1
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Chen J, He K, Han Y, Dickman D. Ca 2+ imaging of synaptic compartments using subcellularly targeted GCaMP8f in Drosophila. STAR Protoc 2024; 5:102832. [PMID: 38198278 PMCID: PMC10820801 DOI: 10.1016/j.xpro.2023.102832] [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: 09/25/2023] [Revised: 11/12/2023] [Accepted: 12/22/2023] [Indexed: 01/12/2024] Open
Abstract
GCaMP8f is a sensitive genetically encoded Ca2+ indicator that enables imaging of neuronal activity. Here, we present a protocol to perform Ca2+ imaging of the Drosophila neuromuscular junction using GCaMP8f targeted to pre- or postsynaptic compartments. We describe ratiometric Ca2+ imaging using GCaMP8f fused to mScarlet and synaptotagmin that reveals Ca2+ dynamics at presynaptic terminals. We then detail "quantal" imaging of miniature transmission events using GCaMP8f targeted to postsynaptic compartments by fusion to a PDZ-binding motif. For complete details on the use and execution of this protocol, please refer to Li et al.,1 Han et al.,2 Perry et al.,3 and Han et al.4.
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Affiliation(s)
- Jiawen Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Kaikai He
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Yifu Han
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Dion Dickman
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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2
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Cooney PC, Huang Y, Li W, Perera DM, Hormigo R, Tabachnik T, Godage IS, Hillman EMC, Grueber WB, Zarin AA. Neuromuscular basis of Drosophila larval rolling escape behavior. Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A 2023; 120:e2303641120. [PMID: 38096410 PMCID: PMC10743538 DOI: 10.1073/pnas.2303641120] [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: 03/03/2023] [Accepted: 10/06/2023] [Indexed: 12/18/2023] Open
Abstract
When threatened by dangerous or harmful stimuli, animals engage in diverse forms of rapid escape behaviors. In Drosophila larvae, one type of escape response involves C-shaped bending and lateral rolling followed by rapid forward crawling. The sensory circuitry that promotes larval escape has been extensively characterized; however, the motor programs underlying rolling are unknown. Here, we characterize the neuromuscular basis of rolling escape behavior. We used high-speed, volumetric, Swept Confocally Aligned Planar Excitation (SCAPE) microscopy to image muscle activity during larval rolling. Unlike sequential peristaltic muscle contractions that progress from segment to segment during forward and backward crawling, muscle activity progresses circumferentially during bending and rolling escape behavior. We propose that progression of muscular contraction around the larva's circumference results in a transient misalignment between weight and the ground support forces, which generates a torque that induces stabilizing body rotation. Therefore, successive cycles of slight misalignment followed by reactive aligning rotation lead to continuous rolling motion. Supporting our biomechanical model, we found that disrupting the activity of muscle groups undergoing circumferential contraction progression leads to rolling defects. We use EM connectome data to identify premotor to motor connectivity patterns that could drive rolling behavior and perform neural silencing approaches to demonstrate the crucial role of a group of glutamatergic premotor neurons in rolling. Our data reveal body-wide muscle activity patterns and putative premotor circuit organization for execution of the rolling escape response.
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Affiliation(s)
- Patricia C. Cooney
- Grueber Laboratory, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY10027
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY10027
| | - Yuhan Huang
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
- Zarin Laboratory, Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
| | - Wenze Li
- Laboratory for Functional Optical Imaging, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY10027
- Department of Electrical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY10027
| | - Dulanjana M. Perera
- Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
| | - Richard Hormigo
- Grueber Laboratory, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY10027
| | - Tanya Tabachnik
- Grueber Laboratory, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY10027
| | - Isuru S. Godage
- Department of Multidisciplinary Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
- Department of Engineering Technology and Industrial Distribution, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
- J. Mike Walker ‘66 Department of Mechanical Engineering, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
| | - Elizabeth M. C. Hillman
- Laboratory for Functional Optical Imaging, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY10027
- Department of Biomedical Engineering, Columbia University, New York, NY10027
- Laboratory for Functional Optical Imaging, Kavli Institute for Brain Science, Columbia University, New York, NY10032
| | - Wesley B. Grueber
- Grueber Laboratory, Mortimer B. Zuckerman Mind Brain Behavior Institute, Columbia University, New York, NY10027
- Department of Neuroscience, Columbia University, New York, NY10027
- Department of Physiology and Cellular Biophysics, Jerome L. Greene Science Center, New York, NY10027
| | - Aref A. Zarin
