An essential role for vesicular glutamate transporter 1 (VGLUT1) in postnatal development and control of quantal size

Quantal neurotransmitter release at excitatory synapses depends on glutamate import into synaptic vesicles by vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs). Of the three known transporters, VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 are expressed prominently in the adult brain, but during the first two weeks of postnatal development, VGLUT2 expression predominates. Targeted deletion of VGLUT1 in mice causes lethality in the third postnatal week. Glutamatergic neurotransmission is drastically reduced in neurons from VGLUT1-deficient mice, with a specific reduction in quantal size. The remaining activity correlates with the expression of VGLUT2. This reduction in glutamatergic neurotransmission can be rescued and enhanced with overexpression of VGLUT1. These results show that the expression level of VGLUTs determines the amount of glutamate that is loaded into vesicles and released and thereby regulates the efficacy of neurotransmission.

Local protein synthesis is a ubiquitous feature of neuronal pre- and postsynaptic compartments

There is ample evidence for localization of messenger RNAs (mRNAs) and protein synthesis in neuronal dendrites; however, demonstrations of these processes in presynaptic terminals are limited. We used expansion microscopy to resolve pre- and postsynaptic compartments in rodent neurons. Most presynaptic terminals in the hippocampus and forebrain contained mRNA and ribosomes. We sorted fluorescently labeled mouse brain synaptosomes and then sequenced hundreds of mRNA species present within excitatory boutons. After brief metabolic labeling, >30% of all presynaptic terminals exhibited a signal, providing evidence for ongoing protein synthesis. We tested different classic plasticity paradigms and observed distinct patterns of rapid pre- and/or postsynaptic translation. Thus, presynaptic terminals are translationally competent, and local protein synthesis is differentially recruited to drive compartment-specific phenotypes that underlie different forms of plasticity.

Localization of VGLUT3, the vesicular glutamate transporter type 3, in the rat brain

We have recently identified a third subtype of glutamate vesicular transporter (VGLUT) named VGLUT3. In the present study, we provide a detailed account of the regional and cellular distributions of VGLUT3 in the rat brain, using specific nucleotide probes and antisera. The distribution of VGLUT3 protein was compared with that of the other vesicular transporters (VGLUT1 and VGLUT2). All the areas expressing VGLUT3 also contain high levels of VGLUT1 and -2 proteins, but, at a finer level of analysis, the distribution of the three subtypes differs. Unlike VGLUT1 and -2, VGLUT3 expression is limited to discrete cell populations. Neurons containing VGLUT3 transcript are essentially observed in the caudate-putamen, the olfactory tubercle, the nucleus accumbens, the hippocampus, the interpeduncular nucleus and the dorsal and medial raphe nuclei. More scattered populations of VGLUT3 expressing neurons are found in the cerebral cortex. The distribution of the VGLUT3 protein, as determined with specific antisera, overlaps with that of the transcript in the caudate-putamen, olfactory tubercles, hippocampus, cortex, interpeduncular nucleus, and raphe nuclei, suggesting that VGLUT3 is essentially present in local projection neurons in these regions. Microscopic examination reveals staining of terminals and perikarya. Furthermore, co-localization studies indicate that VGLUT3 is present in GABAergic interneurons in the hippocampus, as well as in the interpeduncular nucleus. However, other regions, such as the substantia nigra (pars compacta), the ventral tegmental area, and the parabigeminal nucleus, receive a dense VGLUT3 terminal labeling although they do not contain VGLUT3 expressing neurons. In these regions, VGLUT3 immunoreactivity may be present in terminals of long projecting neurons. This subclass of glutamatergic afferents differs from other "classical" excitatory terminals that express VGLUT1 or VGLUT2. The distribution of VGLUT3 in the rat brain suggests an unsuspected function of vesicular glutamate transport in subsets of interneurons and in neuromodulatory neurons.

Reversal of dabigatran anticoagulation by prothrombin complex concentrate (Beriplex P/N) in a rabbit model

BACKGROUND

One limitation of the direct thrombin inhibitor dabigatran is the lack of specific antidotes that allow acute bleeding events to be managed or urgent interventional procedures performed. Prothrombin complex concentrates (PCCs) have served as a standard treatment for the reversal of coumarin anticoagulation.

OBJECTIVES

This study was designed to determine in an animal model whether a PCC (Beriplex P/N) can effectively reverse the effects of dabigatran. An additional objective was to evaluate markers of dabigatran-associated bleeding diathesis.

