Calpain regulation of AMPA receptor channels in cortical pyramidal neurons

CaMKIIα-TARPγ8 signaling mediates hippocampal synaptic impairment in aging

Aging-related decline in memory and synaptic function are associated with the dysregulation of calcium homeostasis, attributed to the overexpression of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCC). The membrane insertion of AMPAR governed by the AMPAR auxiliary proteins is essential for synaptic transmission and plasticity (LTP). In this study, we demonstrated the hippocampal expression of the transmembrane AMPAR regulatory proteins γ-8 (TARPγ8) was reduced in aged mice along with the reduced CaMKIIα activity and memory impairment. We further showed that TARPγ8 expression was dependent on CaMKIIα activity. Inhibition of CaMKIIα activity significantly reduced the hippocampal TARPγ8 expression and CA3-CA1 LTP in young mice to a similar level to that of the aged mice. Furthermore, the knockdown of hippocampal TARPγ8 impaired LTP and memory in young mice, which mimicked the aging-related changes. We confirmed the enhanced hippocampal VGCC (Cav-1.3) expression in aged mice and found that inhibition of VGCC activity largely increased both p-CaMKIIα and TARPγ8 expression in aged mice, whereas inhibition of NMDAR or Calpains had no effect. In addition, we found that the exogenous expression of human TARPγ8 in the hippocampus in aged mice restored LTP and memory function. Collectively, these results indicate that the synaptic and cognitive impairment in aging is associated with the downregulation of CaMKIIα-TARPγ8 signaling caused by VGCC activation. Our results suggest that TARPγ8 may be a key molecular biomarker for brain aging and that boosting CaMKIIα-TARPγ8 signaling may be critical for the restoration of synaptic plasticity of aging and aging-related diseases.

Familial association of genetic generalised epilepsy with limb-girdle muscular dystrophy through a mutation in CAPN3

•We present a family that includes members with phenotypes of generalized epilepsy and limb-girdle muscular dystrophy.•Subjects with heterozygous mutation developed epilepsy; a subject with homozygous mutation developed limb-girdle dystrophy.•Mutations in CAPN3 may play a role in the complex genetics of genetic generalized epilepsies.

Adiponectin Knockout Mice Display Cognitive and Synaptic Deficits

Adiponectin is an adipokine that has recently been under investigation for potential neuroprotective effects in various brain disorders including Alzheimer's disease, stroke, and depression. Adiponectin receptors (AdipoR1 and AdipoR2) are found throughout various brain regions, including the hippocampus. However, the role of these receptors in synaptic and cognitive function is not clear. Therefore, the goal of the current study was to evaluate synaptic and cognitive function in the absence of adiponectin. The current study utilized 12-month-old adiponectin knockout (APN-KO) mice and age-matched controls to study cognitive and hippocampal synaptic alterations. We determined that AdipoR1 and AdipoR2 are present in the synaptosome, with AdipoR2 displaying increased presynaptic vs. postsynaptic localization, whereas AdipoR1 was enriched in both the presynaptic and postsynaptic fractions. APN-KO mice displayed cognitive deficits in the novel object recognition (NOR) and Y-maze tests. This was mirrored by deficits in long-term potentiation (LTP) of the hippocampal Schaefer collateral pathway in APN-KO mice. APN-KO mice also displayed a reduction in basal synaptic transmission and an increase in presynaptic release probability. Deficits in LTP were rescued through hippocampal slice incubation with the adiponectin receptor agonist, AdipoRon, indicating that acute alterations in adiponectin receptor signaling influence synaptic function. Along with the deficits in LTP, altered levels of key presynaptic and postsynaptic proteins involved in glutamatergic neurotransmission were observed in APN-KO mice. Taken together, these results indicate that adiponectin is an important regulator of cognition and synaptic function in the hippocampus. Future studies should examine the role of specific adiponectin receptors in synaptic processes.

PHLPP2 stabilization by p27 mediates its inhibition of bladder cancer invasion by promoting autophagic degradation of MMP2 protein

Pleckstrin homology domain leucine-rich repeat protein phosphatase 2 (PHLPP2) is a tumor suppressor that catalyzes the de-phosphorylation of the AGC kinases, while p27 acts as a tumor suppressor that regulates cell cycle, apoptosis, and cell motility. Our previous studies have identified that PHLPP2 participates in inhibition of transformation of human bronchial epithelial cells following lung carcinogen B[a]P/B[a]PDE exposure. However, nothing was known about the association of p27 with regulation of PHLPP2 expression and the role of PHLPP2 in bladder cancer (BC) invasion. In our current studies, we demonstrated that PHLPP2 inhibited BC invasion through promoting MMP2 degradation via p62-mediated autophagy; and p27 expression was able to stabilize PHLPP2 protein by inhibiting protein degradation of Hsp90, which could directly bind to PHLPP2 and protect it from degradation. More in-depth studies discovered that stabilization of Hsp90 by p27 was mediated by calpain1 proteolysis system, whereas p27 inhibited calpain1 gene transcription by attenuating Jak1/Stat1 cascade in human invasive BC cells. Collectively, we for the first time revealed PHLPP2 downregulation in BCs and its participating in promotion of BC invasion, as well as novel role of p27 and mechanisms underlying its regulation of PHLPP2 protein degradation through Hsp90-dependent manner. Our findings improve our understanding of p27 and PHLPP2 roles and their crosstalk in regulation of BC invasion, which further contributes to improve the current strategy for invasive bladder cancer therapy.