- Department of Biology, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
- Zarin Laboratory, Texas A&M Institute for Neuroscience, Texas A&M University, College Station, TX77843
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3
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Han Y, Goel P, Chen J, Perry S, Tran N, Nishimura S, Sanjani M, Chien C, Dickman D. Excess glutamate release triggers subunit-specific homeostatic receptor scaling. Cell Rep 2023; 42:112775. [PMID: 37436892 PMCID: PMC10529671 DOI: 10.1016/j.celrep.2023.112775] [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: 05/04/2022] [Revised: 05/06/2023] [Accepted: 06/25/2023] [Indexed: 07/14/2023] Open
Abstract
Ionotropic glutamate receptors (GluRs) are targets for modulation in Hebbian and homeostatic synaptic plasticity and are remodeled by development, experience, and disease. We have probed the impact of synaptic glutamate levels on the two postsynaptic GluR subtypes at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction, GluRA and GluRB. We first demonstrate that GluRA and GluRB compete to establish postsynaptic receptive fields, and that proper GluR abundance and composition can be orchestrated in the absence of any synaptic glutamate release. However, excess glutamate adaptively tunes postsynaptic GluR abundance, echoing GluR scaling observed in mammalian systems. Furthermore, when GluRA vs. GluRB competition is eliminated, GluRB becomes insensitive to glutamate modulation. In contrast, GluRA is now homeostatically regulated by excess glutamate to maintain stable miniature activity, where Ca2+ permeability through GluRA receptors is required. Thus, excess glutamate, GluR competition, and Ca2+ signaling collaborate to selectively target GluR subtypes for homeostatic regulation at postsynaptic compartments.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yifu Han
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Pragya Goel
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Jiawen Chen
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Sarah Perry
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Nancy Tran
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Samantha Nishimura
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Manisha Sanjani
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Chun Chien
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA
| | - Dion Dickman
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA 90089, USA.
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4
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Wang Y, Zhang R, Huang S, Valverde PTT, Lobb-Rabe M, Ashley J, Venkatasubramanian L, Carrillo RA. Glial Draper signaling triggers cross-neuron plasticity in bystander neurons after neuronal cell death in Drosophila. Nat Commun 2023; 14:4452. [PMID: 37488133 PMCID: PMC10366216 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-023-40142-y] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/11/2023] [Accepted: 07/07/2023] [Indexed: 07/26/2023] Open
Abstract
Neuronal cell death and subsequent brain dysfunction are hallmarks of aging and neurodegeneration, but how the nearby healthy neurons (bystanders) respond to the death of their neighbors is not fully understood. In the Drosophila larval neuromuscular system, bystander motor neurons can structurally and functionally compensate for the loss of their neighbors by increasing their terminal bouton number and activity. We term this compensation as cross-neuron plasticity, and in this study, we demonstrate that the Drosophila engulfment receptor, Draper, and the associated kinase, Shark, are required for cross-neuron plasticity. Overexpression of the Draper-I isoform boosts cross-neuron plasticity, implying that the strength of plasticity correlates with Draper signaling. In addition, we find that functional cross-neuron plasticity can be induced at different developmental stages. Our work uncovers a role for Draper signaling in cross-neuron plasticity and provides insights into how healthy bystander neurons respond to the loss of their neighboring neurons.
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Affiliation(s)
- Yupu Wang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cellular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
- Howard Hughes Medical Institute, Janelia Research Campus, Ashburn, VA, 20147, USA.
| | - Ruiling Zhang
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cellular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Committee on Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Sihao Huang
- Program in Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Parisa Tajalli Tehrani Valverde
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cellular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Committee on Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - Meike Lobb-Rabe
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cellular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | - James Ashley
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cellular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA
| | | | - Robert A Carrillo
- Department of Molecular Genetics and Cellular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
- Neuroscience Institute, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
- Committee on Development, Regeneration, and Stem Cell Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
- Program in Cell and Molecular Biology, University of Chicago, Chicago, IL, 60637, USA.
