β-Amyloid disruption of LTP/LTD balance is mediated by AKAP150-anchored PKA and Calcineurin regulation of Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors

Melatonin attenuates intermittent hypoxia-induced cognitive impairment in aged mice: The role of inflammation and synaptic plasticity

Intermittent hypoxia (IH), a major pathophysiologic alteration in obstructive sleep apnea syndrome (OSAS), is an important contributor to cognitive impairment. Increasing research suggests that melatonin has anti-inflammatory properties and improves functions related to synaptic plasticity. However, it is unclear whether melatonin has a protective effect against OSAS-induced cognitive dysfunction in aged individuals and the involved mechanisms are also unclear. Therefore, in the study, the effects of exposure to IH alone and IH in combination with daily melatonin treatment were investigated in C57BL/6 J mice aged 18 months. Assessment of the cognitive ability of mice in a Morris water maze showed that melatonin attenuated IH-induced impairment of learning and memory in aged mice. Enzyme-linked immunosorbent assay, polymerase chain reaction, and western blotting molecular techniques showed that melatonin treatment reduced the levels of the proinflammatory cytokines, interleukin-1β, interleukin-6, and tumor necrosis factor-α, decreased the levels of NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3 and nuclear factor kappa-B, lowered the levels of ionized calcium-binding adapter molecule 1 and glial fibrillary acidic protein, and increased the levels of the synaptic proteins, activity-regulated cytoskeleton-associated protein, growth-associated protein-43, postsynaptic density protein 95, and synaptophysin in IH-exposed mice. Moreover, electrophysiological results showed that melatonin ameliorated the decline in long-term potentiation induced by IH. The results suggest that melatonin can ameliorate IH-induced cognitive deficits by inhibiting neuroinflammation and improving synaptic plasticity in aged mice.

Familial Alzheimer's disease mutations in amyloid precursor protein impair calcineurin signaling to NMDA receptors

Familial Alzheimer's disease (FAD) is frequently associated with mutations in the amyloid precursor protein (APP), which are thought to lead to cognitive deficits by impairing NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent forms of synaptic plasticity. Given the reliance of synaptic plasticity on NMDAR-mediated Ca2+ entry, shaping of NMDAR activity by APP and/or its disease-causing variants could provide a basis for understanding synaptic plasticity impairments associated with FAD. A region of APP (residues 639-644 within APP695) processed by the γ-secretase complex, which generates amyloid β (Aβ) peptides, is a hotspot for FAD mutations. This region bears similarity to a binding motif for calcineurin (CaN), a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphatase. Interaction assays confirm that APP associates with CaN in native tissue as well as in a heterologous expression system. This capacity to bind CaN extends to APP family members amyloid precursor-like protein 1 and amyloid precursor-like protein 2 (APLP1 and APLP2, respectively). Electrophysiological analysis demonstrates that APP and its family members limit NMDAR activity, in a manner consistent with CaN-dependent regulation of NMDAR desensitization. FAD mutations, in this region of APP, impair this regulation and consequently enhance NMDAR activity. Thus, by altering the landscape for CaN regulation of NMDA receptors, FAD mutations in APP may contribute to faulty information processing by modifying the dynamic range and temporal window of a critical signal for synaptic plasticity.

Altered Protein Palmitoylation as Disease Mechanism in Neurodegenerative Disorders

Palmitoylation, a lipid-based posttranslational protein modification, plays a crucial role in regulating various aspects of neuronal function through altering protein membrane-targeting, stabilities, and protein-protein interaction profiles. Disruption of palmitoylation has recently garnered attention as disease mechanism in neurodegeneration. Many proteins implicated in neurodegenerative diseases and associated neuronal dysfunction, including but not limited to amyloid precursor protein, β-secretase (BACE1), postsynaptic density protein 95, Fyn, synaptotagmin-11, mutant huntingtin, and mutant superoxide dismutase 1, undergo palmitoylation, and recent evidence suggests that altered palmitoylation contributes to the pathological characteristics of these proteins and associated disruption of cellular processes. In addition, dysfunction of enzymes that catalyze palmitoylation and depalmitoylation has been connected to the development of neurological disorders. This review highlights some of the latest advances in our understanding of palmitoylation regulation in neurodegenerative diseases and explores potential therapeutic implications.

3'-Deoxyadenosin alleviates methamphetamine-induced aberrant synaptic plasticity and seeking behavior by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome

JOURNAL/nrgr/04.03/01300535-202410000-00028/figure1/v/2024-02-06T055622Z/r/image-tiff Methamphetamine addiction is a brain disorder characterized by persistent drug-seeking behavior, which has been linked with aberrant synaptic plasticity. An increasing body of evidence suggests that aberrant synaptic plasticity is associated with the activation of the NOD-like receptor family pyrin domain containing-3 (NLRP3) inflammasome. 3'-Deoxyadenosin, an active component of the Chinese fungus Cordyceps militaris, has strong anti-inflammatory effects. However, whether 3'-deoxyadenosin attenuates methamphetamine-induced aberrant synaptic plasticity via an NLRP3-mediated inflammatory mechanism remains unclear. We first observed that 3'-deoxyadenosin attenuated conditioned place preference scores in methamphetamine-treated mice and decreased the expression of c-fos in hippocampal neurons. Furthermore, we found that 3'-deoxyadenosin reduced the aberrant potentiation of glutamatergic transmission and restored the methamphetamine-induced impairment of synaptic plasticity. We also found that 3'-deoxyadenosin decreased the expression of NLRP3 and neuronal injury. Importantly, a direct NLRP3 deficiency reduced methamphetamine-induced seeking behavior, attenuated the impaired synaptic plasticity, and prevented neuronal damage. Finally, NLRP3 activation reversed the effect of 3'-deoxyadenosin on behavior and synaptic plasticity, suggesting that the anti-neuroinflammatory mechanism of 3'-deoxyadenosin on aberrant synaptic plasticity reduces methamphetamine-induced seeking behavior. Taken together, 3'-deoxyadenosin alleviates methamphetamine-induced aberrant synaptic plasticity and seeking behavior by inhibiting the NLRP3 inflammasome.

