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Tebbe L, Kakakhel M, Al-Ubaidi MR, Naash MI. The role of syntaxins in retinal function and health. Front Cell Neurosci 2024; 18:1380064. [PMID: 38799985 PMCID: PMC11119284 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2024.1380064] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/31/2024] [Accepted: 04/16/2024] [Indexed: 05/29/2024] Open
Abstract
The soluble N-ethylmaleimide-sensitive factor (NSF) attachment protein (SNAP) receptor (SNARE) superfamily plays a pivotal role in cellular trafficking by facilitating membrane fusion events. These SNARE proteins, including syntaxins, assemble into complexes that actively facilitate specific membrane fusion events. Syntaxins, as integral components of the SNARE complex, play a crucial role in initiating and regulating these fusion activities. While specific syntaxins have been extensively studied in various cellular processes, including neurotransmitter release, autophagy and endoplasmic reticulum (ER)-to-Golgi protein transport, their roles in the retina remain less explored. This review aims to enhance our understanding of syntaxins' functions in the retina by shedding light on how syntaxins mediate membrane fusion events unique to the retina. Additionally, we seek to establish a connection between syntaxin mutations and retinal diseases. By exploring the intricate interplay of syntaxins in retinal function and health, we aim to contribute to the broader comprehension of cellular trafficking in the context of retinal physiology and pathology.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Muna I. Naash
- *Correspondence: Muna I. Naash, ; Muayyad R. Al-Ubaidi,
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Hölzel MB, Kamermans W, Winkelman BHJ, Howlett MHC, De Zeeuw CI, Kamermans M. A common cause for nystagmus in different congenital stationary night blindness mouse models. J Physiol 2023; 601:5317-5340. [PMID: 37864560 DOI: 10.1113/jp284965] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/01/2023] [Accepted: 09/22/2023] [Indexed: 10/23/2023] Open
Abstract
In Nyxnob mice, a model for congenital nystagmus associated with congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB), synchronous oscillating retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) lead to oscillatory eye movements, i.e. nystagmus. Given the specific expression of mGluR6 and Cav 1.4 in the photoreceptor to bipolar cell synapses, as well as their clinical association with CSNB, we hypothesize that Grm6nob3 and Cav 1.4-KO mutants show, like the Nyxnob mouse, oscillations in both their RGC activity and eye movements. Using multi-electrode array recordings of RGCs and measurements of the eye movements, we demonstrate that Grm6nob3 and Cav 1.4-KO mice also show oscillations of their RGCs as well as a nystagmus. Interestingly, the preferred frequencies of RGC activity as well as the eye movement oscillations of the Grm6nob3 , Cav 1.4-KO and Nyxnob mice differ among mutants, but the neuronal activity and eye movement behaviour within a strain remain aligned in the same frequency domain. Model simulations indicate that mutations affecting the photoreceptor-bipolar cell synapse can form a common cause of the nystagmus of CSNB by driving oscillations in RGCs via AII amacrine cells. KEY POINTS: In Nyxnob mice, a model for congenital nystagmus associated with congenital stationary night blindness (CSNB), their oscillatory eye movements (i.e. nystagmus) are caused by synchronous oscillating retinal ganglion cells. Here we show that the same mechanism applies for two other CSNB mouse models - Grm6nob3 and Cav 1.4-KO mice. We propose that the retinal ganglion cell oscillations originate in the AII amacrine cells. Model simulations show that by only changing the input to ON-bipolar cells, all phenotypical differences between the various genetic mouse models can be reproduced.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maj-Britt Hölzel
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Wouter Kamermans
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Beerend H J Winkelman
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Marcus H C Howlett
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Chris I De Zeeuw
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, Rotterdam, the Netherlands
| | - Maarten Kamermans
- Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Physics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, the Netherlands
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Nishad R, Betancourt-Solis M, Dey H, Heidelberger R, McNew JA. Regulation of Syntaxin3B-Mediated Membrane Fusion by T14, Munc18, and Complexin. Biomolecules 2023; 13:1463. [PMID: 37892145 PMCID: PMC10604575 DOI: 10.3390/biom13101463] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/16/2023] [Revised: 09/22/2023] [Accepted: 09/26/2023] [Indexed: 10/29/2023] Open
Abstract
Retinal neurons that form ribbon-style synapses operate over a wide dynamic range, continuously relaying visual information to their downstream targets. The remarkable signaling abilities of these neurons are supported by specialized presynaptic machinery, one component of which is syntaxin3B. Syntaxin3B is an essential t-SNARE protein of photoreceptors and bipolar cells that is required for neurotransmitter release. It has a light-regulated phosphorylation site in its N-terminal domain at T14 that has been proposed to modulate membrane fusion. However, a direct test of the latter has been lacking. Using a well-controlled in vitro fusion assay, we found that a phosphomimetic T14 syntaxin3B mutation leads to a small but significant enhancement of SNARE-mediated membrane fusion following the formation of the t-SNARE complex. While the addition of Munc18a had only a minimal effect on membrane fusion mediated by SNARE complexes containing wild-type syntaxin3B, a more significant enhancement was observed in the presence of Munc18a when the SNARE complexes contained a syntaxin3B T14 phosphomimetic mutant. Finally, we showed that the retinal-specific complexins (Cpx III and Cpx IV) inhibited membrane fusion mediated by syntaxin3B-containing SNARE complexes in a dose-dependent manner. Collectively, our results establish that membrane fusion mediated by syntaxin3B-containing SNARE complexes is regulated by the T14 residue of syntaxin3B, Munc18a, and Cpxs III and IV.