Inactivation of the Mouse L-Proline Transporter PROT Alters Glutamatergic Synapse Biochemistry and Perturbs Behaviors Required to Respond to Environmental Changes

The endogenous neutral amino acid L-proline exhibits a variety of physiological and behavioral actions in the nervous system, highlighting the importance of accurately regulating its extracellular abundance. The L-proline transporter PROT (Slc6A7) is believed to control the spatial and temporal distribution of L-proline at glutamatergic synapses by rapid uptake of this amino acid into presynaptic terminals. Despite the importance of members of the Slc6 transporter family regulating neurotransmitter signaling and homeostasis in brain, evidence that PROT dysfunction supports risk for mental illness is lacking. Here we report the disruption of the PROT gene by homologous recombination. Mice defective in PROT displayed altered expression of glutamate transmission-related synaptic proteins in cortex and thalamus. PROT deficiency perturbed mouse behavior, such as reduced locomotor activity, decreased approach motivation and impaired memory extinction. Thus, our study demonstrates that PROT regulates behaviors that are needed to respond to environmental changes in vivo and suggests that PROT dysfunctions might contribute to mental disorders showing altered response choice following task contingency changes.

Interleukin-10 and PD150606 modulate expression of AMPA receptor GluA1 and GluA2 subunits under hypoxic conditions

The goal of this study was to evaluate the effects of anti-inflammatory cytokine, interleukin-10 (IL-10), and calpain inhibitor, PD150606, on the expression of α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor subunits in rat hippocampal slices exposed to repeated brief hypoxic episodes. We studied both individual and combinatory effects of PD150606 and IL-10 on the expression of AMPA receptor subunits under hypoxic conditions for GluA1 and GluA2 as well as their phosphorylated forms - pSer831-GluA1 and pSer880-GluA2. Additionally, we studied whether brief hypoxic episodes and IL-10 may affect mRNA expression of transcriptional factors such as hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and nuclear factor κB (NF-κB). Western blotting analysis of hippocampal slice homogenates revealed that IL-10 and PD150606, both individually and in combination, ameliorate hypoxia-induced decrease in the expression of GluA1 and pSer831-GluA1, with different level of efficiency measured at 10, 50, and 90 min after hypoxia induction. Interestingly, brief hypoxic episodes did not induce any changes in the expression of GluA2 and pSer880-GluA2 subunits, whereas PD150606 showed biphasic effect, decreasing the expression of GluA2 and pSer880-GluA2 at 10 min and potentiating it at 90 min after hypoxia induction. IL-10 alone did not show any effect but was able to reverse PD150606 action on the expression of pSer880-GluA2 at 10 min and further potentiated it for GluA2 at 90 min after hypoxia. Finally, PCR analysis revealed that modulation of GluA1 and GluA2 expressions by hypoxia, and IL-10 was not associated with changes in the expression of hypoxia-inducible factor-1α and nuclear factor-κB (NF-κB) transcriptional factors.

Accumulation of human full-length tau induces degradation of nicotinic acetylcholine receptor α4 via activating calpain-2

Cholinergic impairments and tau accumulation are hallmark pathologies in sporadic Alzheimer’s disease (AD), however, the intrinsic link between tau accumulation and cholinergic deficits is missing. Here, we found that overexpression of human wild-type full-length tau (termed hTau) induced a significant reduction of α4 subunit of nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) with an increased cleavage of the receptor producing a ~55kDa fragment in primary hippocampal neurons and in the rat brains, meanwhile, the α4 nAChR currents decreased. Further studies demonstrated that calpains, including calpain-1 and calpain-2, were remarkably activated with no change of caspase-3, while simultaneous suppression of calpain-2 by selective calpain-2 inhibitor but not calpain-1 attenuated the hTau-induced degradation of α4 nAChR. Finally, we demonstrated that hTau accumulation increased the basal intracellular calcium level in primary hippocampal neurons. We conclude that the hTau accumulation inhibits nAChRs α4 by activating calpain-2. To our best knowledge, this is the first evidence showing that the intracellular accumulation of tau causes cholinergic impairments.

Calpains and neuronal damage in the ischemic brain: The swiss knife in synaptic injury

The excessive extracellular accumulation of glutamate in the ischemic brain leads to an overactivation of glutamate receptors with consequent excitotoxic neuronal death. Neuronal demise is largely due to a sustained activation of NMDA receptors for glutamate, with a consequent increase in the intracellular Ca(2+) concentration and activation of calcium- dependent mechanisms. Calpains are a group of Ca(2+)-dependent proteases that truncate specific proteins, and some of the cleavage products remain in the cell, although with a distinct function. Numerous studies have shown pre- and post-synaptic effects of calpains on glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses, targeting membrane- associated proteins as well as intracellular proteins. The resulting changes in the presynaptic proteome alter neurotransmitter release, while the cleavage of postsynaptic proteins affects directly or indirectly the activity of neurotransmitter receptors and downstream mechanisms. These alterations also disturb the balance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission in the brain, with an impact in neuronal demise. In this review we discuss the evidence pointing to a role for calpains in the dysregulation of excitatory and inhibitory synapses in brain ischemia, at the pre- and post-synaptic levels, as well as the functional consequences. Although targeting calpain-dependent mechanisms may constitute a good therapeutic approach for stroke, specific strategies should be developed to avoid non-specific effects given the important regulatory role played by these proteases under normal physiological conditions.

