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Frye HE, Izumi Y, Harris AN, Williams SB, Trousdale CR, Sun MY, Sauerbeck AD, Kummer TT, Mennerick S, Zorumski CF, Nelson EC, Dougherty JD, Morón JA. Sex Differences in the Role of CNIH3 on Spatial Memory and Synaptic Plasticity. Biol Psychiatry 2021; 90:766-780. [PMID: 34548146 PMCID: PMC8571071 DOI: 10.1016/j.biopsych.2021.07.014] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/14/2021] [Revised: 07/12/2021] [Accepted: 07/12/2021] [Indexed: 01/23/2023]
Abstract
BACKGROUND CNIH3 is an AMPA receptor (AMPAR) auxiliary protein prominently expressed in the dorsal hippocampus (dHPC), a region that plays a critical role in spatial memory and synaptic plasticity. However, the effects of CNIH3 on AMPAR-dependent synaptic function and behavior have not been investigated. METHODS We assessed a gain-of-function model of Cnih3 overexpression in the dHPC and generated and characterized a line of Cnih3-/- C57BL/6 mice. We assessed spatial memory through behavioral assays, protein levels of AMPAR subunits and synaptic proteins by immunoblotting, and long-term potentiation in electrophysiological recordings. We also utilized a super-resolution imaging workflow, SEQUIN (Synaptic Evaluation and Quantification by Imaging of Nanostructure), for analysis of nanoscale synaptic connectivity in the dHPC. RESULTS Overexpression of Cnih3 in the dHPC improved short-term spatial memory in female mice but not in male mice. Cnih3-/- female mice exhibited weakened short-term spatial memory, reduced dHPC synapse density, enhanced expression of calcium-impermeable AMPAR (GluA2-containing) subunits in synaptosomes, and attenuated long-term potentiation maintenance compared with Cnih3+/+ control mice; Cnih3-/- males were unaffected. Further investigation revealed that deficiencies in spatial memory and changes in AMPAR composition and synaptic plasticity were most pronounced during the metestrus phase of the estrous cycle in female Cnih3-/- mice. CONCLUSIONS This study identified a novel effect of sex and estrous on CNIH3's role in spatial memory and synaptic plasticity. Manipulation of CNIH3 unmasked sexually dimorphic effects on spatial memory, synaptic function, AMPAR composition, and hippocampal plasticity. These findings reinforce the importance of considering sex as a biological variable in studies of memory and hippocampal synaptic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Hannah E Frye
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Program in Neuroscience, Washington University in St. Louis, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Yukitoshi Izumi
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Alexis N Harris
- Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Sidney B Williams
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Christopher R Trousdale
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Min-Yu Sun
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Andrew D Sauerbeck
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Terrance T Kummer
- Department of Neurology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Steven Mennerick
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Charles F Zorumski
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Taylor Family Institute for Innovative Psychiatric Research, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Elliot C Nelson
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Joseph D Dougherty
- Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Genetics, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri
| | - Jose A Morón
- Department of Anesthesiology, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Pain Center, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri; Department of Neuroscience, Washington University School of Medicine, St. Louis, Missouri.
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Djebari S, Iborra-Lázaro G, Temprano-Carazo S, Sánchez-Rodríguez I, Nava-Mesa MO, Múnera A, Gruart A, Delgado-García JM, Jiménez-Díaz L, Navarro-López JD. G-Protein-Gated Inwardly Rectifying Potassium (Kir3/GIRK) Channels Govern Synaptic Plasticity That Supports Hippocampal-Dependent Cognitive Functions in Male Mice. J Neurosci 2021; 41:7086-7102. [PMID: 34261700 PMCID: PMC8372024 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.2849-20.2021] [Citation(s) in RCA: 18] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 11/05/2020] [Revised: 05/11/2021] [Accepted: 06/04/2021] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
The G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying potassium (Kir3/GIRK) channel is the effector of many G-protein-coupled receptors (GPCRs). Its dysfunction has been linked to the pathophysiology of Down syndrome, Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases, psychiatric disorders, epilepsy, drug addiction, or alcoholism. In the hippocampus, GIRK channels decrease excitability of the cells and contribute to resting membrane potential and inhibitory neurotransmission. Here, to elucidate the role of GIRK channels activity in the maintenance of hippocampal-dependent cognitive functions, their involvement in controlling neuronal excitability at different levels of complexity was examined in C57BL/6 male mice. For that purpose, GIRK activity in the dorsal hippocampus CA3-CA1 synapse was pharmacologically modulated by two drugs: ML297, a GIRK channel opener, and Tertiapin-Q (TQ), a GIRK channel blocker. Ex vivo, using dorsal hippocampal slices, we studied the effect of pharmacological GIRK modulation on synaptic plasticity processes induced in CA1 by Schaffer collateral stimulation. In vivo, we performed acute intracerebroventricular (i.c.v.) injections of the two GIRK modulators to study their contribution to electrophysiological properties and synaptic plasticity of dorsal hippocampal CA3-CA1 synapse, and to learning and memory capabilities during hippocampal-dependent tasks. We found that pharmacological disruption of GIRK channel activity by i.c.v. injections, causing either function gain or function loss, induced learning and memory deficits by a mechanism involving neural excitability impairments and alterations in the induction and maintenance of long-term synaptic plasticity processes. These results support the contention that an accurate control of GIRK activity must take place in the hippocampus to sustain cognitive functions.