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5
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He K, Han Y, Li X, Hernandez RX, Riboul DV, Feghhi T, Justs KA, Mahneva O, Perry S, Macleod GT, Dickman D. Physiologic and Nanoscale Distinctions Define Glutamatergic Synapses in Tonic vs Phasic Neurons. J Neurosci 2023; 43:4598-4611. [PMID: 37221096 PMCID: PMC10286941 DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.0046-23.2023] [Citation(s) in RCA: 4] [Impact Index Per Article: 4.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 01/09/2023] [Revised: 05/05/2023] [Accepted: 05/11/2023] [Indexed: 05/25/2023] Open
Abstract
Neurons exhibit a striking degree of functional diversity, each one tuned to the needs of the circuitry in which it is embedded. A fundamental functional dichotomy occurs in activity patterns, with some neurons firing at a relatively constant "tonic" rate, while others fire in bursts, a "phasic" pattern. Synapses formed by tonic versus phasic neurons are also functionally differentiated, yet the bases of their distinctive properties remain enigmatic. A major challenge toward illuminating the synaptic differences between tonic and phasic neurons is the difficulty in isolating their physiological properties. At the Drosophila neuromuscular junction, most muscle fibers are coinnervated by two motor neurons: the tonic "MN-Ib" and phasic "MN-Is." Here, we used selective expression of a newly developed botulinum neurotoxin transgene to silence tonic or phasic motor neurons in Drosophila larvae of either sex. This approach highlighted major differences in their neurotransmitter release properties, including probability, short-term plasticity, and vesicle pools. Furthermore, Ca2+ imaging demonstrated ∼2-fold greater Ca2+ influx at phasic neuron release sites relative to tonic, along with an enhanced synaptic vesicle coupling. Finally, confocal and super-resolution imaging revealed that phasic neuron release sites are organized in a more compact arrangement, with enhanced stoichiometry of voltage-gated Ca2+ channels relative to other active zone scaffolds. These data suggest that distinctions in active zone nano-architecture and Ca2+ influx collaborate to differentially tune glutamate release at tonic versus phasic synaptic subtypes.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT "Tonic" and "phasic" neuronal subtypes, based on differential firing properties, are common across many nervous systems. Using a recently developed approach to selectively silence transmission from one of these two neurons, we reveal specialized synaptic functional and structural properties that distinguish these specialized neurons. This study provides important insights into how input-specific synaptic diversity is achieved, which could have implications for neurologic disorders that involve changes in synaptic function.
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Affiliation(s)
- Kaikai He
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089
- USC Neuroscience Graduate Program, Los Angeles, California 90089
| | - Yifu Han
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089
- USC Neuroscience Graduate Program, Los Angeles, California 90089
| | - Xiling Li
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089
- USC Neuroscience Graduate Program, Los Angeles, California 90089
| | - Roberto X Hernandez
- Integrative Biology and Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431
- International Max Planck Research School for Brain and Behavior, Jupiter, Florida 33458
| | - Danielle V Riboul
- Integrative Biology Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431
| | - Touhid Feghhi
- Department of Physics, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431
| | - Karlis A Justs
- Integrative Biology and Neuroscience Graduate Program, Department of Biological Sciences, Florida Atlantic University, Boca Raton, Florida 33431
| | - Olena Mahneva
- Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida 33458
| | - Sarah Perry
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089
| | - Gregory T Macleod
- Wilkes Honors College, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida 33458
- Institute for Human Health and Disease Intervention, Florida Atlantic University, Jupiter, Florida 33458
| | - Dion Dickman
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, California 90089
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6
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Brija EA, Guan Z, Jetti SK, Littleton JT. Stochastic RNA editing of the Complexin C-terminus within single neurons regulates neurotransmitter release. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.05.30.542887. [PMID: 37398117 PMCID: PMC10312600 DOI: 10.1101/2023.05.30.542887] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 07/04/2023]
Abstract
Neurotransmitter release requires assembly of the SNARE complex fusion machinery, with multiple SNARE-binding proteins regulating this process to control when and where synaptic vesicle fusion occurs. Complexin (Cpx) controls spontaneous and evoked neurotransmitter release by modulating SNARE complex zippering. Although the central SNARE-binding helix is essential, post-translational modifications to Cpx's C-terminal membrane-binding amphipathic helix modulate its activity. Here we demonstrate that RNA editing of the Cpx C-terminus regulates its ability to clamp SNARE-mediated fusion and alters presynaptic output. RNA editing of Cpx within single neurons is stochastic, generating up to eight edit variants that fine-tune neurotransmitter release by changing the subcellular localization and clamping properties of the protein. Similar editing rules for other synaptic genes were observed, indicating stochastic editing at single adenosines and across multiple mRNAs can generate unique synaptic proteomes within the same population of neurons to fine-tune presynaptic output.
