Synaptic assembly of the brain in the absence of neurotransmitter secretion

Brain function requires precisely orchestrated connectivity between neurons. Establishment of these connections is believed to require signals secreted from outgrowing axons, followed by synapse formation between selected neurons. Deletion of a single protein, Munc18-1, in mice leads to a complete loss of neurotransmitter secretion from synaptic vesicles throughout development. However, this does not prevent normal brain assembly, including formation of layered structures, fiber pathways, and morphologically defined synapses. After assembly is completed, neurons undergo apoptosis, leading to widespread neurodegeneration. Thus, synaptic connectivity does not depend on neurotransmitter secretion, but its maintenance does. Neurotransmitter secretion probably functions to validate already established synaptic connections.

Neuroligins determine synapse maturation and function

Synaptogenesis, the generation and maturation of functional synapses between nerve cells, is an essential step in the development of neuronal networks in the brain. It is thought to be triggered by members of the neuroligin family of postsynaptic cell adhesion proteins, which may form transsynaptic contacts with presynaptic alpha- and beta-neurexins and have been implicated in the etiology of autism. We show that deletion mutant mice lacking neuroligin expression die shortly after birth due to respiratory failure. This respiratory failure is a consequence of reduced GABAergic/glycinergic and glutamatergic synaptic transmission and network activity in brainstem centers that control respiration. However, the density of synaptic contacts is not altered in neuroligin-deficient brains and cultured neurons. Our data show that neuroligins are required for proper synapse maturation and brain function, but not for the initial formation of synaptic contacts.

Essential functions of synapsins I and II in synaptic vesicle regulation

Synaptic vesicles are coated by synapsins, phosphoproteins that account for 9% of the vesicle protein. To analyse the functions of these proteins, we have studied knockout mice lacking either synapsin I, synapsin II, or both. Mice lacking synapsins are viable and fertile with no gross anatomical abnormalities, but experience seizures with a frequency proportional to the number of mutant alleles. Synapsin-II and double knockouts, but not synapsin-I knockouts, exhibit decreased post-tetanic potentiation and severe synaptic depression upon repetitive stimulation. Intrinsic synaptic-vesicle membrane proteins, but not peripheral membrane proteins or other synaptic proteins, are slightly decreased in individual knockouts and more severely reduced in double knockouts, as is the number of synaptic vesicles. Thus synapsins are not required for neurite outgrowth, synaptogenesis or the basic mechanics of synaptic vesicle traffic, but are essential for accelerating this traffic during repetitive stimulation. The phenotype of the synapsin knockouts could be explained either by deficient recruitment of synaptic vesicles to the active zone, or by impaired maturation of vesicles at the active zone, both of which could lead to a secondary destabilization of synaptic vesicles.

Alpha-neurexins couple Ca2+ channels to synaptic vesicle exocytosis

Synapses are specialized intercellular junctions in which cell adhesion molecules connect the presynaptic machinery for neurotransmitter release to the postsynaptic machinery for receptor signalling. Neurotransmitter release requires the presynaptic co-assembly of Ca2+ channels with the secretory apparatus, but little is known about how synaptic components are organized. Alpha-neurexins, a family of >1,000 presynaptic cell-surface proteins encoded by three genes, link the pre- and postsynaptic compartments of synapses by binding extracellularly to postsynaptic cell adhesion molecules and intracellularly to presynaptic PDZ domain proteins. Using triple-knockout mice, we show that alpha-neurexins are not required for synapse formation, but are essential for Ca2+-triggered neurotransmitter release. Neurotransmitter release is impaired because synaptic Ca2+ channel function is markedly reduced, although the number of cell-surface Ca2+ channels appears normal. These data suggest that alpha-neurexins organize presynaptic terminals by functionally coupling Ca2+ channels to the presynaptic machinery.

