Synaptic cleft acidification and modulation of short-term depression by exocytosed protons in retinal bipolar cells

Effects of sodium bicarbonate solution on hypergravity-induced Fos expression in neurons of the amygdala in rats: Implication of sodium bicarbonate therapy for vertigo

OBJECTIVE

In Japan, intravenous injection of a 7 % solution of sodium bicarbonate (NaHCO3) had been originally developed to inhibit motion sickness and then have long been used to treat vertigo. Previously, we reported that Fos-positive neurons appear in the amygdala after hypergravity stimulation in rats. In the present study, we examined whether injection of 7 % NaHCO3 inhibits hypergravity-induced Fos expression in the neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala in rats.

METHODS

Rats were exposed to 2 G hypergravity in an animal centrifuge device for 3 h. A solution of 7 % NaHCO3 at a dose of 4 mM/kg was injected intraperitoneally before 2 G hypergraviy. Fos-positive neurons in the amygdala were stained immunohistochemically.

RESULTS

The number of Fos-positive neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala was significantly increased after 2 G hypergravity in rats that received no drugs or saline, compared to that in rats exposed only to the noise of the centrifuge and received 7 % NaHCO3 solution. The number of Fos-positive neurons in the central nucleus of the amygdala after 2 G hypergravity was significantly decreased in rats that received 7 % NaHCO3 solution, compared to that in rats that received no drugs or saline.

CONCLUSION

Since Fos expression is a marker of activated neurons, the present findings suggest that hypergravity activates the amygdala and that administration of 7 % NaHCO3 suppresses hypergravity-induced activation of the amygdala. Hypergravity disturbs spatial orientation to produce motion sickness and the amygdala is involved in fear response. Recently, Ziemann et al. suggested that fear-evoking stimuli reduce the pH in the amygdala to activate it, leading to induction of fear behavior and that administering HCO3- attenuates fear behavior [Cell 2009; 139: 1012-1021]. Therefore, it is possible that hypergravity reduces the pH in the amygdala to activate it, thereby inducing the fear associated with motion sickness and that administration of 7 % NaHCO3 increases the brain pH thereby suppressing hypergravity-induced activation of the amygdala and inhibiting the fear associated with motion sickness. In patients with vertigo, 7 % NaHCO3 therapy may increase the brain pH thereby suppressing the activation of the amygdala and inhibiting the fear associated with vertigo to elicit a beneficial clinical effect.

Hydrogen Peroxide Affects the Electroretinogram of Isolated Perfused Rat Retina

PURPOSE

To evaluate the effects of H2O2 as an oxidant on the electroretinogram (ERG) in isolated rat retina.

METHODS

Retinas were isolated from rat eyes and perfused with a nutrient solution. ERGs were recorded every 3 min. Once the signal was at a steady state, H2O2 was added to the perfusion solution.

RESULTS

H2O2 caused instantaneous and transient changes in amplitudes and implicit times of the ERG, followed by changes in retinal survival curves. H2O2 0.2 mM produced a rapid increase in b-wave amplitude, followed by a return to the initial value and a survival curve above the control (without H2O2). A slight increase in a-wave was observed, followed by a decrease and a recovery above the control. The slow PIII decreased and then recovered to the initial value. H2O2 0.6 mM induced a small increase in b-wave amplitude, followed by a rapid decrease without recovery. The a-wave and slow PIII decreased rapidly without recovery. The implicit times of the a-wave and b-wave increased moderately with a low dose of H2O2, whereas they significantly increased with a high dose. Whatever the dose, the slow PIII implicit time increased significantly, followed by a return to the initial value. Barium increased the a-wave and b-wave, and then H2O2 reduced the two waves with a stronger effect on the a-wave. Aspartate and barium isolated the fast PIII, which decreased after H2O2 application.

CONCLUSIONS

H2O2 affects retinal function as shown by ERGs in isolated rat retina. The response differs with the dose of H2O2, suggesting that mechanisms underlying the action at low doses might be different from those at high doses. Our results also suggest an effect of H2O2 on ionic currents and/or neurotransmitter releases involved in the generation of the ERG and indicate a more pronounced effect on photoreceptors than on postsynaptic cells.

Functional maturation of the rod bipolar to AII-amacrine cell ribbon synapse in the mouse retina

Retinal ribbon synapses undergo functional changes after eye opening that remain uncharacterized. Using light-flash stimulation and paired patch-clamp recordings, we examined the maturation of the ribbon synapse between rod bipolar cells (RBCs) and AII-amacrine cells (AII-ACs) after eye opening (postnatal day 14) in the mouse retina at near physiological temperatures. We find that light-evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) in AII-ACs exhibit a slow sustained component that increases in magnitude with advancing age, whereas a fast transient component remains unchanged. Similarly, paired recordings reveal a dual-component EPSC with a slower sustained component that increases during development, even though the miniature EPSC (mEPSC) amplitude and kinetics do not change significantly. We thus propose that the readily releasable pool of vesicles from RBCs increases after eye opening, and we estimate that a short light flash can evoke the release of ∼4,000 vesicles onto a single mature AII-AC.

Postsynaptic Calcium Extrusion at the Mouse Neuromuscular Junction Alkalinizes the Synaptic Cleft

Neurotransmission is shaped by extracellular pH. Alkalization enhances pH-sensitive transmitter release and receptor activation, whereas acidification inhibits these processes and can activate acid-sensitive conductances in the synaptic cleft. Previous work has shown that the synaptic cleft can either acidify because of synaptic vesicular release and/or alkalize because of Ca2+ extrusion by the plasma membrane ATPase (PMCA). The direction of change differs across synapse types. At the mammalian neuromuscular junction (NMJ), the direction and magnitude of pH transients in the synaptic cleft during transmission remain ambiguous. We set out to elucidate the extracellular pH transients that occur at this cholinergic synapse under near-physiological conditions and identify their sources. We monitored pH-dependent changes in the synaptic cleft of the mouse levator auris longus using viral expression of the pseudoratiometric probe pHusion-Ex in the muscle. Using mice from both sexes, a significant and prolonged alkalization occurred when stimulating the connected nerve for 5 s at 50 Hz, which was dependent on postsynaptic intracellular Ca2+ release. Sustained stimulation for a longer duration (20 s at 50 Hz) caused additional prolonged net acidification at the cleft. To investigate the mechanism underlying cleft alkalization, we used muscle-expressed GCaMP3 to monitor the contribution of postsynaptic Ca2+ Activity-induced liberation of intracellular Ca2+ in muscle positively correlated with alkalization of the synaptic cleft, whereas inhibiting PMCA significantly decreased the extent of cleft alkalization. Thus, cholinergic synapses of the mouse NMJ typically alkalize because of cytosolic Ca2+ liberated in muscle during activity, unless under highly strenuous conditions where acidification predominates.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Changes in synaptic cleft pH alter neurotransmission, acting on receptors and channels on both sides of the synapse. Synaptic acidification has been associated with a myriad of diseases in the central and peripheral nervous system. Here, we report that in near-physiological recording conditions the cholinergic neuromuscular junction shows use-dependent bidirectional changes in synaptic cleft pH-immediate alkalinization and a long-lasting acidification under prolonged stimulation. These results provide further insight into physiologically relevant changes at cholinergic synapses that have not been defined previously. Understanding and identifying synaptic pH transients during and after neuronal activity provides insight into short-term synaptic plasticity synapses and may identify therapeutic targets for diseases.

