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Hanke-Gogokhia C, Zapadka TE, Finkelstein S, Klingeborn M, Maugel TK, Singer JH, Arshavsky VY, Demb JB. The Structural and Functional Integrity of Rod Photoreceptor Ribbon Synapses Depends on Redundant Actions of Dynamins 1 and 3. J Neurosci 2024; 44:e1379232024. [PMID: 38641407 PMCID: PMC11209669 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.1379-23.2024] [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: 07/21/2023] [Revised: 04/02/2024] [Accepted: 04/13/2024] [Indexed: 04/21/2024] Open
Abstract
Vertebrate vision begins with light absorption by rod and cone photoreceptors, which transmit signals from their synaptic terminals to second-order neurons: bipolar and horizontal cells. In mouse rods, there is a single presynaptic ribbon-type active zone at which the release of glutamate occurs tonically in the dark. This tonic glutamatergic signaling requires continuous exo- and endocytosis of synaptic vesicles. At conventional synapses, endocytosis commonly requires dynamins: GTPases encoded by three genes (Dnm1-3), which perform membrane scission. Disrupting endocytosis by dynamin deletions impairs transmission at conventional synapses, but the impact of disrupting endocytosis and the role(s) of specific dynamin isoforms at rod ribbon synapses are understood incompletely. Here, we used cell-specific knock-outs (KOs) of the neuron-specific Dnm1 and Dnm3 to investigate the functional roles of dynamin isoforms in rod photoreceptors in mice of either sex. Analysis of synaptic protein expression, synapse ultrastructure, and retinal function via electroretinograms (ERGs) showed that dynamins 1 and 3 act redundantly and are essential for supporting the structural and functional integrity of rod ribbon synapses. Single Dnm3 KO showed no phenotype, and single Dnm1 KO only modestly reduced synaptic vesicle density without affecting vesicle size and overall synapse integrity, whereas double Dnm1/Dnm3 KO impaired vesicle endocytosis profoundly, causing enlarged vesicles, reduced vesicle density, reduced ERG responses, synaptic terminal degeneration, and disassembly and degeneration of postsynaptic processes. Concurrently, cone function remained intact. These results show the fundamental redundancy of dynamins 1 and 3 in regulating the structure and function of rod ribbon synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
- Christin Hanke-Gogokhia
- Departments of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511
| | - Thomas E Zapadka
- Departments of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511
- Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511
| | - Stella Finkelstein
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27705
| | - Mikael Klingeborn
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27705
| | - Timothy K Maugel
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
| | - Joshua H Singer
- Department of Biology, University of Maryland, College Park, Maryland 20742
| | - Vadim Y Arshavsky
- Department of Ophthalmology, Duke University School of Medicine, Durham, North Carolina 27705
| | - Jonathan B Demb
- Departments of Ophthalmology & Visual Science, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511
- Cellular & Molecular Physiology, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511
- Department of Neuroscience, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511
- Wu Tsai Institute, Yale University, New Haven, Connecticut 06511
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Suiwal S, Wartenberg P, Boehm U, Schmitz F, Schwarz K. A Novel Cre Recombinase Mouse Strain for Cell-Specific Deletion of Floxed Genes in Ribbon Synapse-Forming Retinal Neurons. Int J Mol Sci 2024; 25:1916. [PMID: 38339191 PMCID: PMC10856425 DOI: 10.3390/ijms25031916] [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: 12/12/2023] [Revised: 01/28/2024] [Accepted: 02/04/2024] [Indexed: 02/12/2024] Open
Abstract
We generated a novel Cre mouse strain for cell-specific deletion of floxed genes in ribbon synapse-forming retinal neurons. Previous studies have shown that the RIBEYE promotor targets the expression of recombinant proteins such as fluorescently tagged RIBEYE to photoreceptors and retinal bipolar cells and generates fluorescent synaptic ribbons in situ in these neurons. Here, we used the same promotor to generate a novel transgenic mouse strain in which the RIBEYE promotor controls the expression of a Cre-ER(T2) recombinase (RIBEYE-Cre). To visualize Cre expression, the RIBEYE-Cre animals were crossed with ROSA26 tau-GFP (R26-τGFP) reporter mice. In the resulting RIBEYE-Cre/R26 τGFP animals, Cre-mediated removal of a transcriptional STOP cassette results in the expression of green fluorescent tau protein (tau-GFP) that binds to cellular microtubules. We detected robust tau-GFP expression in retinal bipolar cells. Surprisingly, we did not find fluorescent tau-GFP expression in mouse photoreceptors. The lack of tau-GFP reporter protein in these cells could be based on the previously reported absence of tau protein in mouse photoreceptors which could lead to the degradation of the recombinant tau protein. Consistent with this, we detected Cre and tau-GFP mRNA in mouse photoreceptor slices by RT-PCR. The transgenic RIBEYE-Cre mouse strain provides a new tool to study the deletion of floxed genes in ribbon synapse-forming neurons of the retina and will also allow for analyzing gene deletions that are lethal if globally deleted in neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Shweta Suiwal
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, Medical School, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany;
| | - Philipp Wartenberg
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS) and Center for Gender-Specific Biology and Medicine (CGBM), Medical School, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (P.W.); (U.B.)
