Membrane traffic in polarized neurons

AbstractThe plasma membrane of neurons can be divided into two domains, the soma-dendritic and the axonal. These domains perform different functions: the dendritic surface receives and processes information while the axonal surface is specialized for the rapid transmission of electrical impulses. This functional specialization is generated by sorting and anchoring mechanisms that guarantee the correct delivery and retention of specific membrane proteins. Our understanding of neuronal membrane protein sorting is primarily based on studies of protein overexpression in cultured neurons. These studies revealed that newly synthesized membrane proteins are segregated in the Golgi apparatus in the cell body from where they are transported to the axonal or dendritic surface. Such segregation presumably depends on sorting motifs in the proteins’ primary structure. They appear to be located in the cytoplasmic tail for dendritic proteins and in the transmembrane-ectodomain for axonal proteins. Recent studies on neurotransmitter segregation suggest that anchoring in the correct subdomain of the plasma membrane also requires cytoplasmic tail information for binding to the cytoskeleton either directly or by linker proteins. Both mechanisms, sorting and retention, gradually mature during neural development. Young neurons appear to develop initial polarity by other mechanisms, presumably analogous to the mechanisms used by migrating cells

PL–03–01: Gradual membrane cholesterol reduction after synaptogenesis determines survival of hippocampal neurons in vitro

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Amyloid excess in Alzheimer’s disease: What is cholesterol to be blamed for?

AbstractA link between alterations in cholesterol homeostasis and Alzheimer’s disease (AD) is nowadays widely accepted. However, the molecular mechanism/s underlying such link remain unclear. Numerous experimental evidences support the view that changes in neuronal membrane cholesterol levels and/or subcellular distribution determine the aberrant accumulation of the amyloid peptide in the disease. Still, this view comes from rather contradictory data supporting the existence of either high or low brain cholesterol content. This is of particular concern considering that therapeutical strategies aimed to reduce cholesterol levels are already being tested in humans. Here, we review the molecular mechanisms proposed and discuss the perspectives they open

Dysregulated ADAM10-Mediated Processing of APP during a Critical Time Window Leads to Synaptic Deficits in Fragile X Syndrome

© 2015 Elsevier Inc. The Fragile X mental retardation protein (FMRP) regulates neuronal RNA metabolism, and its absence or mutations leads to the Fragile X syndrome (FXS). The β-amyloid precursor protein (APP) is involved in Alzheimer's disease, plays a role in synapse formation, and is upregulated in intellectual disabilities. Here, we show that during mouse synaptogenesis and in human FXS fibroblasts, a dual dysregulation of APP and the α-secretase ADAM10 leads to the production of an excess of soluble APPα (sAPPα). In FXS, sAPPα signals through the metabotropic receptor that, activating the MAP kinase pathway, leads to synaptic and behavioral deficits. Modulation of ADAM10 activity in FXS reduces sAPPα levels, restoring translational control, synaptic morphology, and behavioral plasticity. Thus, proper control of ADAM10-mediated APP processing during a specific developmental postnatal stage is crucial for healthy spine formation and function(s). Downregulation of ADAM10 activity at synapses may be an effective strategy for ameliorating FXS phenotypes. Pasciuto etal. show that dual dysregulation of APP and ADAM10, during a critical period of postnatal development, leads to overproduction of sAPPα. Modulation of ADAM10 activity re-establishes physiological sAPPα levels and ultimately ameliorates FXS molecular, synaptic, and behavioral deficits.Stichting Alzheimer Onderzoek -Fondation Recherche Maladie Alzheimer (SAO-FMA), Vlaams Instituut voor Biotechnologie (VIB), KU Leuven (Opening the Future), European Research Projects on Neurodevelopmental Disorders NEURON ERA-NET, Associazione Italiana Sindrome X Fragile, Compagnia San Paolo, and Fondation Jerome Lejeune to C.B., a European Research Council Grant ERC-2010-AG_268675 to B.D.S.; a Methusalem grant of the KU Leuven/Flemish Government to B.D.S. and C.D. B.D.S. is supported by the Bax-Vanluffelen Chair for Alzheimer’s Disease. C.B. and B.D.S. are supported by ‘‘Opening the Future’’ of the Leuven Universiteit Fonds (LUF). Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (DFG) (MU 1457/8-1; 1457/9-1)Peer Reviewe

Cadherins as regulators of neuronal polarity

A compelling amount of data is accumulating about the polyphonic role of neuronal cadherins during brain development throughout all developmental stages, starting from the involvement of cadherins in the organization of neurulation up to synapse development and plasticity. Recent work has confirmed that specifically N-cadherins play an important role in asymmetrical cellular processes in developing neurons that are at the basis of polarity. In this review we will summarize recent data, which demonstrate how N-cadherin orchestrates distinct processes of polarity establishment in neurons.Peer Reviewe

Plasmin Deficiency in Alzheimer's Disease Brains: Causal or Casual?

Substantial recent evidence suggests that defects in amyloid peptide degradation can be at the base of cases of sporadic Alzheimer's disease (AD). Among the discovered brain enzymes with the capacity to degrade amyloid peptide, the serine protease plasmin acquires special physiological relevance because of its low levels in areas of AD human brains with a high susceptibility to amyloid plaque accumulation. In this article we comment on a series of observations supporting the fact that plasmin paucity in the brain is not simply a secondary event in the disease but rather a primary defect in certain cases of sporadic AD. We also refer to recent data pointing to alterations in raft membrane domains and diminished membrane cholesterol as the underlying cause. Finally, we discuss the possibility that plasmin deficiency in the brain could lead to AD symptomatology because of amyloid aggregation and the triggering of cell death signaling cascades

The collagen chaperone HSP47 is a new interactor of APP that affects the levels of extracellular beta-amyloid peptides.