METHODS

Anesthetized rabbits were treated with 0.4 mg kg(-1) dabigatran followed by PCC doses of 20, 35 or 50 IU kg(-1) or placebo. After a standardized kidney incision, volume of blood loss and time to hemostasis were determined.

RESULTS

From an initial mean of 29 mL, blood loss progressively declined by 5.44 mL with a 95% confidence interval (CI) of 2.21-8.67 mL per 10 IU kg(-1) increment in PCC dose (P = 0.002). At a PCC dose of 50 IU kg(-1) blood loss was fully normalized. Increasing PCC doses shortened the median time to hemostasis from 20.0 to 5.7 min (P < 0.001). The rate of hemostasis was nearly trebled with each 10 IU kg(-1) increment in PCC dose (rate ratio, 2.89; CI, 1.64-5.09).

CONCLUSIONS

In this animal study, PCC showed potential as an agent for reversing the effects of dabigatran. Further investigation is warranted.

Single walled carbon nanotubes induce indirect cytotoxicity by medium depletion in A549 lung cells

The ability of two types of single walled carbon nanotubes (SWCNT), namely Arc Discharge (AD) and HiPco single walled carbon nanotubes, to induce an indirect cytotoxicity in A549 lung cells by means of medium depletion was investigated. The nanotubes were dispersed in a commercial cell culture medium and subsequently removed by centrifugation and filtration. Spectroscopic analysis confirmed the removal of the nanotubes and showed differing degrees of alteration of the composition of the medium upon the removal of the nanotubes. The ability to induce an indirect cytotoxic effect by altering the medium was evaluated using two endpoints, namely the Alamar Blue (AB) and the Clonogenic assay. Exposure of the A549 cells to the depleted medium which had previously contained carbonaceous nanoparticles, revealed significant cytotoxicity for both endpoints employed. The results presented demonstrate that single walled carbon nanotubes can induce an indirect cytotoxicity by alteration of cell culture medium (in which they have previously been dispersed) which potentially results in a false positive toxic effect being observed in cytotoxicity studies.

Proteomic screening of glutamatergic mouse brain synaptosomes isolated by fluorescence activated sorting

For decades, neuroscientists have used enriched preparations of synaptic particles called synaptosomes to study synapse function. However, the interpretation of corresponding data is problematic as synaptosome preparations contain multiple types of synapses and non-synaptic neuronal and glial contaminants. We established a novel Fluorescence Activated Synaptosome Sorting (FASS) method that substantially improves conventional synaptosome enrichment protocols and enables high-resolution biochemical analyses of specific synapse subpopulations. Employing knock-in mice with fluorescent glutamatergic synapses, we show that FASS isolates intact ultrapure synaptosomes composed of a resealed presynaptic terminal and a postsynaptic density as assessed by light and electron microscopy. FASS synaptosomes contain bona fide glutamatergic synapse proteins but are almost devoid of other synapse types and extrasynaptic or glial contaminants. We identified 163 enriched proteins in FASS samples, of which FXYD6 and Tpd52 were validated as new synaptic proteins. FASS purification thus enables high-resolution biochemical analyses of specific synapse subpopulations in health and disease.

Synaptic and vesicular co-localization of the glutamate transporters VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 in the mouse hippocampus

Vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUTs) are essential to glutamatergic synapses and determine the glutamatergic phenotype of neurones. The three known VGLUT isoforms display nearly identical uptake characteristics, but the associated expression domains in the adult rodent brain are largely segregated. Indeed, indirect evidence obtained in young VGLUT1-deficient mice indicated that in cells that co-express VGLUT1 and VGLUT2, the transporters may be targeted to different synaptic vesicles, which may populate different types of synapses formed by the same neurone. Direct evidence for a systematic segregation of VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 to distinct synapses and vesicles is lacking, and the mechanisms that may convey this segregation are not known. We show here that VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 are co-localized in many layers of the young hippocampus. Strikingly, VGLUT2 co-localizes with VGLUT1 in the mossy fibers at early stages. Furthermore, we show that a fraction of VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 is carried by the same vesicles at these stages. Hence, hippocampal neurones co-expressing VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 do not appear to sort them to separate vesicle pools. As the number of transporter molecules per vesicle affects quantal size, the developmental window where VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 are co-expressed may allow for greater plasticity in the control of quantal release.