| | - Ulrich Boehm
- Institute of Clinical and Experimental Pharmacology, Center for Molecular Signaling (PZMS) and Center for Gender-Specific Biology and Medicine (CGBM), Medical School, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany; (P.W.); (U.B.)
| | - Frank Schmitz
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, Medical School, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany;
| | - Karin Schwarz
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Department of Neuroanatomy, Medical School, Saarland University, 66421 Homburg, Germany;
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Zhu J, Lv C, Henry D, Viviano S, Santos-Sacchi J, Matthews G, Zenisek D. Role of Ribeye PXDLS/T-binding cleft in normal synaptic ribbon function. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.12.12.571266. [PMID: 38168344 PMCID: PMC10760060 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.12.571266] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/05/2024]
Abstract
Non-spiking sensory hair cells of the auditory and vestibular systems encode a dynamic range of graded signals with high fidelity by vesicle exocytosis at ribbon synapses. Ribeye, the most abundant protein in the synaptic ribbon, is composed of a unique A domain specific for ribbons and a B-domain nearly identical to the transcriptional corepressor CtBP2. CTBP2 and the B-domain of Ribeye contain a surface cleft that binds to proteins harboring a PXDLS/T peptide motif. Little is known about the importance of this binding site in synaptic function. Piccolo has a well-conserved PVDLT motif and we find that overexpressed Ribeye exhibits striking co-localization with Piccolo in INS-cells, while two separate mutants containing mutations in PXDLS/T-binding region, fail to co-localize with Piccolo. Similarly, co-transfected Ribeye and a piccolo fragment containing the PVDLT region co-localize in HEK cells. Expression of wild-type Ribeye-YFP in zebrafish neuromast hair cells returns electron densities to ribbon structures and mostly rescued normal synaptic transmission and morphological phenotypes in a mutant zebrafish lacking most Ribeye. By contrast, Ribeye-YFP harboring a mutation in the PXDLS/T-binding cleft resulted in ectopic electron dense aggregates that did not collect vesicles and the persistence of ribbons lacking electron densities. Furthermore, overexpression failed to return capacitance responses to normal levels. These results point toward a role for the PXDLS/T-binding cleft in the recruitment of Ribeye to ribbons and in normal synaptic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jie Zhu
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Caixia Lv
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Diane Henry
- Program in Neuroscience, State University of New York, Stony Brook, New York 11759
| | - Stephen Viviano
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Joseph Santos-Sacchi
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Surgery (Otolaryngology), Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
| | - Gary Matthews
- Program in Neuroscience, State University of New York, Stony Brook, New York 11759
| | - David Zenisek
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Ophthalmology and Visual Science, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
- Neuroscience, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06520
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Wakeham CM, Shi Q, Ren G, Haley TL, Duvoisin RM, von Gersdorff H, Morgans CW. Trophoblast glycoprotein is required for efficient synaptic vesicle exocytosis from retinal rod bipolar cells. Front Cell Neurosci 2023; 17:1306006. [PMID: 38099150 PMCID: PMC10720453 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2023.1306006] [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: 10/02/2023] [Accepted: 11/02/2023] [Indexed: 12/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction Rod bipolar cells (RBCs) faithfully transmit light-driven signals from rod photoreceptors in the outer retina to third order neurons in the inner retina. Recently, significant work has focused on the role of leucine-rich repeat (LRR) proteins in synaptic development and signal transduction at RBC synapses. We previously identified trophoblast glycoprotein (TPBG) as a novel transmembrane LRR protein localized to the dendrites and axon terminals of RBCs. Methods We examined the effects on RBC physiology and retinal processing of TPBG genetic knockout in mice using immunofluorescence and electron microscopy, electroretinogram recording, patch-clamp