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Aksan B, Kenkel AK, Yan J, Sánchez Romero J, Missirlis D, Mauceri D. VEGFD signaling balances stability and activity-dependent structural plasticity of dendrites. Cell Mol Life Sci 2024; 81:354. [PMID: 39158743 PMCID: PMC11335284 DOI: 10.1007/s00018-024-05357-2] [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: 05/24/2024] [Revised: 07/08/2024] [Accepted: 07/09/2024] [Indexed: 08/20/2024]
Abstract
Mature neurons have stable dendritic architecture, which is essential for the nervous system to operate correctly. The ability to undergo structural plasticity, required to support adaptive processes like memory formation, is still present in mature neurons. It is unclear what molecular and cellular processes control this delicate balance between dendritic structural plasticity and stabilization. Failures in the preservation of optimal dendrite structure due to atrophy or maladaptive plasticity result in abnormal connectivity and are associated with various neurological diseases. Vascular endothelial growth factor D (VEGFD) is critical for the maintenance of mature dendritic trees. Here, we describe how VEGFD affects the neuronal cytoskeleton and demonstrate that VEGFD exerts its effects on dendrite stabilization by influencing the actin cortex and reducing microtubule dynamics. Further, we found that during synaptic activity-induced structural plasticity VEGFD is downregulated. Our findings revealed that VEGFD, acting on its cognate receptor VEGFR3, opposes structural changes by negatively regulating dendrite growth in cultured hippocampal neurons and in vivo in the adult mouse hippocampus with consequences on memory formation. A phosphoproteomic screening identified several regulatory proteins of the cytoskeleton modulated by VEGFD. Among the actin cortex-associated proteins, we found that VEGFD induces dephosphorylation of ezrin at tyrosine 478 via activation of the striatal-enriched protein tyrosine phosphatase (STEP). Activity-triggered structural plasticity of dendrites was impaired by expression of a phospho-deficient mutant ezrin in vitro and in vivo. Thus, VEGFD governs the equilibrium between stabilization and plasticity of dendrites by acting as a molecular brake of structural remodeling.
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Affiliation(s)
- Bahar Aksan
- Department of Neurobiology, Interdisciplinary Centre for Neurosciences (IZN), Heidelberg University, INF 366, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Ann-Kristin Kenkel
- Department of Neurobiology, Interdisciplinary Centre for Neurosciences (IZN), Heidelberg University, INF 366, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Jing Yan
- Department of Neurobiology, Interdisciplinary Centre for Neurosciences (IZN), Heidelberg University, INF 366, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Javier Sánchez Romero
- Department of Neurobiology, Interdisciplinary Centre for Neurosciences (IZN), Heidelberg University, INF 366, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Dimitris Missirlis
- Department of Cellular Biophysics, Max-Planck-Institute for Medical Research, Jahnstraße 29, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany
| | - Daniela Mauceri
- Department of Neurobiology, Interdisciplinary Centre for Neurosciences (IZN), Heidelberg University, INF 366, 69120, Heidelberg, Germany.
- Department Molecular and Cellular Neuroscience, Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Marburg, Robert-Koch-Str. 8, 35032, Marburg, Germany.
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Zhang L, Wu H, Fan Y, Tian F. Treadmill exercise prevents recognition memory impairment in VD rat model and enhancement of hippocampal structural synaptic plasticity. Brain Behav 2024; 14:e3633. [PMID: 39054262 PMCID: PMC11272414 DOI: 10.1002/brb3.3633] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/10/2023] [Revised: 05/22/2024] [Accepted: 07/03/2024] [Indexed: 07/27/2024] Open
Abstract
OBJECTIVE In vascular dementia (VD), memory impairment caused by the damage of synaptic plasticity is the most prominent feature that afflicts patients and their families. Treadmill exercise has proven beneficial for memory by enhancing synaptic plasticity in animal models including stroke, dementia, and mental disorders. The aim of this study was to examine the effects of treadmill exercise on recognition memory and structural synaptic plasticity in VD rat model. METHODS Male Sprague-Dawley rats were randomly assigned into four groups: control group (C group, n = 6), vascular dementia group (VD group, n = 6), treadmill exercise and vascular dementia group (Exe-VD group, n = 6), and treadmill exercise group (Exe group, n = 6). Four-week treadmill exercise was performed in the Exe-VD and Exe groups. Then, the common carotid arteries of rats in the VD and Exe-VD groups were identified to establish the VD model. Behavior tests (open-field test and novel recognition memory test) were adopted to evaluate anxiety-like behavior and recognition memory. Transmission electron microscopy and Golgi staining were performed to observe synaptic ultrastructure and spine density in the hippocampus. RESULTS Our study demonstrated that VD rat exhibited significantly anxiety-like behavior and recognition impairment (p < .01), while treadmill exercise significantly alleviated anxiety-like behavior and improved recognition memory in VD rat (p < .01). Transmission electron microscopy revealed that hippocampal synapse numbers were significantly decreased in the VD group compared to the control group (p < .05). These alterations were reversed by treadmill exercise, and the rats exhibited healthier synaptic ultrastructure, including significantly increased synapse (p < .05). Meanwhile, golgi staining revealed that the spine numbers of the hippocampus were significantly decreased in the VD group compared to the control group (p < .05). When compared with the VD group, hippocampal spine numbers were significantly increased in the Exe-VD group (p < .05). CONCLUSION The improvement of VD-associated recognition memory by treadmill exercises is associated with enhanced structural synaptic plasticity in VD rat model.