Activity- and development-dependent down-regulation of TARPγ8 and GluA1 in cultured rat hippocampal neurons

AIM

Transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory proteins (TARPs) regulate the trafficking and expression of AMPA receptors that are essential for the fast excitatory synaptic transmission and plasticity in the brain. This study aimed to investigate the activity-dependent regulation of TARPγ8 in cultured rat hippocampal neurons.

METHODS

Rat hippocampal neurons cultured for 7-8 DIV or 17-18 DIV were exposed to the AMPA receptor agonist AMPA at a non-toxic concentration (100 μmol/L) for 4 h. The protein levels of TARPγ8 and AMPA receptor subunits (GluA1 and GluA2) were measured using Western blotting analysis. AMPA-induced currents were recorded in the neurons using a whole-cell recording method.

RESULTS

Four-hour exposure to AMPA significantly decreased the protein levels of TARPγ8 and GluA1 in the neurons at 17-18 DIV, but did not change the protein level of TARPγ8 in the neurons cultured at 7-8 DIV. AMPA-induced down-regulation of TARPγ8 and GluA1 was largely blocked by the calpain inhibitor calpeptin (50 μmol/L), but not affected by the caspase inhibitor zVAD (50 μmol/L). Four-hour exposure to AMPA significantly decreased AMPA-induced currents in the neurons at 17-18 DIV, which was blocked by co-exposure to calpeptin (50 μmol/L).

CONCLUSION

The down-regulation of TARPγ8 and GluA1 protein levels and AMPA-induced currents in cultured rat hippocampal neurons is activity- and development-dependent, and mediated by endogenous calpain.

Interaction between calpain-1 and HSP90: new insights into the regulation of localization and activity of the protease

Here we demonstrate that heat shock protein 90 (HSP90) interacts with calpain-1, but not with calpain-2, and forms a discrete complex in which the protease maintains its catalytic activity, although with a lower affinity for Ca²⁺. Equilibrium gel distribution experiments show that this complex is composed by an equal number of molecules of each protein partner. Moreover, in resting cells, cytosolic calpain-1 is completely associated with HSP90. Since calpain-1, in association with HSP90, retains its proteolytic activity, and the chaperone is displaced by calpastatin also in the absence of Ca²⁺, the catalytic cleft of the protease is not involved in this association. Thus, calpain-1 can form two distinct complexes depending on the availability of calpastatin in the cytosol. The occurrence of a complex between HSP90 and calpain-1, in which the protease is still activable, can prevent the complete inhibition of the protease even in the presence of high calpastatin levels. We also demonstrate that in basal cell conditions HSP90 and calpain-1, but not calpain-2, are inserted in the multi-protein N-Methyl-D-Aspartate receptor (NMDAR) complex. The amount of calpain-1 at the NMDAR cluster is not modified in conditions of increased [Ca²⁺]_i, and this resident protease is involved in the processing of NMDAR components. Finally, the amount of calpain-1 associated with NMDAR cluster is independent from Ca²⁺-mediated translocation. Our findings show that HSP90 plays an important role in maintaining a given and proper amount of calpain-1 at the functional sites.

Elevated activation of CaMKIIα in the CPEB3-knockout hippocampus impairs a specific form of NMDAR-dependent synaptic depotentiation

Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element binding protein 3 (CPEB3) is a sequence-specific RNA-binding protein that confines the strength of glutamatergic synapses by translationally downregulating the expression of multiple plasticity-related proteins (PRPs), including the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) and the postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD95). CPEB3 knockout (KO) mice exhibit hippocampus-dependent abnormalities related not only to long-term spatial memory but also to the short-term acquisition and extinction of contextual fear memory. In this study, we identified a specific form of NMDAR-dependent synaptic depotentiation (DPT) that is impaired in the adult CPEB3 KO hippocampus. In parallel, cultured KO neurons also exhibited delayed morphological and biochemical responses under NMDA-induced chemical long-term depression (c-LTD). The c-LTD defects in the KO neurons include elevated activation of calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II alpha subunit (CaMKIIα), increased Ser831 phosphorylation of GluA1 and slow degradation of PSD95 and GluA1. Because transient pharmacological suppression of CaMKIIα activity during the DPT-initiating phase successfully reversed the LTP in the KO hippocampus, DPT and c-LTD in the two different systems shared common molecular defects due to the absence of CPEB3. Together, our results suggest that CPEB3 deficiency imbalances NMDAR-activated CaMKIIα signaling, which consequently fails to depress synaptic strength under certain stimulation conditions.

Synergistic regulation of glutamatergic transmission by serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors in prefrontal cortical neurons

The monoamine system in the prefrontal cortex has been implicated in various mental disorders and has been the major target of anxiolytics and antidepressants. Clinical studies show that serotonin and norepinephrine reuptake inhibitors (SNRIs) produce better therapeutic effects than single selective reuptake inhibitors, but the underlying mechanisms are largely unknown. Here, we found that low dose SNRIs, by acting on 5-HT(1A) and α2-adrenergic receptors, synergistically reduced AMPA receptor (AMPAR)-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents and AMPAR surface expression in prefrontal cortex pyramidal neurons via a mechanism involving Rab5/dynamin-mediated endocytosis of AMPARs. The synergistic effect of SNRIs on AMPARs was blocked by inhibition of activator of G protein signaling 3, a G protein modulator that prevents reassociation of G(i) protein α subunit and prolongs the βγ-mediated signaling pathway. Moreover, the depression of AMPAR-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents by SNRIs required p38 kinase activity, which was increased by 5-HT(1A) and α2-adrenergic receptor co-activation in an activator of G protein signaling 3-dependent manner. These results have revealed a potential mechanism for the synergy between the serotonin and norepinephrine systems in the regulation of glutamatergic transmission in cortical neurons.