Neuroligin 1: a splice site-specific ligand for beta-neurexins

Neurexins are neuronal cell surface proteins with hundreds of isoforms generated by alternative splicing. Here we describe neuroligin 1, a neuronal cell surface protein that is enriched in synaptic plasma membranes and acts as a splice site-specific ligand for beta-neurexins. Neuroligin 1 binds to beta-neurexins only if they lack an insert in the alternatively spliced sequence of the G domain, but not if they contain an insert. The extracellular sequence of neuroligin 1 is composed of a catalytically inactive esterase domain homologous to acetylcholinesterase. In situ hybridization reveals that alternative splicing of neurexins at the site recognized by neuroligin 1 is highly regulated. These findings support a model whereby alternative splicing of neurexins creates a family of cell surface receptors that confers interactive specificity onto their resident neurons.

Complexins: cytosolic proteins that regulate SNAP receptor function

A family of proteins called complexins was discovered that compete with alpha-SNAP, but not synaptotagmin, for SNAP receptor binding. Complexins I and II are highly homologous hydrophilic proteins that are tightly conserved, with 100% identity among mouse, rat, and human complexin II. They are enriched in neurons where they colocalize with syntaxin and SNAP-25; in addition, complexin II is expressed ubiquitously at low levels. Complexins bind weakly to syntaxin alone and not at all to synaptobrevin and SNAP-25, but strongly to the SNAP receptor-core complex composed of these three molecules. They compete with alpha-SNAP for binding to the core complex but not with other interacting molecules, including synaptotagmin I, suggesting that the complexins regulate the sequential interactions of alpha-SNAP and synaptotagmins with the SNAP receptor during exocytosis.

SV2A and SV2B function as redundant Ca2+ regulators in neurotransmitter release

SV2 proteins are abundant synaptic vesicle proteins expressed in two major (SV2A and SV2B) and one minor isoform (SV2C) that resemble transporter proteins. We now show that SV2B knockout mice are phenotypically normal while SV2A- and SV2A/SV2B double knockout mice exhibit severe seizures and die postnatally. In electrophysiological recordings from cultured hippocampal neurons, SV2A- or SV2B-deficient cells exhibited no detectable abnormalities. Neurons lacking both SV2 isoforms, however, experienced sustained increases in Ca2+-dependent synaptic transmission when two or more action potentials were triggered in succession. These increases could be reversed by EGTA-AM. Our data suggest that without SV2 proteins, presynaptic Ca2+ accumulation during consecutive action potentials causes abnormal increases in neurotransmitter release that destabilize synaptic circuits and induce epilepsy.

Neurexins: three genes and 1001 products

The human brain has approximately 10(12) neurons, three orders of magnitude more than there are basepairs in the human genome. Each neuron is connected to other neurons by thousands of synapses, creating a dense network of communicating neurons. Cell-recognition events between neurons at, and outside of synapses, are likely to guide the development and maintenance of the complex network formed by neurons. However, little is known about which proteins are important for neuronal cell recognition. Neurexins, a family of polymorphic cell-surface proteins, might mediate some of these cell recognition events. Thousands of neurexin isoforms are generated from three genes by usage of alternative promoters and alternative splicing. These isoforms are displayed on the neuronal cell surface, with different classes of neurons expressing distinct combinations of isoforms. Neurexins probably have a multitude of ligands, some of which interact only with subsets of neurexin isoforms. This review describes the properties of the neurexin protein family and their potential roles in neuronal cell adhesion and intercellular signaling.

Synaptic cell adhesion

Chemical synapses are asymmetric intercellular junctions that mediate synaptic transmission. Synaptic junctions are organized by trans-synaptic cell adhesion molecules bridging the synaptic cleft. Synaptic cell adhesion molecules not only connect pre- and postsynaptic compartments, but also mediate trans-synaptic recognition and signaling processes that are essential for the establishment, specification, and plasticity of synapses. A growing number of synaptic cell adhesion molecules that include neurexins and neuroligins, Ig-domain proteins such as SynCAMs, receptor phosphotyrosine kinases and phosphatases, and several leucine-rich repeat proteins have been identified. These synaptic cell adhesion molecules use characteristic extracellular domains to perform complementary roles in organizing synaptic junctions that are only now being revealed. The importance of synaptic cell adhesion molecules for brain function is highlighted by recent findings implicating several such molecules, notably neurexins and neuroligins, in schizophrenia and autism.