Inhibition of high-voltage-activated calcium currents by acute hypoxia in cultured retinal ganglion cells

Hypoxia is a common factor of numerous ocular diseases that lead to dysfunctions and loss of retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) with subsequent vision loss. High-voltage-activated calcium channels are the main source of calcium entry into neurons. Their activity plays a central role in different signaling processes in health and diseases, such as enzyme activation, gene transcription, synaptic transmission, or the onset of cell death. This study aims to establish and evaluate the initial effect of the early stage of acute hypoxia on somatic HVA calcium currents in cultured RGCs. HVA calcium currents were recorded in RGCs using the whole-cell patch-clamp technique in the voltage-clamp mode. The fast local superfusion was used for a brief (up to 270 s) application of the hypoxic solution (pO₂ < 5 mmHg). The switch from normoxic to hypoxic solutions and vice versa was less than 1 s. The HVA calcium channel activity was inhibited by acute hypoxia in 79% of RGCs (30 of 38 RGCs) in a strong voltage-dependent manner. The level of inhibition was independent of the duration of hypoxia or repeated applications. The hypoxia-induced inhibition of calcium currents had a strong correlation with the duration of hypoxia and showed the transition from reversible to irreversible at 75 s of hypoxia and longer. The results obtained are the first demonstration of the phenomena of HVA calcium current inhibition by acute hypoxia in RGCs and provide a conceptual framework for further research.

Triggering of Major Brain Disorders by Protons and ATP: The Role of ASICs and P2X Receptors

Adenosine triphosphate (ATP) is well-known as a universal source of energy in living cells. Less known is that this molecule has a variety of important signaling functions: it activates a variety of specific metabotropic (P2Y) and ionotropic (P2X) receptors in neuronal and non-neuronal cell membranes. So, a wide variety of signaling functions well fits the ubiquitous presence of ATP in the tissues. Even more ubiquitous are protons. Apart from the unspecific interaction of protons with any protein, many physiological processes are affected by protons acting on specific ionotropic receptors-acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs). Both protons (acidification) and ATP are locally elevated in various pathological states. Using these fundamentally important molecules as agonists, ASICs and P2X receptors signal a variety of major brain pathologies. Here we briefly outline the physiological roles of ASICs and P2X receptors, focusing on the brain pathologies involving these receptors.

Calcium Channels in Retinal Function and Disease

Voltage-gated Ca2+ (Cav) channels play pivotal roles in regulating gene transcription, neuronal excitability, and neurotransmitter release. To meet the spatial and temporal demands of visual signaling, Cav channels exhibit unusual properties in the retina compared to their counterparts in other areas of the nervous system. In this article, we review current concepts regarding the specific subtypes of Cav channels expressed in the retina, their intrinsic properties and forms of modulation, and how their dysregulation could lead to retinal disease.

Tandem pore domain acid-sensitive K channel 3 (TASK-3) regulates visual sensitivity in healthy and aging retina

Retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) not only collect but also integrate visual signals and send them from the retina to the brain. The mechanisms underlying the RGC integration of synaptic activity within retinal circuits have not been fully explored. Here, we identified a pronounced expression of tandem pore domain acid-sensitive potassium channel 3 (TASK-3), a two-pore domain potassium channel (K2P), in RGCs. By using a specific antagonist and TASK-3 knockout mice, we found that TASK-3 regulates the intrinsic excitability and the light sensitivity of RGCs by sensing neuronal activity-dependent extracellular acidification. In vivo, the blockade or loss of TASK-3 dampened pupillary light reflex, visual acuity, and contrast sensitivity. Furthermore, overexpressing TASK-3 specifically in RGCs using an adeno-associated virus approach restored the visual function of TASK-3 knockout mice and aged mice where the expression and function of TASK-3 were reduced. Thus, our results provide evidence that implicates a critical role of K2P in visual processing in the retina.

Structural determinants of acid-sensing ion channel potentiation by single chain lipids

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are sensitized to activation by inflammatory mediators such as the polyunsaturated fatty acid (PUFA) arachidonic acid (AA). Previous work has shown that AA can potentiate ASIC currents at subsaturating proton concentrations, but the structural mechanisms of this change in gating are not understood. Here we show that PUFAs cause multiple gating changes in ASIC3, including shifting the pH dependence of activation, slowing the rate of desensitization, and increasing the current even at a saturating pH. The impact on gating depends on the nature of both the head and tail of the lipid, with the head group structure primarily determining the magnitude of the effect on the channel. An N-acyl amino acid (NAAA), arachidonyl glycine (AG), is such a strong regulator that it can act as a ligand at neutral pH. Mutation of an arginine in the outer segment of TM1 (R64) eliminated the effect of docosahexaenoic acid (DHA) even at high concentrations, suggesting a potential interaction site for the lipid on the channel. Our results suggest a model in which PUFAs bind to ASICs via both their tail group and an electrostatic interaction between the negatively charged PUFA head group and the positively charged arginine side chain. These data provide the first look at the structural features of lipids that are important for modulating ASICs and suggest a potential binding site for PUFAs on the channel.

Computational modeling predicts ephemeral acidic microdomains in the glutamatergic synaptic cleft

At chemical synapses, synaptic vesicles release their acidic contents into the cleft, leading to the expectation that the cleft should acidify. However, fluorescent pH probes targeted to the cleft of conventional glutamatergic synapses in both fruit flies and mice reveal cleft alkalinization rather than acidification. Here, using a reaction-diffusion scheme, we modeled pH dynamics at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction as glutamate, ATP, and protons (H⁺) were released into the cleft. The model incorporates bicarbonate and phosphate buffering systems as well as plasma membrane calcium-ATPase activity and predicts substantial cleft acidification but only for fractions of a millisecond after neurotransmitter release. Thereafter, the cleft rapidly alkalinizes and remains alkaline for over 100 ms because the plasma membrane calcium-ATPase removes H⁺ from the cleft in exchange for calcium ions from adjacent pre- and postsynaptic compartments, thus recapitulating the empirical data. The extent of synaptic vesicle loading and time course of exocytosis have little influence on the magnitude of acidification. Phosphate but not bicarbonate buffering is effective at suppressing the magnitude and time course of the acid spike, whereas both buffering systems are effective at suppressing cleft alkalinization. The small volume of the cleft levies a powerful influence on the magnitude of alkalinization and its time course. Structural features that open the cleft to adjacent spaces appear to be essential for alleviating the extent of pH transients accompanying neurotransmission.

Adhesion GPCR Latrophilin 3 regulates synaptic function of cone photoreceptors in a trans-synaptic manner

Cone photoreceptors mediate daylight vision in vertebrates. Changes in neurotransmitter release at cone synapses encode visual information and is subject to precise control by negative feedback from enigmatic horizontal cells. However, the mechanisms that orchestrate this modulation are poorly understood due to a virtually unknown landscape of molecular players. Here, we report a molecular player operating selectively at cone synapses that modulates effects of horizontal cells on synaptic release. Using an unbiased proteomic screen, we identified an adhesion GPCR Latrophilin3 (LPHN3) in horizontal cell dendrites that engages in transsynaptic control of cones. We detected and characterized a prominent splice isoform of LPHN3 that excludes a element with inhibitory influence on transsynaptic interactions. A gain-of-function mouse model specifically routing LPHN3 splicing to this isoform but not knockout of LPHN3 diminished Ca_V1.4 calcium channel activity profoundly disrupted synaptic release by cones and resulted in synaptic transmission deficits. These findings offer molecular insight into horizontal cell modulation on cone synaptic function and more broadly demonstrate the importance of alternative splicing in adhesion GPCRs for their physiological function.