Agonist-induced down-regulation of AMPA receptors in oligodendrocyte progenitors

Prolonged exposure of oligodendrocyte progenitor cultures to non-toxic concentrations of glutamate receptor agonists for 24 h decreased cellular proliferation mediated by α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptors. Since prolonged agonist stimulation can regulate the expression of various families of receptors, we examined this possibility. Pretreatment of progenitor cultures with 100 μM kainic acid (KA) for 1-24 h caused a time-dependent decrease in AMPA receptor activity, determined by agonist-induced (45)Ca(2+) uptake. The maximum effect (70-80% decrease), observed in the 24 h-pretreated cells, was accompanied by a significant reduction in AMPA receptor subunits, as determined by Western blotting. GluR2/3 and GluR4 subunits were the most affected. Receptor down-regulation and (45)Ca(2+) uptake were only partially reversible upon KA removal. Furthermore, 24 h co-treatment of cultures with CNQX blocked the KA-induced decreases in calcium uptake. To address whether calpain, a calcium-activated protease, was implicated in the regulation of the AMPA receptor subunits, cultures were treated with the specific inhibitor PD150606 alone or in combination with KA for 24 h. Calpain inhibition significantly increased GluR1 in both conditions and partly reversed downregulation of GluR4 by KA. Collectively, these results indicate that calpain is not involved in the agonist-induced down-regulation of AMPA receptors subunits 2/3 in oligodendrocyte progenitors, while it downregulates GluR1 and GluR4.

ALLN rescues an in vitro excitatory synaptic transmission deficit in Lis1 mutant mice

LIS1 gene mutations lead to a rare neurological disorder, classical lissencephaly, characterized by brain malformations, mental retardation, seizures, and premature death. Mice heterozygous for Lis1 (Lis1(+/-)) exhibit cortical malformations, defects in neuronal migration, increased glutamate-mediated synaptic transmission, and spontaneous electrographic seizures. Recent work demonstrated that in utero treatment of Lis1(+/-) mutant dams with ALLN, a calpain inhibitor, partially rescues neuronal migration defects in the offspring. Given the challenges of in utero drug administration, we examined the therapeutic potential of ALLN on postnatal lissencephalic cells. Voltage- and current-clamp studies were performed with acute hippocampal slices obtained from Lis1 mutant mice and age-matched littermate control mice. Specifically, we determined whether postnatal ALLN treatment can reverse excitatory synaptic transmission deficits, namely, an increase in spontaneous and miniature excitatory postsynaptic current (EPSC) frequency, on CA1 pyramidal neurons observed in tissue slices from Lis1(+/-) mice. We found that acute application of ALLN restored spontaneous and miniature EPSC frequencies to wild-type levels without affecting inhibitory postsynaptic synaptic current. Furthermore, Western blot analysis of protein expression, including proteins involved in excitatory synaptic transmission, demonstrated that ALLN blocks the cleavage of the calpain substrate αII-spectrin but does not rescue Lis1 protein levels in Lis1(+/-) mutants.

Calpain 2 activated through N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor signaling cleaves CPEB3 and abrogates CPEB3-repressed translation in neurons

Long-term memory requires the activity-dependent reorganization of the synaptic proteome to modulate synaptic efficacy and consequently consolidate memory. Activity-regulated RNA translation can change the protein composition at the stimulated synapse. Cytoplasmic polyadenylation element-binding protein 3 (CPEB3) is a sequence-specific RNA-binding protein that represses translation of its target mRNAs in neurons, while activation of N-methyl-d-aspartic acid (NMDA) receptors alleviates this repression. Although recent research has revealed the mechanism of CPEB3-inhibited translation, how NMDA receptor signaling modulates the translational activity of CPEB3 remains unclear. This study shows that the repressor CPEB3 is degraded in NMDA-stimulated neurons and that the degradation of CPEB3 is accompanied by the elevated expression of CPEB3's target, epidermal growth factor receptor (EGFR), mostly at the translational level. Using pharmacological and knockdown approaches, we have identified that calpain 2, activated by the influx of calcium through NMDA receptors, proteolyzes the N-terminal repression motif but not the C-terminal RNA-binding domain of CPEB3. As a result, the calpain 2-cleaved CPEB3 fragment binds to RNA but fails to repress translation. Therefore, the cleavage of CPEB3 by NMDA-activated calpain 2 accounts for the activity-related translation of CPEB3-targeted RNAs.