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Affiliation(s)
- Linlin Zhang
- Department of physical educationHenan normal universityXinxiangChina
| | - Hao Wu
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Sports Function Assessment and Technical AnalysisCapital University of Physical Education and SportsBeijingChina
| | - Yongzhao Fan
- Department of physical educationHenan normal universityXinxiangChina
- Beijing Key Laboratory of Sports Function Assessment and Technical AnalysisCapital University of Physical Education and SportsBeijingChina
| | - Fang Tian
- Department of Physical EducationNanjing Medical UniversityNanjingChina
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Rentsch J, Bandstra S, Sezen B, Sigrist P, Bottanelli F, Schmerl B, Shoichet S, Noé F, Sadeghi M, Ewers H. Sub-membrane actin rings compartmentalize the plasma membrane. J Cell Biol 2024; 223:e202310138. [PMID: 38252080 PMCID: PMC10807028 DOI: 10.1083/jcb.202310138] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/27/2023] [Revised: 12/20/2023] [Accepted: 01/04/2024] [Indexed: 01/23/2024] Open
Abstract
The compartmentalization of the plasma membrane (PM) is a fundamental feature of cells. The diffusivity of membrane proteins is significantly lower in biological than in artificial membranes. This is likely due to actin filaments, but assays to prove a direct dependence remain elusive. We recently showed that periodic actin rings in the neuronal axon initial segment (AIS) confine membrane protein motion between them. Still, the local enrichment of ion channels offers an alternative explanation. Here we show, using computational modeling, that in contrast to actin rings, ion channels in the AIS cannot mediate confinement. Furthermore, we show, employing a combinatorial approach of single particle tracking and super-resolution microscopy, that actin rings are close to the PM and that they confine membrane proteins in several neuronal cell types. Finally, we show that actin disruption leads to loss of compartmentalization. Taken together, we here develop a system for the investigation of membrane compartmentalization and show that actin rings compartmentalize the PM.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jakob Rentsch
- Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Selle Bandstra
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Batuhan Sezen
- Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Philipp Sigrist
- Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Francesca Bottanelli
- Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Bettina Schmerl
- Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA, USA
| | | | - Frank Noé
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Mohsen Sadeghi
- Department of Mathematics and Computer Science, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
| | - Helge Ewers
- Institute for Chemistry and Biochemistry, Freie Universität Berlin, Berlin, Germany
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Xin Y, Lin G, Hua T, Liang J, Sun T, Wu X. The altered expression of cytoskeletal and synaptic remodeling proteins during epilepsy. Open Life Sci 2023; 18:20220595. [PMID: 37070078 PMCID: PMC10105555 DOI: 10.1515/biol-2022-0595] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/15/2022] [Revised: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 03/15/2023] [Indexed: 04/19/2023] Open
Abstract
The cytoskeleton plays an important role in epilepsy; however, the mechanism is unknown. Therefore, this study aimed to reveal the mechanism of cytoskeletal proteins in epilepsy by investigating the expression of cytoskeletal proteins and synaptophysin (SYP) in mice at 0, 3, 6, and 24 h, 3 days, and 7 days in a kainic acid (KA)-induced epileptic model. Our results demonstrated that the expression of F-actin decreased significantly between 3 and 6 h, 6 and 24 h, and 24 h and 3 days (P < 0.05). Meanwhile, the expression of the neurofilament light chain, neurofilament medium chain, and neurofilament heavy chain subunits was significantly decreased (P < 0.001) at 3 h after the KA injection compared to the KA 0 h group, followed by an elevation at 6 h and a further decrease at 24 h compared to at 6 h. SYP expression was significantly decreased between 0 and 3 h as well as between 3 and 6 h (P < 0.05). At 24 h, the level was increased compared to at 6 h and continued to increase at 3 days after the KA injection. Thus, we propose that cytoskeletal proteins may be involved in the pathogenesis of epilepsy.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yanbao Xin
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, Institute of Immunology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Guojiao Lin
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, Institute of Immunology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Tianbao Hua
- The First Hospital and International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130015, China
| | - Jianmin Liang
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Neurology, Changchun 130021, China
| | - Tianmeng Sun
- Key Laboratory of Organ Regeneration and Transplantation of Ministry of Education, Institute of Immunology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, Changchun 130021, China
- The First Hospital and International Center of Future Science, Jilin University, Changchun 130015, China
| | - Xuemei Wu
- Department of Pediatric Neurology, The First Hospital of Jilin University, 1 Xinmin Street, Changchun 130000, Jilin Province, China
- Jilin Provincial Key Laboratory of Pediatric Neurology, Changchun 130021, China
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Olson MF. Actin-Myosin Cytoskeleton Regulation and Function. Cells 2022; 12:cells12010009. [PMID: 36611802 PMCID: PMC9818783 DOI: 10.3390/cells12010009] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [MESH Headings] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/08/2022] [Accepted: 12/13/2022] [Indexed: 12/24/2022] Open
Abstract
The shape and load bearing strength of cells are determined by the complex protein network comprising the actin-myosin cytoskeleton [...].