Early defects of GABAergic synapses in the brain stem of a MeCP2 mouse model of Rett syndrome

Rett syndrome is a neurodevelopmental disorder caused by mutations in the transcriptional repressor methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) and represents the leading genetic cause for mental retardation in girls. MeCP2-mutant mice have been generated to study the molecular mechanisms of the disease. It was suggested that an imbalance between excitatory and inhibitory neurotransmission is responsible for the behavioral abnormalities, although it remained largely unclear which synaptic components are affected and how cellular impairments relate to the time course of the disease. Here, we report that MeCP2 KO mice present an imbalance between inhibitory and excitatory synaptic transmission in the ventrolateral medulla already at postnatal day 7. Focusing on the inhibitory synaptic transmission we show that GABAergic, but not glycinergic, synaptic transmission is strongly depressed in MeCP2 KO mice. These alterations are presumably due to both decreased presynaptic gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA) release with reduced levels of the vesicular inhibitory transmitter transporter and reduced levels of postsynaptic GABA(A)-receptor subunits alpha2 and alpha4. Our data indicate that in the MeCP2 -/y mice specific synaptic molecules and signaling pathways are impaired in the brain stem during early postnatal development. These observations mandate the search for more refined diagnostic tools and may provide a rationale for the timing of future therapeutic interventions in Rett patients.

Deletion of CASK in mice is lethal and impairs synaptic function

CASK is an evolutionarily conserved multidomain protein composed of an N-terminal Ca2+/calmodulin-kinase domain, central PDZ and SH3 domains, and a C-terminal guanylate kinase domain. Many potential activities for CASK have been suggested, including functions in scaffolding the synapse, in organizing ion channels, and in regulating neuronal gene transcription. To better define the physiological importance of CASK, we have now analyzed CASK "knockdown" mice in which CASK expression was suppressed by approximately 70%, and CASK knockout (KO) mice, in which CASK expression was abolished. CASK knockdown mice are viable but smaller than WT mice, whereas CASK KO mice die at first day after birth. CASK KO mice exhibit no major developmental abnormalities apart from a partially penetrant cleft palate syndrome. In CASK-deficient neurons, the levels of the CASK-interacting proteins Mints, Veli/Mals, and neurexins are decreased, whereas the level of neuroligin 1 (which binds to neurexins that in turn bind to CASK) is increased. Neurons lacking CASK display overall normal electrical properties and form ultrastructurally normal synapses. However, glutamatergic spontaneous synaptic release events are increased, and GABAergic synaptic release events are decreased in CASK-deficient neurons. In contrast to spontaneous neurotransmitter release, evoked release exhibited no major changes. Our data suggest that CASK, the only member of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase protein family that contains a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase domain, is required for mouse survival and performs a selectively essential function without being in itself required for core activities of neurons, such as membrane excitability, Ca2+-triggered presynaptic release, or postsynaptic receptor functions.

Neurexins

The neurexin family of cell adhesion proteins consists of three members in vertebrates and has homologs in several invertebrate species. In mammals, each neurexin gene encodes an α-neurexin in which the extracellular portion is long, and a β-neurexin in which the extracellular portion is short. As a result of alternative splicing, both major isoforms can be transcribed in many variants, contributing to distinct structural domains and variability. Neurexins act predominantly at the presynaptic terminal in neurons and play essential roles in neurotransmission and differentiation of synapses. Some of these functions require the formation of trans-synaptic complexes with postsynaptic proteins such as neuroligins, LRRTM proteins or cerebellin. In addition, rare mutations and copy-number variations of human neurexin genes have been linked to autism and schizophrenia, indicating that impairments of synaptic function sustained by neurexins and their binding partners may be relevant to the pathomechanism of these debilitating diseases.