Role of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis in the control of ventral tegmental area dopamine neurons

Projections from neurons of the bed nucleus of the stria terminalis (BST) to the ventral tegmental area (VTA) are crucial to behaviors related to reward and motivation. Over the past few years, we have undertaken a series of studies to understand: 1) how excitatory inputs regulate in vivo excitable properties of BST neurons, and 2) how BST inputs in turn modulate neuronal activity of dopamine neurons in VTA. Using in vivo extracellular recording techniques in anesthetized rats and tract-tracing approaches, we have demonstrated that inputs from the infralimbic cortex and the ventral subiculum exert a strong excitatory influence on BST neurons projecting to the VTA. Thus, the BST is uniquely positioned to receive emotional and learning-associated informations and to integrate these into the reward/motivation circuitry. We will discuss how changes in the activity of BST neurons projecting to the VTA could participate in the development or exacerbation of psychiatric conditions such as drug addiction.

Expression of vesicular glutamate transporters, VGLUT1 and VGLUT2, in cholinergic spinal motoneurons

Mammalian spinal motoneurons are cholinergic neurons that have long been suspected to use also glutamate as a neurotransmitter. We report that VGLUT1 and VGLUT2, two subtypes of vesicular glutamate transporters, are expressed in rat spinal motoneurons. Both proteins are present in somato-dendritic compartments as well as in axon terminals in primary cultures of immunopurified motoneurons and sections of spinal cord from adult rat. However, VGLUT1 and VGLUT2 are not found at neuromuscular junctions of skeletal muscles. After intracellular injection of biocytin in motoneurons, VGLUT2 is observed in anterogradely labelled terminals contacting Renshaw inhibitory interneurons. These VGLUT2- and VGLUT1-positive terminals do not express VAChT, the vesicular acetylcholine transporter. Overall, our study establishes for the first time that (i) mammalian spinal motoneurons express vesicular glutamate transporters, (ii) these motoneurons have the potential to release glutamate (in addition to acetylcholine) at terminals contacting Renshaw cells, and finally (iii) the VGLUTs are not present at neuromuscular synapses of skeletal muscles.

The GCP3-interacting proteins GIP1 and GIP2 are required for γ-tubulin complex protein localization, spindle integrity, and chromosomal stability

Microtubules (MTs) are crucial for both the establishment of cellular polarity and the progression of all mitotic phases leading to karyokinesis and cytokinesis. MT organization and spindle formation rely on the activity of γ-tubulin and associated proteins throughout the cell cycle. To date, the molecular mechanisms modulating γ-tubulin complex location remain largely unknown. In this work, two Arabidopsis thaliana proteins interacting with gamma-tubulin complex protein3 (GCP3), GCP3-interacting protein1 (GIP1) and GIP2, have been characterized. Both GIP genes are ubiquitously expressed in all tissues analyzed. Immunolocalization studies combined with the expression of GIP-green fluorescent protein fusions have shown that GIPs colocalize with γ-tubulin, GCP3, and/or GCP4 and reorganize from the nucleus to the prospindle and the preprophase band in late G2. After nuclear envelope breakdown, they localize on spindle and phragmoplast MTs and on the reforming nuclear envelope of daughter cells. The gip1 gip2 double mutants exhibit severe growth defects and sterility. At the cellular level, they are characterized by MT misorganization and abnormal spindle polarity, resulting in ploidy defects. Altogether, our data show that during mitosis GIPs play a role in γ-tubulin complex localization, spindle stability and chromosomal segregation.

BACE1 inhibition more effectively suppresses initiation than progression of β-amyloid pathology

BACE1 is the rate-limiting protease in the production of synaptotoxic β-amyloid (Aβ) species and hence one of the prime drug targets for potential therapy of Alzheimer's disease (AD). However, so far pharmacological BACE1 inhibition failed to rescue the cognitive decline in mild-to-moderate AD patients, which indicates that treatment at the symptomatic stage might be too late. In the current study, chronic in vivo two-photon microscopy was performed in a transgenic AD model to monitor the impact of pharmacological BACE1 inhibition on early β-amyloid pathology. The longitudinal approach allowed to assess the kinetics of individual plaques and associated presynaptic pathology, before and throughout treatment. BACE1 inhibition could not halt but slow down progressive β-amyloid deposition and associated synaptic pathology. Notably, the data revealed that the initial process of plaque formation, rather than the subsequent phase of gradual plaque growth, is most sensitive to BACE1 inhibition. This finding of particular susceptibility of plaque formation has profound implications to achieve optimal therapeutic efficacy for the prospective treatment of AD.