Parasynaptic NMDA receptor signaling couples neuronal glutamate transporter function to AMPA receptor synaptic distribution and stability

At synapses, two major processes occur concomitantly after the release of glutamate: activation of AMPA receptors (AMPARs) to conduct synaptic transmission and activation of excitatory amino acid transporters (EAATs) for transmitter removal. Although crosstalk between the receptors and EAATs is conceivable, whether and how the transporter activity affects AMPAR synaptic localization remain unknown. Using cultured hippocampal and cortical rat neurons, we show that inhibition of glutamate transporters leads to rapid reduction in AMPAR synaptic accumulation and total AMPAR abundance. EAAT inactivity also results in elevated internalization and reduced surface expression of AMPARs. The reduction in AMPAR amount is accompanied by receptor ubiquitination and can be blocked by suppression of proteasome activity, indicating the involvement of proteasome-mediated receptor degradation. Consistent with glutamate spillover, effect of EAAT inhibition on AMPAR distribution and stability is dependent on the activation of parasynaptically localized NR2B-containing NMDA receptors (NMDARs). Moreover, we show that neuronal glutamate transporters, especially those localized at the postsynaptic sites, are responsible for the observed effect during EAAT suppression. These results indicate a role for neuron-specific glutamate transporters in AMPAR synaptic localization and stability.

Mechanisms of calpain mediated proteolysis of voltage gated sodium channel α-subunits following in vitro dynamic stretch injury

Although enhanced calpain activity is well documented after traumatic brain injury (TBI), the pathways targeting specific substrate proteolysis are less defined. Our past work demonstrated that calpain cleaves voltage gated sodium channel (NaCh) α-subunits in an in vitro TBI model. In this study, we investigated the pathways leading to NaCh cleavage utilizing our previously characterized in vitro TBI model, and determined the location of calpain activation within neuronal regions following stretch injury to micropatterned cultures. Calpain specific breakdown products of α-spectrin appeared within axonal, dendritic, and somatic regions 6 h after injury, concurrent with the appearance of NaCh α-subunit proteolysis in both whole cell or enriched axonal preparations. Direct pharmacological activation of either NMDA receptors (NMDArs) or NaChs resulted in NaCh proteolysis. Likewise, a chronic (6 h) dual inhibition of NMDArs/NaChs but not L-type voltage gated calcium channels significantly reduced NaCh proteolysis 6 h after mechanical injury. Interestingly, an early, transient (30 min) inhibition of NMDArs alone significantly reduced NaCh proteolysis. Although a chronic inhibition of calpain significantly reduced proteolysis, a transient inhibition of calpain immediately after injury failed to significantly attenuate NaCh proteolysis. These data suggest that both NMDArs and NaChs are key contributors to calpain activation after mechanical injury, and that a larger temporal window of sustained calpain activation needs consideration in developing effective treatments for TBI.

The ankyrin repeat-rich membrane spanning (ARMS)/Kidins220 scaffold protein is regulated by activity-dependent calpain proteolysis and modulates synaptic plasticity

The expression of forms of synaptic plasticity, such as the phenomenon of long-term potentiation, requires the activity-dependent regulation of synaptic proteins and synapse composition. Here we show that ARMS (ankyrin repeat-rich membrane spanning protein)/Kidins220, a transmembrane scaffold molecule and BDNF TrkB substrate, is significantly reduced in hippocampal neurons after potassium chloride depolarization. The activity-dependent proteolysis of ARMS/Kidins220 was found to occur through calpain, a calcium-activated protease. Moreover, hippocampal long-term potentiation in ARMS/Kidins220(+/-) mice was enhanced, and inhibition of calpain in these mice reversed these effects. These results provide an explanation for a role for the ARMS/Kidins220 protein in synaptic plasticity events and suggest that the levels of ARMS/Kidins220 can be regulated by neuronal activity and calpain action to influence synaptic function.

Glutamate receptor ion channels: structure, regulation, and function

The mammalian ionotropic glutamate receptor family encodes 18 gene products that coassemble to form ligand-gated ion channels containing an agonist recognition site, a transmembrane ion permeation pathway, and gating elements that couple agonist-induced conformational changes to the opening or closing of the permeation pore. Glutamate receptors mediate fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the central nervous system and are localized on neuronal and non-neuronal cells. These receptors regulate a broad spectrum of processes in the brain, spinal cord, retina, and peripheral nervous system. Glutamate receptors are postulated to play important roles in numerous neurological diseases and have attracted intense scrutiny. The description of glutamate receptor structure, including its transmembrane elements, reveals a complex assembly of multiple semiautonomous extracellular domains linked to a pore-forming element with striking resemblance to an inverted potassium channel. In this review we discuss International Union of Basic and Clinical Pharmacology glutamate receptor nomenclature, structure, assembly, accessory subunits, interacting proteins, gene expression and translation, post-translational modifications, agonist and antagonist pharmacology, allosteric modulation, mechanisms of gating and permeation, roles in normal physiological function, as well as the potential therapeutic use of pharmacological agents acting at glutamate receptors.

Regulation of AMPA receptor channels and synaptic plasticity by cofilin phosphatase Slingshot in cortical neurons

Cofilin, the major actin depolymerizing factor, modulates actin dynamics that contribute to spine morphology, synaptic transmission and plasticity. Much evidence implicates the cofilin inactivation kinase LIMK in synaptic function, but little is known about the cofilin activation phosphatase Slingshot in this regard. In this study, we found that suppressing endogenous Slingshot with small RNA interference or function-blocking antibody led to a dramatic reduction of AMPA receptor-mediated excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in cortical neurons. Perturbation of Slingshot function also diminished the ability to express synaptic plasticity. Inactivating cofilin or disturbing actin dynamics reduced AMPAR-EPSCs in a Slingshot-dependent manner. Moreover, surface GluR 1 and synaptic GluR2/3 clusters were reduced by Slingshot knockdown. Our data suggest that Slingshot plays a pivotal role in AMPAR trafficking and synaptic transmission by controlling actin cytoskeleton via cofilin activation.