electrophysiology, and time-resolved membrane capacitance measurements. Results The scotopic electroretinogram showed a modest increase in the b-wave and a marked attenuation in oscillatory potentials in the TPBG knockout. No effect of TPBG knockout was observed on the RBC dendritic morphology, TRPM1 currents, or RBC excitability. Because scotopic oscillatory potentials primarily reflect RBC-driven rhythmic activity of the inner retina, we investigated the contribution of TPBG to downstream transmission from RBCs to third-order neurons. Using electron microscopy, we found shorter synaptic ribbons in TPBG knockout axon terminals in RBCs. Time-resolved capacitance measurements indicated that TPBG knockout reduces synaptic vesicle exocytosis and subsequent GABAergic reciprocal feedback without altering voltage-gated Ca2+ currents. Discussion TPBG is required for normal synaptic ribbon development and efficient neurotransmitter release from RBCs to downstream cells. Our results highlight a novel synaptic role for TPBG at RBC ribbon synapses and support further examination into the mechanisms by which TPBG regulates RBC physiology and circuit function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Colin M. Wakeham
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Qing Shi
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Gaoying Ren
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Tammie L. Haley
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Robert M. Duvoisin
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Henrique von Gersdorff
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Vollum Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
- Casey Eye Institute, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
| | - Catherine W. Morgans
- Department of Chemical Physiology and Biochemistry, Oregon Health and Science University, Portland, OR, United States
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Shrestha AP, Rameshkumar N, Boff JM, Rajmanna R, Chandrasegaran T, Frederick CE, Zenisek D, Vaithianathan T. The Effects of Aging on Rod Bipolar Cell Ribbon Synapses. Cells 2023; 12:2385. [PMID: 37830599 PMCID: PMC10572008 DOI: 10.3390/cells12192385] [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: 08/20/2023] [Revised: 09/20/2023] [Accepted: 09/27/2023] [Indexed: 10/14/2023] Open
Abstract
The global health concern posed by age-related visual impairment highlights the need for further research focused on the visual changes that occur during the process of aging. To date, multiple sensory alterations related to aging have been identified, including morphological and functional changes in inner hair cochlear cells, photoreceptors, and retinal ganglion cells. While some age-related morphological changes are known to occur in rod bipolar cells in the retina, their effects on these cells and on their connection to other cells via ribbon synapses remain elusive. To investigate the effects of aging on rod bipolar cells and their ribbon synapses, we compared synaptic calcium currents, calcium dynamics, and exocytosis in zebrafish (Danio rerio) that were middle-aged (MA,18 months) or old-aged (OA, 36 months). The bipolar cell terminal in OA zebrafish exhibited a two-fold reduction in number of synaptic ribbons, an increased ribbon length, and a decrease in local Ca2+ signals at the tested ribbon location, with little change in the overall magnitude of the calcium current or exocytosis in response to brief pulses. Staining of the synaptic ribbons with antibodies specific for PKCa revealed shortening of the inner nuclear and plexiform layers (INL and IPL). These findings shed light on age-related changes in the retina that are related to synaptic ribbons and calcium signals.
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Affiliation(s)
- Abhishek P. Shrestha
- Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science, and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Nirujan Rameshkumar
- Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science, and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Johane M. Boff
- Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science, and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | - Rhea Rajmanna
- Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science, and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
| | | | - Courtney E. Frederick
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA (D.Z.)
| | - David Zenisek
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Yale University School of Medicine, New Haven, CT 06510, USA (D.Z.)