Interaction between the vesicular glutamate transporter type 1 and endophilin A1, a protein essential for endocytosis

In the nerve terminal, neurotransmitter is actively packaged into synaptic vesicles before its release by Ca2+-dependent exocytosis. The three vesicular glutamate transporters (VGLUT1, -2 and -3) are highly conserved proteins that display similar bioenergetic and pharmacological properties but are expressed in different brain areas. We used the divergent C-terminus of VGLUT1 as a bait in a yeast two-hybrid screen to identify and map the interaction between a proline-rich domain of VGLUT1 and the Src homology domain 3 (SH3) domain of endophilin. We further confirmed this interaction by using different glutathione-S-transferase-endophilin fusion proteins to pull down VGLUT1 from rat brain extracts. The expression profiles of the two genes and proteins were compared on rat brain sections, showing that endophilin is most highly expressed in regions and cells expressing VGLUT1. Double immunofluorescence in the rat cerebellum shows that most VGLUT1-positive terminals co-express endophilin, whereas VGLUT2-expressing terminals are often devoid of endophilin. However, neither VGLUT1 transport activity, endophilin enzymatic activity nor VGLUT1 synaptic targeting were altered by this interaction. Overall, the discovery of endophilin as a partner for VGLUT1 in nerve terminals strongly suggests the existence of functional differences between VGLUT1 and -2 terminals in their abilities to replenish vesicle pools.

Identification of genes involved in replication and movement of peanut clump virus

The genome of peanut clump pecluvirus (PCV) consists of two messenger RNA components which contain, respectively, three and five open reading frames (ORFs). Inoculation of transcripts from full-length cDNA clones derived from the PCV RNAs showed that RNA-1 is able to replicate in the absence of RNA-2 in protoplasts, but both RNAs are necessary for plant infection. To investigate the role of different gene products in viral RNA replication and movement, transcripts from mutant cDNA clones were inoculated to protoplasts and to Chenopodium quinoa or Nicotiana benthamiana plants, and progeny RNA was detected by Northern blot analysis. The protein P15, encoded by the third ORF of RNA-1, is essential for efficient replication of the viral genome. The three proteins, P51, P14, and P17, of the triple gene block contained in RNA-2 are involved in localized movement of the viral genome, whereas the coat protein (P23) is also required for vascular movement. Insertion of the beta-glucuronidase reporter gene (GUS) in place of the P23 or P39 genes (the first and the second genes of RNA-2) allows visualization of the virus infection in inoculated leaves. Although the presence of the GUS gene resulted in a lower accumulation of progeny RNA and, despite instability of the construct in planta, histochemical detection of PCV multiplication was more sensitive than Northern blot detection.

Coat proteins of Rice tungro bacilliform virus and Mungbean yellow mosaic virus contain multiple nuclear-localization signals and interact with importin alpha

Transport of the viral genome into the nucleus is an obligatory step in the replication cycle of plant pararetro- and geminiviruses. In both these virus types, the multifunctional coat protein (CP) is thought to be involved in this process. Here, a green fluorescent protein tagging approach was used to demonstrate nuclear import of the CPs of Rice tungro bacilliform virus (RTBV) and Mungbean yellow mosaic virus--Vigna (MYMV) in Nicotiana plumbaginifolia protoplasts. In both cases, at least two nuclear localization signals (NLSs) were identified and characterized. The NLSs of RTBV CP are located within both N- and C-terminal regions (residues 479KRPK/497KRK and 744KRK/758RRK), and those of MYMV CP within the N-terminal part (residues 3KR and 41KRRR). The MYMV and RTBV CP NLSs resemble classic mono- and bipartite NLSs, respectively. However, the N-terminal MYMV CP NLS and both RTBV CP NLSs show peculiarities in the number and position of basic residues. In vitro pull-down assays revealed interaction of RTBV and MYMV CPs with the nuclear import factor importin alpha, suggesting that both CPs are imported into the nucleus via an importin alpha-dependent pathway. The possibility that this pathway could serve for docking of virions to the nucleus is discussed.