Altered social behaviours in neurexin 1α knockout mice resemble core symptoms in neurodevelopmental disorders

BACKGROUND

Copy number variants have emerged as an important genomic cause of common, complex neurodevelopmental disorders. These usually change copy number of multiple genes, but deletions at 2p16.3, which have been associated with autism, schizophrenia and mental retardation, affect only the neurexin 1 gene, usually the alpha isoform. Previous analyses of neurexin 1α (Nrxn1α) knockout (KO) mouse as a model of these disorders have revealed impairments in synaptic transmission but failed to reveal defects in social behaviour, one of the core symptoms of autism.

METHODS

We performed a detailed investigation of the behavioural effects of Nrxn1α deletion in mice bred onto a pure genetic background (C57BL/6J) to gain a better understanding of its role in neurodevelopmental disorders. Wildtype, heterozygote and homozygote Nrxn1α KO male and female mice were tested in a battery of behavioural tests (n = 9-16 per genotype, per sex).

RESULTS

In homozygous Nrxn1α KO mice, we observed altered social approach, reduced social investigation, and reduced locomotor activity in novel environments. In addition, male Nrxn1α KO mice demonstrated an increase in aggressive behaviours.

CONCLUSIONS

These are the first experimental data that associate a deletion of Nrxn1α with alterations of social behaviour in mice. Since this represents one of the core symptom domains affected in autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia in humans, our findings suggest that deletions within NRXN1 found in patients may be responsible for the impairments seen in social behaviours, and that the Nrxn1α KO mice are a useful model of human neurodevelopmental disorder.

The making of neurexins

Neurexins are neuronal cell-surface proteins with up to thousands of isoforms. These isoforms are generated by alternative splicing of transcripts from six promoters in three genes. The structure of neurexins resembles cell-surface receptors with a modular architecture suggestive of a sequential assembly during evolution. Neurexins probably perform multiple functions in the brain. They participate in intercellular junctions in which beta-neurexins tightly bind to a second class of neuronal cell-surface receptors called neuroligins. Intracellularly, the neurexin/neuroligin junction is bound by CASK on the neurexin side and PSD95 on the neuroligin side. CASK and PSD95 are homologous membrane-associated guanylate kinases that bind to the neurexin/neuroligin junction via PDZ domains, creating an asymmetric junction (neurexin/neuroligin) with similar intracellular binding partners. In addition to a function as cell-adhesion molecules, neurexins may also serve as a signalling receptor, because a class of ligands for alpha-neurexins called neurexophilins is similar to peptide hormones. Finally, at least one neurexin isoform, neurexin Ialpha, represents a high-affinity receptor for alpha-latrotoxin, which is a potent excitatory neurotoxin. Thus, neurexins constitute a large family of neuronal receptors that may be involved in multiple interactive functions between neurons.

Extracellular domains of alpha-neurexins participate in regulating synaptic transmission by selectively affecting N- and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels

Neurexins constitute a large family of highly variable cell-surface molecules that may function in synaptic transmission and/or synapse formation. Each of the three known neurexin genes encodes two major neurexin variants, alpha- and beta-neurexins, that are composed of distinct extracellular domains linked to identical intracellular sequences. Deletions of one, two, or all three alpha-neurexins in mice recently demonstrated their essential role at synapses. In multiple alpha-neurexin knock-outs, neurotransmitter release from excitatory and inhibitory synapses was severely reduced, primarily probably because voltage-dependent Ca2+ channels were impaired. It remained unclear, however, which neurexin variants actually influence exocytosis and Ca2+ channels, which domain of neurexins is required for this function, and which Ca2+-channel subtypes are regulated. Here, we show by electrophysiological recordings that transgenic neurexin 1alpha rescues the release and Ca2+-current phenotypes, whereas transgenic neurexin 1beta has no effect, indicating the importance of the extracellular sequences for the function of neurexins. Because neurexin 1alpha rescued the knock-out phenotype independent of the alpha-neurexin gene deleted, these data are consistent with a redundant function among different alpha-neurexins. In both knock-out and transgenically rescued mice, alpha-neurexins selectively affected the component of neurotransmitter release that depended on activation of N- and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels, but left L-type Ca2+ channels unscathed. Our findings indicate that alpha-neurexins represent organizer molecules in neurotransmission that regulate N- and P/Q-type Ca2+ channels, constituting an essential role at synapses that critically involves the extracellular domains of neurexins.

