Glutamate receptor mutations in psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders

Alterations in glutamatergic neurotransmission have long been associated with psychiatric and neurodevelopmental disorders (PNDD), but only recent advances in high-throughput DNA sequencing have allowed interrogation of the prevalence of mutations in glutamate receptors (GluR) among afflicted individuals. In this review we discuss recent work describing GluR mutations in the context of PNDDs. Although there are no strict relationships between receptor subunit or type and disease, some interesting preliminary conclusions have arisen. Mutations in genes coding for ionotropic glutamate receptor subunits, which are central to synaptic transmission and plasticity, are mostly associated with intellectual disability and autism spectrum disorders. In contrast, mutations of metabotropic GluRs, having a role on modulating neural transmission, are preferentially associated with psychiatric disorders. Also, the prevalence of mutations among GluRs is highly heterogeneous, suggesting a critical role of certain subunits in PNDD pathophysiology. The emerging bias between GluR subtypes and specific PNDDs may have clinical implications

Molecular mechanisms contributing to TARP regulation of channel conductance and polyamine block of calcium-permeable AMPA receptors.

Many properties of fast synaptic transmission in the brain are influenced by transmembrane AMPAR regulatory proteins (TARPs) that modulate the pharmacology and gating of AMPA-type glutamate receptors (AMPARs). Although much is known about TARP influence on AMPAR pharmacology and kinetics through their modulation of the extracellular ligand-binding domain (LBD), less is known about their regulation of the ion channel region. TARP-induced modifications in AMPAR channel behavior include increased single-channel conductance and weakened block of calcium-permeable AMPARs (CP-AMPARs) by endogenous intracellular polyamines. To investigate how TARPs modify ion flux and channel block, we examined the action of γ-2 (stargazin) on GluA1 and GluA4 CP-AMPARs. First, we compared the permeation of organic cations of different sizes. We found that γ-2 increased the permeability of several cations but not the estimated AMPAR pore size, suggesting that TARP-induced relief of polyamine block does not reflect altered pore diameter. Second, to determine whether residues in the TARP intracellular C-tail regulate polyamine block and channel conductance, we examined various γ-2 C-tail mutants. We identified the membrane proximal region of the C terminus as crucial for full TARP-attenuation of polyamine block, whereas complete deletion of the C-tail markedly enhanced the TARP-induced increase in channel conductance; thus, the TARP C-tail influences ion permeation. Third, we identified a site in the pore-lining region of the AMPAR, close to its Q/R site, that is crucial in determining the TARP-induced changes in single-channel conductance. This conserved residue represents a site of TARP action, independent of the AMPAR LBD

AMPAR/TARP stoichiometry differentially modulates channel properties

AMPARs control fast synaptic communication between neurons and their function relies on auxiliary subunits, which importantly modulate channel properties. Although it has been suggested that AMPARs can bind to TARPs with variable stoichiometry, little is known about the effect that this stoichiometry exerts on certain AMPAR properties. Here we have found that AMPARs show a clear stoichiometry-dependent modulation by the prototypical TARP γ2 although the receptor still needs to be fully saturated with γ2 to show some typical TARP-induced characteristics (i.e. an increase in channel conductance). We also uncovered important differences in the stoichiometric modulation between calcium-permeable and calcium-impermeable AMPARs. Moreover, in heteromeric AMPARs, γ2 positioning in the complex is important to exert certain TARP-dependent features. Finally, by comparing data from recombinant receptors with endogenous AMPAR currents from mouse cerebellar granule cells, we have determined a likely presence of two γ2 molecules at somatic receptors in this cell type

AMPAR interacting protein CPT1C enhances surface expression of GluA1-containing receptors