Regulation of acid-sensing ion channels by protein binding partners

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are a family of proton-gated cation channels that contribute to a diverse array of functions including pain sensation, cell death during ischemia, and more broadly to neurotransmission in the central nervous system. There is an increasing interest in understanding the physiological regulatory mechanisms of this family of channels. ASICs have relatively short N- and C-termini, yet a number of proteins have been shown to interact with these domains both in vitro and in vivo. These proteins can impact ASIC gating, localization, cell-surface expression, and regulation. Like all ion channels, it is important to understand the cellular context under which ASICs function in neurons and other cells. Here we will review what is known about a number of these potentially important regulatory molecules.

The mammalian rod synaptic ribbon is essential for Cav channel facilitation and ultrafast synaptic vesicle fusion

Rod photoreceptors (PRs) use ribbon synapses to transmit visual information. To signal ‘no light detected’ they release glutamate continually to activate post-synaptic receptors. When light is detected glutamate release pauses. How a rod’s individual ribbon enables this process was studied here by recording evoked changes in whole-cell membrane capacitance from wild-type and ribbonless (Ribeye-ko) mice. Wild-type rods filled with high (10 mM) or low (0.5 mM) concentrations of the Ca²⁺-buffer EGTA created a readily releasable pool (RRP) of 87 synaptic vesicles (SVs) that emptied as a single kinetic phase with a τ<0.4 ms. The lower concentration of EGTA accelerated Ca_v channel opening and facilitated release kinetics. In contrast, ribbonless rods created a much smaller RRP of 22 SVs, and they lacked Ca_v channel facilitation; however, Ca²⁺ channel-release coupling remained tight. These release deficits caused a sharp attenuation of rod-driven scotopic light responses. We conclude that the synaptic ribbon facilitates Ca²⁺-influx and establishes a large RRP of SVs.

Diverse identities and sites of action of cochlear neurotransmitters

Accurate encoding of acoustic stimuli requires temporally precise responses to sound integrated with cellular mechanisms that encode the complexity of stimuli over varying timescales and orders of magnitude of intensity. Sound in mammals is initially encoded in the cochlea, the peripheral hearing organ, which contains functionally specialized cells (including hair cells, afferent and efferent neurons, and a multitude of supporting cells) to allow faithful acoustic perception. To accomplish the demanding physiological requirements of hearing, the cochlea has developed synaptic arrangements that operate over different timescales, with varied strengths, and with the ability to adjust function in dynamic hearing conditions. Multiple neurotransmitters interact to support the precision and complexity of hearing. Here, we review the location of release, action, and function of neurotransmitters in the mammalian cochlea with an emphasis on recent work describing the complexity of signaling.

A new tool to sense pH changes at the neuromuscular junction synaptic cleft

Synaptic transmission triggers transient acidification of the synaptic cleft. Recently, it has been shown that pH affects the opening of postsynaptic channels and therefore the production of tools that allow to study these behaviors should result of paramount value. We fused α-bungarotoxin, a neurotoxin derived from the snake Bungarus multicinctus that binds irreversibly to the acetylcholine receptor extracellular domain, to the pH sensitive GFP Super Ecliptic pHluorin, and efficiently expressed it in Pichia pastoris. This sensor allows synaptic changes in pH to be measured without the need of incorporating transgenes into animal cells. Here, we show that incubation of the mouse levator auris muscle with a solution containing this recombinant protein is enough to fluorescently label the endplate post synaptic membrane. Furthermore, we could physiologically alter and measure post synaptic pH by evaluating changes in the fluorescent signal of pHluorin molecules bound to acetylcholine receptors. In fact, using this tool we were able to detect a drop in 0.01 to 0.05 pH units in the vicinity of the acetylcholine receptors following vesicle exocytosis triggered by nerve electrical stimulation. Further experiments will allow to learn the precise changes in pH during and after synaptic activation.

GPR68 deletion impairs hippocampal long-term potentiation and passive avoidance behavior

Increased neural activities reduced pH at the synaptic cleft and interstitial spaces. Recent studies have shown that protons function as a neurotransmitter. However, it remains unclear whether protons signal through a metabotropic receptor to regulate synaptic function. Here, we showed that GPR68, a proton-sensitive GPCR, exhibited wide expression in the hippocampus, with higher expression observed in CA3 pyramidal neurons and dentate granule cells. In organotypic hippocampal slice neurons, ectopically expressed GPR68-GFP was present in dendrites, dendritic spines, and axons. Recordings in hippocampal slices isolated from GPR68−/− mice showed a reduced fiber volley at the Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses, a reduced long-term potentiation (LTP), but unaltered paired-pulse ratio. In a step-through passive avoidance test, GPR68−/− mice exhibited reduced avoidance to the dark chamber. These findings showed that GPR68 contributes to hippocampal LTP and aversive fear memory.

Extracellular pH modulation of excitatory synaptic transmission in hippocampal CA3 neurons

In this study, the effect of extracellular pH on glutamatergic synaptic transmission was examined in mechanically dissociated rat hippocampal CA3 pyramidal neurons using a whole-cell patch-clamp technique under voltage-clamp conditions. Native synaptic boutons were isolated without using any enzymes, using a so-called "synapse bouton preparation," and preserved for the electrical stimulation of single boutons. Both the frequency and amplitude of spontaneous excitatory postsynaptic currents (sEPSCs) were found to decrease and increase in response to modest acidic (~pH 6.5) and basic (~pH 8.5) solutions, respectively. These changes in sEPSC frequency were not affected by the addition of TTX but completely disappeared by successive addition of Cd²⁺. However, changes in sEPSC amplitude induced by acidic and basic extracellular solutions were not affected by the addition of neither TTX nor Cd²⁺. The glutamate-induced whole-cell currents were decreased and increased by acidic and basic solutions, respectively. Acidic pH also decreased the amplitude and increased the failure rate (R_f) and paired-pulse rate (PPR) of glutamatergic electrically evoked excitatory postsynaptic currents (eEPSCs), while a basic pH increased the amplitude and decreased both the R_f and PPR of eEPSCs. The kinetics of the currents were not affected by changes in pH. Acidic and basic solutions decreased and increased voltage-gated Ca²⁺ but not Na⁺ channel currents in the dentate gyrus granule cell bodies. Our results indicate that extracellular pH modulates excitatory transmission via both pre- and postsynaptic sites, with the presynaptic modulation correlated to changes in voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channel currents.NEW & NOTEWORTHY The effects of external pH changes on spontaneous, miniature, and evoked excitatory synaptic transmission in CA3 hippocampal synapses were examined using the isolated nerve bouton preparation, which allowed for the accurate regulation of extracellular pH at the synapses. Acidification generally reduced transmission, partly via effects on presynaptic Ca²⁺ channel currents, while alkalization generally enhanced transmission. Both pre- and postsynaptic sites contributed to these effects.