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Affiliation(s)
- Elizabeth A Brija
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Zhuo Guan
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - Suresh K Jetti
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
| | - J Troy Littleton
- The Picower Institute for Learning and Memory, Department of Brain and Cognitive Sciences, Department of Biology, Massachusetts Institute of Technology, Cambridge, MA 02139
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7
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Wang Y, Zhang R, Huang S, Valverde PTT, Lobb-Rabe M, Ashley J, Venkatasubramanian L, Carrillo RA. Glial Draper signaling triggers cross-neuron plasticity in bystander neurons after neuronal cell death. BIORXIV : THE PREPRINT SERVER FOR BIOLOGY 2023:2023.04.09.536190. [PMID: 37090512 PMCID: PMC10120647 DOI: 10.1101/2023.04.09.536190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 04/25/2023]
Abstract
Neuronal cell death and subsequent brain dysfunction are hallmarks of aging and neurodegeneration, but how the nearby healthy neurons (bystanders) respond to the cell death of their neighbors is not fully understood. In the Drosophila larval neuromuscular system, bystander motor neurons can structurally and functionally compensate for the loss of their neighbors by increasing their axon terminal size and activity. We termed this compensation as cross-neuron plasticity, and in this study, we demonstrated that the Drosophila engulfment receptor, Draper, and the associated kinase, Shark, are required in glial cells. Surprisingly, overexpression of the Draper-I isoform boosts cross-neuron plasticity, implying that the strength of plasticity correlates with Draper signaling. Synaptic plasticity normally declines as animals age, but in our system, functional cross-neuron plasticity can be induced at different time points, whereas structural cross-neuron plasticity can only be induced at early stages. Our work uncovers a novel role for glial Draper signaling in cross-neuron plasticity that may enhance nervous system function during neurodegeneration and provides insights into how healthy bystander neurons respond to the loss of their neighboring neurons.
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8
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Garrett EC, Bielawski AM, Ruchti E, Sherer LM, Waghmare I, Hess-Homeier D, McCabe BD, Stowers RS, Certel SJ. The matricellular protein Drosophila Cellular Communication Network Factor is required for synaptic transmission and female fertility. Genetics 2023; 223:iyac190. [PMID: 36602539 PMCID: PMC9991515 DOI: 10.1093/genetics/iyac190] [Citation(s) in RCA: 3] [Impact Index Per Article: 3.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 09/01/2022] [Revised: 11/16/2022] [Accepted: 11/17/2022] [Indexed: 01/06/2023] Open
Abstract
Within the extracellular matrix, matricellular proteins are dynamically expressed nonstructural proteins that interact with cell surface receptors, growth factors, and proteases, as well as with structural matrix proteins. The cellular communication network factors family of matricellular proteins serve regulatory roles to regulate cell function and are defined by their conserved multimodular organization. Here, we characterize the expression and neuronal requirement for the Drosophila cellular communication network factor family member. Drosophila cellular communication network factor is expressed in the nervous system throughout development including in subsets of monoamine-expressing neurons. Drosophila cellular communication network factor-expressing abdominal ganglion neurons innervate the ovaries and uterus and the loss of Drosophila cellular communication network factor results in reduced female fertility. In addition, Drosophila cellular communication network factor accumulates at the synaptic cleft and is required for neurotransmission at the larval neuromuscular junction. Analyzing the function of the single Drosophila cellular communication network factor family member will enhance our potential to understand how the microenvironment impacts neurotransmitter release in distinct cellular contexts and in response to activity.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Ashley M Bielawski
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Evelyne Ruchti
- Brain Mind Institute, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - Lewis M Sherer
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Indrayani Waghmare
- Department of Cell and Developmental Biology, Program in Developmental Biology, Vanderbilt-Ingram Center, Vanderbilt University School of Medicine, Nashville, TN 37232, USA
| | - David Hess-Homeier
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
| | - Brian D McCabe
- Brain Mind Institute, Swiss Federal Institute of Technology (EPFL), 1015 Lausanne, Switzerland
| | - R Steven Stowers
- Department of Cell Biology and Microbiology, Montana State University, Bozeman, MT 59717, USA
| | - Sarah J Certel
- Division of Biological Sciences, University of Montana, Missoula, MT 59812, USA
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9
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Armstrong NS, Frank CA. The calcineurin regulator Sarah enables distinct forms of homeostatic plasticity at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. Front Synaptic Neurosci 2023; 14:1033743. [PMID: 36685082 PMCID: PMC9846150 DOI: 10.3389/fnsyn.2022.1033743] [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: 08/31/2022] [Accepted: 12/05/2022] [Indexed: 01/05/2023] Open