Calpain activation and Na+/Ca2+ exchanger degradation occur downstream of calcium deregulation in hippocampal neurons exposed to excitotoxic glutamate

Delayed calcium deregulation (DCD) plays an essential role in glutamate excitotoxicity, a major detrimental factor in stroke, traumatic brain injury, and various neurodegenerations. In the present study, we examined the role of calpain activation and Na(+)/Ca(2+) exchanger (NCX) degradation in DCD and excitotoxic cell death in cultured hippocampal neurons. Exposure of neurons to glutamate caused DCD accompanied by secondary mitochondrial depolarization. Activation of calpain was evidenced by detecting NCX isoform 3 (NCX3) degradation products. Degradation of NCX isoform 1 (NCX1) was below the detection limit of Western blotting. Degradation of NCX3 was detected only after 1 hr of incubation with glutamate, whereas DCD occurred on average within 15 min after glutamate application. Calpeptin, an inhibitor of calpain, significantly attenuated NCX3 degradation but failed to inhibit DCD and excitotoxic neuronal death. Calpain inhibitors I, III, and VI also failed to influence DCD and glutamate-induced neuronal death. On the other hand, MK801, an inhibitor of the NMDA subtype of glutamate receptors, added shortly after the initial glutamate-induced jump in cytosolic Ca(2+), completely prevented DCD and activation of calpain and strongly protected neurons against excitotoxicity. Taken together, our results suggest that, in glutamate-treated hippocampal neurons, the initial increase in cytosolic Ca(2+) that precedes DCD is insufficient for sustained calpain activation, which most likely occurs downstream of DCD.

Assembly of a beta2-adrenergic receptor--GluR1 signalling complex for localized cAMP signalling

Central noradrenergic signalling mediates arousal and facilitates learning through unknown molecular mechanisms. Here, we show that the beta(2)-adrenergic receptor (beta(2)AR), the trimeric G(s) protein, adenylyl cyclase, and PKA form a signalling complex with the AMPA-type glutamate receptor subunit GluR1, which is linked to the beta(2)AR through stargazin and PSD-95 and their homologues. Only GluR1 associated with the beta(2)AR is phosphorylated by PKA on beta(2)AR stimulation. Peptides that interfere with the beta(2)AR-GluR1 association prevent this phosphorylation of GluR1. This phosphorylation increases GluR1 surface expression at postsynaptic sites and amplitudes of EPSCs and mEPSCs in prefrontal cortex slices. Assembly of all proteins involved in the classic beta(2)AR-cAMP cascade into a supramolecular signalling complex and thus allows highly localized and selective regulation of one of its major target proteins.

Differential NMDA receptor-dependent calcium loading and mitochondrial dysfunction in CA1 vs. CA3 hippocampal neurons

Hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons are selectively vulnerable to ischemia, while adjacent CA3 neurons are relatively resistant. Although glutamate receptor-mediated mitochondrial Ca(2+) overload and dysfunction is a major component of ischemia-induced neuronal death, no direct relationship between selective neuronal vulnerability and mitochondrial dysfunction has been demonstrated in intact brain preparations. Here, we show that in organotypic slice cultures NMDA induces much larger Ca(2+) elevations in vulnerable CA1 neurons than in resistant CA3. Consequently, CA1 mitochondria exhibit stronger calcium accumulation, more extensive swelling and damage, stronger depolarization of their membrane potential, and a significant increase in ROS generation. NMDA-induced Ca(2+) and ROS elevations were abolished in Ca(2+)-free medium or by NMDAR antagonists, but not by zinc chelation. We conclude that Ca(2)(+) overload-dependent mitochondrial dysfunction is a determining factor in the selective vulnerability of CA1 neurons.

Acute stress enhances glutamatergic transmission in prefrontal cortex and facilitates working memory

The prefrontal cortex (PFC), a key brain region controlling cognition and emotion, is strongly influenced by stress. While chronic stress often produces detrimental effects on these measures, acute stress has been shown to enhance learning and memory, predominantly through the action of corticosteroid stress hormones. We used a combination of electrophysiological, biochemical, and behavioral approaches in an effort to identify the cellular targets of acute stress. We found that behavioral stressors in vivo cause a long-lasting potentiation of NMDAR- and AMPAR-mediated synaptic currents via glucocorticoid receptors (GRs) selectively in PFC pyramidal neurons. This effect is accompanied by increased surface expression of NMDAR and AMPAR subunits in acutely stressed animals. Furthermore, behavioral tests indicate that working memory, a key function relying on recurrent excitation within networks of PFC neurons, is enhanced by acute stress via a GR-dependent mechanism. These results have identified a form of long-term potentiation of synaptic transmission induced by natural stimuli in vivo, providing a potential molecular and cellular mechanism for the beneficial effects of acute stress on cognitive processes subserved by PFC.

Calpain and the glutamatergic synapse

Calpain is a ubiquitous protease found in different tissue types and in many organisms including mammals. It generally does not destroy its large variety of substrates, but more commonly disrupts their function. In neurons, many of its substrates become dysregulated as a result of cleavage of their regulatory domain by this protease, leading to altered signaling between cells. In glutamatergic synaptic transmission, direct targets of calpain include all of the major glutamate receptors: NMDA receptors, AMPA receptors and mGluR. By cleaving these receptors and associated intracellular proteins, calpain may regulate the physiology at glutamatergic synapses. As a result, calpain-mediated cleavage in neurons might not only be involved in pathological events like excitotoxicity, but may also have neuroprotective effects and roles in physiological synaptic transmission.