Role of ASIC1a in Normal and Pathological Synaptic Plasticity

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), members of the degenerin/epithelial Na+ channel superfamily, are broadly distributed in the mammalian nervous system where they play important roles in a variety of physiological processes, including neurotransmission and memory-related behaviors. In the last few years, we and others have investigated the role of ASIC1a in different forms of synaptic plasticity especially in the CA1 area of the hippocampus. This review summarizes the latest research linking ASIC1a to synaptic function either in physiological or pathological conditions. A better understanding of how these channels are regulated in brain circuitries relevant to synaptic plasticity and memory may offer novel targets for pharmacological intervention in neuropsychiatric and neurological disorders.

Clustered Ca2+ Channels Are Blocked by Synaptic Vesicle Proton Release at Mammalian Auditory Ribbon Synapses

A Ca²⁺ current transient block (I_CaTB) by protons occurs at some ribbon-type synapses after exocytosis, but this has not been observed at mammalian hair cells. Here we show that a robust I_CaTB occurs at post-hearing mouse and gerbil inner hair cell (IHC) synapses, but not in immature IHC synapses, which contain non-compact active zones, where Ca²⁺ channels are loosely coupled to the release sites. Unlike I_CaTB at other ribbon synapses, I_CaTB in mammalian IHCs displays a surprising multi-peak structure that mirrors the EPSCs seen in paired recordings. Desynchronizing vesicular release with intracellular BAPTA or by deleting otoferlin, the Ca²⁺ sensor for exocytosis, greatly reduces I_CaTB, whereas enhancing release synchronization by raising Ca²⁺ influx or temperature increases I_CaTB. This suggests that I_CaTB is produced by fast multivesicular proton-release events. We propose that I_CaTB may function as a submillisecond feedback mechanism contributing to the auditory nerve's fast spike adaptation during sound stimulation.

Synaptic signals mediated by protons and acid-sensing ion channels

Extracellular pH changes may constitute significant signals for neuronal communication. During synaptic transmission, changes in pH in the synaptic cleft take place. Its role in the regulation of presynaptic Ca²⁺ currents through multivesicular release in ribbon-type synapses is a proven phenomenon. In recent years, protons have been recognized as neurotransmitters that participate in neuronal communication in synapses of several regions of the CNS such as amygdala, nucleus accumbens, and brainstem. Protons are released by nerve stimulation and activate postsynaptic acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs). Several types of ASIC channels are expressed in the peripheral and central nervous system. The influx of Ca²⁺ through some subtypes of ASICs, as a result of synaptic transmission, agrees with the participation of ASICs in synaptic plasticity. Pharmacological and genetical inhibition of ASIC1a results in alterations in learning, memory, and phenomena like fear and cocaine-seeking behavior. The recognition of endogenous molecules, such as arachidonic acid, cytokines, histamine, spermine, lactate, and neuropeptides, capable of inhibiting or potentiating ASICs suggests the existence of mechanisms of synaptic modulation that have not yet been fully identified and that could be tuned by new emerging pharmacological compounds with potential therapeutic benefits.

Ca2+ sensor synaptotagmin-1 mediates exocytosis in mammalian photoreceptors

To encode light-dependent changes in membrane potential, rod and cone photoreceptors utilize synaptic ribbons to sustain continuous exocytosis while making rapid, fine adjustments to release rate. Release kinetics are shaped by vesicle delivery down ribbons and by properties of exocytotic Ca2+ sensors. We tested the role for synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1) in photoreceptor exocytosis by using novel mouse lines in which Syt1 was conditionally removed from rods or cones. Photoreceptors lacking Syt1 exhibited marked reductions in exocytosis as measured by electroretinography and single-cell recordings. Syt1 mediated all evoked release in cones, whereas rods appeared capable of some slow Syt1-independent release. Spontaneous release frequency was unchanged in cones but increased in rods lacking Syt1. Loss of Syt1 did not alter synaptic anatomy or reduce Ca2+ currents. These results suggest that Syt1 mediates both phasic and tonic release at photoreceptor synapses, revealing unexpected flexibility in the ability of Syt1 to regulate Ca2+-dependent synaptic transmission.

Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels: Key Players in Sensory Coding in the Retina and the Inner Ear

Calcium influx through voltage-gated Ca (Ca_V) channels is the first step in synaptic transmission. This review concerns Ca_V channels at ribbon synapses in primary sense organs and their specialization for efficient coding of stimuli in the physical environment. Specifically, we describe molecular, biochemical, and biophysical properties of the Ca_V channels in sensory receptor cells of the retina, cochlea, and vestibular apparatus, and we consider how such properties might change over the course of development and contribute to synaptic plasticity. We pay particular attention to factors affecting the spatial arrangement of Ca_V channels at presynaptic, ribbon-type active zones, because the spatial relationship between Ca_V channels and release sites has been shown to affect synapse function critically in a number of systems. Finally, we review identified synaptopathies affecting sensory systems and arising from dysfunction of L-type, Ca_V1.3, and Ca_V1.4 channels or their protein modulatory elements.

Ligands of Acid-Sensing Ion Channel 1a: Mechanisms of Action and Binding Sites

The proton-gated cationic channels belonging to the ASIC family are widely distributed in the central nervous system of vertebrates and play an important role in several physiological and pathological processes. ASIC1a are most sensitive to acidification of the external medium, which is the reason for the current interest in their function and pharmacology. Recently, the list of ASIC1a ligands has been rapidly expanding. It includes inorganic cations, a large number of synthetic and endogenous small molecules, and peptide toxins. The information on the mechanisms of action and the binding sites of the ligands comes from electrophysiological, mutational and structural studies. In the present review, we attempt to present a systematic view of the complex pattern of interactions between ligands and ASIC1a.

Protons modulate gating of recombinant α1β2γ2 GABAA receptor by affecting desensitization and opening transitions

Protons are potent modulators of GABA_A receptors (GABA_ARs) and α₁Phe64 residue was implicated in their pH sensitivity. Recently, we have demonstrated that this residue is involved in flipping transitions which precede channel opening. We thus re-addressed the mechanism of GABA_AR modulation by protons by considering the gating scheme extended by flipping. The impact of pH changes was examined on currents mediated by wild-type α₁β₂γ₂ receptors or by their α₁Phe64Leu or α₁Phe64Cys mutants and elicited by saturating concentrations of full (GABA) or partial (piperidine-4-sulfonic acid) agonists. To describe the impact of extracellular pH on receptor gating, we combined macroscopic analysis of currents elicited by rapid agonist applications with single-channel studies. Acidification (pH 6.0) increased current amplitudes (in the case of leucine mutants effect was stronger when P4S was used) and decreased the rate and the extent of desensitization whereas alkalization (pH 8.0) had the opposite but weaker effect. Deactivation kinetics for wild-type receptors was slowed down by acidification while in the case of mutants this effect was observed upon alkalization. Moreover, α₁Phe64 mutations enhanced GABA_AR sensitivity to alkaline pH. Single-channel analysis revealed that acidification prolonged burst durations and affected shut but not open time distributions. Model simulations for macroscopic and single-channel activity indicated a novel mechanism in which protons primarily affected opening and desensitization rates but not flipping/unflipping. This evidence for the impact of protons on the receptor gating together with previously demonstrated effect on the agonist binding, point to a complex effect of extracellular pH on GABA_AR macromolecule.

