Slc20a1 and Slc20a2 regulate neuronal plasticity and cognition independently of their phosphate transport ability

In recent years, primary familial brain calcification (PFBC), a rare neurological disease characterized by a wide spectrum of cognitive disorders, has been associated to mutations in the sodium (Na)-Phosphate (Pi) co-transporter SLC20A2. However, the functional roles of the Na-Pi co-transporters in the brain remain still largely elusive. Here we show that Slc20a1 (PiT-1) and Slc20a2 (PiT-2) are the most abundant Na-Pi co-transporters expressed in the brain and are involved in the control of hippocampal-dependent learning and memory. We reveal that Slc20a1 and Slc20a2 are differentially distributed in the hippocampus and associated with independent gene clusters, suggesting that they influence cognition by different mechanisms. Accordingly, using a combination of molecular, electrophysiological and behavioral analyses, we show that while PiT-2 favors hippocampal neuronal branching and survival, PiT-1 promotes synaptic plasticity. The latter relies on a likely Otoferlin-dependent regulation of synaptic vesicle trafficking, which impacts the GABAergic system. These results provide the first demonstration that Na-Pi co-transporters play key albeit distinct roles in the hippocampus pertaining to the control of neuronal plasticity and cognition. These findings could provide the foundation for the development of novel effective therapies for PFBC and cognitive disorders.

FGFR3 overactivation in the brain is responsible for memory impairments in Crouzon syndrome mouse model

Crouzon syndrome with acanthosis nigricans (CAN, a rare type of craniosynostosis characterized by premature suture fusion and neurological impairments) has been linked to a gain-of-function mutation (p.Ala391Glu) in fibroblast growth factor receptor 3 (FGFR3). To characterize the CAN mutation's impact on the skull and on brain functions, we developed the first mouse model (Fgfr3A385E/+) of this syndrome. Surprisingly, Fgfr3A385E/+ mice did not exhibit craniosynostosis but did show severe memory impairments, a structurally abnormal hippocampus, low activity-dependent synaptic plasticity, and overactivation of MAPK/ERK and Akt signaling pathways in the hippocampus. Systemic or brain-specific pharmacological inhibition of FGFR3 overactivation by BGJ398 injections rescued the memory impairments observed in Fgfr3A385E/+ mice. The present study is the first to have demonstrated cognitive impairments associated with brain FGFR3 overactivation, independently of skull abnormalities. Our results provide a better understanding of FGFR3's functional role and the impact of its gain-of-function mutation on brain functions. The modulation of FGFR3 signaling might be of value for treating the neurological disorders associated with craniosynostosis.

Primary-cilium-dependent autophagy controls epithelial cell volume in response to fluid flow

Autophagy is an adaptation mechanism that is vital for cellular homeostasis in response to various stress conditions. Previous reports indicate that there is a functional interaction between the primary cilium (PC) and autophagy. The PC, a microtubule-based structure present at the surface of numerous cell types, is a mechanical sensor. Here we show that autophagy induced by fluid flow regulates kidney epithelial cell volume in vitro and in vivo. PC ablation blocked autophagy induction and cell-volume regulation. In addition, inhibition of autophagy in ciliated cells impaired the flow-dependent regulation of cell volume. PC-dependent autophagy can be triggered either by mTOR inhibition or a mechanism dependent on the polycystin 2 channel. Only the LKB1-AMPK-mTOR signalling pathway was required for the flow-dependent regulation of cell volume by autophagy. These findings suggest that therapies regulating autophagy should be considered in developing treatments for PC-related diseases.

Identification of a novel transport-independent function of PiT1/SLC20A1 in the regulation of TNF-induced apoptosis

PiT1/SLC20A1 is a sodium-dependent P(i) transporter expressed by most mammalian cells. Interestingly, PiT1 transcription has been shown to be up-regulated by the tumor necrosis factor α (TNF), and we have now investigated the possible involvement of PiT1 in TNF-induced apoptosis. We show that PiT1-depleted cells are more sensitive to the proapoptotic activity of TNF (i.e. when the antiapoptotic NFκB pathway is inactivated). These observations were made in the human HeLa cancer cell line either transiently or stably depleted in PiT1 by RNA interference and in immortalized mouse embryonic fibroblasts isolated from PiT1 knock-out embryos. Depletion of the closely related family member PiT2 had no effect on TNF-induced apoptosis, showing that this effect was specific to PiT1. The increased sensitivity of PiT1-depleted cells was evident regardless of the presence or absence of extracellular P(i), suggesting that a defect in P(i) uptake was not involved in the observed phenotype. Importantly, we show that the re-expression of a P(i) uptake mutant of PiT1 in PiT1(-/-) mouse embryonic fibroblasts delays apoptosis as efficiently as the WT protein, showing that this function of PiT1 is unrelated to its transport activity. Caspase-8 is more activated in PiT1-depleted cells, and our data reveal that the sustained activation of the MAPK JNK is up-regulated in response to TNF. JNK activity is actually involved in PiT1-depleted cell death because specific JNK inhibitors delay apoptosis.