Abstract
Introduction: The ability of synapses to maintain physiological levels of evoked neurotransmission is essential for neuronal stability. A variety of perturbations can disrupt neurotransmission, but synapses often compensate for disruptions and work to stabilize activity levels, using forms of homeostatic synaptic plasticity. Presynaptic homeostatic potentiation (PHP) is one such mechanism. PHP is expressed at the Drosophila melanogaster larval neuromuscular junction (NMJ) synapse, as well as other NMJs. In PHP, presynaptic neurotransmitter release increases to offset the effects of impairing muscle transmitter receptors. Prior Drosophila work has studied PHP using different ways to perturb muscle receptor function-either acutely (using pharmacology) or chronically (using genetics). Some of our prior data suggested that cytoplasmic calcium signaling was important for expression of PHP after genetic impairment of glutamate receptors. Here we followed up on that observation. Methods: We used a combination of transgenic Drosophila RNA interference and overexpression lines, along with NMJ electrophysiology, synapse imaging, and pharmacology to test if regulators of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin are necessary for the normal expression of PHP. Results: We found that either pre- or postsynaptic dysregulation of a Drosophila gene regulating calcineurin, sarah (sra), blocks PHP. Tissue-specific manipulations showed that either increases or decreases in sra expression are detrimental to PHP. Additionally, pharmacologically and genetically induced forms of expression of PHP are functionally separable depending entirely upon which sra genetic manipulation is used. Surprisingly, dual-tissue pre- and postsynaptic sra knockdown or overexpression can ameliorate PHP blocks revealed in single-tissue experiments. Pharmacological and genetic inhibition of calcineurin corroborated this latter finding. Discussion: Our results suggest tight calcineurin regulation is needed across multiple tissue types to stabilize peripheral synaptic outputs.
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Affiliation(s)
- Noah S. Armstrong
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States,Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States
| | - C. Andrew Frank
- Department of Anatomy and Cell Biology, University of Iowa Carver College of Medicine, Iowa City, IA, United States,Interdisciplinary Graduate Program in Neuroscience, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States,Iowa Neuroscience Institute, University of Iowa, Iowa City, IA, United States,*Correspondence: C. Andrew Frank
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10
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Perry S, Han Y, Qiu C, Chien C, Goel P, Nishimura S, Sajnani M, Schmid A, Sigrist SJ, Dickman D. A glutamate receptor C-tail recruits CaMKII to suppress retrograde homeostatic signaling. Nat Commun 2022; 13:7656. [PMID: 36496500 PMCID: PMC9741633 DOI: 10.1038/s41467-022-35417-9] [Citation(s) in RCA: 5] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.5] [Reference Citation Analysis] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/06/2021] [Accepted: 12/02/2022] [Indexed: 12/13/2022] Open
Abstract
Presynaptic homeostatic plasticity (PHP) adaptively enhances neurotransmitter release following diminished postsynaptic glutamate receptor (GluR) functionality to maintain synaptic strength. While much is known about PHP expression mechanisms, postsynaptic induction remains enigmatic. For over 20 years, diminished postsynaptic Ca2+ influx was hypothesized to reduce CaMKII activity and enable retrograde PHP signaling at the Drosophila neuromuscular junction. Here, we have interrogated inductive signaling and find that active CaMKII colocalizes with and requires the GluRIIA receptor subunit. Next, we generated Ca2+-impermeable GluRs to reveal that both CaMKII activity and PHP induction are Ca2+-insensitive. Rather, a GluRIIA C-tail domain is necessary and sufficient to recruit active CaMKII. Finally, chimeric receptors demonstrate that the GluRIIA tail constitutively occludes retrograde homeostatic signaling by stabilizing active CaMKII. Thus, the physical loss of the GluRIIA tail is sensed, rather than reduced Ca2+, to enable retrograde PHP signaling, highlighting a unique, Ca2+-independent control mechanism for CaMKII in gating homeostatic plasticity.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah Perry
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Yifu Han
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chengjie Qiu
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Chun Chien
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Pragya Goel
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Samantha Nishimura
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Manisha Sajnani
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA
| | - Andreas Schmid
- Institute for Biology/Genetics, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustraße 6, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- Faculty of Life Sciences, Albstadt-Sigmaringen University, Sigmaringen, Germany
| | - Stephan J Sigrist
- Institute for Biology/Genetics, Freie Universität Berlin, Takustraße 6, 14195, Berlin, Germany
- NeuroCure Cluster of Excellence, Charité Universitätsmedizin, Charitéplatz 1, 10117, Berlin, Germany
| | - Dion Dickman
- Department of Neurobiology, University of Southern California, Los Angeles, CA, USA.
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