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Affiliation(s)
- Rajkishor Nishad
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, 6500 Main Street, MS 601, Houston, TX 77005, USA;
| | - Miguel Betancourt-Solis
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, 6500 Main Street, MS 601, Houston, TX 77005, USA;
- Lonza Biologics, 14905 Kirby Dr, Houston, TX 77047, USA
| | - Himani Dey
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston (UTHealth Houston), 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - Ruth Heidelberger
- Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, McGovern Medical School, The University of Texas Health Science Center, Houston (UTHealth Houston), 6431 Fannin Street, Houston, TX 77030, USA;
| | - James A. McNew
- Department of BioSciences, Rice University, 6500 Main Street, MS 601, Houston, TX 77005, USA;
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Kamermans M, Winkelman BHJ, Hölzel MB, Howlett MHC, Kamermans W, Simonsz HJ, de Zeeuw CI. A retinal origin of nystagmus-a perspective. FRONTIERS IN OPHTHALMOLOGY 2023; 3:1186280. [PMID: 38983059 PMCID: PMC11182158 DOI: 10.3389/fopht.2023.1186280] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 03/14/2023] [Accepted: 05/15/2023] [Indexed: 07/11/2024]
Abstract
Congenital nystagmus is a condition where the eyes of patients oscillate, mostly horizontally, with a frequency of between 2 and 10 Hz. Historically, nystagmus is believed to be caused by a maladaptation of the oculomotor system and is thus considered a disease of the brain stem. However, we have recently shown that congenital nystagmus associated with congenital stationary night blindness is caused by synchronously oscillating retinal ganglion cells. In this perspective article, we discuss how some details of nystagmus can be accounted for by the retinal mechanism we propose.
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Affiliation(s)
- Maarten Kamermans
- Department of Retinal Signal Processing, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Biomedical Physics, Academic Medical Center, University of Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Beerend H. J. Winkelman
- Department of Cerebellum: Coordination & Cognition, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - M-B. Hölzel
- Department of Retinal Signal Processing, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Marcus H. C. Howlett
- Department of Retinal Signal Processing, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - Wouter Kamermans
- Department of Retinal Signal Processing, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Cerebellum: Coordination & Cognition, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
| | - H. J. Simonsz
- Department of Cerebellum: Coordination & Cognition, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Ophthalmology, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
| | - C. I. de Zeeuw
- Department of Cerebellum: Coordination & Cognition, Netherlands Institute for Neuroscience Amsterdam, Amsterdam, Netherlands
- Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus Medical Center, Rotterdam, Netherlands
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Cali E, Rocca C, Salpietro V, Houlden H. Epileptic Phenotypes Associated With SNAREs and Related Synaptic Vesicle Exocytosis Machinery. Front Neurol 2022; 12:806506. [PMID: 35095745 PMCID: PMC8792400 DOI: 10.3389/fneur.2021.806506] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/31/2021] [Accepted: 11/16/2021] [Indexed: 01/29/2023] Open
Abstract
SNAREs (soluble N-ethylmaleimide sensitive factor attachment protein receptor) are an heterogeneous family of proteins that, together with their key regulators, are implicated in synaptic vesicle exocytosis and synaptic transmission. SNAREs represent the core component of this protein complex. Although the specific mechanisms of the SNARE machinery is still not completely uncovered, studies in recent years have provided a clearer understanding of the interactions regulating the essential fusion machinery for neurotransmitter release. Mutations in genes encoding SNARE proteins or SNARE complex associated proteins have been associated with a variable spectrum of neurological conditions that have been recently defined as “SNAREopathies.” These include neurodevelopmental disorder, autism spectrum disorder (ASD), movement disorders, seizures and epileptiform abnormalities. The SNARE phenotypic spectrum associated with seizures ranges from simple febrile seizures and infantile spasms, to severe early-onset epileptic encephalopathies. Our study aims to review and delineate the epileptic phenotypes associated with dysregulation of synaptic vesicle exocytosis and transmission, focusing on the main proteins of the SNARE core complex (STX1B, VAMP2, SNAP25), tethering complex (STXBP1), and related downstream regulators.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elisa Cali
- MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Clarissa Rocca
- MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Vincenzo Salpietro
- MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
| | - Henry Houlden
- MRC Centre for Neuromuscular Diseases, UCL Queen Square Institute of Neurology, London, United Kingdom
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Volk AE, Hedergott A, Preising M, Rading S, Fricke J, Herkenrath P, Nürnberg P, Altmüller J, von Ameln S, Lorenz B, Neugebauer A, Karsak M, Kubisch C. Biallelic mutations in L-dopachrome tautomerase (DCT) cause infantile nystagmus and oculocutaneous albinism. Hum Genet 2021; 140:1157-1168. [PMID: 33959807 DOI: 10.1007/s00439-021-02285-0] [Citation(s) in RCA: 10] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/29/2021] [Accepted: 04/19/2021] [Indexed: 11/26/2022]
Abstract
Infantile nystagmus syndrome (INS) denominates early-onset, involuntary oscillatory eye movements with different etiologies. Nystagmus is also one of the symptoms in oculocutaneus albinism (OCA), a heterogeneous disease mainly caused by defects in melanin synthesis or melanosome biogenesis. Dopachrome tautomerase (DCT, also called TYRP2) together with tyrosinase (TYR) and tyrosin-related protein 1 (TYRP1) is one of the key enzymes in melanin synthesis. Although DCT´s role in pigmentation has been proven in different species, until now only mutations in TYR and TYRP1 have been found in patients with OCA. Detailed ophthalmological and orthoptic investigations identified a consanguineous family with two individuals with isolated infantile nystagmus and one family member with subtle signs of albinism. By whole-exome sequencing and segregation analysis, we identified the missense mutation c.176G > T (p.Gly59Val) in DCT in a homozygous state in all three affected family members. We show that this mutation results in incomplete protein maturation and targeting in vitro compatible with a partial or total loss of function. Subsequent screening of a cohort of patients with OCA (n = 85) and INS (n = 25) revealed two heterozygous truncating mutations, namely c.876C > A (p.Tyr292*) and c.1407G > A (p.Trp469*), in an independent patient with OCA. Taken together, our data suggest that mutations in DCT can cause a phenotypic spectrum ranging from isolated infantile nystagmus to oculocutaneous albinism.
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Affiliation(s)
- Alexander E Volk
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany.
| | - Andrea Hedergott
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Markus Preising
- Department of Ophthalmology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
| | - Sebastian Rading
- Neuronal and Cellular Signal Transduction, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Julia Fricke
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Peter Herkenrath
- Department of Paediatrics, University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Peter Nürnberg
- Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Janine Altmüller
- Cologne Center for Genomics, University of Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Simon von Ameln
- Institute of Human Genetics, University of Ulm, 89081, Ulm, Germany
| | - Birgit Lorenz
- Department of Ophthalmology, Justus-Liebig-University Giessen, 35392, Giessen, Germany
- Department of Ophthalmology, University Hospital of Bonn, 53127, Bonn, Germany
| | - Antje Neugebauer
- Department of Ophthalmology, Faculty of Medicine, University Hospital Cologne, 50931, Cologne, Germany
| | - Meliha Karsak
- Neuronal and Cellular Signal Transduction, Center for Molecular Neurobiology Hamburg (ZMNH), University Medical Center Hamburg-Eppendorf (UKE), 20246, Hamburg, Germany
| | - Christian Kubisch
- Institute of Human Genetics, University Medical Center Hamburg Eppendorf (UKE), Martinistr. 52, 20246, Hamburg, Germany
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