The effect of grape seed and grape marc meal extract on milk performance and the expression of genes of endoplasmic reticulum stress and inflammation in the liver of dairy cows in early lactation

During the periparturient phase, cows are typically in an inflammation-like condition, and it has been suggested that inflammation associated with the development of stress of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) in the liver contributes to the development of fatty liver syndrome and ketosis. In the present study, we investigated the hypothesis that feeding grape seed and grape marc meal extract (GSGME) as a plant extract rich in flavonoids attenuates inflammation and ER stress in the liver of dairy cows. Two groups of cows received either a total mixed ration as a control diet or the same total mixed ration supplemented with 1% of GSGME over the period from wk 3 prepartum to wk 9 postpartum. Dry matter intake during wk 3 to 9 postpartum was not different between the 2 groups. However, the cows fed the diet supplemented with GSGME had an increased milk yield and an increased daily milk protein yield. Cows supplemented with GSGME moreover had a significantly reduced mRNA abundancy of fibroblast growth factor (FGF) 21, a stress hormone induced by various stress conditions, in the liver in wk 1 and 3 postpartum. In contrast, mRNA abundances of a total of 3 genes involved in inflammation and 14 genes involved in ER stress response, as well as concentrations of triacylglycerols and cholesterol, in liver samples of wk 1 and 3 postpartum did not differ between the 2 groups. Overall, this study shows that supplementation of GSGME did not influence inflammation or ER stress in the liver but increased milk yield, an effect that could be due to effects on ruminal metabolism.

Complete nucleotide sequence of peanut clump virus RNA 1 and relationships with other fungus-transmitted rod-shaped viruses

The complete nucleotide sequence of RNA 1 of the tentative furovirus peanut clump virus (PCV) has been determined by characterization of cloned cDNA and by direct RNA sequencing. The sequence is 5897 nucleotides in length and contains three long open reading frames (ORFs). The 5'-terminal proximal ORF has the potential to encode a polypeptide of M(r) 130942 (P131) containing methyltransferase and RNA helicase homologous domains and displaying homology with large nonstructural proteins of alpha-like viruses, which are known or thought to be involved in virus replication. The P131 ORF is followed in-frame by a second ORF which is probably expressed by partial readthrough of the UGA termination codon of the P131 ORF to produce a polypeptide of M(r) 191044 (P191). The readthrough region of P191 contains the characteristic 'core' RNA polymerase motif, indicating that the PCV replicase proteins are expressed as a pair of overlapping proteins as in the tobamoviruses, tobraviruses and the furovirus soil-borne wheat mosaic virus (SBWMV). Sequence comparisons indicate that P131 and P191 are most closely related to the replicase proteins of SBWMV and the hordeivirus barley stripe mosaic virus (BSMV) but are only distantly related to the replicase of the furovirus beet necrotic yellow vein virus (BNYVV). The 3'-terminal proximal ORF can encode a putative polypeptide of M(r) 14556 (P15) which displays homology to small cysteine-rich proteins of hordeiviruses and SBWMV. We have corrected four errors in the sequence of PCV RNA 2 published previously by Manohar et al. (Virology 195, 33-41, 1993). One of these changes causes two small ORFs near the 3' terminus of RNA 2 to be fused together to create an ORF for a putative polypeptide of M(r) 16833 (P17) which displays extensive homology with the third protein of the triple gene block of BSMV RNA beta.

Arabidopsis GCP2 and GCP3 are part of a soluble gamma-tubulin complex and have nuclear envelope targeting domains

In higher plants, microtubules (MTs) are assembled in distinctive arrays in the absence of a defined organizing center. Three MT nucleation sites have been described: the nuclear surface, the cell cortex and cortical MT branch points. The Arabidopsis thaliana (At) genome contains putative orthologues encoding all the components of characterized mammalian nucleation complexes: gamma-tubulin and gamma-tubulin complex proteins GCP2 to GCP6. We have cloned the cDNA encoding AtGCP2, and show that gamma-tubulin, AtGCP2 and AtGCP3 are part of the same tandem affinity-purified complex and are present in a large membrane-associated complex. In addition, small soluble gamma-tubulin complexes of the size expected for a gamma-tubulin core complex are recruited to isolated nuclei. Using immunogold labelling, AtGCP3 is localized to both the nuclear envelope (NE) and the plasma membrane. To identify domains that could play a role in targeting complexes to these nucleation sites, truncated AtGCP2- and AtGCP3-green fluorescent protein fusion proteins were expressed in BY-2 cells. Several domains from AtGCP2 and AtGCP3 are capable of targeting fusions to the NE. We propose that regulated recruitment of soluble gamma-tubulin-containing complexes is responsible for nucleation at dispersed sites in plant cells and contributes to the formation and organization of the various MT arrays.