| | - Thirumalini Vaithianathan
- Department of Pharmacology, Addiction Science, and Toxicology, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
- Department of Ophthalmology, Hamilton Eye Institute, College of Medicine, University of Tennessee Health Science Center, Memphis, TN 38163, USA
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6
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Michanski S, Kapoor R, Steyer AM, Möbius W, Früholz I, Ackermann F, Gültas M, Garner CC, Hamra FK, Neef J, Strenzke N, Moser T, Wichmann C. Piccolino is required for ribbon architecture at cochlear inner hair cell synapses and for hearing. EMBO Rep 2023; 24:e56702. [PMID: 37477166 PMCID: PMC10481675 DOI: 10.15252/embr.202256702] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/20/2022] [Revised: 06/30/2023] [Accepted: 07/06/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Cochlear inner hair cells (IHCs) form specialized ribbon synapses with spiral ganglion neurons that tirelessly transmit sound information at high rates over long time periods with extreme temporal precision. This functional specialization is essential for sound encoding and is attributed to a distinct molecular machinery with unique players or splice variants compared to conventional neuronal synapses. Among these is the active zone (AZ) scaffold protein piccolo/aczonin, which is represented by its short splice variant piccolino at cochlear and retinal ribbon synapses. While the function of piccolo at synapses of the central nervous system has been intensively investigated, the role of piccolino at IHC synapses remains unclear. In this study, we characterize the structure and function of IHC synapses in piccolo gene-trap mutant rats (Pclogt/gt ). We find a mild hearing deficit with elevated thresholds and reduced amplitudes of auditory brainstem responses. Ca2+ channel distribution and ribbon morphology are altered in apical IHCs, while their presynaptic function seems to be unchanged. We conclude that piccolino contributes to the AZ organization in IHCs and is essential for normal hearing.
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Affiliation(s)
- Susann Michanski
- Molecular Architecture of Synapses Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLabUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Center for Biostructural Imaging of NeurodegenerationUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Collaborative Research Center 889 “Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing”GöttingenGermany
- Multiscale Bioimaging of Excitable Cells, Cluster of ExcellenceGöttingenGermany
| | - Rohan Kapoor
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLabUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Auditory Neuroscience and Synaptic Nanophysiology GroupMax Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
- IMPRS Molecular Biology, Göttingen Graduate School for Neuroscience and Molecular BiosciencesUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Anna M Steyer
- Electron Microscopy Core Unit, Department of NeurogeneticsMax Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
| | - Wiebke Möbius
- Multiscale Bioimaging of Excitable Cells, Cluster of ExcellenceGöttingenGermany
- Electron Microscopy Core Unit, Department of NeurogeneticsMax Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
| | - Iris Früholz
- Developmental, Neural, and Behavioral Biology Master ProgramUniversity of GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | | | - Mehmet Gültas
- Faculty of AgricultureSouth Westphalia University of Applied SciencesSoestGermany
| | - Craig C Garner
- German Center for Neurodegenerative DiseasesBerlinGermany
- NeuroCureCluster of ExcellenceCharité – UniversitätsmedizinBerlinGermany
| | - F Kent Hamra
- Department of Obstetrics and GynecologyUniversity of Texas Southwestern Medical CenterDallasTXUSA
| | - Jakob Neef
- Collaborative Research Center 889 “Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing”GöttingenGermany
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLabUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Auditory Neuroscience and Synaptic Nanophysiology GroupMax Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
| | - Nicola Strenzke
- Collaborative Research Center 889 “Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing”GöttingenGermany
- Auditory Systems Physiology Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLabUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
| | - Tobias Moser
- Collaborative Research Center 889 “Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing”GöttingenGermany
- Multiscale Bioimaging of Excitable Cells, Cluster of ExcellenceGöttingenGermany
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLabUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Auditory Neuroscience and Synaptic Nanophysiology GroupMax Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary SciencesGöttingenGermany
| | - Carolin Wichmann
- Molecular Architecture of Synapses Group, Institute for Auditory Neuroscience and InnerEarLabUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Center for Biostructural Imaging of NeurodegenerationUniversity Medical Center GöttingenGöttingenGermany
- Collaborative Research Center 889 “Cellular Mechanisms of Sensory Processing”GöttingenGermany
- Multiscale Bioimaging of Excitable Cells, Cluster of ExcellenceGöttingenGermany
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Thoreson WB, Chhunchha B. EAAT5 glutamate transporter rapidly binds glutamate with micromolar affinity in mouse rods. J Gen Physiol 2023; 155:e202313349. [PMID: 37477643 PMCID: PMC10359920 DOI: 10.1085/jgp.202313349] [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: 01/24/2023] [Revised: 04/17/2023] [Accepted: 07/05/2023] [Indexed: 07/22/2023] Open
Abstract
Light responses of rod photoreceptor cells in the retina are encoded by changes in synaptic glutamate release that is in turn shaped by reuptake involving EAAT5 plasma membrane glutamate transporters. Heterologously expressed EAAT5 activates too slowly upon glutamate binding to support significant uptake. We tested EAAT5 activation in mouse rods in vivo by stimulating glutamate transporter anion currents (IA(glu)) with UV flash photolysis of MNI-glutamate, varying flash intensity to vary glutamate levels. Responses to uncaging rose rapidly with time constants of 2-3 ms, similar to IA(glu) events arising from spontaneous release. Spontaneous release events and IA(glu) evoked by weak flashes also declined with similar time constants of 40-50 ms. Stronger flashes evoked responses that decayed more slowly. Time constants were twofold faster at 35°C, suggesting that they reflect transporter kinetics, not diffusion. Selective EAAT1 and EAAT2 inhibitors had no significant effect, suggesting IA(glu) in rods arises solely from EAAT5. We calibrated glutamate levels attained during flash photolysis by expressing a fluorescent glutamate sensor iGluSnFr in cultured epithelial cells. We compared fluorescence at different glutamate concentrations to fluorescence evoked by photolytic uncaging of MNI-glutamate. The relationship between flash intensity and glutamate yielded EC50 values for EAAT5 amplitude, decay time, and rise time of ∼10 μM. Micromolar affinity and rapid activation of EAAT5 in rods show it can rapidly bind synaptic glutamate. However, we also found that EAAT5 currents are saturated by the synchronous release of only a few vesicles, suggesting limited capacity and a role for glial uptake at higher release rates.