Real-time visualization of cytoplasmic calpain activation and calcium deregulation in acute glutamate excitotoxicity

Although calpain (EC 3.4.22) protease activation was suggested to contribute to excitotoxic delayed calcium deregulation (DCD) via proteolysis of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger 3 (NCX3), cytoplasmic calpain activation in relation to DCD has never been visualized in real-time. We employed a calpain fluorescence resonance energy transfer substrate to simultaneously image calpain activation and calcium deregulation in live cortical neurons. A calpain inhibitor-sensitive decline in fluorescence resonance energy transfer was observed at 39 +/- 5 min after the occurrence of DCD in neurons exposed to continuous glutamate (100 microM). Inhibition of calpain by calpeptin did not delay the onset of DCD, recovery from DCD-like reversible calcium elevations, or cell death despite inhibiting alpha-spectrin processing by > 90%. NCXs reversed during glutamate exposure, the NCX antagonist KB-R7943 prolonged the time to DCD, and significant NCX3 cleavage following 90 min of glutamate exposure was not observed. Our findings suggest that robust calpain activation associated with acute glutamate toxicity occurs only after a sustained loss in calcium homeostasis. Processing of NCX3 or other calpain substrates is unlikely to be the primary cause of acute excitotoxicity in cortical neurons. However, a role for calpain as a contributing factor or in response to milder glutamate insults is not excluded.

Dopamine D4 receptors regulate AMPA receptor trafficking and glutamatergic transmission in GABAergic interneurons of prefrontal cortex

GABAergic interneurons in prefrontal cortex (PFC) play a critical role in cortical circuits by providing feedforward and feedback inhibition and synchronizing neuronal activity. Impairments in GABAergic inhibition to PFC pyramidal neurons have been implicated in the abnormal neural synchrony and working memory disturbances in schizophrenia. The dopamine D(4) receptor, which is strongly linked to neuropsychiatric disorders, such as attention deficit-hyperactivity disorder (ADHD) and schizophrenia, is highly expressed in PFC GABAergic interneurons, while the physiological role of D(4) in these interneurons is largely unknown. In this study, we found that D(4) activation caused a persistent suppression of AMPAR-mediated synaptic transmission in PFC interneurons. This effect of D(4) receptors on AMPAR-EPSC was via a mechanism dependent on actin/myosin V motor-based transport of AMPA receptors, which was regulated by cofilin, a major actin depolymerizing factor. Moreover, we demonstrated that the major cofilin-specific phosphatase Slingshot, which was activated by calcineurin downstream of D(4) signaling, was required for the D(4) regulation of glutamatergic transmission. Thus, D(4) receptors, by using the unique calcineurin/Slingshot/cofilin signaling mechanism, regulate actin dynamics and AMPAR trafficking in PFC GABAergic interneurons. It provides a potential mechanism for D(4) receptors to control the excitatory synaptic strength in local-circuit neurons and GABAergic inhibition in the PFC network, which may underlie the role of D(4) receptors in normal cognitive processes and mental disorders.

Calpain hydrolysis of alpha- and beta2-adaptins decreases clathrin-dependent endocytosis and may promote neurodegeneration

Clathrin-dependent endocytosis is mediated by a tightly regulated network of molecular interactions that provides essential protein-protein and protein-lipid binding activities. Here we report the hydrolysis of the alpha- and beta2-subunits of the tetrameric adaptor protein complex 2 by calpain. Calcium-dependent alpha- and beta2-adaptin hydrolysis was observed in several rat tissues, including brain and primary neuronal cultures. Neuronal alpha- and beta2-adaptin cleavage was inducible by glutamate stimulation and was accompanied by the decreased endocytosis of transferrin. Heterologous expression of truncated forms of the beta2-adaptin subunit significantly decreased the membrane recruitment of clathrin and inhibited clathrin-mediated receptor endocytosis. Moreover, the presence of truncated beta2-adaptin sensitized neurons to glutamate receptor-mediated excitotoxicity. Proteolysis of alpha- and beta2-adaptins, as well as the accessory clathrin adaptors epsin 1, adaptor protein 180, and the clathrin assembly lymphoid myeloid leukemia protein, was detected in brain tissues after experimentally induced ischemia and in cases of human Alzheimer disease. The present study further clarifies the central role of calpain in regulating clathrin-dependent endocytosis and provides evidence for a novel mechanism through which calpain activation may promote neurodegeneration: the sensitization of cells to glutamate-mediated excitotoxicity via the decreased internalization of surface receptors.

Calpain-mediated signaling mechanisms in neuronal injury and neurodegeneration

Calpain is a ubiquitous calcium-sensitive protease that is essential for normal physiologic neuronal function. However, alterations in calcium homeostasis lead to persistent, pathologic activation of calpain in a number of neurodegenerative diseases. Pathologic activation of calpain results in the cleavage of a number of neuronal substrates that negatively affect neuronal structure and function, leading to inhibition of essential neuronal survival mechanisms. In this review, we examine the mechanistic underpinnings of calcium dysregulation resulting in calpain activation in the acute neurodegenerative diseases such as cerebral ischemia and in the chronic neurodegenerative diseases including Alzheimer's disease, Parkinson's disease, Huntington's disease, multiple sclerosis, prion-related encephalopathy, and amylotrophic lateral sclerosis. The premise of this paper is that analysis of the signaling and transcriptional consequences of calpain-mediated cleavage of its various substrates for any neurodegenerative disease can be extrapolated to all of the neurodegenerative diseases vulnerable to calcium dysregulation.