AMPARs mediate the vast majority of fast excitatory synaptic transmission in the brain and their biophysical and trafficking properties depend on their subunit composition and on several posttranscriptional and posttranslational modifications. Additionally, in the brain AMPARs associate with auxiliary subunits, which modify the properties of the receptors. Despite the abundance of AMPAR partners, recent proteomic studies have revealed even more interacting proteins that could potentially be involved in AMPAR regulation. Amongst these, carnitine palmitoyltransferase 1C (CPT1C) has been demonstrated to form an integral part of native AMPAR complexes in brain tissue extracts. Thus, we aimed to investigate whether CPT1C might be able to modulate AMPAR function. Firstly, we confirmed that CPT1C is an interacting protein of AMPARs in heterologous expression systems. Secondly, CPT1C enhanced whole-cell currents of GluA1 homomeric and GluA1/GluA2 heteromeric receptors. However, CPT1C does not alter the biophysical properties of AMPARs and co-localization experiments revealed that AMPARs and CPT1C are not associated at the plasma membrane despite a strong level of co-localization at the intracellular level. We established that increased surface GluA1 receptor number was responsible for the enhanced AMPAR mediated currents in the presence of CPT1C. Additionally, we revealed that the palmitoylable residue C585 of GluA1 is important in the enhancement of AMPAR trafficking to the cell surface by CPT1C. Nevertheless, despite its potential as a depalmitoylating enzyme, CPT1C does not affect the palmitoylation state of GluA1. To sum up, this work suggests that CPT1C plays a role as a novel regulator of AMPAR surface expression in neurons. Fine modulation of AMPAR membrane trafficking is fundamental in normal synaptic activity and in plasticity processes and CPT1C is therefore a putative candidate to regulate neuronal AMPAR physiology

TRESK background K+ channel deletion selectively uncovers enhanced mechanical and cold sensitivity

Background potassium-permeable ion channels play a critical role in tuning the excitability of nociceptors, yet the precise role played by different subsets of channels is not fully understood. Decreases in TRESK (TWIK-related spinal cord K+ channel) expression/function enhance sensory neurons excitability, but its role in somatosensory perception and nociception is poorly understood. Here, we used a TRESK knockout (KO) mouse to address these questions. We show that TRESK regulates the sensitivity of sensory neurons in a modality-specific manner, contributing to mechanical and cold sensitivity but without any effect on heat sensitivity. Nociceptive neurons isolated from TRESK KO mice show a decreased threshold for activation and skin nociceptive C-fibers show an enhanced activation by cold and mechanical stimulation that was also observed in behavioral tests in vivo. TRESK is also involved in osmotic pain and in early phases of formalin-induced inflammatory pain, but not in the development of mechanical and heat hyperalgesia during chronic pain. In contrast, mice lacking TRESK present cold allodynia that is not further enhanced by oxaliplatin. In summary, genetic removal of TRESK uncovers enhanced mechanical and cold sensitivity, indicating that the channel regulates the excitability of specific neuronal subpopulations involved in mechanosensitivity and cold-sensing, acting as a brake to prevent activation by innocuous stimuli

LGI1 antibodies alter Kv1.1 and AMPA receptors changing synaptic excitability, plasticity and memory