Patient-derived tau and amyloid-β facilitate long-term depression in vivo: role of tumour necrosis factor-α and the integrated stress response

Alzheimer's disease is characterized by a progressive cognitive decline in older individuals accompanied by the deposition of two pathognomonic proteins amyloid-β and tau. It is well documented that synaptotoxic soluble amyloid-β aggregates facilitate synaptic long-term depression, a major form of synaptic weakening that correlates with cognitive status in Alzheimer's disease. Whether synaptotoxic tau, which is also associated strongly with progressive cognitive decline in patients with Alzheimer's disease and other tauopathies, also causes facilitation remains to be clarified. Young male adult and middle-aged rats were employed. Synaptotoxic tau and amyloid-β were obtained from different sources including (i) aqueous brain extracts from patients with Alzheimer's disease and Pick's disease tauopathy; (ii) the secretomes of induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons from individuals with trisomy of chromosome 21; and (iii) synthetic amyloid-β. In vivo electrophysiology was performed in urethane anaesthetized animals. Evoked field excitatory postsynaptic potentials were recorded from the stratum radiatum in the CA1 area of the hippocampus with electrical stimulation to the Schaffer collateral-commissural pathway. To study the enhancement of long-term depression, relatively weak low-frequency electrical stimulation was used to trigger peri-threshold long-term depression. Synaptotoxic forms of tau or amyloid-β were administered intracerebroventricularly. The ability of agents that inhibit the cytokine tumour necrosis factor-α or the integrated stress response to prevent the effects of amyloid-β or tau on long-term depression was assessed after local or systemic injection, respectively. We found that diffusible tau from Alzheimer's disease or Pick's disease patients' brain aqueous extracts or the secretomes of trisomy of chromosome 21 induced pluripotent stem cell-derived neurons, like Alzheimer's disease brain-derived amyloid-β and synthetic oligomeric amyloid-β, potently enhanced synaptic long-term depression in live rats. We further demonstrated that long-term depression facilitation by both tau and amyloid-β was age-dependent, being more potent in middle-aged compared with young animals. Finally, at the cellular level, we provide pharmacological evidence that tumour necrosis factor-α and the integrated stress response are downstream mediators of long-term depression facilitation by both synaptotoxic tau and amyloid-β. Overall, these findings reveal the promotion of an age-dependent synaptic weakening by both synaptotoxic tau and amyloid-β. Pharmacologically targeting shared mechanisms of tau and amyloid-β synaptotoxicity, such as tumour necrosis factor-α or the integrated stress response, provides an attractive strategy to treat early Alzheimer's disease.

Treadmill Exercise Facilitates Synaptic Plasticity in APP/PS1 Mice by Regulating Hippocampal AMPAR Activity

Accumulating evidence underscores exercise as a straightforward and cost-effective lifestyle intervention capable of mitigating the risk and slowing the emergence and progression of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the intricate cellular and molecular mechanisms mediating these exercise-induced benefits in AD remain elusive. The present study delved into the impact of treadmill exercise on memory retrieval performance, hippocampal synaptic plasticity, synaptic morphology, and the expression and activity of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic receptors (AMPARs) in 6-month-old APP/PS1 mice. APP/PS1 mice (4-month-old males) were randomly assigned to either a treadmill exercise group or a sedentary group, with C57BL/6J mice (4-month-old males) as the control group (both exercise and sedentary). The exercise regimen spanned 8 weeks. Our findings revealed that 8-week treadmill exercise reversed memory retrieval impairment in step-down fear conditioning in 6-month-old APP/PS1 mice. Additionally, treadmill exercise enhanced basic synaptic strength, short-term potentiation (STP), and long-term potentiation (LTP) of the hippocampus in these mice. Moreover, treadmill exercise correlated with an augmentation in synapse numbers, refinement of synaptic structures, and heightened expression and activity of AMPARs. Our findings suggest that treadmill exercise improves behavioral performance and facilitates synaptic transmission by increasing structural synaptic plasticity and the activity of AMPARs in the hippocampus of 6-month-old APP/PS1 mice, which is involved in pre- and postsynaptic processes.

Amyloid-β Causes NMDA Receptor Dysfunction and Dendritic Spine Loss through mGluR1 and AKAP150-Anchored Calcineurin Signaling

Neuronal excitatory synapses are primarily located on small dendritic protrusions called spines. During synaptic plasticity underlying learning and memory, Ca2+ influx through postsynaptic NMDA-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs) initiates signaling pathways that coordinate changes in dendritic spine structure and synaptic function. During long-term potentiation (LTP), high levels of NMDAR Ca2+ influx promote increases in both synaptic strength and dendritic spine size through activation of Ca2+-dependent protein kinases. In contrast, during long-term depression (LTD), low levels of NMDAR Ca2+ influx promote decreased synaptic strength and spine shrinkage and elimination through activation of the Ca2+-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin (CaN), which is anchored at synapses via the scaffold protein A-kinase anchoring protein (AKAP)150. In Alzheimer's disease (AD), the pathological agent amyloid-β (Aβ) may impair learning and memory through biasing NMDAR Ca2+ signaling pathways toward LTD and spine elimination. By employing AKAP150 knock-in mice of both sexes with a mutation that disrupts CaN anchoring to AKAP150, we revealed that local, postsynaptic AKAP-CaN-LTD signaling was required for Aβ-mediated impairment of NMDAR synaptic Ca2+ influx, inhibition of LTP, and dendritic spine loss. Additionally, we found that Aβ acutely engages AKAP-CaN signaling through activation of G-protein-coupled metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) leading to dephosphorylation of NMDAR GluN2B subunits, which decreases Ca2+ influx to favor LTD over LTP, and cofilin, which promotes F-actin severing to destabilize dendritic spines. These findings reveal a novel interplay between NMDAR and mGluR1 signaling that converges on AKAP-anchored CaN to coordinate dephosphorylation of postsynaptic substrates linked to multiple aspects of Aβ-mediated synaptic dysfunction.

How calcineurin inhibitors affect cognition

AIMS

With a focus on the discrepancy between preclinical and clinical findings, this review will gather comprehensive information about the effects of calcineurin inhibitors (CNI) on cognitive function and related brain pathology from in vitro, in vivo, and clinical studies. We also summarize the potential mechanisms that underlie the pathways related to CNI-induced cognitive impairment.

METHODS

We systematically searched articles in PubMed using keywords 'calcineurin inhibitor*' and 'cognition' to identify related articles, which the final list pertaining to underlying mechanisms of CNI on cognition.

RESULTS

Several studies have reported an association between calcineurin and the neuropathology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). AD is the most common neurocognitive disorder associated with amyloid plaques and neurofibrillary tangles in the brain, leading to cognitive impairment. CNI, including tacrolimus and cyclosporin A, are commonly prescribed for patients with transplantation of solid organs such as kidney, liver, or heart, those drugs are currently being used as long-term immunosuppressive therapy. Although preclinical models emphasize the favorable effects of CNI on the restoration of brain pathology due to the impacts of calcineurin on the alleviation of amyloid-beta deposition and tau hyperphosphorylation, or rescuing synaptic and mitochondrial functions, treatment-related neurotoxicity, resulting in cognitive dysfunctions has been observed in clinical settings of patients who received CNI.

CONCLUSION

Inconsistent results of CNI on cognition from clinical studies have been observed due to impairment of the blood-brain barrier, neuroinflammation mediated by reactive oxygen species, and alteration in mitochondrial fission, and extended research is required to confirm its promising use in cognitive impairment.