The Contribution of L-Type Cav1.3 Channels to Retinal Light Responses

L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (LTCCs) regulate tonic neurotransmitter release from sensory neurons including retinal photoreceptors. There are three types of LTCCs (Ca_v1.2, Ca_v1.3, and Ca_v1.4) expressed in the retina. While Ca_v1.2 is expressed in all retinal cells including the Müller glia and neurons, Ca_v1.3 and Ca_v1.4 are expressed in the retinal neurons with Ca_v1.4 exclusively expressed in the photoreceptor synaptic terminals. Mutations in the gene encoding Ca_v1.4 cause incomplete X-linked congenital stationary night blindness in humans. Even though Ca_v1.3 is present in the photoreceptor inner segments and the synaptic terminals in various vertebrate species, its role in vision is unclear, since genetic alterations in Ca_v1.3 are not associated with severe vision impairment in humans or in Ca_v1.3-null (Ca_v1.3^-/-) mice. However, a failure to regulate Ca_v1.3 was found in a mouse model of Usher syndrome, the most common cause of combined deafness and blindness in humans, indicating that Ca_v1.3 may contribute to retinal function. In this report, we combined physiological and morphological data to demonstrate the role of Ca_v1.3 in retinal physiology and function that has been undervalued thus far. Through ex vivo and in vivo electroretinogram (ERG) recordings and immunohistochemical staining, we found that Ca_v1.3 plays a role in retinal light responses and synaptic plasticity. Pharmacological inhibition of Ca_v1.3 decreased ex vivo ERG a- and b-wave amplitudes. In Ca_v1.3^-/- mice, their dark-adapted ERG a-, b-wave, and oscillatory potential amplitudes were significantly dampened, and implicit times were delayed compared to the wild type (WT). Furthermore, the density of ribbon synapses was reduced in the outer plexiform layer of Ca_v1.3^-/- mice retinas. Hence, Ca_v1.3 plays a more prominent role in retinal physiology and function than previously reported.

Retinoschisin Facilitates the Function of L-Type Voltage-Gated Calcium Channels

Modulation of ion channels by extracellular proteins plays critical roles in shaping synaptic plasticity. Retinoschisin (RS1) is an extracellular adhesive protein secreted from photoreceptors and bipolar cells, and it plays an important role during retinal development, as well as in maintaining the stability of retinal layers. RS1 is known to form homologous octamers and interact with molecules on the plasma membrane including phosphatidylserine, sodium-potassium exchanger complex, and L-type voltage-gated calcium channels (LTCCs). However, how this physical interaction between RS1 and ion channels might affect the channel gating properties is unclear. In retinal photoreceptors, two major LTCCs are Cav1.3 (α1D) and Cav1.4 (α1F) with distinct biophysical properties, functions and distributions. Cav1.3 is distributed from the inner segment (IS) to the synaptic terminal and is responsible for calcium influx to the photoreceptors and overall calcium homeostasis. Cav1.4 is only expressed at the synaptic terminal and is responsible for neurotransmitter release. Mutations of the gene encoding Cav1.4 cause X-linked incomplete congenital stationary night blindness type 2 (CSNB2), while null mutations of Cav1.3 cause a mild decrease of retinal light responses in mice. Even though RS1 is known to maintain retinal architecture, in this study, we present that RS1 interacts with both Cav1.3 and Cav1.4 and regulates their activations. RS1 was able to co-immunoprecipitate with Cav1.3 and Cav1.4 from porcine retinas, and it increased the LTCC currents and facilitated voltage-dependent activation in HEK cells co-transfected with RS1 and Cav1.3 or Cav1.4, thus providing evidence of a functional interaction between RS1 and LTCCs. The interaction between RS1 and Cav1.3 did not change the calcium-dependent inactivation of Cav1.3. In mice lacking RS1, the expression of Cav1.3 and Cav1.4 in the retina decreased, while in mice with Cav1.4 deletion, the retinal level of RS1 decreased. These results provide important evidence that RS1 is not only an adhesive protein promoting cell-cell adhesion, it is essential for anchoring other membrane proteins including ion channels and enhancing their function in the retina.

Transient acidosis while retrieving a fear-related memory enhances its lability

Attenuating the strength of fearful memories could benefit people disabled by memories of past trauma. Pavlovian conditioning experiments indicate that a retrieval cue can return a conditioned aversive memory to a labile state. However, means to enhance retrieval and render a memory more labile are unknown. We hypothesized that augmenting synaptic signaling during retrieval would increase memory lability. To enhance synaptic transmission, mice inhaled CO2 to induce an acidosis and activate acid sensing ion channels. Transient acidification increased the retrieval-induced lability of an aversive memory. The labile memory could then be weakened by an extinction protocol or strengthened by reconditioning. Coupling CO2 inhalation to retrieval increased activation of amygdala neurons bearing the memory trace and increased the synaptic exchange from Ca2+-impermeable to Ca2+-permeable AMPA receptors. The results suggest that transient acidosis during retrieval renders the memory of an aversive event more labile and suggest a strategy to modify debilitating memories.

Deactivation kinetics of acid-sensing ion channel 1a are strongly pH-sensitive

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are trimeric cation-selective ion channels activated by protons in the physiological range. Recent reports have revealed that postsynaptically localized ASICs contribute to the excitatory postsynaptic current by responding to the transient acidification of the synaptic cleft that accompanies neurotransmission. In response to such brief acidic transients, both recombinant and native ASICs show extremely rapid deactivation in outside-out patches when jumping from a pH 5 stimulus to a single resting pH of 8. Given that the resting pH of the synaptic cleft is highly dynamic and depends on recent synaptic activity, we explored the kinetics of ASIC1a and 1a/2a heteromers to such brief pH transients over a wider [H⁺] range to approximate neuronal conditions better. Surprisingly, the deactivation of ASICs was steeply dependent on the pH, spanning nearly three orders of magnitude from extremely fast (<1 ms) at pH 8 to very slow (>300 ms) at pH 7. This study provides an example of a ligand-gated ion channel whose deactivation is sensitive to agonist concentrations that do not directly activate the receptor. Kinetic simulations and further mutagenesis provide evidence that ASICs show such steeply agonist-dependent deactivation because of strong cooperativity in proton binding. This capacity to signal across such a large synaptically relevant bandwidth enhances the response to small-amplitude acidifications likely to occur at the cleft and may provide ASICs with the ability to shape activity in response to the recent history of the synapse.

Neuronal hyperactivity causes Na+/H+ exchanger-induced extracellular acidification at active synapses

Extracellular pH impacts on neuronal activity, which is in turn an important determinant of extracellular H⁺ concentration. The aim of this study was to describe the spatio-temporal dynamics of extracellular pH at synaptic sites during neuronal hyperexcitability. To address this issue we created ex.E²GFP, a membrane-targeted extracellular ratiometric pH indicator that is exquisitely sensitive to acidic shifts. By monitoring ex.E²GFP fluorescence in real time in primary cortical neurons, we were able to quantify pH fluctuations during network hyperexcitability induced by convulsant drugs or high-frequency electrical stimulation. Sustained hyperactivity caused a pH decrease that was reversible upon silencing of neuronal activity and located at active synapses. This acidic shift was not attributable to the outflow of synaptic vesicle H⁺ into the cleft nor to the activity of membrane-exposed H⁺ V-ATPase, but rather to the activity of the Na⁺/H⁺-exchanger. Our data demonstrate that extracellular synaptic pH shifts take place during epileptic-like activity of neural cultures, emphasizing the strict links existing between synaptic activity and synaptic pH. This evidence may contribute to the understanding of the physio-pathological mechanisms associated with hyperexcitability in the epileptic brain.