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Affiliation(s)
- Wallace B. Thoreson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Truhlsen Eye Institute, Omaha, NE, USA
- Department of Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, USA
| | - Bhavana Chhunchha
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Truhlsen Eye Institute, Omaha, NE, USA
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Grabner CP, Futagi D, Shi J, Bindokas V, Kitano K, Schwartz EA, DeVries SH. Mechanisms of simultaneous linear and nonlinear computations at the mammalian cone photoreceptor synapse. Nat Commun 2023; 14:3486. [PMID: 37328451 PMCID: PMC10276006 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-38943-2] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/04/2022] [Accepted: 05/22/2023] [Indexed: 06/18/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurons enhance their computational power by combining linear and nonlinear transformations in extended dendritic trees. Rich, spatially distributed processing is rarely associated with individual synapses, but the cone photoreceptor synapse may be an exception. Graded voltages temporally modulate vesicle fusion at a cone's ~20 ribbon active zones. Transmitter then flows into a common, glia-free volume where bipolar cell dendrites are organized by type in successive tiers. Using super-resolution microscopy and tracking vesicle fusion and postsynaptic responses at the quantal level in the thirteen-lined ground squirrel, Ictidomys tridecemlineatus, we show that certain bipolar cell types respond to individual fusion events in the vesicle stream while other types respond to degrees of locally coincident events, creating a gradient across tiers that are increasingly nonlinear. Nonlinearities emerge from a combination of factors specific to each bipolar cell type including diffusion distance, contact number, receptor affinity, and proximity to glutamate transporters. Complex computations related to feature detection begin within the first visual synapse.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad P Grabner
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075, Göttingen, Germany
- Synaptic Nanophysiology Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077, Göttingen, Germany
| | - Daiki Futagi
- College of Information Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan
- Center for Systems Visual Science, Organization of Science and Technology, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan
- Ritsumeikan Global Innovation Research Organisation, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Jun Shi
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA
| | - Vytas Bindokas
- Dept of Pharmacological and Physiological Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Katsunori Kitano
- College of Information Science and Engineering, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan
- Center for Systems Visual Science, Organization of Science and Technology, Ritsumeikan University, Shiga, Japan
| | - Eric A Schwartz
- Dept of Pharmacological and Physiological Sciences, The University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Steven H DeVries
- Department of Ophthalmology, Northwestern University Feinberg School of Medicine, Chicago, IL, 60611, USA.
