanna J, Gloria G, Villa A, Malgaroli A. Anomalous diffusion of synaptic vesicles and its influences on spontaneous and evoked neurotransmission. J Physiol 2024; 602:2873-2898. [PMID: 38723211 DOI: 10.1113/jp284926] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/18/2023] [Accepted: 04/22/2024] [Indexed: 06/15/2024] Open
Abstract
Neurons in the central nervous system communicate with each other by activating billions of tiny synaptic boutons distributed along their fine axons. These presynaptic varicosities are very crowded environments, comprising hundreds of synaptic vesicles. Only a fraction of these vesicles can be recruited in a single release episode, either spontaneous or evoked by action potentials. Since the seminal work by Fatt and Katz, spontaneous release has been modelled as a memoryless process. Nevertheless, at central synapses, experimental evidence indicates more complex features, including non-exponential distributions of release intervals and power-law behaviour in their rate. To describe these features, we developed a probabilistic model of spontaneous release based on Brownian motion of synaptic vesicles in the presynaptic environment. To account for different diffusion regimes, we based our simulations on fractional Brownian motion. We show that this model can predict both deviation from the Poisson hypothesis and power-law features in experimental quantal release series, thus suggesting that the vesicular motion by diffusion could per se explain the emergence of these properties. We demonstrate the efficacy of our modelling approach using electrophysiological recordings at single synaptic boutons and ultrastructural data. When this approach was used to simulate evoked responses, we found that the replenishment of the readily releasable pool driven by Brownian motion of vesicles can reproduce the characteristic binomial release distributions seen experimentally. We believe that our modelling approach supports the idea that vesicle diffusion and readily releasable pool dynamics are crucial factors for the physiological functioning of neuronal communication. KEY POINTS: We developed a new probabilistic model of spontaneous and evoked vesicle fusion based on simple biophysical assumptions, including the motion of vesicles before they dock to the release site. We provide closed-form equations for the interval distribution of spontaneous releases in the special case of Brownian diffusion of vesicles, showing that a power-law heavy tail is generated. Fractional Brownian motion (fBm) was exploited to simulate anomalous vesicle diffusion, including directed and non-directed motion, by varying the Hurst exponent. We show that our model predicts non-linear features observed in experimental spontaneous quantal release series as well as ultrastructural data of synaptic vesicles spatial distribution. Evoked exocytosis based on a diffusion-replenished readily releasable pool might explain the emergence of power-law behaviour in neuronal activity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacopo Lamanna
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience and Communication (BNC), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Faculty of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | - Giulia Gloria
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience and Communication (BNC), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
| | | | - Antonio Malgaroli
- Center for Behavioral Neuroscience and Communication (BNC), Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- Faculty of Psychology, Vita-Salute San Raffaele University, Milan, Italy
- San Raffaele Turro, IRCCS Ospedale San Raffaele, Milan, Italy
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2
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Wu LG, Chan CY. Membrane transformations of fusion and budding. Nat Commun 2024; 15:21. [PMID: 38167896 PMCID: PMC10761761 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-44539-7] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/07/2023] [Accepted: 12/15/2023] [Indexed: 01/05/2024] Open
Abstract
Membrane fusion and budding mediate fundamental processes like intracellular trafficking, exocytosis, and endocytosis. Fusion is thought to open a nanometer-range pore that may subsequently close or dilate irreversibly, whereas budding transforms flat membranes into vesicles. Reviewing recent breakthroughs in real-time visualization of membrane transformations well exceeding this classical view, we synthesize a new model and describe its underlying mechanistic principles and functions. Fusion involves hemi-to-full fusion, pore expansion, constriction and/or closure while fusing vesicles may shrink, enlarge, or receive another vesicle fusion; endocytosis follows exocytosis primarily by closing Ω-shaped profiles pre-formed through the flat-to-Λ-to-Ω-shape transition or formed via fusion. Calcium/SNARE-dependent fusion machinery, cytoskeleton-dependent membrane tension, osmotic pressure, calcium/dynamin-dependent fission machinery, and actin/dynamin-dependent force machinery work together to generate fusion and budding modes differing in pore status, vesicle size, speed and quantity, controls release probability, synchronization and content release rates/amounts, and underlies exo-endocytosis coupling to maintain membrane homeostasis. These transformations, underlying mechanisms, and functions may be conserved for fusion and budding in general.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ling-Gang Wu
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA.