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Cognitive processes of learning and memory that rely on hippocampal synaptic plasticity processes are critically ruled by a finely tuned neural excitability. G-protein-gated inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channels play a key role in maintaining resting membrane potential, cell excitability and inhibitory neurotransmission. Here, we demonstrate that modulation of GIRK channels activity, causing either function gain or function loss, transforms high-frequency stimulation (HFS)-induced long-term potentiation (LTP) into long-term depression (LTD), inducing deficits in hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. Together, our data show a crucial GIRK-activity-mediated mechanism that governs synaptic plasticity direction and modulates subsequent hippocampal-dependent cognitive functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Souhail Djebari
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Spain 13071
| | - Guillermo Iborra-Lázaro
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Spain 13071
| | - Sara Temprano-Carazo
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Spain 13071
| | - Irene Sánchez-Rodríguez
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Spain 13071
| | - Mauricio O Nava-Mesa
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Spain 13071
- Neuroscience Research Group (NEUROS), Universidad del Rosario, Bogotá, Colombia 111711
| | - Alejandro Múnera
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Spain 13071
- Behavioral Neurophysiology Laboratory, Universidad Nacional de Colombia, Bogotá, Colombia 111321
| | - Agnès Gruart
- Division of Neurosciences, Pablo de Olavide University, Seville, Spain 41013
| | | | - Lydia Jiménez-Díaz
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Spain 13071
| | - Juan D Navarro-López
- University of Castilla-La Mancha, NeuroPhysiology & Behavior Laboratory, Centro Regional de Investigaciones Biomédicas, Facultad de Medicina de Ciudad Real, Spain 13071
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When Good Kinases Go Rogue: GSK3, p38 MAPK and CDKs as Therapeutic Targets for Alzheimer's and Huntington's Disease. Int J Mol Sci 2021; 22:ijms22115911. [PMID: 34072862 PMCID: PMC8199025 DOI: 10.3390/ijms22115911] [Citation(s) in RCA: 34] [Impact Index Per Article: 11.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/10/2021] [Revised: 05/26/2021] [Accepted: 05/28/2021] [Indexed: 01/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a mostly sporadic brain disorder characterized by cognitive decline resulting from selective neurodegeneration in the hippocampus and cerebral cortex whereas Huntington's disease (HD) is a monogenic inherited disorder characterized by motor abnormalities and psychiatric disturbances resulting from selective neurodegeneration in the striatum. Although there have been numerous clinical trials for these diseases, they have been unsuccessful. Research conducted over the past three decades by a large number of laboratories has demonstrated that abnormal actions of common kinases play a key role in the pathogenesis of both AD and HD as well as several other neurodegenerative diseases. Prominent among these kinases are glycogen synthase kinase (GSK3), p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and some of the cyclin-dependent kinases (CDKs). After a brief summary of the molecular and cell biology of AD and HD this review covers what is known about the role of these three groups of kinases in the brain and in the pathogenesis of the two neurodegenerative disorders. The potential of targeting GSK3, p38 MAPK and CDKS as effective therapeutics is also discussed as is a brief discussion on the utilization of recently developed drugs that simultaneously target two or all three of these groups of kinases. Multi-kinase inhibitors either by themselves or in combination with strategies currently being used such as immunotherapy or secretase inhibitors for AD and knockdown for HD could represent a more effective therapeutic approach for these fatal neurodegenerative diseases.
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Purinergic signaling orchestrating neuron-glia communication. Pharmacol Res 2020; 162:105253. [PMID: 33080321 DOI: 10.1016/j.phrs.2020.105253] [Citation(s) in RCA: 50] [Impact Index Per Article: 12.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/06/2020] [Revised: 09/29/2020] [Accepted: 10/09/2020] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
This review discusses the evidence supporting a role for ATP signaling (operated by P2X and P2Y receptors) and adenosine signaling (mainly operated by A1 and A2A receptors) in the crosstalk between neurons, astrocytes, microglia and oligodendrocytes. An initial emphasis will be given to the cooperation between adenosine receptors to sharpen information salience encoding across synapses. The interplay between ATP and adenosine signaling in the communication between astrocytes and neurons will then be presented in context of the integrative properties of the astrocytic syncytium, allowing to implement heterosynaptic depression processes in neuronal networks. The process of microglia 'activation' and its control by astrocytes and neurons will then be analyzed under the perspective of an interplay between different P2 receptors and adenosine A2A receptors. In spite of these indications of a prominent role of purinergic signaling in the bidirectional communication between neurons and glia, its therapeutical exploitation still awaits obtaining an integrated view of the spatio-temporal action of ATP signaling and adenosine signaling, clearly distinguishing the involvement of both purinergic signaling systems in the regulation of physiological processes and in the control of pathogenic-like responses upon brain dysfunction or damage.
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