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9
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Mesnard CS, Hays CL, Barta CL, Sladek AL, Grassmeyer JJ, Hinz KK, Quadros RM, Gurumurthy CB, Thoreson WB. Synaptotagmins 1 and 7 in vesicle release from rods of mouse retina. Exp Eye Res 2022; 225:109279. [PMID: 36280223 PMCID: PMC9830644 DOI: 10.1016/j.exer.2022.109279] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/01/2022] [Revised: 09/14/2022] [Accepted: 10/10/2022] [Indexed: 01/13/2023]
Abstract
Synaptotagmins are the primary Ca2+ sensors for synaptic exocytosis. Previous work suggested synaptotagmin-1 (Syt1) mediates evoked vesicle release from cone photoreceptor cells in the vertebrate retina whereas release from rods may involve another sensor in addition to Syt1. We found immunohistochemical evidence for syntaptotagmin-7 (Syt7) in mouse rod terminals and so performed electroretinograms (ERG) and single-cell recordings using mice in which Syt1 and/or Syt7 were conditionally removed from rods and/or cones. Synaptic release was measured in mouse rods by recording presynaptic anion currents activated during glutamate re-uptake and from exocytotic membrane capacitance changes. Deleting Syt1 from rods reduced glutamate release evoked by short depolarizing steps but not long steps whereas deleting Syt7 from rods reduced release evoked by long but not short steps. Deleting both sensors completely abolished depolarization-evoked release from rods. Effects of various intracellular Ca2+ buffers showed that Syt1-mediated release from rods involves vesicles close to ribbon-associated Ca2+ channels whereas Syt7-mediated release evoked by longer steps involves more distant release sites. Spontaneous release from rods was unaffected by eliminating Syt7. While whole animal knockout of Syt7 slightly reduced ERG b-waves and oscillatory potentials, selective elimination of Syt7 from rods had no effect on ERGs. Furthermore, eliminating Syt1 from rods and cones abolished ERG b-waves and additional elimination of Syt7 had no further effect. These results show that while Syt7 contributes to slow non-ribbon release from rods, Syt1 is the principal sensor shaping rod and cone inputs to bipolar cells in response to light flashes.
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Affiliation(s)
- C S Mesnard
- Truhlsen Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, USA; Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, USA
| | - C L Hays
- Truhlsen Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, USA
| | - C L Barta
- Truhlsen Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, USA
| | - A L Sladek
- Truhlsen Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, USA
| | - J J Grassmeyer
- Truhlsen Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, USA; Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, USA
| | - K K Hinz
- Truhlsen Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, USA
| | - R M Quadros
- Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, USA; Mouse Genome Engineering Core Facility, Vice Chancellor for Research Office, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68106, USA
| | - C B Gurumurthy
- Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, USA; Mouse Genome Engineering Core Facility, Vice Chancellor for Research Office, College of Medicine, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE, 68106, USA
| | - W B Thoreson
- Truhlsen Eye Institute and Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, USA; Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, USA.
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10
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Davison A, Gierke K, Brandstätter JH, Babai N. Synaptic vesicle release during ribbon synapse formation of cone photoreceptors. Front Cell Neurosci 2022; 16:1022419. [PMID: 36406751 PMCID: PMC9672513 DOI: 10.3389/fncel.2022.1022419] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 0.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 08/18/2022] [Accepted: 10/20/2022] [Indexed: 08/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Mammalian cone photoreceptors enable through their sophisticated synapse the high-fidelity transfer of visual information to second-order neurons in the retina. The synapse contains a proteinaceous organelle, called the synaptic ribbon, which tethers synaptic vesicles (SVs) at the active zone (AZ) close to voltage-gated Ca2+ channels. However, the exact contribution of the synaptic ribbon to neurotransmission is not fully understood, yet. In mice, precursors to synaptic ribbons appear within photoreceptor terminals shortly after birth as free-floating spherical structures, which progressively elongate and then attach to the AZ during the following days. Here, we took advantage of the process of synaptic ribbon maturation to study their contribution to SV release. We performed whole-cell patch-clamp recordings from cone photoreceptors at three postnatal (P) development stages (P8-9, P12-13, >P30) and measured evoked SV release, SV replenishment rate, recovery from synaptic depression, domain organization of voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels, and Ca2+-sensitivity of exocytosis. Additionally, we performed electron microscopy to determine the density of SVs at ribbon-free and ribbon-occupied AZs. Our results suggest that ribbon attachment does not organize the voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels into nanodomains or control SV release probability. However, ribbon attachment increases SV density at the AZ, increases the pool size of readily releasable SVs available for evoked SV release, facilitates SV replenishment without changing the SV pool refilling time, and increases the Ca2+- sensitivity of glutamate release.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | | | - Norbert Babai
- Division of Animal Physiology/Neurobiology, Department of Biology, Friedrich-Alexander-Universität Erlangen-Nürnberg, Erlangen, Germany
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Grabner CP, Jansen I, Neef J, Weihs T, Schmidt R, Riedel D, Wurm CA, Moser T. Resolving the molecular architecture of the photoreceptor active zone with 3D-MINFLUX. SCIENCE ADVANCES 2022; 8:eabl7560. [PMID: 35857490 PMCID: PMC9286502 DOI: 10.1126/sciadv.abl7560] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 05/11/2023]
Abstract
Cells assemble macromolecular complexes into scaffoldings that serve as substrates for catalytic processes. Years of molecular neurobiology research indicate that neurotransmission depends on such optimization strategies. However, the molecular topography of the presynaptic active zone (AZ), where transmitter is released upon synaptic vesicle (SV) fusion, remains to be visualized. Therefore, we implemented MINFLUX optical nanoscopy to resolve the AZ of rod photoreceptors. This was facilitated by a novel sample immobilization technique that we name heat-assisted rapid dehydration (HARD), wherein a thin layer of rod synaptic terminals (spherules) was transferred onto glass coverslips from fresh retinal slices. Rod ribbon AZs were readily immunolabeled and imaged in 3D with a precision of a few nanometers. Our 3D-MINFLUX results indicate that the SV release site in rods is a molecular complex of bassoon-RIM2-ubMunc13-2-Cav1.4, which repeats longitudinally on both sides of the ribbon.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chad P. Grabner
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Auditory Neuroscience and Synaptic Nanophysiology Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Collaborative Research Center 1286, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells”, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Corresponding author. (C.P.G.); (C.A.W.); (T.M.)