| | - Chung Yu Chan
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke, Bethesda, MD, USA
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3
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Longfield SF, Mollazade M, Wallis TP, Gormal RS, Joensuu M, Wark JR, van Waardenberg AJ, Small C, Graham ME, Meunier FA, Martínez-Mármol R. Tau forms synaptic nano-biomolecular condensates controlling the dynamic clustering of recycling synaptic vesicles. Nat Commun 2023; 14:7277. [PMID: 37949856 PMCID: PMC10638352 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-43130-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/02/2022] [Accepted: 11/01/2023] [Indexed: 11/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal communication relies on the release of neurotransmitters from various populations of synaptic vesicles. Despite displaying vastly different release probabilities and mobilities, the reserve and recycling pool of vesicles co-exist within a single cluster suggesting that small synaptic biomolecular condensates could regulate their nanoscale distribution. Here, we performed a large-scale activity-dependent phosphoproteome analysis of hippocampal neurons in vitro and identified Tau as a highly phosphorylated and disordered candidate protein. Single-molecule super-resolution microscopy revealed that Tau undergoes liquid-liquid phase separation to generate presynaptic nanoclusters whose density and number are regulated by activity. This activity-dependent diffusion process allows Tau to translocate into the presynapse where it forms biomolecular condensates, to selectively control the mobility of recycling vesicles. Tau, therefore, forms presynaptic nano-biomolecular condensates that regulate the nanoscale organization of synaptic vesicles in an activity-dependent manner.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shanley F Longfield
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland; St Lucia Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Mahdie Mollazade
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland; St Lucia Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Tristan P Wallis
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland; St Lucia Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Rachel S Gormal
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland; St Lucia Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Merja Joensuu
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland; St Lucia Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
- Australian Institute for Bioengineering and Nanotechnology, The University of Queensland; St Lucia Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Jesse R Wark
- Synapse Proteomics, Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI), The University of Sydney, 214 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | | | - Christopher Small
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland; St Lucia Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia
| | - Mark E Graham
- Synapse Proteomics, Children's Medical Research Institute (CMRI), The University of Sydney, 214 Hawkesbury Road, Westmead, NSW, 2145, Australia
| | - Frédéric A Meunier
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland; St Lucia Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
- School of Biomedical Science, The University of Queensland; St Lucia Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
| | - Ramón Martínez-Mármol
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research (CJCADR), Queensland Brain Institute (QBI), The University of Queensland; St Lucia Campus, Brisbane, QLD, 4072, Australia.
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4
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Georgiev SV, Rizzoli SO. The long-loop recycling (LLR) of synaptic components as a question of economics. Mol Cell Neurosci 2023; 126:103862. [PMID: 37236414 DOI: 10.1016/j.mcn.2023.103862] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/28/2023] [Revised: 05/15/2023] [Accepted: 05/19/2023] [Indexed: 05/28/2023] Open
Abstract
The pre- and post-synaptic compartments contain a variety of molecules that are known to recycle between the plasma membrane and intracellular organelles. The recycling steps have been amply described in functional terms, with, for example, synaptic vesicle recycling being essential for neurotransmitter release, and postsynaptic receptor recycling being a fundamental feature of synaptic plasticity. However, synaptic protein recycling may also serve a more prosaic role, simply ensuring the repeated use of specific components, thereby minimizing the energy expenditure on the synthesis of synaptic proteins. This type of process has been recently described for components of the extracellular matrix, which undergo long-loop recycling (LLR), to and from the cell body. Here we suggest that the energy-saving recycling of synaptic components may be more widespread than is generally acknowledged, potentially playing a role in both synaptic vesicle protein usage and postsynaptic receptor metabolism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Svilen Veselinov Georgiev
- University Medical Center Göttingen, Institute for Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Germany; International Max Planck Research School for Neuroscience, Göttingen, Germany.
| | - Silvio O Rizzoli
- University Medical Center Göttingen, Institute for Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Germany; Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN) Center, Göttingen, Germany; Excellence Cluster Multiscale Bioimaging, Göttingen, Germany.