A modulatory role of ASICs on GABAergic synapses in rat hippocampal cell cultures

Rapid acidification occurring during synaptic vesicle release can activate acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) both on pre- and postsynaptic neurons. In the latter case, a fraction of postsynaptic current would be mediated by cation-selective acid-sensing ion channels. Additionally, in both cases, activation of acid-sensing ion channels could modulate synaptic strength by affecting transmitter release and/or sensitivity of postsynaptic receptors. To address potential involvement of acid-sensing ion channels in mediation/modulation of synaptic transmission at hippocampal GABAergic synapses, we studied effects of three structurally different blockers of acid-sensing ion channels on evoked postsynaptic currents using the patch-clamp technique. We found that GABAergic postsynaptic currents, recorded below their reversal potential as inward currents, are suppressed by all the employed blockers of acid-sensing ion channels. These currents were suppressed by ~ 20 % in the presence of a novel blocker 5b (1 μM) and by ~30 % in the presence of either amiloride (25 μM) or diminazene (20 μM). In the same cells the suppression of postsynaptic currents, recorded above their reversal potential as outward currents was statistically insignificant. These results imply that the effects of blockers in our experiments are at least partially postsynaptic. On the other hand, in the case of mediation of a fraction of postsynaptic current by acid-sensing ion channels, an increase of outward currents would be expected under our experimental conditions. Our analysis of a bicuculline-resistant fraction of postsynaptic currents also suggests that effects of the blockers are predominantly modulatory. In this work we present evidence for the first time that acid-sensing ion channels play a functional role at hippocampal GABAergic synapses. The suppressing effect of the blockers of acid-sensing ion channels on GABAergic transmission is due, at least partially, to a postsynaptic but (predominantly) modulatory mechanism. We hypothesize that the modulatory effect is due to functional crosstalk between ASICs and GABA_A-receptors recently reported in isolated neurons, however, verification of this hypothesis is necessary.

Archaerhodopsin Selectively and Reversibly Silences Synaptic Transmission through Altered pH

Tools that allow acute and selective silencing of synaptic transmission in vivo would be invaluable for understanding the synaptic basis of specific behaviors. Here, we show that presynaptic expression of the proton pump archaerhodopsin enables robust, selective, and reversible optogenetic synaptic silencing with rapid onset and offset. Two-photon fluorescence imaging revealed that this effect is accompanied by a transient increase in pH restricted to archaerhodopsin-expressing boutons. Crucially, clamping intracellular pH abolished synaptic silencing without affecting the archaerhodopsin-mediated hyperpolarizing current, indicating that changes in pH mediate the synaptic silencing effect. To verify the utility of this technique, we used trial-limited, archaerhodopsin-mediated silencing to uncover a requirement for CA3-CA1 synapses whose afferents originate from the left CA3, but not those from the right CA3, for performance on a long-term memory task. These results highlight optogenetic, pH-mediated silencing of synaptic transmission as a spatiotemporally selective approach to dissecting synaptic function in behaving animals.

The function and regulation of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) and the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC): IUPHAR Review 19

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) and the epithelial Na(+) channel (ENaC) are both members of the ENaC/degenerin family of amiloride-sensitive Na(+) channels. ASICs act as proton sensors in the nervous system where they contribute, besides other roles, to fear behaviour, learning and pain sensation. ENaC mediates Na(+) reabsorption across epithelia of the distal kidney and colon and of the airways. ENaC is a clinically used drug target in the context of hypertension and cystic fibrosis, while ASIC is an interesting potential target. Following a brief introduction, here we will review selected aspects of ASIC and ENaC function. We discuss the origin and nature of pH changes in the brain and the involvement of ASICs in synaptic signalling. We expose how in the peripheral nervous system, ASICs cover together with other ion channels a wide pH range as proton sensors. We introduce the mechanisms of aldosterone-dependent ENaC regulation and the evidence for an aldosterone-independent control of ENaC activity, such as regulation by dietary K(+) . We then provide an overview of the regulation of ENaC by proteases, a topic of increasing interest over the past few years. In spite of the profound differences in the physiological and pathological roles of ASICs and ENaC, these channels share many basic functional and structural properties. It is likely that further research will identify physiological contexts in which ASICs and ENaC have similar or overlapping roles.

Sources of protons and a role for bicarbonate in inhibitory feedback from horizontal cells to cones in Ambystoma tigrinum retina

KEY POINTS

In the vertebrate retina, photoreceptors influence the signalling of neighbouring photoreceptors through lateral-inhibitory interactions mediated by horizontal cells (HCs). These interactions create antagonistic centre-surround receptive fields important for detecting edges and generating chromatically opponent responses in colour vision. The mechanisms responsible for inhibitory feedback from HCs involve changes in synaptic cleft pH that modulate photoreceptor calcium currents. However, the sources of synaptic protons involved in feedback and the mechanisms for their removal from the cleft when HCs hyperpolarize to light remain unknown. Our results indicate that Na⁺ -H⁺ exchangers are the principal source of synaptic cleft protons involved in HC feedback but that synaptic cleft alkalization during light-evoked hyperpolarization of HCs also involves changes in bicarbonate transport across the HC membrane. In addition to delineating processes that establish lateral inhibition in the retina, these results contribute to other evidence showing the key role for pH in regulating synaptic signalling throughout the nervous system.

ABSTRACT

Lateral-inhibitory feedback from horizontal cells (HCs) to photoreceptors involves changes in synaptic cleft pH accompanying light-evoked changes in HC membrane potential. We analysed HC to cone feedback by studying surround-evoked light responses of cones and by obtaining paired whole cell recordings from cones and HCs in salamander retina. We tested three potential sources for synaptic cleft protons: (1) generation by extracellular carbonic anhydrase (CA), (2) release from acidic synaptic vesicles and (3) Na⁺ /H⁺ exchangers (NHEs). Neither antagonizing extracellular CA nor blocking loading of protons into synaptic vesicles eliminated feedback. However, feedback was eliminated when extracellular Na⁺ was replaced with choline and significantly reduced by an NHE inhibitor, cariporide. Depriving NHEs of intracellular protons by buffering HC cytosol with a pH 9.2 pipette solution eliminated feedback, whereas alkalinizing the cone cytosol did not, suggesting that HCs are a major source for protons in feedback. We also examined mechanisms for changing synaptic cleft pH in response to changes in HC membrane potential. Increasing the trans-membrane proton gradient by lowering the extracellular pH from 7.8 to 7.4 to 7.1 strengthened feedback. While maintaining constant extracellular pH with 1 mm HEPES, removal of bicarbonate abolished feedback. Elevating intracellular bicarbonate levels within HCs prevented this loss of feedback. A bicarbonate transport inhibitor, 4,4'-diisothiocyano-2,2'-stilbenedisulfonic acid (DIDS), also blocked feedback. Together, these results suggest that NHEs are the primary source of extracellular protons in HC feedback but that changes in cleft pH accompanying changes in HC membrane voltage also require bicarbonate flux across the HC membrane.