Rational Design of Dual-Functionalized Gd@C82 Nanoparticles to Relieve Neuronal Cytotoxicity in Alzheimer's Disease via Inhibition of Aβ Aggregation

The accumulation of amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides is a major hallmark of Alzheimer's disease (AD) and plays a crucial role in its pathogenesis. Particularly, the structured oligomeric species rich in β-sheet formations were implicated in neuronal organelle damage. Addressing this formidable challenge requires identifying candidates capable of inhibiting peptide aggregation or disaggregating preformed oligomers for effective antiaggregation-based AD therapy. Here, we present a dual-functional nanoinhibitor meticulously designed to target the aggregation driving force and amyloid fibril spatial structure. Leveraging the exceptional structural stability and facile tailoring capability of endohedral metallofullerene Gd@C82, we introduce desired hydrogen-binding sites and charged groups, which are abundant on its surface for specific designs. Impressively, these designs endow the resultant functionalized-Gd@C82 nanoparticles (f-Gd@C82 NPs) with high capability of redirecting peptide self-assembly toward disordered, off-pathway species, obstructing the early growth of protofibrils, and disaggregating the preformed well-ordered protofibrils or even mature Aβ fibrils. This results in considerable alleviation of Aβ peptide-induced neuronal cytotoxicity, rescuing neuronal death and synaptic loss in primary neuron models. Notably, these modifications significantly improved the dispersibility of f-Gd@C82 NPs, thus substantially enhancing its bioavailability. Moreover, f-Gd@C82 NPs demonstrate excellent cytocompatibility with various cell lines and possess the ability to penetrate the blood-brain barrier in mice. Large-scale molecular dynamics simulations illuminate the inhibition and disaggregation mechanisms. Our design successfully overcomes the limitations of other nanocandidates, which often overly rely on hydrophobic interactions or photothermal conversion properties, and offers a viable direction for developing anti-AD agents through the inhibition and even reversal of Aβ aggregation.

Seizures exacerbate excitatory: inhibitory imbalance in Alzheimer's disease and 5XFAD mice

Approximately 22% of Alzheimer's disease (AD) patients suffer from seizures, and the co-occurrence of seizures and epileptiform activity exacerbates AD pathology and related cognitive deficits, suggesting that seizures may be a targetable component of AD progression. Given that alterations in neuronal excitatory:inhibitory (E:I) balance occur in epilepsy, we hypothesized that decreased markers of inhibition relative to those of excitation would be present in AD patients. We similarly hypothesized that in 5XFAD mice, the E:I imbalance would progress from an early stage (prodromal) to later symptomatic stages and be further exacerbated by pentylenetetrazol (PTZ) kindling. Post-mortem AD temporal cortical tissues from patients with or without seizure history were examined for changes in several markers of E:I balance, including levels of the inhibitory GABAA receptor, the sodium potassium chloride cotransporter 1 (NKCC1) and potassium chloride cotransporter 2 (KCC2) and the excitatory NMDA and AMPA type glutamate receptors. We performed patch-clamp electrophysiological recordings from CA1 neurons in hippocampal slices and examined the same markers of E:I balance in prodromal 5XFAD mice. We next examined 5XFAD mice at chronic stages, after PTZ or control protocols, and in response to chronic mTORC1 inhibitor rapamycin, administered following kindled seizures, for markers of E:I balance. We found that AD patients with comorbid seizures had worsened cognitive and functional scores and decreased GABAA receptor subunit expression, as well as increased NKCC1/KCC2 ratios, indicative of depolarizing GABA responses. Patch clamp recordings of prodromal 5XFAD CA1 neurons showed increased intrinsic excitability, along with decreased GABAergic inhibitory transmission and altered glutamatergic neurotransmission, indicating that E:I imbalance may occur in early disease stages. Furthermore, seizure induction in prodromal 5XFAD mice led to later dysregulation of NKCC1/KCC2 and a reduction in GluA2 AMPA glutamate receptor subunit expression, indicative of depolarizing GABA receptors and calcium permeable AMPA receptors. Finally, we found that chronic treatment with the mTORC1 inhibitor, rapamycin, at doses we have previously shown to attenuate seizure-induced amyloid-β pathology and cognitive deficits, could also reverse elevations of the NKCC1/KCC2 ratio in these mice. Our data demonstrate novel mechanisms of interaction between AD and epilepsy and indicate that targeting E:I balance, potentially with US Food and Drug Administration-approved mTOR inhibitors, hold therapeutic promise for AD patients with a seizure history.

Amyloid-β-induced dendritic spine elimination requires Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors, AKAP-Calcineurin-NFAT signaling, and the NFAT target gene Mdm2

Alzheimer's Disease (AD) is associated with brain accumulation of synaptotoxic amyloid-β (Aβ) peptides produced by the proteolytic processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP). Cognitive impairments associated with AD correlate with dendritic spine and excitatory synapse loss, particularly within the hippocampus. In rodents, soluble Aβ oligomers impair hippocampus-dependent learning and memory, promote dendritic spine loss, inhibit NMDA-type glutamate receptor (NMDAR)-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP), and promote synaptic depression (LTD), at least in part through activation of the Ca2+-CaM-dependent phosphatase calcineurin (CaN). Yet, questions remain regarding Aβ-dependent postsynaptic CaN signaling specifically at the synapse to mediate its synaptotoxicity. Here, we use pharmacologic and genetic approaches to demonstrate a role for postsynaptic signaling via A kinase-anchoring protein 150 (AKAP150)-scaffolded CaN in mediating Aβ-induced dendritic spine loss in hippocampal neurons from rats and mice of both sexes. In particular, we found that Ca2+-permeable AMPA-type glutamate receptors (CP-AMPARs), which were previously shown to signal through AKAP-anchored CaN to promote both LTD and Aβ-dependent inhibition of LTP, are also required upstream of AKAP-CaN signaling to mediate spine loss via overexpression of APP containing multiple mutations linked to familial, early-onset AD and increased Aβ production. In addition, we found that the CaN-dependent nuclear factor of activated T-cells (NFAT) transcription factors are required downstream to promote Aβ-mediated dendritic spine loss. Finally, we identified the E3-ubiquitin ligase Mdm2, which was previously linked to LTD and developmental synapse elimination, as a downstream NFAT target gene upregulated by Aβ whose enzymatic activity is required for Aβ-mediated spine loss.Significance Statement Impaired hippocampal function and synapse loss are hallmarks of AD linked to Aβ oligomers. Aβ exposure acutely blocks hippocampal LTP and enhances LTD and chronically leads to dendritic spine synapse loss. In particular, Aβ hijacks normal plasticity mechanisms, biasing them toward synapse weakening/elimination, with previous studies broadly linking CaN phosphatase signaling to this synaptic dysfunction. However, we do not understand how Aβ engages signaling specifically at synapses. Here we elucidate a synapse-to-nucleus signaling pathway coordinated by the postsynaptic scaffold protein AKAP150 that is activated by Ca2+ influx through CP-AMPARs and transduced to nucleus by CaN-NFAT signaling to transcriptionally upregulate the E3-ubiquitin ligase Mdm2 that is required for Aβ-mediated spine loss. These findings identify Mdm2 as potential therapeutic target for AD.

