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Lombardi JP, Kinzlmaier DA, Jacob TC. Visualizing GABA A Receptor Trafficking Dynamics with Fluorogenic Protein Labeling. ACTA ACUST UNITED AC 2021; 92:e97. [PMID: 32364672 DOI: 10.1002/cpns.97] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/08/2022]
Abstract
It is increasingly evident that neurotransmitter receptors, including ionotropic GABA A receptors (GABAARs), exhibit highly dynamic trafficking and cell surface mobility. Regulated trafficking to and from the surface is a critical determinant of GABAAR neurotransmission. Receptors delivered by exocytosis diffuse laterally in the plasma membrane, with tethering and reduced movement at synapses occurring through receptor interactions with the subsynaptic scaffold. After diffusion away from synapses, receptors are internalized by clathrin-dependent endocytosis at extrasynaptic sites and can be either recycled back to the cell membrane or degraded in lysosomes. To study the dynamics of these key trafficking events in neurons, we have developed novel optical methods based around receptors containing a dual-tagged γ2 subunit (γ2pHFAP) in combination with fluorogen dyes. Specifically, the GABAAR γ2 subunit is tagged with a pH-sensitive green fluorescent protein and a fluorogen-activating peptide (FAP). The FAP allows receptor labeling with fluorogen dyes that are optically silent until bound to the FAP. Combining FAP and fluorescent imaging with organelle labeling allows novel and accurate measurement of receptor turnover and accumulation into intracellular compartments under basal conditions in scenarios ranging from in vitro seizure models to drug exposure paradigms. Here we provide a protocol to track and quantify receptors in transit from the neuronal surface to endosomes and lysosomes. This protocol is readily applicable to cell lines and primary cells, allowing rapid quantitative measurements of receptor surface levels and postendocytic trafficking decisions. © 2020 by John Wiley & Sons, Inc. Basic Protocol 1: Preparation of cortical neuronal cultures for imaging assays Basic Protocol 2: Surface receptor internalization and trafficking to early endosomes Basic Protocol 3: Measurement of receptor steady state surface level, synaptic level, and lysosomal targeting.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jacob P Lombardi
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - David A Kinzlmaier
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
| | - Tija C Jacob
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh School of Medicine, Pittsburgh, Pennsylvania
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Reshetniak S, Rizzoli SO. Interrogating Synaptic Architecture: Approaches for Labeling Organelles and Cytoskeleton Components. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2019; 11:23. [PMID: 31507402 PMCID: PMC6716447 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2019.00023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 7] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 06/06/2019] [Accepted: 08/02/2019] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic transmission has been studied for decades, as a fundamental step in brain function. The structure of the synapse, and its changes during activity, turned out to be key aspects not only in the transfer of information between neurons, but also in cognitive processes such as learning and memory. The overall synaptic morphology has traditionally been studied by electron microscopy, which enables the visualization of synaptic structure in great detail. The changes in the organization of easily identified structures, such as the presynaptic active zone, or the postsynaptic density, are optimally studied via electron microscopy. However, few reliable methods are available for labeling individual organelles or protein complexes in electron microscopy. For such targets one typically relies either on combination of electron and fluorescence microscopy, or on super-resolution fluorescence microscopy. This review focuses on approaches and techniques used to specifically reveal synaptic organelles and protein complexes, such as cytoskeletal assemblies. We place the strongest emphasis on methods detecting the targets of interest by affinity binding, and we discuss the advantages and limitations of each method.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sofiia Reshetniak
- Institute for Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN), University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- International Max Planck Research School for Molecular Biology, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Silvio O. Rizzoli
- Institute for Neuro- and Sensory Physiology, Center for Biostructural Imaging of Neurodegeneration (BIN), University Medical Center Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
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Jaykumar AB, Caceres PS, Ortiz PA. Single-molecule labeling for studying trafficking of renal transporters. Am J Physiol Renal Physiol 2018; 315:F1243-F1249. [PMID: 30043625 DOI: 10.1152/ajprenal.00082.2017] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/22/2022] Open
Abstract
The ability to detect and track single molecules presents the advantage of visualizing the complex behavior of transmembrane proteins with a time and space resolution that would otherwise be lost with traditional labeling and biochemical techniques. Development of new imaging probes has provided a robust method to study their trafficking and surface dynamics. This mini-review focuses on the current technology available for single-molecule labeling of transmembrane proteins, their advantages, and limitations. We also discuss the application of these techniques to the study of renal transporter trafficking in light of recent research.
