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Anderson MC, Levy AD, Dharmasri PA, Metzbower SR, Blanpied TA. Trans-synaptic molecular context of NMDA receptor nanodomains. bioRxiv 2023:2023.12.22.573055. [PMID: 38187545 PMCID: PMC10769418 DOI: 10.1101/2023.12.22.573055] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 01/09/2024]
Abstract
Tight coordination of the spatial relationships between protein complexes is required for cellular function. In neuronal synapses, many proteins responsible for neurotransmission organize into subsynaptic nanoclusters whose trans-cellular alignment modulates synaptic signal propagation. However, the spatial relationships between these proteins and NMDA receptors (NMDARs), which are required for learning and memory, remain undefined. Here, we mapped the relationship of key NMDAR subunits to reference proteins in the active zone and postsynaptic density using multiplexed super-resolution DNA-PAINT microscopy. GluN2A and GluN2B subunits formed nanoclusters with diverse configurations that, surprisingly, were not localized near presynaptic vesicle release sites marked by Munc13-1. However, a subset of presynaptic sites was configured to maintain NMDAR activation: these were internally denser, aligned with abundant PSD-95, and associated closely with specific NMDAR nanodomains. This work reveals a new principle regulating NMDAR signaling and suggests that synaptic functional architecture depends on assembly of multiprotein nanodomains whose interior construction is conditional on trans-cellular relationships.
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Affiliation(s)
- Michael C Anderson
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Aaron D Levy
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Poorna A Dharmasri
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Current address: Solomon H. Snyder Department of Neuroscience, Johns Hopkins University School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - Sarah R Metzbower
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
- Current address: Nikon Instruments Inc, Melville, NY, USA
| | - Thomas A Blanpied
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Emperador-Melero J, Andersen JW, Metzbower SR, Levy AD, Dharmasri PA, de Nola G, Blanpied TA, Kaeser PS. Molecular definition of distinct active zone protein machineries for Ca 2+ channel clustering and synaptic vesicle priming. bioRxiv 2023:2023.10.27.564439. [PMID: 37961089 PMCID: PMC10634917 DOI: 10.1101/2023.10.27.564439] [Citation(s) in RCA: 2] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 11/15/2023]
Abstract
Action potentials trigger neurotransmitter release with minimal delay. Active zones mediate this temporal precision by co-organizing primed vesicles with CaV2 Ca2+ channels. The presumed model is that scaffolding proteins directly tether primed vesicles to CaV2s. We find that CaV2 clustering and vesicle priming are executed by separate machineries. At hippocampal synapses, CaV2 nanoclusters are positioned at variable distances from those of the priming protein Munc13. The active zone organizer RIM anchors both proteins, but distinct interaction motifs independently execute these functions. In heterologous cells, Liprin-α and RIM from co-assemblies that are separate from CaV2-organizing complexes upon co-transfection. At synapses, Liprin-α1-4 knockout impairs vesicle priming, but not CaV2 clustering. The cell adhesion protein PTPσ recruits Liprin-α, RIM and Munc13 into priming complexes without co-clustering of CaV2s. We conclude that active zones consist of distinct complexes to organize CaV2s and vesicle priming, and Liprin-α and PTPσ specifically support priming site assembly.
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Affiliation(s)
| | | | - Sarah R. Metzbower
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Aaron D. Levy
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | - Poorna A. Dharmasri
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
| | | | - Thomas A. Blanpied
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, USA
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Metzbower SR, Dharmasri PA, Levy AD, Anderson MC, Blanpied TA. Distinct SAP102 and PSD-95 nano-organization defines multiple types of synaptic scaffold protein domains at single synapses. bioRxiv 2023:2023.09.12.557372. [PMID: 37745494 PMCID: PMC10515860 DOI: 10.1101/2023.09.12.557372] [Citation(s) in RCA: 1] [Impact Index Per Article: 1.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Indexed: 09/26/2023]
Abstract
The MAGUK family of scaffold proteins plays a central role in maintaining and modulating synaptic signaling, providing a framework to retain and position receptors, signaling molecules, and other synaptic components. Of these scaffold proteins, SAP102 and PSD-95 are essential for synaptic function at distinct developmental timepoints and perform overlapping as well as unique roles. While their similar structures allow for common binding partners, SAP102 is expressed earlier in synapse development and is required for synaptogenesis, whereas PSD-95 expression peaks later in development and is associated with synapse maturation. PSD-95 and other key synaptic proteins organize into subsynaptic nanodomains that have a significant impact on synaptic transmission, but the nanoscale organization of SAP102 is unknown. How SAP102 is organized within the synapse, and how it relates spatially to PSD-95 on a nanometer scale, could impact how SAP102 clusters synaptic proteins and underlie its ability to perform its unique functions. Here we used DNA-PAINT super-resolution microscopy to measure SAP102 nano-organization and its spatial relationship to PSD-95 at individual synapses. We found that like PSD-95, SAP102 accumulates in high-density subsynaptic nanoclusters. However, SAP102 nanoclusters were smaller and denser than PSD-95 nanoclusters across development. Additionally, only a subset of SAP102 nanoclusters co-organized with PSD-95, revealing that within individual synapses there are nanodomains that contain either one or both proteins. This organization into both shared and distinct subsynaptic nanodomains may underlie the ability of SAP102 and PSD-95 to perform both common and unique synaptic functions.