Novel crosstalk mechanisms between GluA3 and Epac2 in synaptic plasticity and memory in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a progressive neurodegenerative disease which accounts for the most cases of dementia worldwide. Impaired memory, including acquisition, consolidation, and retrieval, is one of the hallmarks in AD. At the cellular level, dysregulated synaptic plasticity partly due to reduced long-term potentiation (LTP) and enhanced long-term depression (LTD) underlies the memory deficits in AD. GluA3 containing α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptors (AMPARs) are one of key receptors involved in rapid neurotransmission and synaptic plasticity. Recent studies revealed a novel form of GluA3 involved in neuronal plasticity that is dependent on cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP), rather than N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA). However, this cAMP-dependent GluA3 pathway is specifically and significantly impaired by amyloid beta (Aβ), a pathological marker of AD. cAMP is a key second messenger that plays an important role in modulating memory and synaptic plasticity. We previously reported that exchange protein directly activated by cAMP 2 (Epac2), acting as a main cAMP effector, plays a specific and time-limited role in memory retrieval. From electrophysiological perspective, Epac2 facilities the maintenance of LTP, a cellular event closely associated with memory retrieval. Additionally, Epac2 was found to be involved in the GluA3-mediated plasticity. In this review, we comprehensively summarize current knowledge regarding the specific roles of GluA3 and Epac2 in synaptic plasticity and memory, and their potential association with AD.

Nr4a2 blocks oAβ-mediated synaptic plasticity dysfunction and ameliorates spatial memory deficits in the APP Sw,Ind mouse

Alzheimer's disease AD is associated with disruptions in neuronal communication, especially in brain regions crucial for learning and memory, such as the hippocampus. The amyloid hypothesis suggests that the accumulation of amyloid-beta oligomers (oAβ) contributes to synaptic dysfunction by internalisation of synaptic AMPA receptors. Recently, it has been reported that Nr4a2, a member of the Nr4a family of orphan nuclear receptors, plays a role in hippocampal synaptic plasticity by regulating BDNF and synaptic AMPA receptors. Here, we demonstrate that oAβ inhibits activity-dependent Nr4a2 activation in hippocampal neurons, indicating a potential link between oAβ and Nr4a2 down-regulation. Furthermore, we have observed a reduction in Nr4a2 protein levels in postmortem hippocampal tissue samples from early AD stages. Pharmacological activation of Nr4a2 proves effective in preventing oAβ-mediated synaptic depression in the hippocampus. Notably, Nr4a2 overexpression in the hippocampus of AD mouse models ameliorates spatial learning and memory deficits. In conclusion, the findings suggest that oAβ may contribute to early cognitive impairment in AD by blocking Nr4a2 activation, leading to synaptic dysfunction. Thus, our results further support that Nr4a2 activation is a potential therapeutic target to mitigate oAβ-induced synaptic and cognitive impairments in the early stages of Alzheimer's disease.

Molecular Mechanisms of AMPA Receptor Trafficking in the Nervous System

Synaptic plasticity enhances or reduces connections between neurons, affecting learning and memory. Postsynaptic AMPARs mediate greater than 90% of the rapid excitatory synaptic transmission in glutamatergic neurons. The number and subunit composition of AMPARs are fundamental to synaptic plasticity and the formation of entire neural networks. Accordingly, the insertion and functionalization of AMPARs at the postsynaptic membrane have become a core issue related to neural circuit formation and information processing in the central nervous system. In this review, we summarize current knowledge regarding the related mechanisms of AMPAR expression and trafficking. The proteins related to AMPAR trafficking are discussed in detail, including vesicle-related proteins, cytoskeletal proteins, synaptic proteins, and protein kinases. Furthermore, significant emphasis was placed on the pivotal role of the actin cytoskeleton, which spans throughout the entire transport process in AMPAR transport, indicating that the actin cytoskeleton may serve as a fundamental basis for AMPAR trafficking. Additionally, we summarize the proteases involved in AMPAR post-translational modifications. Moreover, we provide an overview of AMPAR transport and localization to the postsynaptic membrane. Understanding the assembly, trafficking, and dynamic synaptic expression mechanisms of AMPAR may provide valuable insights into the cognitive decline associated with neurodegenerative diseases.

AKAP150 from nucleus accumbens dopamine D1 and D2 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons regulates morphine withdrawal

Dopamine D1 receptor-expressing medium spiny neurons (D1R-MSNs) and dopamine D2 receptor-expressing MSNs (D2R-MSNs) in nucleus accumbens (NAc) have been demonstrated to show different effects on reward and memory of abstinence. A-kinase anchoring protein 150 (AKAP150) expression in NAc is significantly upregulated and contributes to the morphine withdrawal behavior. However, the underlying mechanism of AKAP150 under opioid withdrawal remains unclear. In this study, AKAP150 expression in NAc is upregulated in naloxone-precipitated morphine withdrawal model, and knockdown of AKAP150 alleviates morphine withdrawal somatic signs and improves the performance of conditioned place aversion (CPA) test. AKAP150 in NAc D1R-MSNs is related to modulation of the performance of morphine withdrawal CPA test, while AKAP150 in NAc D2R-MSNs is relevant to the severity of somatic responses. Our results suggest that AKAP150 from D1R-MSNs or D2R-MSNs in NAc contributes to the developmental process of morphine withdrawal but plays different roles in aspects of behavior or psychology.

DHHC2 regulates fear memory formation, LTP, and AKAP150 signaling in the hippocampus

Palmitoyl acyltransferases (PATs) have been suggested to be involved in learning and memory. However, the underlying mechanisms have not yet been fully elucidated. Here, we found that the activity of DHHC2 was upregulated in the hippocampus after fear conditioning, and DHHC2 knockdown impaired fear induced memory and long-term potentiation (LTP). Additionally, the activity of DHHC2 and its synaptic expression were increased after high frequency stimulation (HFS) or glycine treatment. Importantly, fear learning selectively augmented the palmitoylation level of AKAP150, not PSD-95, and this effect was abolished by DHHC2 knockdown. Furthermore, 2-bromopalmitic acid (2-BP), a palmitoylation inhibitor, attenuated the increased palmitoylation level of AKAP150 and the interaction between AKAP150 and PSD-95 induced by HFS. Lastly, DHHC2 knockdown reduced the phosphorylation level of GluA1 at Ser845, and also induced an impairment of LTP in the hippocampus. Our results suggest that DHHC2 plays a critical role in regulating fear memory via AKAP150 signaling.