Neurexophilin binding to alpha-neurexins. A single LNS domain functions as an independently folding ligand-binding unit

alpha-Neurexins (Ialpha, IIalpha, and IIIalpha) are receptor-like proteins expressed in hundreds of isoforms on the neuronal cell surface. The extracellular domains of alpha-neurexins are composed of six LNS repeats, named after homologous sequences in the Laminin A G domain, Neurexins, and Sex hormone-binding globulin, with three interspersed epidermal growth factor-like domains. Purification of neurexin Ialpha revealed that it is tightly complexed to a secreted glycoprotein called neurexophilin 1. Neurexophilin 1 is a member of a family of at least four genes and resembles a neuropeptide, suggesting a function as an endogenous ligand for alpha-neurexins. We have now used recombinant proteins and knockout mice to investigate which isoforms and domains of different neurexins and neurexophilins interact with each other. We show that neurexophilins 1 and 3 but not 4 (neurexophilin 2 is not expressed in rodents) bind to a single individual LNS domain, the second overall LNS domain in all three alpha-neurexins. Although this domain is alternatively spliced, all splice variants bind, suggesting that alternative splicing does not regulate binding. Using homologous recombination to disrupt the neurexophilin 1 gene, we generated mutant mice that do not express detectable neurexophilin 1 mRNA. Mice lacking neurexophilin 1 are viable with no obvious morbidity or mortality. However, homozygous mutant mice exhibit male sterility, probably because homologous recombination resulted in the co-insertion into the neurexophilin gene of herpes simplex virus thymidine kinase, which is known to cause male sterility. In the neurexophilin 1 knockout mice, neurexin Ialpha is complexed with neurexophilin 3 but not neurexophilin 4, suggesting that neurexophilin 1 is redundant with neurexophilin 3 and that neurexophilins 1 and 3 but not 4 bind to neurexins. This hypothesis was confirmed using expression experiments. Our data reveal that the six LNS and three epidermal growth factor domains of neurexins are independently folding ligand-binding domains that may interact with distinct targets. The results support the notion that neurexophilins represent a family of extracellular signaling molecules that interact with multiple receptors including all three alpha-neurexins.

Neurexin I alpha is a major alpha-latrotoxin receptor that cooperates in alpha-latrotoxin action

alpha-Latrotoxin is a potent neurotoxin from black widow spider venom that binds to presynaptic receptors and causes massive neurotransmitter release. A surprising finding was the biochemical description of two distinct cell surface proteins that bind alpha-latrotoxin with nanomolar affinities; Neurexin I alpha binds alpha-latrotoxin in a Ca(2+)-dependent manner, and CIRL/latrophilin binds in a Ca(2+)-independent manner. We have now generated and analyzed mice that lack neurexin I alpha to test its importance in alpha-latrotoxin action. alpha-Latrotoxin binding to brain membranes from mutant mice was decreased by almost 50% compared with wild type membranes; the decrease was almost entirely due to a loss of Ca(2+)-dependent alpha-latrotoxin binding sites. In cultured hippocampal neurons, alpha-latrotoxin was still capable of activating neurotransmission in the absence of neurexin I alpha. Direct measurements of [3H]glutamate release from synaptosomes, however, showed a major decrease in the amount of release triggered by alpha-latrotoxin in the presence of Ca2+. Thus neurexin I alpha is not essential for alpha-latrotoxin action but contributes to alpha-latrotoxin action when Ca2+ is present. Viewed as a whole, our results show that mice contain two distinct types of alpha-latrotoxin receptors with similar affinities and abundance but different properties and functions. The action of alpha-latrotoxin may therefore be mediated by independent parallel pathways, of which the CIRL/latrophilin pathway is sufficient for neurotransmitter release, whereas the neurexin I alpha pathway contributes to the Ca(2+)-dependent action of alpha-latrotoxin.

Postsynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor function requires alpha-neurexins

Alpha-neurexins are neuron-specific cell-surface molecules that are essential for the functional organization of presynaptic Ca2+ channels and release sites. We have now examined postsynaptic glutamate receptor function in alpha-neurexin knockout (KO) mice by using whole-cell recordings in cultured neocortical slices. Unexpectedly, we find that alpha-neurexins are required for normal activity of N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA)- but not alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxyzolepropionic acid (AMPA)-type glutamate receptors. In alpha-neurexin-deficient mice, the ratio of NMDA- to AMPA-receptor currents, recorded as evoked synaptic responses, was diminished approximately 50%. Furthermore, the NMDA-receptor-dependent component of spontaneous synaptic miniature responses was reduced approximately 50%, whereas the AMPA-receptor-dependent component was unaffected. No alterations in the levels of NMDA- or AMPA-receptor proteins were detected. These results suggest that alpha-neurexins are required to maintain normal postsynaptic NMDA-receptor function. The decrease in NMDA-receptor activity in alpha-neurexin-deficient synapses could be due to a transsynaptic effect on the postsynaptic neuron (i.e., alpha-neurexins on the presynaptic inputs guide postsynaptic NMDA-receptor function) or to a cell-autonomous postsynaptic effect of alpha-neurexins on NMDA-receptor activity. To distinguish between these two possibilities, we cocultured WT GFP-labeled neurons with neocortical slices from alpha-neurexin-deficient or control mice. No difference was found between WT neurons innervated by inputs that contained or lacked alpha-neurexins, indicating that the absence of presynaptic alpha-neurexins alone does not depress postsynaptic NMDA-receptor function. Our data suggest that, in addition to the previously described presynaptic impairments, loss of alpha-neurexins induces postsynaptic changes by a cell-autonomous mechanism.

Deletion of α-neurexins does not cause a major impairment of axonal pathfinding or synapse formation

Alpha-neurexins are synaptic cell-surface molecules that are required for Ca(2+)-triggered exocytosis. Mice lacking all three alpha-neurexins show drastically reduced neurotransmitter release at excitatory and inhibitory synapses and die early postnatally. Although previous histological analysis of newborn alpha-neurexin triple mutants revealed only a moderate reduction in the density of type II synapses in the brainstem, cell culture studies proposed that neurexins are prominently involved in synapse formation. To assess the contribution of alpha-neurexins to the formation and structural properties of synapses in vivo, we performed a detailed morphological analysis of the brains from surviving adult double knockout mice lacking two of the three alpha-neurexins. Despite their impaired neurotransmission, we did not observe any gross anatomical defects or changes in the distribution of synaptic proteins in adult mutants. Only mild structural alterations were found: a approximately 20% reduction of neuropil area in many brain regions, resulting predominantly from shortened distal dendritic branches and fewer spines, as demonstrated by Golgi impregnation of pyramidal neurons. Quantitative electron microscopy revealed ultrastructurally normal type I and II terminals and a approximately 30% decrease in the density of type II synapses in the neocortex. To exclude errors in pathfinding, we investigated axonal projections in the olfactory bulb of newborn knockouts and did not observe any changes. Therefore, alpha-neurexins are not essential for the formation of the vast majority of synapses in vivo but rather regulate the function of these synapses.

Pre- and postnatal development of the primary visual cortex of the common marmoset. II. Formation, remodelling, and elimination of synapses as overlapping processes