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael F Olson
- Department of Chemistry and Biology, Toronto Metropolitan University, Toronto, ON M5G 2K3, Canada
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Pan X, Zhou Y, Hotulainen P, Meunier FA, Wang T. The axonal radial contractility: Structural basis underlying a new form of neural plasticity. Bioessays 2021; 43:e2100033. [PMID: 34145916 DOI: 10.1002/bies.202100033] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/30/2021] [Revised: 05/27/2021] [Accepted: 06/02/2021] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
Axons are the longest cellular structure reaching over a meter in the case of human motor axons. They have a relatively small diameter and contain several cytoskeletal elements that mediate both material and information exchange within neurons. Recently, a novel type of axonal plasticity, termed axonal radial contractility, has been unveiled. It is represented by dynamic and transient diameter changes of the axon shaft to accommodate the passages of large organelles. Mechanisms underpinning this plasticity are not fully understood. Here, we first summarised recent evidence of the functional relevance for axon radial contractility, then discussed the underlying structural basis, reviewing nanoscopic evidence of the subtle changes. Two models are proposed to explain how actomyosin rings are organised. Possible roles of non-muscle myosin II (NM-II) in axon degeneration are discussed. Finally, we discuss the concept of periodic functional nanodomains, which could sense extracellular cues and coordinate the axonal responses. Also see the video abstract here: https://youtu.be/ojCnrJ8RCRc.
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Affiliation(s)
- Xiaorong Pan
- Center for Brain Science, School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghaitech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Yimin Zhou
- Center for Brain Science, School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghaitech University, Shanghai, China
| | - Pirta Hotulainen
- Minerva Foundation Institute for Medical Research, Helsinki, Finland
| | - Frédéric A Meunier
- Clem Jones Centre for Ageing Dementia Research, Queensland Brain Institute, The University of Queensland, Brisbane, Australia
| | - Tong Wang
- Center for Brain Science, School of Life Science and Technology, Shanghaitech University, Shanghai, China
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Aiken J, Holzbaur ELF. Cytoskeletal regulation guides neuronal trafficking to effectively supply the synapse. Curr Biol 2021; 31:R633-R650. [PMID: 34033795 DOI: 10.1016/j.cub.2021.02.024] [Citation(s) in RCA: 23] [Impact Index Per Article: 7.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2023]
Abstract
The development and proper function of the brain requires the formation of highly complex neuronal circuitry. These circuits are shaped from synaptic connections between neurons and must be maintained over a lifetime. The formation and continued maintenance of synapses requires accurate trafficking of presynaptic and postsynaptic components along the axon and dendrite, respectively, necessitating deliberate and specialized delivery strategies to replenish essential synaptic components. Maintenance of synaptic transmission also requires readily accessible energy stores, produced in part by localized mitochondria, that are tightly regulated with activity level. In this review, we focus on recent developments in our understanding of the cytoskeletal environment of axons and dendrites, examining how local regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics and organelle trafficking promotes synapse-specific delivery and plasticity. These new insights shed light on the complex and coordinated role that cytoskeletal elements play in establishing and maintaining neuronal circuitry.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jayne Aiken
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA
| | - Erika L F Holzbaur
- Department of Physiology, Perelman School of Medicine, University of Pennsylvania, Philadelphia, PA 19104, USA.
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Putting the axonal periodic scaffold in order. Curr Opin Neurobiol 2021; 69:33-40. [PMID: 33450534 DOI: 10.1016/j.conb.2020.12.015] [Citation(s) in RCA: 19] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.3] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/01/2020] [Revised: 12/21/2020] [Accepted: 12/22/2020] [Indexed: 01/01/2023]
Abstract
Neurons rely on a unique organization of their cytoskeleton to build, maintain and transform their extraordinarily intricate shapes. After decades of research on the neuronal cytoskeleton, it is exciting that novel assemblies are still discovered thanks to progress in cellular imaging methods. Indeed, super-resolution microscopy has revealed that axons are lined with a periodic scaffold of actin rings, spaced every 190nm by spectrins. Determining the architecture, composition, dynamics, and functions of this membrane-associated periodic scaffold is a current conceptual and technical challenge, as well as a very active area of research. This short review aims at summarizing the latest research on the axonal periodic scaffold, highlighting recent progress and open questions.
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