Cooperation between neurovascular dysfunction and Aβ in Alzheimer's disease

The amyloid-β (Aβ) hypothesis was once believed to represent the pathogenic process of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, with the failure of clinical drug development and the increasing understanding of the disease, the Aβ hypothesis has been challenged. Numerous recent investigations have demonstrated that the vascular system plays a significant role in the course of AD, with vascular damage occurring prior to the deposition of Aβ and neurofibrillary tangles (NFTs). The question of how Aβ relates to neurovascular function and which is the trigger for AD has recently come into sharp focus. In this review, we outline the various vascular dysfunctions associated with AD, including changes in vascular hemodynamics, vascular cell function, vascular coverage, and blood-brain barrier (BBB) permeability. We reviewed the most recent findings about the complicated Aβ-neurovascular unit (NVU) interaction and highlighted its vital importance to understanding disease pathophysiology. Vascular defects may lead to Aβ deposition, neurotoxicity, glial cell activation, and metabolic dysfunction; In contrast, Aβ and oxidative stress can aggravate vascular damage, forming a vicious cycle loop.

Discovery and characterization of a specific inhibitor of serine-threonine kinase cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) demonstrates role in hippocampal CA1 physiology

Pathological loss-of-function mutations in cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) cause CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a rare and severe neurodevelopmental disorder associated with severe and medically refractory early-life epilepsy, motor, cognitive, visual, and autonomic disturbances in the absence of any structural brain pathology. Analysis of genetic variants in CDD has indicated that CDKL5 kinase function is central to disease pathology. CDKL5 encodes a serine-threonine kinase with significant homology to GSK3β, which has also been linked to synaptic function. Further, Cdkl5 knock-out rodents have increased GSK3β activity and often increased long-term potentiation (LTP). Thus, development of a specific CDKL5 inhibitor must be careful to exclude cross-talk with GSK3β activity. We synthesized and characterized specific, high-affinity inhibitors of CDKL5 that do not have detectable activity for GSK3β. These compounds are very soluble in water but blood-brain barrier penetration is low. In rat hippocampal brain slices, acute inhibition of CDKL5 selectively reduces postsynaptic function of AMPA-type glutamate receptors in a dose-dependent manner. Acute inhibition of CDKL5 reduces hippocampal LTP. These studies provide new tools and insights into the role of CDKL5 as a newly appreciated key kinase necessary for synaptic plasticity. Comparisons to rodent knock-out studies suggest that compensatory changes have limited the understanding of the roles of CDKL5 in synaptic physiology, plasticity, and human neuropathology.

The Expression of Epac2 and GluA3 in an Alzheimer's Disease Experimental Model and Postmortem Patient Samples

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is one of the most prevalent neurodegenerative diseases, characterized by amyloid beta (Aβ) and hyperphosphorylated tau accumulation in the brain. Recent studies indicated that memory retrieval, rather than memory formation, was impaired in the early stage of AD. Our previous study reported that pharmacological activation of hippocampal Epac2 promoted memory retrieval in C57BL/6J mice. A recent study suggested that pharmacological inhibition of Epac2 prevented synaptic potentiation mediated by GluA3-containing AMPARs. In this study, we aimed to investigate proteins associated with Epac2-mediated memory in hippocampal postmortem samples of AD patients and healthy controls compared with the experimental AD model J20 and wild-type mice. Epac2 and phospho-Akt were downregulated in AD patients and J20 mice, while Epac1 and phospho-ERK1/2 were not altered. GluA3 was reduced in J20 mice and tended to decrease in AD patients. PSD95 tended to decrease in AD patients and J20. Interestingly, AKAP5 was increased in AD patients but not in J20 mice, implicating its role in tau phosphorylation. Our study points to the downregulation of hippocampal expression of proteins associated with Epac2 in AD.

Cigarette smoke triggers calcium overload in mouse hippocampal neurons via the ΔFOSB-CACNA2D1 axis to impair cognitive performance

A growing body of evidence shows that cigarette smoking impairs cognitive performance. The 'Calcium Hypothesis' theory of neuronopathies reveals a critical role of aberrant calcium signaling in compromised cognitive functions. However, the underlying implications of abnormalities in calcium signaling in the neurotoxicity induced by cigarette smoke (CS) have not yet been identified. CACNA2D1, an important auxiliary subunit involved in the composition of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs), was reported to affect the calcium signaling in neurons by facilitating VGCCs-mediated Ca²⁺ influx. ΔFOSB, an alternatively-spliced product of the Fosb gene, is an activity-dependent transcription factor induced robustly in the brain in response to environmental stimuli such as CS. Interestingly, our preliminary bioinformatics analysis revealed a significant co-expression between ΔFOSB and CACNA2D1 in brain tissues of patients with neurodegenerative diseases characterized by progressive cognitive decline. Therefore, we hypothesized that the activation of the ΔFOSB-CACNA2D1 axis in response to CS exposure might cause dysregulation of calcium homeostasis in hippocampal neurons via VGCCs-mediated Ca²⁺ influx, thereby contributing to cognitive deficits. To this end, the present study established a CS-induced mouse model of hippocampus-dependent cognitive impairment, in which the activation of the ΔFOSB-CACNA2D1 axis accompanied by severe calcium overload was observed in the mouse hippocampal tissues. More importantly, ΔFOSB knockdown-/overexpression-mediated inactivation/activation of the ΔFOSB-CACNA2D1 axis interdicted/mimicked CS-induced dysregulation of calcium homeostasis followed by severe cellular damage in HT22 mouse hippocampal neurons. Mechanistically speaking, a further ChIP-qPCR assay confirmed the physical interaction between transcription factor ΔFOSB and the Cacna2d1 gene promoter, suggesting a direct transcriptional regulation of the Cacna2d1 gene by ΔFOSB. Overall, our current work aims to deliver a unique insight into the neurotoxic mechanisms induced by CS to explore potential targets for intervention.

Discovery and characterization of a specific inhibitor of serine-threonine kinase cyclin dependent kinase-like 5 (CDKL5) demonstrates role in hippocampal CA1 physiology

Pathological loss-of-function mutations in cyclin-dependent kinase-like 5 ( CDKL5 ) cause CDKL5 deficiency disorder (CDD), a rare and severe neurodevelopmental disorder associated with severe and medically refractory early-life epilepsy, motor, cognitive, visual and autonomic disturbances in the absence of any structural brain pathology. Analysis of genetic variants in CDD have indicated that CDKL5 kinase function is central to disease pathology. CDKL5 encodes a serine-threonine kinase with significant homology to GSK3β, which has also been linked to synaptic function. Further, Cdkl5 knock-out rodents have increased GSK3β activity and often increased long-term potentiation (LTP). Thus, development of a specific CDKL5 inhibitor must be careful to exclude cross-talk with GSK3β activity. We synthesized and characterized specific, high-affinity inhibitors of CDKL5 that do not have detectable activity for GSK3β. These compounds are very soluble in water but blood-brain barrier penetration is low. In rat hippocampal brain slices, acute inhibition of CDKL5 selectively reduces post-synaptic function of AMPA-type glutamate receptors in a dose-dependent manner. Acute inhibition of CDKL5 reduces hippocampal LTP. These studies provide new tools and insights into the role of CDKL5 as a newly appreciated, key kinase necessary for synaptic plasticity. Comparisons to rodent knock-out studies suggest that compensatory changes have limited the understanding of the roles of CDKL5 in synaptic physiology, plasticity and human neuropathology.