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5
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Vitet H, Bruyère J, Xu H, Séris C, Brocard J, Abada YS, Delatour B, Scaramuzzino C, Venance L, Saudou F. Huntingtin recruits KIF1A to transport synaptic vesicle precursors along the mouse axon to support synaptic transmission and motor skill learning. eLife 2023; 12:e81011. [PMID: 37431882 PMCID: PMC10365837 DOI: 10.7554/elife.81011] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/13/2022] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/12/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurotransmitters are released at synapses by synaptic vesicles (SVs), which originate from SV precursors (SVPs) that have traveled along the axon. Because each synapse maintains a pool of SVs, only a small fraction of which are released, it has been thought that axonal transport of SVPs does not affect synaptic function. Here, studying the corticostriatal network both in microfluidic devices and in mice, we find that phosphorylation of the Huntingtin protein (HTT) increases axonal transport of SVPs and synaptic glutamate release by recruiting the kinesin motor KIF1A. In mice, constitutive HTT phosphorylation causes SV over-accumulation at synapses, increases the probability of SV release, and impairs motor skill learning on the rotating rod. Silencing KIF1A in these mice restored SV transport and motor skill learning to wild-type levels. Axonal SVP transport within the corticostriatal network thus influences synaptic plasticity and motor skill learning.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hélène Vitet
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut NeuroscienceGrenobleFrance
| | - Julie Bruyère
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut NeuroscienceGrenobleFrance
| | - Hao Xu
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College de France, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSLParisFrance
| | - Claire Séris
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut NeuroscienceGrenobleFrance
| | - Jacques Brocard
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut NeuroscienceGrenobleFrance
| | - Yah-Sé Abada
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau, Paris Brain Institute, ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR7225ParisFrance
| | - Benoît Delatour
- Sorbonne Université, Institut du Cerveau, Paris Brain Institute, ICM, Inserm U1127, CNRS UMR7225ParisFrance
| | - Chiara Scaramuzzino
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut NeuroscienceGrenobleFrance
| | - Laurent Venance
- Center for Interdisciplinary Research in Biology, College de France, CNRS, INSERM, Université PSLParisFrance
| | - Frédéric Saudou
- Univ. Grenoble Alpes, Inserm, U1216, CHU Grenoble Alpes, Grenoble Institut NeuroscienceGrenobleFrance
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6
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Nam J, Gwon Y. Neuronal biomolecular condensates and their implications in neurodegenerative diseases. Front Aging Neurosci 2023; 15:1145420. [PMID: 37065458 PMCID: PMC10102667 DOI: 10.3389/fnagi.2023.1145420] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/16/2023] [Accepted: 03/01/2023] [Indexed: 04/03/2023] Open
Abstract
Biomolecular condensates are subcellular organizations where functionally related proteins and nucleic acids are assembled through liquid-liquid phase separation, allowing them to develop on a larger scale without a membrane. However, biomolecular condensates are highly vulnerable to disruptions from genetic risks and various factors inside and outside the cell and are strongly implicated in the pathogenesis of many neurodegenerative diseases. In addition to the classical view of the nucleation-polymerization process that triggers the protein aggregation from the misfolded seed, the pathologic transition of biomolecular condensates can also promote the aggregation of proteins found in the deposits of neurodegenerative diseases. Furthermore, it has been suggested that several protein or protein-RNA complexes located in the synapse and along the neuronal process are neuron-specific condensates displaying liquid-like properties. As their compositional and functional modifications play a crucial role in the context of neurodegeneration, further research is needed to fully understand the role of neuronal biomolecular condensates. In this article, we will discuss recent findings that explore the pivotal role of biomolecular condensates in the development of neuronal defects and neurodegeneration.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Youngdae Gwon
- Department of Molecular Cell Biology, Sungkyunkwan University School of Medicine, Suwon, Republic of Korea
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7
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Uceda AB, Frau J, Vilanova B, Adrover M. On the effect of methionine oxidation on the interplay between α-synuclein and synaptic-like vesicles. Int J Biol Macromol 2023; 229:92-104. [PMID: 36584779 DOI: 10.1016/j.ijbiomac.2022.12.262] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/14/2022] [Revised: 12/19/2022] [Accepted: 12/23/2022] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Human alpha-synuclein (αS) is an intrinsically disordered protein highly expressed in dopaminergic neurons. Its amyloid aggregates are the major component of Lewy bodies, which are considered a hallmark of Parkinson's disease (PD). αS has four different Met, which are particularly sensitive to oxidation, as most of them are found as Met sulfoxide (MetO) in the αS deposits. Consequently, researchers have invested mounting efforts trying to elucidate the molecular mechanisms underlying the links between oxidative stress, αS aggregation and PD. However, it has not been described yet the effect of Met oxidation on the physiological function of αS. Trying to shed light on this aspect, we have here studied a synthetic αS that displayed all its Met replaced by MetO moieties (αS-MetO). Our study has allowed to prove that MetO diminishes the affinity of αS towards anionic micelles (SDS), although the micelle-bound fraction of αS-MetO still adopts an α-helical folding resembling that of the lipid-bound αS. MetO also diminishes the affinity of αS towards synaptic-like vesicles, and its hindering effect is much more pronounced than that displayed on the αS-micelle affinity. Additionally, we have also demonstrated that MetO impairs the physiological function of αS as a catalyst of the clustering and the fusion of synaptic vesicles (SVs). Our findings provide a new understanding on how Met oxidation affects one of the most relevant biological functions attributed to αS that is to bind and cluster SVs along the neurotransmission.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Belén Uceda
- Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Institut de Recerca en Ciències de la Salut (IdISBa), Departament de Química, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra. Valldemossa km 7.5, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Juan Frau
- Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Institut de Recerca en Ciències de la Salut (IdISBa), Departament de Química, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra. Valldemossa km 7.5, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Bartolomé Vilanova
- Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Institut de Recerca en Ciències de la Salut (IdISBa), Departament de Química, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra. Valldemossa km 7.5, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain
| | - Miquel Adrover
- Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Institut de Recerca en Ciències de la Salut (IdISBa), Departament de Química, Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ctra. Valldemossa km 7.5, E-07122 Palma de Mallorca, Spain.
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8
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Wu X, Qiu H, Zhang M. Interactions between Membraneless Condensates and Membranous Organelles at the Presynapse: A Phase Separation View of Synaptic Vesicle Cycle. J Mol Biol 2023; 435:167629. [PMID: 35595170 DOI: 10.1016/j.jmb.2022.167629] [Citation(s) in RCA: 6] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/06/2022] [Revised: 05/03/2022] [Accepted: 05/04/2022] [Indexed: 02/04/2023]
Abstract
Action potential-induced neurotransmitter release in presynaptic boutons involves coordinated actions of a large list of proteins that are associated directly or indirectly with membrane structures including synaptic vesicles and plasma membranes. These proteins are often highly abundant in different synaptic bouton sub-compartments, and they rarely act alone. Instead, these proteins interact with each other forming intricate and distinct molecular complexes. Many of these complexes form condensed clusters on membrane surfaces. This review summarizes findings in recent years showing that many of presynaptic protein complex assemblies are formed via phase separation. These protein condensates extensively interact with lipid membranes via distinct modes, forming various mesoscale structures by different mode of organizations between membraneless condensates and membranous organelles. We discuss that such mesoscale interactions could have deep implications on mobilization, exocytosis, and retrieval of synaptic vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiandeng Wu
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Hua Qiu
- Division of Life Science, Hong Kong University of Science and Technology, Clear Water Bay, Kowloon, Hong Kong, China
| | - Mingjie Zhang
- Greater Bay Biomedical Innocenter, Shenzhen Bay Laboratory, Shenzhen 518036, China; School of Life Sciences, Southern University of Science and Technology, Shenzhen 518055, China.
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9
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Fyn nanoclustering requires switching to an open conformation and is enhanced by FTLD-Tau biomolecular condensates. Mol Psychiatry 2023; 28:946-962. [PMID: 36258016 PMCID: PMC9908554 DOI: 10.1038/s41380-022-01825-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2021] [Revised: 09/19/2022] [Accepted: 09/27/2022] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
Fyn is a Src kinase that controls critical signalling cascades and has been implicated in learning and memory. Postsynaptic enrichment of Fyn underpins synaptotoxicity in dementias such as Alzheimer's disease and frontotemporal lobar degeneration with Tau pathology (FTLD-Tau). The FLTD P301L mutant Tau is associated with a higher propensity to undergo liquid-liquid phase separation (LLPS) and form biomolecular condensates. Expression of P301L mutant Tau promotes aberrant trapping of Fyn in nanoclusters within hippocampal dendrites by an unknown mechanism. Here, we used single-particle tracking photoactivated localisation microscopy to demonstrate that the opening of Fyn into its primed conformation promotes its nanoclustering in dendrites leading to increased Fyn/ERK/S6 downstream signalling. Preventing the auto-inhibitory closed conformation of Fyn through phospho-inhibition or through perturbation of its SH3 domain increased Fyn's nanoscale trapping, whereas inhibition of the catalytic domain had no impact. By combining pharmacological and genetic approaches, we demonstrate that P301L Tau enhanced both Fyn nanoclustering and Fyn/ERK/S6 signalling via its ability to form biomolecular condensates. Together, our findings demonstrate that Fyn alternates between a closed and an open conformation, the latter being enzymatically active and clustered. Furthermore, pathogenic immobilisation of Fyn relies on the ability of P301L Tau to form biomolecular condensates, thus highlighting the critical importance of LLPS in controlling nanoclustering and downstream intracellular signalling events.