Alzheimer disease (AD) is a neurodegenerative disorder characterized by progressive decline of cognitive function that represents one of the most dramatic medical challenges for the aging population. Ab peptides, generated by processing of the Amyloid Precursor Protein (APP), are thought to play a central role in the pathogenesis of AD. However, the network of physical and functional interactions that may affect their production and deposition is still poorly understood. The use of a bioinformatic approach based on human/mouse conserved coexpression allowed us to identify a group of genes that display an expression profile strongly correlated with APP. Among the most prominent candidates, we investigated whether the collagen chaperone HSP47 could be functionally correlated with APP. We found that HSP47 accumulates in amyloid deposits of two different mouse models and of some AD patients, is capable to physically interact with APP and can be relocalized by APP overexpression. Notably, we found that it is possible to reduce the levels of secreted Ab peptides by reducing the expression of HSP47 or by interfering with its activity via chemical inhibitors. Our data unveil HSP47 as a new functional interactor of APP and imply it as a potential target for preventing the formation and/or growth amyloid plaques.The first is project n. A134, funded under the call ‘‘Bando Regionale sulla Ricerca Scientifica Applicata – 2004’’. The second is the DRUIDI (DRUg development In DIsease) project, funded under the call ‘‘Piattaforme Tecnologiche Innovative – 2008’’. The funder (Piedmont Region) had no role in study design, data collection and analysis, decision to publish, or preparation of the manuscript.Peer Reviewe

Magnetostructural characterization of compounds based on the highly anisotropic Mn(III) and Re(IV) metal ions

El trabajo desarrollado en el marco de esta Tesis confeccionada como compendio de artículos se encuentra comprendido en el campo del Magnetismo Molecular y la Química de Coordinación. La investigación desarrollada se ha centrado en la caracterización estructural y estudio de propiedades magnéticas de sistemas basados en los iones metálicos Mn(III) y Re(IV). El primero es un ion 3d mientras que el último es un ion metálico 5d. Estos iones metálicos han sido seleccionados a cuenta de que, dados los altos valores de anisotropía y espín que presentan, pueden brindar resultados destacables desde el punto de vista del Magnetismo Molecular. Centrándonos en los complejos basados en Mn (III), se ha buscado ampliar el conocimiento, mejorar las propiedades y funcionalizar sistemas pertenecientes a la familia de los [Mn6]s. En este sentido, seis nuevos miembros de la familia de complejos [Mn6], basados en oximas como ligando principal, han sido sintetizados y caracterizados magnetoestructuralmente. Estos compuestos han sido reportados en tres publicaciones y muestran un comportamiento magnético consistente con el fenómeno de imán molecular (SMM por sus siglas en inglés). Además, dos de ellos han sido funcionalizados empleando para ello ligandos conteniendo el grupo funcional tioéster. Dicha funcionalización permitirá, en trabajos futuros, estudiar la integración de estos compuestos a dispositivos a escala nanométrica. En lo que respecta al trabajo realizado sobre compuestos basados en Re(IV), se han obtenido y reportado cuatro nuevas estructuras de sales de hexahalogenorenato(IV), para lo cual se han empleado cationes de diferente naturaleza. En dos de ellos se ha empleado un catión orgánico de interés bilógico y en los otros dos un catión paramagnético conteniendo Fe(II). Así, se han estudiado y llevado a cabo un estudio comparativo de las propiedades magnetoestructurales de dichos compuestos. Seguidamente, se ha explorado una nueva estrategia para la obtención isométricamente selectiva de nuevas especies mononucleares basadas en Re(IV). Como resultado de este trabajo se han reportado el estudio estructural y magnético de dos nuevas especies. Finalmente se ha reportado la estructura y el estudio de las propiedades magnéticas de dos nuevos complejos heteropolinucleares basados en Re(IV)-Zn(II) y Re(IV)-Cu(II), el primero presentando un comportamiento del tipo SMM y el segundo siendo una cadena ferrimagnética

Neuronal (Bi)Polarity as a Self-Organized Process Enhanced by Growing Membrane

Early in vitro and recent in vivo studies demonstrated that neuronal polarization occurs by the sequential formation of two oppositely located neurites. This early bipolar phenotype is of crucial relevance in brain organization, determining neuronal migration and brain layering. It is currently considered that the place of formation of the first neurite is dictated by extrinsic cues, through the induction of localized changes in membrane and cytoskeleton dynamics leading to deformation of the cells' curvature followed by the growth of a cylindrical extension (neurite). It is unknown if the appearance of the second neurite at the opposite pole, thus the formation of a bipolar cell axis and capacity to undergo migration, is defined by the growth at the first place, therefore intrinsic, or requires external determinants. We addressed this question by using a mathematical model based on the induction of dynamic changes in one pole of a round cell. The model anticipates that a second area of growth can spontaneously form at the opposite pole. Hence, through mathematical modeling we prove that neuronal bipolar axis of growth can be due to an intrinsic mechanism