mGluR-dependent plasticity in rodent models of Alzheimer's disease

Long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD) are currently the most comprehensive models of synaptic plasticity models to subserve learning and memory. In the CA1 region of the hippocampus LTP and LTD can be induced by the activation of either NMDA receptors or mGluR5 metabotropic glutamate receptors. Alterations in either form of synaptic plasticity, NMDAR-dependent or mGluR-dependent, are attractive candidates to contribute to learning deficits in conditions like Alzheimer's disease (AD) and aging. Research, however, has focused predominantly on NMDAR-dependent forms of LTP and LTD. Here we studied age-associated changes in mGluR-dependent LTP and LTD in the APP/PS1 mouse model of AD and in Octodon degu, a rodent model of aging that exhibits features of AD. At 2 months of age, APP/PS1 mouse exhibited robust mGluR-dependent LTP and LTD that was completely lost by the 8th month of age. The expression of mGluR protein in the hippocampus of APP/PS1 mice was not affected, consistent with previous findings indicating the uncoupling of the plasticity cascade from mGluR5 activation. In O. degu, the average mGluR-LTD magnitude is reduced by half by the 3 rd year of age. In aged O. degu individuals, the reduced mGluR-LTD correlated with reduced performance in a radial arm maze task. Altogether these findings support the idea that the preservation of mGluR-dependent synaptic plasticity is essential for the preservation of learning capacity during aging.

Non-competitive AMPA glutamate receptors antagonism by perampanel as a strategy to counteract hippocampal hyper-excitability and cognitive deficits in cerebral amyloidosis

Pathological accumulation of Aβ oligomers has been linked to neuronal networks hyperexcitability, potentially underpinned by glutamatergic AMPA receptors (AMPARs) dysfunction. We aimed to investigate whether the non-competitive block of AMPARs was able to counteract the alteration of hippocampal epileptic threshold, and of synaptic plasticity linked to Aβ oligomers accumulation, being this glutamate receptor a valuable specific therapeutic target. In this work, we showed that the non-competitive AMPARs antagonist perampanel (PER) which, per se, did not affect physiological synaptic transmission, was able to counteract Aβ-induced hyperexcitability. Moreover, AMPAR antagonism was able to counteract Aβ-induced hippocampal LTP impairment and hippocampal-based cognitive deficits in Aβ oligomers-injected mice, while retaining antiseizure efficacy. Beside this, AMPAR antagonism was also able to reduce the increased expression of proinflammatory cytokines in this mice model, also suggesting the presence of an anti-inflammatory activity. Thus, targeting AMPARs might be a valuable strategy to reduce both hippocampal networks hyperexcitability and synaptic plasticity deficits induced by Aβ oligomers accumulation.

Nitric Oxide Synthase Blockade Impairs Spontaneous Calcium Activity in Mouse Primary Hippocampal Culture Cells

Oscillation of intracellular calcium concentration is a stable phenomenon that affects cellular function throughout the lifetime of both electrically excitable and non-excitable cells. Nitric oxide, a gaseous secondary messenger and the product of nitric oxide synthase (NOS), affects intracellular calcium dynamics. Using mouse hippocampal primary cultures, we recorded the effect of NOS blockade on neuronal spontaneous calcium activity. There was a correlation between the amplitude of spontaneous calcium events and the number of action potentials (APs) (Spearman R = 0.94). There was a linear rise of DAF-FM fluorescent emission showing an increase in NO concentration with time in neurons (11.9 ± 1.0%). There is correlation between the integral of the signal from DAF-FM and the integral of the spontaneous calcium event signal from Oregon Green 488 (Spearman R = 0.58). Blockade of NOS affected the parameters of the spontaneous calcium events studied (amplitude, frequency, integral, rise slope and decay slope). NOS blockade by Nw-Nitro-L-arginine suppressed the amplitude and frequency of spontaneous calcium events. The NOS blocker 3-Bromo-7-Nitroindazole reduced the frequency but not the amplitude of spontaneous calcium activity. Blockade of the well-known regulator of NOS, calcineurin with cyclosporine A reduced the integral of calcium activity in neurons. The differences and similarities in the effects on the parameters of spontaneous calcium effects caused by different blockades of NO production help to improve understanding of how NO synthesis affects calcium dynamics in neurons.

p85S6K sustains synaptic GluA1 to ameliorate cognitive deficits in Alzheimer's disease

BACKGROUND

Ribosomal protein S6 kinase 1 (S6K1) is a serine-threonine kinase that has two main isoforms: p70S6K (70-kDa isoform) and p85S6K (85-kDa isoform). p70S6K, with its upstream mammalian target of rapamycin (mTOR), has been shown to be involved in learning and memory and participate in the pathophysiology of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, the function of p85S6K has long been neglected due to its high similarity to p70S6k. The role of p85S6K in learning and memory is still largely unknown.

METHODS

We fractionated the postsynaptic densities to illustrate the differential distribution of p85S6K and p70S6K. Coimmunoprecipitation was performed to unveil interactions between p85S6K and the GluA1 subunit of AMPA receptor. The roles of p85S6K in synaptic targeting of GluA1 and learning and memory were evaluated by specific knockdown or overexpression of p85S6K followed by a broad range of methodologies including immunofluorescence, Western blot, in situ proximity ligation assay, morphological staining and behavioral examination. Further, the expression level of p85S6K was measured in brains from AD patients and AD model mice.

RESULTS

p85S6K, but not p70S6K, was enriched in the postsynaptic densities. Moreover, knockdown of p85S6K resulted in defective spatial and recognition memory. In addition, p85S6K could interact with the GluA1 subunit of AMPA receptor through synapse-associated protein 97 and A-kinase anchoring protein 79/150. Mechanistic studies demonstrated that p85S6K could directly phosphorylate GluA1 at Ser845 and increase the amount of GluA1 in synapses, thus sustaining synaptic function and spine densities. Moreover, p85S6K was found to be specifically decreased in the synaptosomal compartment in the brains of AD patients and AD mice. Overexpression of p85S6K ameliorated the synaptic deficits and cognitive impairment in transgenic AD model mice.

CONCLUSIONS

These results strongly imply a significant role for p85S6K in maintaining synaptic and cognitive function by interacting with GluA1. The findings provide an insight into the rational targeting of p85S6K as a therapeutic potential for AD.