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Affiliation(s)
- Sarah R. Metzbower
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Poorna A. Dharmasri
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Aaron D. Levy
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Michael C. Anderson
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
| | - Thomas A. Blanpied
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
- Program in Neuroscience, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
- University of Maryland Medicine Institute for Neuroscience Discovery, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD 21201
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Dean CA, Metzbower SR, Dessain SK, Blanpied TA, Benavides DR. Regulation of NMDA Receptor Signaling at Single Synapses by Human Anti-NMDA Receptor Antibodies. Front Mol Neurosci 2022; 15:940005. [PMID: 35966009 PMCID: PMC9371948 DOI: 10.3389/fnmol.2022.940005] [Citation(s) in RCA: 0] [Impact Index Per Article: 0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 05/09/2022] [Accepted: 06/21/2022] [Indexed: 11/13/2022] Open
Abstract
The NMDA receptor (NMDAR) subunit GluN1 is critical for receptor function and plays a pivotal role in synaptic plasticity. Mounting evidence has shown that pathogenic autoantibody targeting of the GluN1 subunit of NMDARs, as in anti-NMDAR encephalitis, leads to altered NMDAR trafficking and synaptic localization. However, the underlying signaling pathways affected by antibodies targeting the NMDAR remain to be fully delineated. It remains unclear whether patient antibodies influence synaptic transmission via direct effects on NMDAR channel function. Here, we show using short-term incubation that GluN1 antibodies derived from patients with anti-NMDAR encephalitis label synapses in mature hippocampal primary neuron culture. Miniature spontaneous calcium transients (mSCaTs) mediated via NMDARs at synaptic spines are not altered in pathogenic GluN1 antibody exposed conditions. Unexpectedly, spine-based and cell-based analyses yielded distinct results. In addition, we show that calcium does not accumulate in neuronal spines following brief exposure to pathogenic GluN1 antibodies. Together, these findings show that pathogenic antibodies targeting NMDARs, under these specific conditions, do not alter synaptic calcium influx following neurotransmitter release. This represents a novel investigation of the molecular effects of anti-NMDAR antibodies associated with autoimmune encephalitis.
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Affiliation(s)
- Charles A. Dean
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Sarah R. Metzbower
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - Scott K. Dessain
- Lankenau Institute for Medical Research, Wynnewood, PA, United States
| | - Thomas A. Blanpied
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
| | - David R. Benavides
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, MD, United States
- *Correspondence: David R. Benavides,
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Metzbower SR, Joo Y, Benavides DR, Blanpied TA. Properties of Individual Hippocampal Synapses Influencing NMDA-Receptor Activation by Spontaneous Neurotransmission. eNeuro 2019; 6:ENEURO.0419-18.2019. [PMID: 31110134 PMCID: PMC6541874 DOI: 10.1523/eneuro.0419-18.2019] [Citation(s) in RCA: 11] [Impact Index Per Article: 2.2] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Key Words] [MESH Headings] [Grants] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 10/29/2018] [Revised: 05/05/2019] [Accepted: 05/12/2019] [Indexed: 12/14/2022] Open
Abstract
NMDA receptor (NMDAR) activation is critical for maintenance and modification of synapse strength. Specifically, NMDAR activation by spontaneous glutamate release has been shown to mediate some forms of synaptic plasticity as well as synaptic development. Interestingly, there is evidence that within individual synapses each release mode may be segregated such that postsynaptically there are distinct pools of responsive receptors. To examine potential regulators of NMDAR activation because of spontaneous glutamate release in cultured hippocampal neurons, we used GCaMP6f imaging at single synapses in concert with confocal and super-resolution imaging. Using these single-spine approaches, we found that Ca2+ entry activated by spontaneous release tends to be carried by GluN2B-NMDARs. Additionally, the amount of NMDAR activation varies greatly both between synapses and within synapses, and is unrelated to spine and synapse size, but does correlate loosely with synapse distance from the soma. Despite the critical role of spontaneous activation of NMDARs in maintaining synaptic function, their activation seems to be controlled factors other than synapse size or synapse distance from the soma. It is most likely that NMDAR activation by spontaneous release influenced variability in subsynaptic receptor position, release site position, vesicle content, and channel properties. Therefore, spontaneous activation of NMDARs appears to be regulated distinctly from other receptor types, notably AMPARs, within individual synapses.