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10
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Condensation of the fusion focus by the intrinsically disordered region of the formin Fus1 is essential for cell-cell fusion. Curr Biol 2022; 32:4752-4761.e10. [DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2022.09.026] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/06/2022] [Revised: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 09/13/2022] [Indexed: 11/06/2022]
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Du K, Hu L, Wang P, Xue Y. Rapid isolation and cryo-EM characterization of synaptic vesicles from mammalian brain. FEBS Open Bio 2022; 12:1980-1987. [PMID: 36000326 PMCID: PMC9623512 DOI: 10.1002/2211-5463.13475] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/04/2022] [Revised: 07/26/2022] [Accepted: 08/22/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic vesicles (SVs) store and release neurotransmitters at chemical synapses. Precise regulation of SV trafficking, exocytosis and endocytosis is crucial for neural transmission. Biochemical characterization of SVs, which is essential for research into neurotransmitter uptake and release, requires effective in vitro isolation methods. Here, we describe an improved and simple purification protocol for isolating SVs from mouse brain within 6 h, achieving a yield of approximately 0.4 mg of SVs per single brain. The use of track-etch membrane filtration and iodixanol cushion ensured the uniform morphology of SVs and low contaminants in the sample. Cryo-electron microscopy was used to show that the in vitro isolated SVs retained intact membrane-associated proteins, and observation of SVs in hippocampal neurons using cryo-electron tomography confirmed the abundance of protein coating. Thus, our protocol allows effective isolation of SVs from small volumes of mammalian brain tissue, and the properties of the isolated SVs are close to those in vivo, making them suitable for biochemical analysis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kang Du
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina,National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of BiophysicsChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Liqiao Hu
- Key Laboratory of Molecular Biophysics of the Ministry of Education, College of Life Science and TechnologyHuazhong University of Science and TechnologyWuhanChina
| | - Pei Wang
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of BiophysicsChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
| | - Yanhong Xue
- National Laboratory of Biomacromolecules, CAS Center for Excellence in Biomacromolecules, Institute of BiophysicsChinese Academy of SciencesBeijingChina
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12
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Uceda AB, Frau J, Vilanova B, Adrover M. Glycation of α-synuclein hampers its binding to synaptic-like vesicles and its driving effect on their fusion. Cell Mol Life Sci 2022; 79:342. [PMID: 35662377 PMCID: PMC9167179 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-022-04373-4] [Citation(s) in RCA: 9] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/18/2022] [Revised: 05/08/2022] [Accepted: 05/11/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022]
Abstract
Parkinson's disease (PD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative disorders affecting the worldwide population. One of its hallmarks is the intraneuronal accumulation of insoluble Lewy bodies (LBs), which cause the death of dopaminergic neurons. α-Synuclein (αS) is the main component of these LBs and in them, it commonly contains non-enzymatic post-translational modifications, such as those resulting from its reaction with reactive carbonyl species arising as side products of the intraneuronal glycolysis (mainly methylglyoxal). Consequently, lysines of the αS found in LBs of diabetic individuals are usually carboxyethylated. A precise comprehension of the effect of Nε-(carboxyethyl)lysine (CEL) on the aggregation of αS and on its physiological function becomes crucial to fully understand the molecular mechanisms underlying the development of diabetes-induced PD. Consequently, we have here used a synthetic αS where all its Lys have been replaced by CEL moieties (αS-CEL), and we have studied how these modifications could impact on the neurotransmission mechanism. This study allows us to describe how the non-enzymatic glycosylation (glycation) affects the function of a protein like αS, involved in the pathogenesis of PD. CEL decreases the ability of αS to bind micelles, although the micelle-bound fraction of αS-CEL still displays an α-helical fold resembling that of the lipid-bound αS. However, CEL completely abolishes the affinity of αS towards synaptic-like vesicles and, consequently, it hampers its physiological function as a catalyst of the clustering and the fusion of the synaptic vesicles.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ana Belén Uceda
- Departament de Química, Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Institut de Recerca en Ciències de la Salut (IdISBa), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ed. Mateu Orfila i Rotger, Ctra. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122, Palma, Spain
| | - Juan Frau
- Departament de Química, Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Institut de Recerca en Ciències de la Salut (IdISBa), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ed. Mateu Orfila i Rotger, Ctra. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122, Palma, Spain
| | - Bartolomé Vilanova
- Departament de Química, Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Institut de Recerca en Ciències de la Salut (IdISBa), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ed. Mateu Orfila i Rotger, Ctra. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122, Palma, Spain
| | - Miquel Adrover
- Departament de Química, Institut Universitari d'Investigació en Ciències de la Salut (IUNICS), Institut de Recerca en Ciències de la Salut (IdISBa), Universitat de les Illes Balears, Ed. Mateu Orfila i Rotger, Ctra. Valldemossa km 7.5, 07122, Palma, Spain.