A cellular atlas of calcineurin signaling

Intracellular Ca2+ signals are temporally controlled and spatially restricted. Signaling occurs adjacent to sites of Ca2+ entry and/or release, where Ca2+-dependent effectors and their substrates co-localize to form signaling microdomains. Here we review signaling by calcineurin, the Ca2+/calmodulin regulated protein phosphatase and target of immunosuppressant drugs, Cyclosporin A and FK506. Although well known for its activation of the adaptive immune response via NFAT dephosphorylation, systematic mapping of human calcineurin substrates and regulators reveals unexpected roles for this versatile phosphatase throughout the cell. We discuss calcineurin function, with an emphasis on where signaling occurs and mechanisms that target calcineurin and its substrates to signaling microdomains, especially binding of cognate short linear peptide motifs (SLiMs). Calcineurin is ubiquitously expressed and regulates events at the plasma membrane, other intracellular membranes, mitochondria, the nuclear pore complex and centrosomes/cilia. Based on our expanding knowledge of localized CN actions, we describe a cellular atlas of Ca2+/calcineurin signaling.

The CaV1.2 G406R mutation decreases synaptic inhibition and alters L-type Ca2+ channel-dependent LTP at hippocampal synapses in a mouse model of Timothy Syndrome

Genetic alterations in autism spectrum disorders (ASD) frequently disrupt balance between synaptic excitation and inhibition and alter plasticity in the hippocampal CA1 region. Individuals with Timothy Syndrome (TS), a genetic disorder caused by CaV1.2 L-type Ca2+ channel (LTCC) gain-of function mutations, such as G406R, exhibit social deficits, repetitive behaviors, and cognitive impairments characteristic of ASD that are phenocopied in TS2-neo mice expressing G406R. Here, we characterized hippocampal CA1 synaptic function in male TS2-neo mice and found basal excitatory transmission was slightly increased and inhibitory transmission strongly decreased. We also found distinct impacts on two LTCC-dependent forms of long-term potentiation (LTP) synaptic plasticity that were not readily consistent with LTCC gain-of-function. LTP induced by high-frequency stimulation (HFS) was strongly impaired in TS2-neo mice, suggesting decreased LTCC function. Yet, CaV1.2 expression, basal phosphorylation, and current density were similar for WT and TS2-neo. However, this HFS-LTP also required GABAA receptor activity, and thus may be impaired in TS2-neo due to decreased inhibitory transmission. In contrast, LTP induced in WT mice by prolonged theta-train (PTT) stimulation in the presence of a β-adrenergic receptor agonist to increase CaV1.2 phosphorylation was partially induced in TS2-neo mice by PTT stimulation alone, consistent with increased LTCC function. Overall, our findings provide insights regarding how altered CaV1.2 channel function disrupts basal transmission and plasticity that could be relevant for neurobehavioral alterations in ASD.

Modulation of L-type calcium channels in Alzheimer's disease: A potential therapeutic target

Calcium plays a fundamental role in various signaling pathways and cellular processes in the human organism. In the nervous system, voltage-gated calcium channels such as L-type calcium channels (LTCCs) are critical elements in mediating neurotransmitter release, synaptic integration and plasticity. Dysfunction of LTCCs has been implicated in both aging and Alzheimer's Disease (AD), constituting a key component of calcium hypothesis of AD. As such, LTCCs are a promising drug target in AD. However, due to their structural and functional complexity, the mechanisms by which LTCCs contribute to AD are still unclear. In this review, we briefly summarize the structure, function, and modulation of LTCCs that are the backbone for understanding pathological processes involving LTCCs. We suggest targeting molecular pathways up-regulating LTCCs in AD may be a more promising approach, given the diverse physiological functions of LTCCs and the ineffectiveness of LTCC blockers in clinical studies.

Palmitoylation of A-kinase anchoring protein 79/150 modulates its nanoscale organization, trafficking, and mobility in postsynaptic spines

A-kinase anchoring protein 79-human/150-rodent (AKAP79/150) organizes signaling proteins to control synaptic plasticity. AKAP79/150 associates with the plasma membrane and endosomes through its N-terminal domain that contains three polybasic regions and two Cys residues that are reversibly palmitoylated. Mutations abolishing palmitoylation (AKAP79/150 CS) reduce its endosomal localization and association with the postsynaptic density (PSD). Here we combined advanced light and electron microscopy (EM) to characterize the effects of AKAP79/150 palmitoylation on its postsynaptic nanoscale organization, trafficking, and mobility in hippocampal neurons. Immunogold EM revealed prominent extrasynaptic membrane AKAP150 labeling with less labeling at the PSD. The label was at greater distances from the spine membrane for AKAP150 CS than WT in the PSD but not in extra-synaptic locations. Immunogold EM of GFP-tagged AKAP79 WT showed that AKAP79 adopts a vertical, extended conformation at the PSD with its N-terminus at the membrane, in contrast to extrasynaptic locations where it adopts a compact or open configurations of its N- and C-termini with parallel orientation to the membrane. In contrast, GFP-tagged AKAP79 CS was displaced from the PSD coincident with disruption of its vertical orientation, while proximity and orientation with respect to the extra-synaptic membrane was less impacted. Single-molecule localization microscopy (SMLM) revealed a heterogeneous distribution of AKAP150 with distinct high-density, nano-scale regions (HDRs) overlapping the PSD but more prominently located in the extrasynaptic membrane for WT and the CS mutant. Thick section scanning transmission electron microscopy (STEM) tomography revealed AKAP150 immunogold clusters similar in size to HDRs seen by SMLM and more AKAP150 labeled endosomes in spines for WT than for CS, consistent with the requirement for AKAP palmitoylation in endosomal trafficking. Hidden Markov modeling of single molecule tracking data revealed a bound/immobile fraction and two mobile fractions for AKAP79 in spines, with the CS mutant having shorter dwell times and faster transition rates between states than WT, suggesting that palmitoylation stabilizes individual AKAP molecules in various spine subpopulations. These data demonstrate that palmitoylation fine tunes the nanoscale localization, mobility, and trafficking of AKAP79/150 in dendritic spines, which might have profound effects on its regulation of synaptic plasticity.

PRG-1 prevents neonatal stimuli-induced persistent hyperalgesia and memory dysfunction via NSF/Glu/GluR2 signaling

Neonatal repetitive noxious stimuli (RNS) has been shown to cause long-term harmful effects on nociceptive processing, learning, and memory which persist until adulthood. Plasticity-related gene 1 (PRG-1) regulates synaptic plasticity and functional reorganization in the brain during neuronal development. In this study, neonatal RNS rats were established by repetitive needle pricks to neonatal rats on all four feet to model repetitive pain exposure in infants. Neonatal RNS caused thermal hyperalgesia, mechanical allodynia, learning, and memory impairments which manifested in young rats and persisted until adulthood. Hippocampal PRG-1/N-ethylmaleimide sensitive fusion protein (NSF) interaction was determined to be responsible for the RNS-induced impairment via enhanced extracellular glutamate release and AMPAR GluR2 trafficking deficiency in a cell-autonomous manner. These pathways likely act synergistically to cause changes in dendritic spine density. Our findings suggest that PRG-1 prevents the RNS-induced hyperalgesia, learning, and memory impairment by regulating synaptic plasticity via NSF/Glu/GluR2 signaling.

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Neonatal RNS induced hyperalgesia, learning, and memory impairment until adulthood.