Mechanism of High-Frequency Signaling at a Depressing Ribbon Synapse

Ribbon synapses mediate continuous release in neurons that have graded voltage responses. While mammalian retinas can signal visual flicker at 80-100 Hz, the time constant, τ, for the refilling of a depleted vesicle release pool at cone photoreceptor ribbons is 0.7-1.1 s. Due to this prolonged depression, the mechanism for encoding high temporal frequencies is unclear. To determine the mechanism of high-frequency signaling, we focused on an "Off" cone bipolar cell type in the ground squirrel, the cb2, whose transient postsynaptic responses recovered following presynaptic depletion with a τ of ∼0.1 s, or 7- to 10-fold faster than the τ for presynaptic pool refilling. The difference in recovery time course is caused by AMPA receptor saturation, where partial refilling of the presynaptic pool is sufficient for a full postsynaptic response. By limiting the dynamic range of the synapse, receptor saturation counteracts ribbon depression to produce rapid recovery and facilitate high-frequency signaling.

Acid-sensing ion channels are tuned to follow high-frequency stimuli

KEY POINTS

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) act as neurotransmitter receptors by responding to synaptic cleft acidification. We investigated how ASIC1a homomers and ASIC1a/2a heteromers respond to brief stimuli, jumping from pH 8.0 to 5.0, approximating the time course of neurotransmitter in the cleft. We find that ASICs deactivate surprisingly fast in response to such brief stimuli from pH 8.0 to 5.0, whereas they desensitize comparatively slowly to prolonged activation. The combination of unusually fast deactivation with slow desensitzation enables recombinant ASIC1a homomers and ASIC1a/2a heteromers, as well as native ASICs of sensory neurons, to follow trains of such brief pH 8.0 to 5.0 stimuli at high frequencies. This capacity for high-frequency signalling persists under a physiological pH of 7.4 with ASIC1a/2a heteromers, suggesting that they may sustain postsynaptic responses when other receptors desensitize.

ABSTRACT

The neurotransmitter-gated ion channels that underlie rapid synaptic transmission are often subjected to bursts of very brief neurotransmitter release at high frequencies. When challenged with such short duration high-frequency stimuli, neurotransmitter-gated ion channels generally exhibit the common response of desensitization. Recently, acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) were shown to act as neurotransmitter-gated ion channels because postsynaptic ASICs can be activated by the transient acidification of the synaptic cleft accompanying neurotransmission. In the present study, we examined the responses of recombinant ASIC1a homomers, ASIC1a/2a heteromers and native ASICs from sensory neurons to 1 ms acidification stimuli, switching from pH 8.0 to 5.0, as either single pulses or trains of pulses at physiologically relevant frequencies. We found that ASIC deactivation is extremely fast and, in contrast to most other neurotransmitter-gated ion channels, ASICs show no desensitization during high-frequency stimulus trains under these conditions. We also found that accelerating ASIC desensitization by anion substitution can induce depression during high-frequency trains. When using a baseline physiological pH of 7.4, the ASIC1a responses were too small to reliably measure, presumably as a result of steady-state desensitization. However, ASIC1a/2 heteromers gave robust responses when using a baseline pH of 7.4 and were also able to sustain these responses during high-frequency stimulus trains. In conclusion, we report that the slow desensitization and fast deactivation of ASIC1a/2a heteromers enables them to sustain postsynaptic responses to bursts at high frequencies at a physiological pH that may desensitize other receptors.

Optogenetic acidification of synaptic vesicles and lysosomes

Acidification is required for the function of many intracellular organelles, but methods to acutely manipulate their intraluminal pH have not been available. Here we present a targeting strategy to selectively express the light-driven proton pump Arch3 on synaptic vesicles. Our new tool, pHoenix, can functionally replace endogenous proton pumps, enabling optogenetic control of vesicular acidification and neurotransmitter accumulation. Under physiological conditions, glutamatergic vesicles are nearly full, as additional vesicle acidification with pHoenix only slightly increased the quantal size. By contrast, we found that incompletely filled vesicles exhibited a lower release probability than full vesicles, suggesting preferential exocytosis of vesicles with high transmitter content. Our subcellular targeting approach can be transferred to other organelles, as demonstrated for a pHoenix variant that allows light-activated acidification of lysosomes.

Iron entry in neurons and astrocytes: a link with synaptic activity

Iron plays a fundamental role in the development of the central nervous system (CNS) as well as in several neuronal functions including synaptic plasticity. Accordingly, neuronal iron supply is tightly controlled: it depends not only on transferrin-bound iron but also on non-transferrin-bound iron (NTBI), which represents a relevant quote of the iron physiologically present in the cerebrospinal fluid (CSF). Different calcium permeable channels as well as the divalent metal transporter 1 (DMT1) have been proposed to sustain NTBI entry in neurons and astrocytes even though it remains an open issue. In both cases, it emerges that the control of iron entry is tightly linked to synaptic activity. The iron-induced oxidative tone can, in physiological conditions, positively influence the calcium levels and thus the synaptic plasticity. On the other hand, an excess of iron, with the ensuing uncontrolled production of reactive oxygen species (ROS), is detrimental for neuronal survival. A protective mechanism can be played by astrocytes that, more resistant to oxidative stress, can uptake iron, thereby buffering its concentration in the synaptic environment. This competence is potentiated when astrocytes undergo activation during neuroinflammation and neurodegenerative processes. In this minireview we focus on the mechanisms responsible for NTBI entry in neurons and astrocytes and on how they can be modulated during synaptic activity. Finally, we speculate on the relevance they may have in both physiological and pathological conditions.

Biophysical properties of acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs)

Acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs) are ligand-gated ion channels that are exquisitely sensitive to extracellular protons and can sense transient as well as sustained acidification. In this review, we will discuss activation and desensitization of ASICs by protons. We show that a linear reaction scheme can reproduce the basic electrophysiological properties of ASICs, including steady-state desensitization. Moreover, we will discuss how a desensitizing receptor can sense sustained acidosis and what we know about the putative proton sensor. We will briefly discuss modulation of proton gating by neuropeptides and small positively charged ligands. Finally, we will review the pore properties of ASICs and their relation to the recently reported crystal structure of the open ASIC pore. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Acid-Sensing Ion Channels in the Nervous System'.

Two aspects of ASIC function: Synaptic plasticity and neuronal injury

Extracellular brain pH fluctuates in both physiological and disease conditions. The main postsynaptic proton receptor is the acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs). During the past decade, much progress has been made on protons, ASICs, and neurological disease. This review summarizes the recent progress on synaptic role of protons and our current understanding of how ASICs contribute to various types of neuronal injury in the brain. This article is part of the Special Issue entitled 'Acid-Sensing Ion Channels in the Nervous System'.