Deciphering a neural code for vision

Deciphering the information that eyes, ears, and other sensory organs transmit to the brain is important for understanding the neural basis of behavior. Recordings from single sensory nerve cells have yielded useful insights, but single neurons generally do not mediate behavior; networks of neurons do. Monitoring the activity of all cells in a neural network of a behaving animal, however, is not yet possible. Taking an alternative approach, we used a realistic cell-based model to compute the ensemble of neural activity generated by one sensory organ, the lateral eye of the horseshoe crab, Limulus polyphemus. We studied how the neural network of this eye encodes natural scenes by presenting to the model movies recorded with a video camera mounted above the eye of an animal that was exploring its underwater habitat. Model predictions were confirmed by simultaneously recording responses from single optic nerve fibers of the same animal. We report here that the eye transmits to the brain robust "neural images" of objects having the size, contrast, and motion of potential mates. The neural code for such objects is not found in ambiguous messages of individual optic nerve fibers but rather in patterns of coherent activity that extend over small ensembles of nerve fibers and are bound together by stimulus motion. Integrative properties of neurons in the first synaptic layer of the brain appear well suited to detecting the patterns of coherent activity. Neural coding by this relatively simple eye helps explain how horseshoe crabs find mates and may lead to a better understanding of how more complex sensory organs process information.

Translation of the second gene of peanut clump virus RNA 2 occurs by leaky scanning in vitro

The two 5'-proximal open reading frames of peanut clump virus RNA 2, which encode the coat protein of 23 kDa and a protein of 39 kDa (P39), are both translated in vitro from genomic RNA 2. We have studied the translational strategy involved in the initiation at the second AUG of RNA 2, which is the initiation codon of P39. Mutation experiments with synthetic transcripts corresponding to the 5'-half of RNA 2 ruled out mechanisms of P39 translation initiation involving termination-reinitiation and internal ribosomes entry. The results were consistent, however, with a leaky scanning mechanism for P39 initiation, in which about one-third of the ribosomes fail to initiate translation of coat protein and scan along the template to initiate translation at the AUG of the P39 gene, more than 1000 residues in from the 5'-terminus of the RNA 2.

Physical determinants of vesicle mobility and supply at a central synapse

Encoding continuous sensory variables requires sustained synaptic signalling. At several sensory synapses, rapid vesicle supply is achieved via highly mobile vesicles and specialized ribbon structures, but how this is achieved at central synapses without ribbons is unclear. Here we examine vesicle mobility at excitatory cerebellar mossy fibre synapses which sustain transmission over a broad frequency bandwidth. Fluorescent recovery after photobleaching in slices from VGLUT1^Venus knock-in mice reveal 75% of VGLUT1-containing vesicles have a high mobility, comparable to that at ribbon synapses. Experimentally constrained models establish hydrodynamic interactions and vesicle collisions are major determinants of vesicle mobility in crowded presynaptic terminals. Moreover, models incorporating 3D reconstructions of vesicle clouds near active zones (AZs) predict the measured releasable pool size and replenishment rate from the reserve pool. They also show that while vesicle reloading at AZs is not diffusion-limited at the onset of release, diffusion limits vesicle reloading during sustained high-frequency signalling.

DOI:http://dx.doi.org/10.7554/eLife.15133.001

Subcellular and regional localization of mRNA translation in midbrain dopamine neurons

Midbrain dopaminergic (mDA) neurons exhibit extensive dendritic and axonal arborizations, but local protein synthesis is not characterized in these neurons. Here, we investigate messenger RNA (mRNA) localization and translation in mDA neuronal axons and dendrites, both of which release dopamine (DA). Using highly sensitive ribosome-bound RNA sequencing and imaging approaches, we find no evidence for mRNA translation in mDA axons. In contrast, mDA neuronal dendrites in the substantia nigra pars reticulata (SNr) contain ribosomes and mRNAs encoding the major components of DA synthesis, release, and reuptake machinery. Surprisingly, we also observe dendritic localization of mRNAs encoding synaptic vesicle-related proteins, including those involved in exocytic fusion. Our results are consistent with a role for local translation in the regulation of DA release from dendrites, but not from axons. Our translatome data define a molecular signature of sparse mDA neurons in the SNr, including the enrichment of Atp2a3/SERCA3, an atypical ER calcium pump.