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13
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Imbrosci B, Schmitz D, Orlando M. Automated Detection and Localization of Synaptic Vesicles in Electron Microscopy Images. eNeuro 2022; 9:ENEURO.0400-20.2021. [PMID: 34983830 PMCID: PMC8805189 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0400-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/16/2020] [Revised: 11/04/2021] [Accepted: 11/23/2021] [Indexed: 11/21/2022] Open
Abstract
Information transfer and integration in the brain occurs at chemical synapses and is mediated by the fusion of synaptic vesicles filled with neurotransmitter. Synaptic vesicle dynamic spatial organization regulates synaptic transmission as well as synaptic plasticity. Because of their small size, synaptic vesicles require electron microscopy (EM) for their imaging, and their analysis is conducted manually. The manual annotation and segmentation of the hundreds to thousands of synaptic vesicles, is highly time consuming and limits the throughput of data collection. To overcome this limitation, we built an algorithm, mainly relying on convolutional neural networks (CNNs), capable of automatically detecting and localizing synaptic vesicles in electron micrographs. The algorithm was trained on murine synapses but we show that it works well on synapses from different species, ranging from zebrafish to human, and from different preparations. As output, we provide the vesicle count and coordinates, the nearest neighbor distance (nnd) and the estimate of the vesicles area. We also provide a graphical user interface (GUI) to guide users through image analysis, result visualization, and manual proof-reading. The application of our algorithm is especially recommended for images produced by transmission EM. Since this type of imaging is used routinely to investigate presynaptic terminals, our solution will likely be of interest for numerous research groups.
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Affiliation(s)
- Barbara Imbrosci
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin 10117, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin 10117, Germany
| | - Dietmar Schmitz
- German Center for Neurodegenerative Diseases (DZNE) Berlin, Berlin 10117, Germany
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin 10117, Germany
- NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Berlin 10117, Germany
- Bernstein Center for Computational Neuroscience (BCCN) Berlin, Berlin 10115, Germany
- Einstein Center for Neurosciences (ECN) Berlin, Berlin 10117, Germany
- Max-Delbrück-Centrum (MDC) for Molecular Medicine, Berlin 13125, Germany
| | - Marta Orlando
- Charité - Universitätsmedizin Berlin, corporate member of Freie Universität Berlin and Humboldt-Universität zu Berlin, and Berlin Institute of Health, Berlin 10117, Germany
- NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Berlin 10117, Germany
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Klumperman J, Pucadyil T. Understanding membrane traffic from molecular ensemble, energetics, and the cell biology of participant components. Curr Opin Cell Biol 2021; 71:iii-vi. [PMID: 34219001 PMCID: PMC8248565 DOI: 10.1016/j.ceb.2021.06.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/29/2022]
Affiliation(s)
- Judith Klumperman
- Cell Biology, Center for Molecular Medicine, University Medical Center Utrecht, Heidelberglaan 1oo, 3584CX Utrecht, the Netherlands.
| | - Thomas Pucadyil
- Indian Institute of Science Education and Research, Dr. Homi Bhabha Road, Pashan, Pune 411007, Maharasthra, India.
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