During ontogenesis changes in the numerical density of synapses are usually assumed to depend essentially on variations in the formation of synapses. Only the final adjustment to adult synapse densities is thought to include the elimination of synapses in some brain regions of certain species. Here, we focus attention on quantitative aspects of synapse elimination throughout development of area 17 of marmoset monkeys (Callithrix jacchus). Mature synapses, various precursor forms, and indicators of lysosomal degradation of synapses were quantitatively analysed by electron microscopy and morphometric methods. A total number of about 135 x 10(9) synapses was calculated for area 17 in each adult hemisphere corresponding to a volume density of 600 x 10(6) synapses/mm3. At 3 months of age, the respective values were 508 x 10(9)/area and 1,159 x 10(6)/mm3, while at birth these values were 69 x 10(9)/area and 328 x 10(6)/mm3. Consequently, at least three out of four synapses are eliminated between 3 months and adulthood. However, the real number of synapses being eliminated during development is probably much larger if the time course of lysosomal degradation is additionally taken into account. The frequency of lysosomes in presynaptic endings is highest before net-elimination of synapses occurs, i.e., between 1 and 3 months. This suggests that lysosomal degradation is not directly responsible for the majority of synapses removed during ontogenesis but apparently represents a second mechanism for synapse remodelling and elimination. Thus, it appears from this study that remodelling and elimination of synapses are quantitatively as important as their formation, and accompany synaptogenesis from its very onset onwards.

Expression of C1ql3 in Discrete Neuronal Populations Controls Efferent Synapse Numbers and Diverse Behaviors

C1ql3 is a secreted neuronal protein that binds to BAI3, an adhesion-class GPCR. C1ql3 is homologous to other gC1q-domain proteins that control synapse numbers, but a role for C1ql3 in regulating synapse density has not been demonstrated. We show in cultured neurons that C1ql3 expression is activity dependent and supports excitatory synapse density. Using newly generated conditional and constitutive C1ql3 knockout mice, we found that C1ql3-deficient mice exhibited fewer excitatory synapses and diverse behavioral abnormalities, including marked impairments in fear memories. Using circuit-tracing tools and conditional ablation of C1ql3 targeted to specific brain regions, we demonstrate that C1ql3-expressing neurons in the basolateral amygdala project to the medial prefrontal cortex, that these efferents contribute to fear memory behavior, and that C1ql3 is required for formation and/or maintenance of these synapses. Our results suggest that C1ql3 is a signaling protein essential for subsets of synaptic projections and the behaviors controlled by these projections.

Neurobeachin, a protein implicated in membrane protein traffic and autism, is required for the formation and functioning of central synapses

The development of neuronal networks in the brain requires the differentiation of functional synapses. Neurobeachin (Nbea) was identified as a putative regulator of membrane protein trafficking associated with tubulovesicular endomembranes and postsynaptic plasma membranes. Nbea is essential for evoked transmission at neuromuscular junctions, but its role in the central nervous system has not been characterized. Here, we have studied central synapses of a newly generated gene-trap knockout (KO) mouse line at embryonic day 18, because null-mutant mice are paralysed and die perinatally. Although the overall brain architecture was normal, we identified major abnormalities of synaptic function in mutant animals. In acute slices from the brainstem, both spontaneous excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents were clearly reduced and failure rates of evoked inhibitory responses were markedly increased. In addition, the frequency of miniature excitatory and both the frequency and amplitudes of miniature inhibitory postsynaptic currents were severely diminished in KO mice, indicating a perturbation of both action potential-dependent and -independent transmitter release. Moreover, Nbea appears to be important for the formation and composition of central synapses because the area density of mature asymmetric contacts in the fetal brainstem was reduced to 30% of wild-type levels, and the expression levels of a subset of synaptic marker proteins were smaller than in littermate controls. Our data demonstrate for the first time a function of Nbea at central synapses that may be based on its presumed role in targeting membrane proteins to synaptic contacts, and are consistent with the 'excitatory-inhibitory imbalance' model of autism where Nbea gene rearrangements have been detected in some patients.

Autocellular coupling by gap junctions in cultured astrocytes: a new view on cellular autoregulation during process formation