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PRG-1 attenuated RNS-induced impairments by dendritic spine regulation.

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PRG-1 prevents RNS-induced impairments via NSF/Glu/GluR2 signaling.

Aβ42 oligomers trigger synaptic loss through CAMKK2-AMPK-dependent effectors coordinating mitochondrial fission and mitophagy

During the early stages of Alzheimer's disease (AD) in both mouse models and human patients, soluble forms of Amyloid-β 1-42 oligomers (Aβ42o) trigger loss of excitatory synapses (synaptotoxicity) in cortical and hippocampal pyramidal neurons (PNs) prior to the formation of insoluble amyloid plaques. In a transgenic AD mouse model, we observed a spatially restricted structural remodeling of mitochondria in the apical tufts of CA1 PNs dendrites corresponding to the dendritic domain where the earliest synaptic loss is detected in vivo. We also observed AMPK over-activation as well as increased fragmentation and loss of mitochondrial biomass in Ngn2-induced neurons derived from a new APP^Swe/Swe knockin human ES cell line. We demonstrate that Aβ42o-dependent over-activation of the CAMKK2-AMPK kinase dyad mediates synaptic loss through coordinated phosphorylation of MFF-dependent mitochondrial fission and ULK2-dependent mitophagy. Our results uncover a unifying stress-response pathway causally linking Aβ42o-dependent structural remodeling of dendritic mitochondria to synaptic loss.

Bioactive human Alzheimer brain soluble Aβ: pathophysiology and therapeutic opportunities

The accumulation of amyloid-β protein (Aβ) plays an early role in the pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The precise mechanism of how Aβ accumulation leads to synaptic dysfunction and cognitive impairment remains unclear but is likely due to small soluble oligomers of Aβ (oAβ). Most studies have used chemical synthetic or cell-secreted Aβ oligomers to study their pathogenic mechanisms, but the Aβ derived from human AD brain tissue is less well characterized. Here we review updated knowledge on the extraction and characterization of bioactive human AD brain oAβ and the mechanisms by which they cause hippocampal synaptic dysfunction. Human AD brain-derived oAβ can impair hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and enhance long-term depression (LTD). Many studies suggest that oAβ may directly disrupt neuronal NMDA receptors, AMPA receptors and metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). oAβ also impairs astrocytic synaptic functions, including glutamate uptake, D-serine release, and NMDA receptor function. We also discuss oAβ-induced neuronal hyperexcitation. These results may suggest a multi-target approach for the treatment of AD, including both oAβ neutralization and reversal of glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity.

Trace Amine Associate Receptor 1 (TAAR1) as a New Target for the Treatment of Cognitive Dysfunction in Alzheimer's Disease

Worldwide, approximately 27 million people are affected by Alzheimer’s disease (AD). AD pathophysiology is believed to be caused by the deposition of the β-amyloid peptide (Aβ). Aβ can reduce long-term potentiation (LTP), a form of synaptic plasticity that is closely associated with learning and memory and involves postsynaptic glutamate receptor phosphorylation and trafficking. Moreover, Aβ seems to be able to reduce glutamatergic transmission by increasing the endocytosis of NMDA receptors. Trace amines (TAs) are biogenic amines that are structurally similar to monoamine neurotransmitters. TAs bind to G protein-coupled receptors, called TAARs (trace amine-associated receptors); the best-studied member of this family, TAAR1, is distributed in the cortical and limbic structures of the CNS. It has been shown that the activation of TAAR1 can rescue glutamatergic hypofunction and that TAAR1 can modulate glutamate NMDA receptor-related functions in the frontal cortex. Several lines of evidence also suggest the pro-cognitive action of TAAR1 agonists in various behavioural experimental protocols. Thus, we studied, in vitro, the role of the TAAR1 agonist RO5256390 on basal cortical glutamatergic transmission and tested its effect on Aβ-induced dysfunction. Furthermore, we investigated, in vivo, the role of TAAR1 in cognitive dysfunction induced by Aβ infusion in Aβ-treated mice. In vitro data showed that Aβ 1–42 significantly decreased NMDA cell surface expression while the TAAR1 agonist RO5256390 promoted their membrane insertion in cortical cells. In vivo, RO5256390 showed a mild pro-cognitive effect, as demonstrated by the better performance in the Y maze test in mice treated with Aβ. Further studies are needed to better understand the interplay between TAAR1/Aβ and glutamatergic signalling, in order to evaluate the eventual beneficial effect in different experimental paradigms and animal models. Taken together, our data indicate that TAAR1 agonism may provide a novel therapeutic approach in the treatments of disorders involving Aβ-induced cognitive impairments, such as AD.

cAMP-PKA cascade: An outdated topic for depression?

Depression is a common neuropsychiatric disorder characterized by persistent depressed mood and causes serious socioeconomic burden worldwide. Hyperactivity of the hypothalamic-pituitary-adrenal (HPA) axis, deficiency of monoamine transmitters, neuroinflammation and abnormalities of the gut flora are strongly associated with the onset of depression. The cyclic AMP (cAMP)/protein kinase A (PKA) cascade, a major cross-species cellular signaling pathway, is supposed as important player and regulator of depression onset by controlling synaptic plasticity, cytokinesis, transcriptional regulation and HPA axis. In the central nervous system, the cAMP-PKA cascade can dynamically shape neural circuits by enhancing synaptic plasticity, and affect K⁺ channels by phosphorylating Kir4.1, thereby regulating neuronal excitation. The reduction of cAMP-PKA cascade affects neuronal excitation as well as synaptic plasticity, ultimately leading to pathological outcome of depression, while activation of cAMP-PKA cascade would provide a rapid antidepressant effect. In this review, we proposed to reconsider the function of cAMP-PKA cascade, especially in the rapid antidepressant effect. Local activation or indirect activation of PKA through adjusting anchor proteins would provide new idea for acute treatment of depression.

Selective endocytosis of Ca2+-permeable AMPARs by the Alzheimer's disease risk factor CALM bidirectionally controls synaptic plasticity

AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs) mediate fast excitatory neurotransmission, and the plastic modulation of their surface levels determines synaptic strength. AMPARs of different subunit compositions fulfill distinct roles in synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD) to enable learning. Largely unknown endocytic mechanisms mediate the subunit-selective regulation of the surface levels of GluA1-homomeric Ca2+-permeable (CP) versus heteromeric Ca2+-impermeable (CI) AMPARs. Here, we report that the Alzheimer's disease risk factor CALM controls the surface levels of CP-AMPARs and thereby reciprocally regulates LTP and LTD in vivo to modulate learning. We show that CALM selectively facilitates the endocytosis of ubiquitinated CP-AMPARs via a mechanism that depends on ubiquitin recognition by its ANTH domain but is independent of clathrin. Our data identify CALM and related ANTH domain-containing proteins as the core endocytic machinery that determines the surface levels of CP-AMPARs to bidirectionally control synaptic plasticity and modulate learning in the mammalian brain.