Calpain inhibitors alter the excitable membrane properties of cultured aplysia neurons

The calpain superfamily of calcium-dependent papain-like cysteine proteases constitutes highly conserved proteases that function to posttranslationally modify substrates by partial proteolysis. Calpains are known to proteolyze >100 substrates that lack strong sequence homology. Consequently, the calpain superfamily has been implicated in playing a central role in diverse physiological and pathological processes. Investigation of the physiological functions of calpains, on the one hand, and the need to develop pharmacological reagents to inhibit calpain-mediated pathological processes, on the other hand, led to the development of numerous calpain inhibitors. Using cultured Aplysia neurons and voltage-clamp analysis, we report here that the calpain inhibitors calpeptin, MG132, and the calpain inhibitor XII inhibit voltage-gated potassium conductance and moderately reduce the sodium conductance. These consequently lead to spike broadening and increased calcium influx. Such alterations of the excitable membrane properties may alter the normal patterns of neuronal and muscle electrical activities and thus should be taken into account when evaluating the effects of calpain inhibitors as protective/therapeutic drugs and as research tools.

Postsynaptic density-95 (PSD-95) and calcineurin control the sensitivity of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors to calpain cleavage in cortical neurons

The N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) is a Ca(2+)-permeable glutamate receptor mediating many neuronal functions under normal and pathological conditions. Ca(2+) influx via NMDARs activates diverse intracellular targets, including Ca(2+)-dependent protease calpain. Biochemical studies suggest that NR2A and NR2B subunits of NMDARs are substrates of calpain. Our physiological data showed that calpain, activated by prolonged NMDA treatment (100 microM, 5 min) of cultured cortical neurons, irreversibly decreased the whole-cell currents mediated by extrasynaptic NMDARs. Animals exposed to transient forebrain ischemia, a condition that activates calpain, exhibited the reduced NMDAR current density and the lower full-length NR2A/B level in a calpain-dependent manner. Disruption of the association between NMDARs and the scaffolding protein postsynaptic density (PSD)-95 facilitated the calpain regulation of synaptic NMDAR responses and NR2 cleavage in cortical slices, whereas inhibition of calcineurin activity blocked the calpain effect on NMDAR currents and NR2 cleavage. Calpain-cleaved NR2B subunits were removed from the cell surface. Moreover, cell viability assays showed that calpain, by targeting NMDARs, provided a negative feedback to dampen neuronal excitability in excitotoxic conditions. These data suggest that calpain activation suppresses NMDAR function via proteolytic cleavage of NR2 subunits in vitro and in vivo, and the susceptibility of NMDARs to calpain cleavage is controlled by PSD-95 and calcineurin.

Mechanistic role of calpains in postischemic neurodegeneration

The calpain family of proteases is causally linked to postischemic neurodegeneration. However, the precise mechanisms by which calpains contribute to postischemic neuronal death have not been fully elucidated. This review outlines the key features of the calpain system, and the evidence for its causal role in postischemic neuronal pathology. Furthermore, the consequences of specific calpain substrate cleavage at various subcellular locations are explored. Calpain substrates within synapses, plasma membrane, endoplasmic reticulum, lysosomes, mitochondria, and the nucleus, as well as the overall effect of postischemic calpain activity on calcium regulation and cell death signaling are considered. Finally, potential pathways for calpain-mediated neurodegeneration are outlined in an effort to guide future studies aimed at understanding the downstream pathology of postischemic calpain activity and identifying optimal therapeutic strategies.

The phosphorylation state of GluR1 subunits determines the susceptibility of AMPA receptors to calpain cleavage

The alpha-Amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazoleproprionic acid receptor (AMPAR) is an ionotropic glutamate receptor that governs most of excitatory synaptic transmission in neurons. In vitro biochemical assay has shown that calpain, a Ca2+-activated protease, can cleave AMPAR GluR1 subunits. Our physiological study found that calpain, which was activated by prolonged stimulation of the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (100 microM, 10 min), caused a substantial suppression of AMPAR currents in cortical neurons. Since the phosphorylation sites of GluR1 by several protein kinases are located in close proximity to the calpain cleavage sites, we investigated the effect of phosphorylation on the susceptibility of GluR1 to calpain cleavage. Interestingly, we found that the calpain regulation of AMPAR currents was diminished by inhibition of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) but was augmented by inhibition of protein phosphatase 1/2A (PP1/2A). In agreement with this, in vitro assay showed that the calpain-induced proteolytic cleavage of GluR1 C-terminal fusion protein was strongly potentiated by adding the purified active CaMKII, and GluR1 phosphorylated at Ser831 by CaMKII is much more sensitive to calpain cleavage. Taken together, our data suggest that calpain activation suppresses AMPA receptor currents via proteolytic cleavage of GluR1 subunits, and the susceptibility of AMPARs to calpain cleavage is determined by the phosphorylation state of GluR1 subunits, which is mediated by CaMKII-PP1/2A activity.