A synaptic mechanism for temporal filtering of visual signals

The visual system transmits information about fast and slow changes in light intensity through separate neural pathways. We used in vivo imaging to investigate how bipolar cells transmit these signals to the inner retina. We found that the volume of the synaptic terminal is an intrinsic property that contributes to different temporal filters. Individual cells transmit through multiple terminals varying in size, but smaller terminals generate faster and larger calcium transients to trigger vesicle release with higher initial gain, followed by more profound adaptation. Smaller terminals transmitted higher stimulus frequencies more effectively. Modeling global calcium dynamics triggering vesicle release indicated that variations in the volume of presynaptic compartments contribute directly to all these differences in response dynamics. These results indicate how one neuron can transmit different temporal components in the visual signal through synaptic terminals of varying geometries with different adaptational properties.

Calmodulin enhances ribbon replenishment and shapes filtering of synaptic transmission by cone photoreceptors

At the first synapse in the vertebrate visual pathway, light-evoked changes in photoreceptor membrane potential alter the rate of glutamate release onto second-order retinal neurons. This process depends on the synaptic ribbon, a specialized structure found at various sensory synapses, to provide a supply of primed vesicles for release. Calcium (Ca(2+)) accelerates the replenishment of vesicles at cone ribbon synapses, but the mechanisms underlying this acceleration and its functional implications for vision are unknown. We studied vesicle replenishment using paired whole-cell recordings of cones and postsynaptic neurons in tiger salamander retinas and found that it involves two kinetic mechanisms, the faster of which was diminished by calmodulin (CaM) inhibitors. We developed an analytical model that can be applied to both conventional and ribbon synapses and showed that vesicle resupply is limited by a simple time constant, τ = 1/(Dρδs), where D is the vesicle diffusion coefficient, δ is the vesicle diameter, ρ is the vesicle density, and s is the probability of vesicle attachment. The combination of electrophysiological measurements, modeling, and total internal reflection fluorescence microscopy of single synaptic vesicles suggested that CaM speeds replenishment by enhancing vesicle attachment to the ribbon. Using electroretinogram and whole-cell recordings of light responses, we found that enhanced replenishment improves the ability of cone synapses to signal darkness after brief flashes of light and enhances the amplitude of responses to higher-frequency stimuli. By accelerating the resupply of vesicles to the ribbon, CaM extends the temporal range of synaptic transmission, allowing cones to transmit higher-frequency visual information to downstream neurons. Thus, the ability of the visual system to encode time-varying stimuli is shaped by the dynamics of vesicle replenishment at photoreceptor synaptic ribbons.

Acid-sensing ion channels contribute to synaptic transmission and inhibit cocaine-evoked plasticity

Acid-sensing ion channel 1A (ASIC1A) is abundant in the nucleus accumbens (NAc), a region known for its role in addiction. Because ASIC1A has been suggested to promote associative learning, we hypothesized that disrupting ASIC1A in the NAc would reduce drug-associated learning and memory. However, contrary to this hypothesis, we found that disrupting ASIC1A in the mouse NAc increased cocaine-conditioned place preference, suggesting an unexpected role for ASIC1A in addiction-related behavior. Moreover, overexpressing ASIC1A in rat NAc reduced cocaine self-administration. Investigating the underlying mechanisms, we identified a previously unknown postsynaptic current during neurotransmission that was mediated by ASIC1A and ASIC2 and thus well positioned to regulate synapse structure and function. Consistent with this possibility, disrupting ASIC1A altered dendritic spine density and glutamate receptor function, and increased cocaine-evoked plasticity, which resemble changes previously associated with cocaine-induced behavior. Together, these data suggest that ASIC1A inhibits the plasticity underlying addiction-related behavior and raise the possibility of developing therapies for drug addiction by targeting ASIC-dependent neurotransmission.

Protons are a neurotransmitter that regulates synaptic plasticity in the lateral amygdala

Stimulating presynaptic terminals can increase the proton concentration in synapses. Potential receptors for protons are acid-sensing ion channels (ASICs), Na(+)- and Ca(2+)-permeable channels that are activated by extracellular acidosis. Those observations suggest that protons might be a neurotransmitter. We found that presynaptic stimulation transiently reduced extracellular pH in the amygdala. The protons activated ASICs in lateral amygdala pyramidal neurons, generating excitatory postsynaptic currents. Moreover, both protons and ASICs were required for synaptic plasticity in lateral amygdala neurons. The results identify protons as a neurotransmitter, and they establish ASICs as the postsynaptic receptor. They also indicate that protons and ASICs are a neurotransmitter/receptor pair critical for amygdala-dependent learning and memory.

Extracellular pH modulates GABAergic neurotransmission in rat hypothalamus

Changes in extracellular pH have a modulatory effect on GABAA receptor function. It has been reported that pH sensitivity of the GABA receptor is dependent on subunit composition and GABA concentration. Most of previous investigations focused on GABA-evoked currents, which only reflect the postsynaptic receptors. The physiological relevance of pH modulation of GABAergic neurotransmission is not fully elucidated. In the present studies, we examined the influence of extracellular pH on the GABAA receptor-mediated inhibitory neurotransmission in rat hypothalamic neurons. The inhibitory postsynaptic currents (IPSCs), tonic currents, and the GABA-evoked currents were recorded with whole-cell patch techniques on the hypothalamic slices from Sprague-Dawley rats at 15-26 postnatal days. The amplitude and frequency of spontaneous GABA IPSCs were significantly increased while the external pH was changed from 7.3 to 8.4. In the acidic pH (6.4), the spontaneous GABA IPSCs were reduced in amplitude and frequency. The pH induced changes in miniature GABA IPSCs (mIPSCs) similar to that in spontaneous IPSCs. The pH effect on the postsynaptic GABA receptors was assessed with exogenously applied varying concentrations of GABA. The tonic currents and the currents evoked by sub-saturating concentration of GABA ([GABA]) (10 μM) were inhibited by acidic pH and potentiated by alkaline pH. In contrast, the currents evoked by saturating [GABA] (1mM) were not affected by pH changes. We also investigated the influence of pH buffers and buffering capacity on pH sensitivity of GABAA receptors on human recombinant α1β2γ2 GABAA receptors stably expressed in HEK 293 cells. The pH influence on GABAA receptors was similar in HEPES- and MES-buffered media, and not dependent on protonated buffers, suggesting that the observed pH effect on GABA response is a specific consequence of changes in extracellular protons. Our data suggest that the hydrogen ions suppress the GABAergic neurotransmission, which is mediated by both presynaptic and postsynaptic mechanisms.

Evidence that protons act as neurotransmitters at vestibular hair cell-calyx afferent synapses

Present data support the conclusion that protons serve as an important neurotransmitter to convey excitatory stimuli from inner ear type I vestibular hair cells to postsynaptic calyx nerve terminals. Time-resolved pH imaging revealed stimulus-evoked extrusion of protons from hair cells and a subsequent buildup of [H(+)] within the confined chalice-shaped synaptic cleft (ΔpH ∼ -0.2). Whole-cell voltage-clamp recordings revealed a concomitant nonquantal excitatory postsynaptic current in the calyx terminal that was causally modulated by cleft acidification. The time course of [H(+)] buildup limits the speed of this intercellular signaling mechanism, but for tonic signals such as gravity, protonergic transmission offers a significant metabolic advantage over quantal excitatory postsynaptic currents--an advantage that may have driven the proliferation of postsynaptic calyx terminals in the inner ear vestibular organs of contemporary amniotes.