| | - Isabelle Jansen
- Abberior Instruments, Hans-Adolf-Krebs-Weg 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Jakob Neef
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Auditory Neuroscience and Synaptic Nanophysiology Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Collaborative Research Center 1286, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells”, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Tobias Weihs
- Abberior Instruments, Hans-Adolf-Krebs-Weg 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Roman Schmidt
- Abberior Instruments, Hans-Adolf-Krebs-Weg 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Dietmar Riedel
- Laboratory of Electron Microscopy, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
| | - Christian A. Wurm
- Abberior Instruments, Hans-Adolf-Krebs-Weg 1, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Corresponding author. (C.P.G.); (C.A.W.); (T.M.)
| | - Tobias Moser
- Institute for Auditory Neuroscience, University Medical Center Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Auditory Neuroscience and Synaptic Nanophysiology Group, Max Planck Institute for Multidisciplinary Sciences, 37077 Göttingen, Germany
- Collaborative Research Center 1286, University of Göttingen, Göttingen, Germany
- Cluster of Excellence “Multiscale Bioimaging: from Molecular Machines to Networks of Excitable Cells”, University of Göttingen, 37075 Göttingen, Germany
- Corresponding author. (C.P.G.); (C.A.W.); (T.M.)
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Mesnard CS, Barta CL, Sladek AL, Zenisek D, Thoreson WB. Eliminating Synaptic Ribbons from Rods and Cones Halves the Releasable Vesicle Pool and Slows Down Replenishment. Int J Mol Sci 2022; 23:6429. [PMID: 35742873 PMCID: PMC9223732 DOI: 10.3390/ijms23126429] [Citation(s) in RCA: 12] [Impact Index Per Article: 6.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/19/2022] [Revised: 06/03/2022] [Accepted: 06/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Glutamate release from rod and cone photoreceptor cells involves presynaptic ribbons composed largely of the protein RIBEYE. To examine roles of ribbons in rods and cones, we studied mice in which GCamP3 replaced the B-domain of RIBEYE. We discovered that ribbons were absent from rods and cones of both knock-in mice possessing GCamP3 and conditional RIBEYE knockout mice. The mice lacking ribbons showed reduced temporal resolution and contrast sensitivity assessed with optomotor reflexes. ERG recordings showed 50% reduction in scotopic and photopic b-waves. The readily releasable pool (RRP) of vesicles in rods and cones measured using glutamate transporter anion currents (IA(glu)) was also halved. We also studied the release from cones by stimulating them optogenetically with ChannelRhodopsin2 (ChR2) while recording postsynaptic currents in horizontal cells. Recovery of the release from paired pulse depression was twofold slower in the rods and cones lacking ribbons. The release from rods at -40 mV in darkness involves regularly spaced multivesicular fusion events. While the regular pattern of release remained in the rods lacking ribbons, the number of vesicles comprising each multivesicular event was halved. Our results support conclusions that synaptic ribbons in rods and cones expand the RRP, speed up vesicle replenishment, and augment some forms of multivesicular release. Slower replenishment and a smaller RRP in photoreceptors lacking ribbons may contribute to diminished temporal frequency responses and weaker contrast sensitivity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Chris S. Mesnard
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (C.S.M.); (C.L.B.); (A.L.S.)
- Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
| | - Cody L. Barta
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (C.S.M.); (C.L.B.); (A.L.S.)
| | - Asia L. Sladek
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (C.S.M.); (C.L.B.); (A.L.S.)
| | - David Zenisek
- Department of Cellular and Molecular Physiology, Yale University, New Haven, CT 06510, USA;
| | - Wallace B. Thoreson
- Department of Ophthalmology and Visual Sciences, Truhlsen Eye Institute, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA; (C.S.M.); (C.L.B.); (A.L.S.)
- Pharmacology and Experimental Neuroscience, University of Nebraska Medical Center, Omaha, NE 68198, USA
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Metabotropic Glutamate Receptors at Ribbon Synapses in the Retina and Cochlea. Cells 2022; 11:cells11071097. [PMID: 35406660 PMCID: PMC8998116 DOI: 10.3390/cells11071097] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 02/24/2022] [Revised: 03/17/2022] [Accepted: 03/22/2022] [Indexed: 02/01/2023] Open
Abstract
Our senses define our view of the world. They allow us to adapt to environmental stimuli and are essential for communication and social behaviour. For most humans, seeing and hearing are central senses for their daily life. Our eyes and ears respond to an extraordinary broad range of stimuli covering about 12 log units of light intensity or acoustic power, respectively. The cellular basis is represented by sensory cells (photoreceptors in the retina and inner hair cells in the cochlea) that convert sensory inputs into electrical signals. Photoreceptors and inner hair cells have developed a specific pre-synaptic structure, termed synaptic ribbon, that is decorated with numerous vesicles filled with the excitatory neurotransmitter glutamate. At these ribbon synapses, glutamatergic signal transduction is guided by distinct sets of metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs). MGluRs belong to group II and III of the receptor classification can inhibit neuronal activity, thus protecting neurons from overstimulation and subsequent degeneration. Consequently, dysfunction of mGluRs is associated with vision and hearing disorders. In this review, we introduce the principle characteristics of ribbon synapses and describe group II and III mGluRs in these fascinating structures in the retina and cochlea.
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Shankhwar S, Schwarz K, Katiyar R, Jung M, Maxeiner S, Südhof TC, Schmitz F. RIBEYE B-Domain Is Essential for RIBEYE A-Domain Stability and Assembly of Synaptic Ribbons. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:838311. [PMID: 35153673 PMCID: PMC8831697 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.838311] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 12/17/2021] [Accepted: 01/03/2022] [Indexed: 01/17/2023] Open
Abstract
Synaptic ribbons are presynaptic specializations that define eponymous ribbon synapses. Synaptic ribbons are largely composed of RIBEYE, a protein containing an N-terminal A-domain and a carboxyterminal B-domain that is identical with CtBP2, a NAD(H)-binding transcriptional co-repressor. Previously we showed that synaptic ribbons are completely absent in RIBEYE knockout mice in which the RIBEYE A-domain-encoding exon had been deleted, but CtBP2 is still made, demonstrating that the A-domain is required for synaptic ribbon assembly. In the present study, we asked whether the RIBEYE B-domain also has an essential role in the assembly of synaptic ribbons. For this purpose, we made use of RIBEYE knockin mice in which the RIBEYE B-domain was replaced by a fluorescent protein domain, whereas the RIBEYE A-domain was retained unchanged. We found that replacing the RIBEYE B-domain with a fluorescent protein module destabilizes the resulting hybrid protein and causes a complete loss of synaptic ribbons. Our results thus demonstrate an essential role of the RIBEYE B-domain in enabling RIBEYE assembly into synaptic ribbons, reinforcing the notion that RIBEYE is the central organizer of synaptic ribbons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Soni Shankhwar
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, Medical School, Homburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Soni Shankhwar Frank Schmitz
| | - Karin Schwarz
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, Medical School, Homburg, Germany
| | - Rashmi Katiyar
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, Medical School, Homburg, Germany
| | - Martin Jung
- Institute of Medical Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Saarland University, Medical School, Homburg, Germany
| | - Stephan Maxeiner
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, Medical School, Homburg, Germany
| | - Thomas C. Südhof
- Department of Molecular and Cellular Physiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, Stanford, CA, United States
| | - Frank Schmitz
- Institute of Anatomy and Cell Biology, Saarland University, Medical School, Homburg, Germany
- *Correspondence: Soni Shankhwar Frank Schmitz
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