Neocortical astrocytes make two types of gap junctions, intercellular ones create a functional syncytium, while reflexive gap junctions mediate autocellular coupling and serve unknown functions (Rohlmann and Wolff, 1996). Here, the question is addressed whether solitary astrocytes in vitro express connexin43 (Cx43) and establish gap junctions in the absence of intercellular contacts. In all media conditions tested, immunocytochemistry visualized Cx43-expression and gap junctions irrespective of the presence or absence of intercellular contacts. Reflexive gap junctions were associated with mechanical junctions (adherent spots and fascia adherens) connecting surface membranes and cytoskelal components, respectively. Both were characteristically located along incompletely separated borders between developing processes and/or branches. In addition, Cx43-immunoreactivity was found on some non-junctional membranes: i) intracellular vesicle clusters sited to forming processes and at the basis of filopodia; ii) the surface membrane of filopodial subpopulations usually appearing in bunches. Results suggest changes in the resumptive role of Cx43 in cultivated astrocytes: 1) Cx43 is not confined to intercellular gap junctions, it may even selectively compose reflexive ones; 2) from intracellular stores (vesicle aggregates), Cx43 may be incorporated into the surface membrane of filopodia; 3) by contacting other parts of the same cell surface (or neighboring cells), filopodia and membrane patches carrying Cx43-half channels may be essential in initial steps of gap junction formation; 4) the distribution of reflexive gap junctions is compatible with the hypothesis that autocellular coupling serves reorganization of cytoskeleton during the formation of cell processes and branches; 5) in general, gap junctions may be important for coordinating the cytoskeleton across intercellular contacts and within cells with complex shape.

Genetic targeting of NRXN2 in mice unveils role in excitatory cortical synapse function and social behaviors

Human genetics has identified rare copy number variations and deleterious mutations for all neurexin genes (NRXN1-3) in patients with neurodevelopmental diseases, and electrophysiological recordings in animal brains have shown that Nrxns are important for synaptic transmission. While several mouse models for Nrxn1α inactivation have previously been studied for behavioral changes, very little information is available for other variants. Here, we validate that mice lacking Nrxn2α exhibit behavioral abnormalities, characterized by social interaction deficits and increased anxiety-like behavior, which partially overlap, partially differ from Nrxn1α mutant behaviors. Using patch-clamp recordings in Nrxn2α knockout brains, we observe reduced spontaneous transmitter release at excitatory synapses in the neocortex. We also analyse at this cellular level a novel NRXN2 mouse model that carries a combined deletion of Nrxn2α and Nrxn2β. Electrophysiological analysis of this Nrxn2-mutant mouse shows surprisingly similar defects of excitatory release to Nrxn2α, indicating that the β-variant of Nrxn2 has no strong function in basic transmission at these synapses. Inhibitory transmission as well as synapse densities and ultrastructure remain unchanged in the neocortex of both models. Furthermore, at Nrxn2α and Nrxn2-mutant excitatory synapses we find an altered facilitation and N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) function because NMDAR-dependent decay time and NMDAR-mediated responses are reduced. As Nrxn can indirectly be linked to NMDAR via neuroligin and PSD-95, the trans-synaptic nature of this complex may help to explain occurrence of presynaptic and postsynaptic effects. Since excitatory/inhibitory imbalances and impairment of NMDAR function are alledged to have a role in autism and schizophrenia, our results support the idea of a related pathomechanism in these disorders.

Rapid morphological changes in astrocytes are accompanied by redistribution but not by quantitative changes of cytoskeletal proteins

Astrocytes have the potential to acquire very different morphologies, depending on their regional location in the CNS and on their functional interactions with other cell types. Morphological changes between a flat or a fibroblast-like and a stellate or process-bearing appearance, and vice versa, can occur rapidly, but very little is known as to whether morphological transformations are based on quantitative changes of cytoskeletal proteins in microfilaments, intermediate filaments, and/or microtubules. Using a cell culture of selective type 1 astrocytes, we compared the distribution and protein amounts of a number of cytoskeletal proteins both during primary process growth induced by specific media conditions and after secondary transformations induced by dBcAMP. Our data presented in this report support the idea that astrocytes can undergo dramatic changes in their morphology requiring subcellular redistribution of most cytoskeletal proteins but no quantitative modifications of the amount of the respective proteins. After pharmacological treatment with lysophosphatic acid and genistein we show that astrocytes can acquire intermediate morphologies reminiscent of both fibroblast and stellate-like cells. These experiments demonstrate that the recently described RhoA-mediated signaling cascade between the cell surface and cytoskeletal proteins is only one of several signaling pathways acting on the astrocytic cytoskeleton.