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Affiliation(s)
| | - Yuyoung Joo
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
| | - David R Benavides
- Department of Neurology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, Baltimore, Maryland, 21201
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Francis TC, Chandra R, Gaynor A, Konkalmatt P, Metzbower SR, Evans B, Engeln M, Blanpied TA, Lobo MK. Molecular basis of dendritic atrophy and activity in stress susceptibility. Mol Psychiatry 2017; 22:1512-1519. [PMID: 28894298 PMCID: PMC5747312 DOI: 10.1038/mp.2017.178] [Citation(s) in RCA: 63] [Impact Index Per Article: 9.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Affiliation(s)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Journal Information] [Submit a Manuscript] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 04/26/2017] [Revised: 07/11/2017] [Accepted: 07/28/2017] [Indexed: 12/12/2022]
Abstract
Molecular and cellular adaptations in nucleus accumbens (NAc) medium spiny neurons (MSNs) underlie stress-induced depression-like behavior, but the molecular substrates mediating cellular plasticity and activity in MSN subtypes in stress susceptibility are poorly understood. We find the transcription factor early growth response 3 (EGR3) is increased in D1 receptor containing MSNs of mice susceptible to social defeat stress. Genetic reduction of Egr3 levels in D1-MSNs prevented depression-like outcomes in stress susceptible mice by preventing D1-MSN dendritic atrophy, reduced frequency of excitatory input and altered in vivo activity. Overall, we identify NAc neuronal-subtype molecular control of dendritic morphology and related functional adaptations, which underlie susceptibility to stress.
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Affiliation(s)
- TC Francis
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - R Chandra
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - A Gaynor
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - P Konkalmatt
- Division of Renal Diseases and Hypertension, The George Washington University, Washington, DC, USA
| | - SR Metzbower
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - B Evans
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - M Engeln
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - TA Blanpied
- Department of Physiology, University of Maryland, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
| | - MK Lobo
- Department of Anatomy and Neurobiology, University of Maryland School of Medicine, University of Maryland, Baltimore, MD, USA
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Tang AH, Chen H, Li TP, Metzbower SR, MacGillavry HD, Blanpied TA. A trans-synaptic nanocolumn aligns neurotransmitter release to receptors. Nature 2016; 536:210-4. [PMID: 27462810 PMCID: PMC5002394 DOI: 10.1038/nature19058] [Citation(s) in RCA: 400] [Impact Index Per Article: 50.0] [Reference Citation Analysis] [What about the content of this article? (0)] [Abstract] [Track Full Text] [Download PDF] [Figures] [Journal Information] [Subscribe] [Scholar Register] [Received: 07/24/2015] [Accepted: 06/27/2016] [Indexed: 12/29/2022]
Abstract
Synaptic transmission is maintained by a delicate, subsynaptic molecular architecture, and even mild alterations in synapse structure drive functional changes during experience-dependent plasticity and pathological disorder1,2. Key to this architecture is how the distribution of presynaptic vesicle fusion sites corresponds to the position of receptors in the postsynaptic density. However, despite long recognition that this spatial relationship modulates synaptic strength3, it has not been precisely described, due in part to the limited resolution of light microscopy. Using localization microscopy, we report here that key proteins mediating vesicle priming and fusion are mutually co-enriched within nanometer-scaled subregions of the presynaptic active zone. Through development of a new method to map vesicle fusion positions within single synapses, we found that action potential evoked fusion was guided by this protein gradient and occurred preferentially in confined areas with higher local density of RIM within the active zones. These presynaptic RIM nanoclusters closely aligned with concentrated postsynaptic receptors and scaffolding proteins4–6, suggesting a transsynaptic molecular “nanocolumn.” Thus, we propose that the nanoarchitecture of the active zone directs action potential evoked vesicle fusion to occur preferentially at sites directly opposing postsynaptic receptor-scaffold ensembles. Remarkably, NMDA receptor activation triggered distinct phases of plasticity in which postsynaptic reorganization was followed by transsynaptic nanoscale realignment. This architecture thus suggests a simple organizational principle of CNS synapses to maintain and modulate synaptic efficiency.
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