Tau deletion reduces plaque-associated BACE1 accumulation and decelerates plaque formation in a mouse model of Alzheimer's disease

In Alzheimer's disease, BACE1 protease initiates the amyloidogenic processing of amyloid precursor protein (APP) that eventually results in synthesis of β-amyloid (Aβ) peptide. Aβ deposition in turn causes accumulation of BACE1 in plaque-associated dystrophic neurites, thereby potentiating progressive Aβ deposition once initiated. Since systemic pharmacological BACE inhibition causes adverse effects in humans, it is important to identify strategies that specifically normalize overt BACE1 activity around plaques. The microtubule-associated protein tau regulates axonal transport of proteins, and tau deletion rescues Aβ-induced transport deficits in vitro. In the current study, long-term in vivo two-photon microscopy and immunohistochemistry were performed in tau-deficient APPPS1 mice. Tau deletion reduced plaque-associated axonal pathology and BACE1 accumulation without affecting physiological BACE1 expression distant from plaques. Thereby, tau deletion effectively decelerated formation of new plaques and reduced plaque compactness. The data revealed that tau reinforces Aβ deposition, presumably by contributing to accumulation of BACE1 in plaque-associated dystrophies. Targeting tau-dependent mechanisms could become a suitable strategy to specifically reduce overt BACE1 activity around plaques, thereby avoiding adverse effects of systemic BACE inhibition.

Identification of a novel small Arabidopsis protein interacting with gamma-tubulin complex protein 3

In higher plants, microtubules (MTs) show dynamic structural changes during cell cycle and development progression. A precise control of MT nucleation at dispersed sites is one way used to regulate the cytoskeletal organization. Some gamma-tubulin complex proteins (GCPs) were previously identified in Arabidopsis thaliana (At). They are directly involved in the nucleation process. Nevertheless, no additional player which may anchor the nucleating complex or regulate the nucleation activity has been found in plant cells so far. Therefore, our aim was the identification of Arabidopsis proteins interacting with MT nucleating complexes and particularly with AtGCP3. Performing a yeast two-hybrid screen, we discovered a new protein which we called AtGCP3 Interacting Protein 1 (AtGIP1). The possible role of this protein during the nucleation process is discussed.

The GIP gamma-tubulin complex-associated proteins are involved in nuclear architecture in Arabidopsis thaliana

During interphase, the microtubular cytoskeleton of cycling plant cells is organized in both cortical and perinuclear arrays. Perinuclear microtubules (MTs) are nucleated from γ-Tubulin Complexes (γ-TuCs) located at the surface of the nucleus. The molecular mechanisms of γ-TuC association to the nuclear envelope (NE) are currently unknown. The γ-TuC Protein 3 (GCP3)-Interacting Protein 1 (GIP1) is the smallest γ-TuC component identified so far. AtGIP1 and its homologous protein AtGIP2 participate in the localization of active γ-TuCs at interphasic and mitotic MT nucleation sites. Arabidopsis gip1gip2 mutants are impaired in establishing a fully functional mitotic spindle and exhibit severe developmental defects. In this study, gip1gip2 knock down mutants were further characterized at the cellular level. In addition to defects in both the localization of γ-TuC core proteins and MT fiber robustness, gip1gip2 mutants exhibited a severe alteration of the nuclear shape associated with an abnormal distribution of the nuclear pore complexes. Simultaneously, they showed a misorganization of the inner nuclear membrane protein AtSUN1. Furthermore, AtGIP1 was identified as an interacting partner of AtTSA1 which was detected, like the AtGIP proteins, at the NE. These results provide the first evidence for the involvement of a γ-TuC component in both nuclear shaping and NE organization. Functional hypotheses are discussed in order to propose a model for a GIP-dependent nucleo-cytoplasmic continuum.

Synapse biology in the 'circuit-age'-paths toward molecular connectomics

The neural connectome is a critical determinant of brain function. Circuits of precisely wired neurons, and the features of transmission at the synapses connecting them, are thought to dictate information processing in the brain. While recent technological advances now allow to define the anatomical and functional neural connectome at unprecedented resolution, the elucidation of the molecular mechanisms that establish the precise patterns of connectivity and the functional characteristics of synapses has remained challenging. Here, we describe the power and limitations of genetic approaches in the analysis of mechanisms that control synaptic connectivity and function, and discuss how recent methodological developments in proteomics might be used to elucidate the molecular synaptic connectome that is at the basis of the neural connectome.