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Affiliation(s)
- Ankita Bachhawat Jaykumar
- Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital , Detroit, Michigan.,Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit, Michigan
| | - Paulo S Caceres
- Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital , Detroit, Michigan
| | - Pablo A Ortiz
- Hypertension and Vascular Research Division, Department of Internal Medicine, Henry Ford Hospital , Detroit, Michigan.,Department of Physiology, Wayne State University School of Medicine , Detroit, Michigan
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Kuzmenkov AI, Vassilevski AA. Labelled animal toxins as selective molecular markers of ion channels: Applications in neurobiology and beyond. Neurosci Lett 2018; 679:15-23. [DOI: 10.1016/j.neulet.2017.10.050] [Citation(s) in RCA: 13] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/31/2017] [Revised: 10/23/2017] [Accepted: 10/25/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
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Lorenz-Guertin JM, Wilcox MR, Zhang M, Larsen MB, Pilli J, Schmidt BF, Bruchez MP, Johnson JW, Waggoner AS, Watkins SC, Jacob TC. A versatile optical tool for studying synaptic GABA A receptor trafficking. J Cell Sci 2017; 130:3933-3945. [PMID: 29025969 DOI: 10.1242/jcs.205286] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.7] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/24/2017] [Accepted: 09/26/2017] [Indexed: 12/26/2022] Open
Abstract
Live-cell imaging methods can provide critical real-time receptor trafficking measurements. Here, we describe an optical tool to study synaptic γ-aminobutyric acid (GABA) type A receptor (GABAAR) dynamics through adaptable fluorescent-tracking capabilities. A fluorogen-activating peptide (FAP) was genetically inserted into a GABAAR γ2 subunit tagged with pH-sensitive green fluorescent protein (γ2pHFAP). The FAP selectively binds and activates Malachite Green (MG) dyes that are otherwise non-fluorescent in solution. γ2pHFAP GABAARs are expressed at the cell surface in transfected cortical neurons, form synaptic clusters and do not perturb neuronal development. Electrophysiological studies show γ2pHFAP GABAARs respond to GABA and exhibit positive modulation upon stimulation with the benzodiazepine diazepam. Imaging studies using γ2pHFAP-transfected neurons and MG dyes show time-dependent receptor accumulation into intracellular vesicles, revealing constitutive endosomal and lysosomal trafficking. Simultaneous analysis of synaptic, surface and lysosomal receptors using the γ2pHFAP-MG dye approach reveals enhanced GABAAR turnover following a bicucculine-induced seizure paradigm, a finding not detected by standard surface receptor measurements. To our knowledge, this is the first application of the FAP-MG dye system in neurons, demonstrating the versatility to study nearly all phases of GABAAR trafficking.
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Affiliation(s)
- Joshua M Lorenz-Guertin
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Madeleine R Wilcox
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Ming Zhang
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Mads B Larsen
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Biologic Imaging, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Jyotsna Pilli
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Brigitte F Schmidt
- Molecular Biosensor and Imaging Center, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Marcel P Bruchez
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA.,Molecular Biosensor and Imaging Center, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Jon W Johnson
- Department of Neuroscience, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15260, USA
| | - Alan S Waggoner
- Department of Biological Sciences, Carnegie Mellon University, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Simon C Watkins
- Department of Cell Biology, Center for Biologic Imaging, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
| | - Tija C Jacob
- Department of Pharmacology and Chemical Biology, University of Pittsburgh, Pittsburgh, PA 15213, USA
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Hannan S, Mortensen M, Smart TG. Snake neurotoxin α-bungarotoxin is an antagonist at native GABA(A) receptors. Neuropharmacology 2015; 93:28-40. [PMID: 25634239 PMCID: PMC4398322 DOI: 10.1016/j.neuropharm.2015.01.001] [Citation(s) in RCA: 31] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.4] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/12/2014] [Revised: 12/08/2014] [Accepted: 01/07/2015] [Indexed: 12/25/2022]
Abstract
The snake neurotoxin α-bungarotoxin (α-Bgtx) is a competitive antagonist at nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) and is widely used to study their function and cell-surface expression. Increasingly, α-Bgtx is also used as an imaging tool for fluorophore-labelling studies, and given the structural conservation within the pentameric ligand-gated ion channel family, we assessed whether α-Bgtx could bind to recombinant and native γ-aminobutyric type-A receptors (GABAARs). Applying fluorophore-linked α-Bgtx to recombinant αxβ1/2γ2 GABAARs expressed in HEK-293 cells enabled clear cell-surface labelling of α2β1/2γ2 contrasting with the weaker staining of α1/4β1/2γ2, and no labelling for α3/5/6β1/2γ2. The labelling of α2β2γ2 was abolished by bicuculline, a competitive antagonist at GABAARs, and by d-tubocurarine (d-Tc), which acts in a similar manner at nAChRs and GABAARs. Labelling by α-Bgtx was also reduced by GABA, suggesting that the GABA binding site at the receptor β–α subunit interface forms part of the α-Bgtx binding site. Using whole-cell recording, high concentrations of α-Bgtx (20 μM) inhibited GABA-activated currents at all αxβ2γ2 receptors examined, but at lower concentrations (5 μM), α-Bgtx was selective for α2β2γ2. Using α-Bgtx, at low concentrations, permitted the selective inhibition of α2 subunit-containing GABAARs in hippocampal dentate gyrus granule cells, reducing synaptic current amplitudes without affecting the GABA-mediated tonic current. In conclusion, α-Bgtx can act as an inhibitor at recombinant and native GABAARs and may be used as a selective tool to inhibit phasic but not tonic currents in the hippocampus. Recombinant GABAA receptors are inhibited by α-bungarotoxin The β–α subunit interface of GABAA receptors forms the α-bungarotoxin binding site. α-bungarotoxin can selectively inhibit α2 subunit-containing GABAA receptors (α2β2γ2). α-bungarotoxin inhibits GABA synaptic currents in the hippocampus. GABA-mediated tonic currents are unaffected by α-bungarotoxin
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Affiliation(s)
- Saad Hannan
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Martin Mortensen
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom
| | - Trevor G Smart
- Department of Neuroscience, Physiology and Pharmacology, University College London, Gower Street, London WC1E 6BT, United Kingdom.
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