Biphasic Somatic A-Type K+ Channel Downregulation Mediates Intrinsic Plasticity in Hippocampal CA1 Pyramidal Neurons

Since its original description, the induction of synaptic long-term potentiation (LTP) has been known to be accompanied by a lasting increase in the intrinsic excitability (intrinsic plasticity) of hippocampal neurons. Recent evidence shows that dendritic excitability can be enhanced by an activity-dependent decrease in the activity of A-type K+ channels. In the present manuscript, we examined the role of A-type K+ channels in regulating intrinsic excitability of CA1 pyramidal neurons of the hippocampus after synapse-specific LTP induction. In electrophysiological recordings we found that LTP induced a potentiation of excitability which was accompanied by a two-phased change in A-type K+ channel activity recorded in nucleated patches from organotypic slices of rat hippocampus. Induction of LTP resulted in an immediate but short lasting hyperpolarization of the voltage-dependence of steady-state A-type K+ channel inactivation along with a progressive, long-lasting decrease in peak A-current density. Blocking clathrin-mediated endocytosis prevented the A-current decrease and most measures of intrinsic plasticity. These results suggest that two temporally distinct but overlapping mechanisms of A-channel downregulation together contribute to the plasticity of intrinsic excitability. Finally we show that intrinsic plasticity resulted in a global enhancement of EPSP-spike coupling

Identification of Kv4.2 protein complex and modifications by tandem affinity purification-mass spectrometry in primary neurons

Proteins usually form complexes to fulfill variable physiological functions. In neurons, communication relies on synapses where receptors, channels, and anchoring proteins form complexes to precisely control signal transduction, synaptic integration, and action potential firing. Although there are many published protocols to isolate protein complexes in cell lines, isolation in neurons has not been well established. Here we introduce a method that combines lentiviral protein expression with tandem affinity purification followed by mass-spectrometry (TAP-MS) to identify protein complexes in neurons. This protocol can also be used to identify post-translational modifications (PTMs) of synaptic proteins. We used the A-type voltage-gated K+ channel subunit Kv4.2 as the target protein. Kv4.2 is highly expressed in the hippocampus where it contributes to learning and memory through its regulation of neuronal excitability and synaptic plasticity. We tagged Kv4.2 with the calmodulin-binding-peptide (CBP) and streptavidin-binding-peptide (SBP) at its C-terminus and expressed it in neurons via lentivirus. Kv4.2 was purified by two-step TAP and samples were analyzed by MS. MS identified two prominently known Kv4.2 interacting proteins [dipeptidyl peptidase like (DPPs) and Kv channel-interacting proteins (KChIPs)] in addition to novel synaptic proteins including glutamate receptors, a calcium channel, and anchoring proteins. Co-immunoprecipitation and colocalization experiments validated the association of Kv4.2 with glutamate receptors. In addition to protein complex identification, we used TAP-MS to identify Kv4.2 phosphorylation sites. Several known and unknown phosphorylation sites were identified. These findings provide a novel path to identify protein-protein interactions and PTMs in neurons and shed light on mechanisms of neuronal signaling potentially involved in the pathology of neurological diseases

Functional Coupling of Cav2.3 and BK Potassium Channels Regulates Action Potential Repolarization and Short-Term Plasticity in the Mouse Hippocampus

Voltage-gated ion channels are essential for signal generation and propagation in neurons and other excitable cells. The high-voltage activated calcium-channel Cav2.3 is expressed throughout the central and peripheral nervous system, and within CA1 hippocampal pyramidal neurons it is localized throughout the somato-dendritic region and dendritic spines. Cav2.3 has been shown to provide calcium for other calcium-dependent potassium channels including small-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (SK), but big-conductance calcium-activated potassium channels (BK) have been thought to be activated by calcium from all known voltage-gated calcium channels, except Cav2.3. Here we show for the first time that CA1 pyramidal cells which lack Cav2.3 show altered action potential (AP) waveforms, which can be traced back to reduced SK- and BK-channel function. This change in AP waveform leads to strengthened synaptic transmission between CA1 and the subiculum, resulting in increased short-term plasticity. Our results demonstrate that Cav2.3 impacts cellular excitability through functional interaction with BK channels, impacting communication between hippocampal subregions

DPP6 regulation of dendritic morphogenesis impacts hippocampal synaptic development

Dipeptidyl-peptidase 6 is an auxiliary subunit of Kv4-mediated A-type K+ channels that, in addition to enhancing channel surface expression, potently accelerates their kinetics. The dipeptidyl-peptidase 6 gene has been associated with a number of human central nervous system disorders including autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. Here we employ knockdown and genetic deletion of dipeptidyl-peptidase 6 to reveal its importance for the formation and stability of dendritic filopodia during early neuronal development. We find that the hippocampal neurons lacking dipeptidyl-peptidase 6 show a sparser dendritic branching pattern along with fewer spines throughout development and into adulthood. In electrophysiological and imaging experiments, we show that these deficits lead to fewer functional synapses and occur independently of the potassium channel subunit Kv4.2. We report that dipeptidyl-peptidase 6 interacts with a filopodia-associated myosin as well as with fibronectin in the extracellular matrix. dipeptidyl-peptidase 6 therefore has an unexpected but important role in cell adhesion and motility, impacting the hippocampal synaptic development and function

DPP6 regulation of dendritic morphogenesis impacts hippocampal synaptic development

Dipeptidyl-peptidase 6 (DPP6) is an auxiliary subunit of Kv4-mediated A-type K+ channels that, in addition to enhancing channel surface expression, potently accelerates their kinetics. The DPP6 gene has been associated with a number of human CNS disorders including ASDs and schizophrenia. Here we employ knockdown and genetic deletion of DPP6 to reveal its importance for the formation and stability of dendritic filopodia during early neuronal development. We find that hippocampal neurons lacking DPP6 show a sparser dendritic branching pattern along with fewer spines throughout development and into adulthood. In electrophysiological and imaging experiments we show that these deficits lead to fewer functional synapses and occur independently of the potassium channel subunit Kv4.2. We report that the extracellular domain of DPP6 interacts with a filopodia-associated myosin as well as with fibronectin in the extracellular matrix. DPP6 therefore plays an unexpected but important role in cell-adhesion and motility, impacting hippocampal synaptic development and function

Neuronal Roles of the Multifunctional Protein Dipeptidyl Peptidase-like 6 (DPP6)

The concerted action of voltage-gated ion channels in the brain is fundamental in controlling neuronal physiology and circuit function. Ion channels often associate in multi-protein complexes together with auxiliary subunits, which can strongly influence channel expression and function and, therefore, neuronal computation. One such auxiliary subunit that displays prominent expression in multiple brain regions is the Dipeptidyl aminopeptidase-like protein 6 (DPP6). This protein associates with A-type K+ channels to control their cellular distribution and gating properties. Intriguingly, DPP6 has been found to be multifunctional with an additional, independent role in synapse formation and maintenance. Here, we feature the role of DPP6 in regulating neuronal function in the context of its modulation of A-type K+ channels as well as its independent involvement in synaptic development. The prevalence of DPP6 in these processes underscores its importance in brain function, and recent work has identified that its dysfunction is associated with host of neurological disorders. We provide a brief overview of these and discuss research directions currently underway to advance our understanding of the contribution of DPP6 to their etiology