Leucine-rich glioma-inactivated 1 (LGI1) is a secreted neuronal protein that forms a trans-synaptic complex that includes the presynaptic disintegrin and metalloproteinase domain-containing protein 23 (ADAM23), which interacts with voltage-gated potassium channels Kv1.1, and the postsynaptic ADAM22, which interacts with AMPA receptors. Human autoantibodies against LGI1 associate with a form of autoimmune limbic encephalitis characterized by severe but treatable memory impairment and frequent faciobrachial dystonic seizures. Although there is evidence that this disease is immune-mediated, the underlying LGI1 antibody-mediated mechanisms are unknown. Here, we used patient-derived immunoglobulin G (IgG) antibodies to determine the main epitope regions of LGI1 and whether the antibodies disrupt the interaction of LGI1 with ADAM23 and ADAM22. In addition, we assessed the effects of patient-derived antibodies on Kv1.1, AMPA receptors, and memory in a mouse model based on cerebroventricular transfer of patient-derived IgG. We found that IgG from all patients (n = 25), but not from healthy participants (n = 20), prevented the binding of LGI1 to ADAM23 and ADAM22. Using full-length LGI1, LGI3, and LGI1 constructs containing the LRR1 domain (EPTP1-deleted) or EPTP1 domain (LRR3-EPTP1), IgG from all patients reacted with epitope regions contained in the LRR1 and EPTP1 domains. Confocal analysis of hippocampal slices of mice infused with pooled IgG from eight patients, but not pooled IgG from controls, showed a decrease of total and synaptic levels of Kv1.1 and AMPA receptors. The effects on Kv1.1 preceded those involving the AMPA receptors. In acute slice preparations of hippocampus, patch-clamp analysis from dentate gyrus granule cells and CA1 pyramidal neurons showed neuronal hyperexcitability with increased glutamatergic transmission, higher presynaptic release probability, and reduced synaptic failure rate upon minimal stimulation, all likely caused by the decreased expression of Kv1.1. Analysis of synaptic plasticity by recording field potentials in the CA1 region of the hippocampus showed a severe impairment of long-term potentiation. This defect in synaptic plasticity was independent from Kv1 blockade and was possibly mediated by ineffective recruitment of postsynaptic AMPA receptors. In parallel with these findings, mice infused with patient-derived IgG showed severe memory deficits in the novel object recognition test that progressively improved after stopping the infusion of patient-derived IgG. Different from genetic models of LGI1 deficiency, we did not observe aberrant dendritic sprouting or defective synaptic pruning as potential cause of the symptoms. Overall, these findings demonstrate that patient-derived IgG disrupt presynaptic and postsynaptic LGI1 signalling, causing neuronal hyperexcitability, decreased plasticity, and reversible memory deficits

FAIM-L regulation of XIAP degradation modulates Synaptic Long-Term Depression and Axon Degeneration

Caspases have recently emerged as key regulators of axonal pruning and degeneration and of long-term depression (LTD), a long-lasting form of synaptic plasticity. However, the mechanism underlying these functions remains unclear. In this context, XIAP has been shown to modulate these processes. The neuron-specific form of FAIM protein (FAIM-L) is a death receptor antagonist that stabilizes XIAP protein levels, thus preventing death receptor-induced neuronal apoptosis. Here we show that FAIM-L modulates synaptic transmission, prevents chemical-LTD induction in hippocampal neurons, and thwarts axon degeneration after nerve growth factor (NGF) withdrawal. Additionally, we demonstrate that the participation of FAIM-L in these two processes is dependent on its capacity to stabilize XIAP protein levels. Our data reveal FAIM-L as a regulator of axonal degeneration and synaptic plasticity

Metazoan evolution of glutamate receptors reveals unreported phylogenetic groups and divergent lineage-specific events

Glutamate receptors are divided in two unrelated families: ionotropic (iGluR), driving synaptic transmission, and metabotropic (mGluR), which modulate synaptic strength. The present classification of GluRs is based on vertebrate proteins and has remained unchanged for over two decades. Here we report an exhaustive phylogenetic study of GluRs in metazoans. Importantly, we demonstrate that GluRs have followed different evolutionary histories in separated animal lineages. Our analysis reveals that the present organization of iGluRs into six classes does not capture the full complexity of their evolution. Instead, we propose an organization into four subfamilies and ten classes, four of which have never been previously described. Furthermore, we report a sister class to mGluR classes I-III, class IV. We show that many unreported proteins are expressed in the nervous system, and that new Epsilon receptors form functional ligand-gated ion channels. We propose an updated classification of glutamate receptors that includes our findings

Coassembly and coupling of SK2 channels and mGlu5 receptors

Group I metabotropic glutamate (mGlu) receptors regulate hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neuron excitability via Ca(2+) wave-dependent activation of small-conductance Ca(2+)-activated K(+) (SK) channels. Here, we show that mGlu5 receptors and SK2 channels coassemble in heterologous coexpression systems and in rat brain. Further, in cotransfected cells or rat primary hippocampal neurons, mGlu5 receptor stimulation activated apamin-sensitive SK2-mediated K(+) currents. In addition, coexpression of mGlu5 receptors and SK2 channels promoted plasma membrane targeting of both proteins and correlated with increased mGlu5 receptor function that was unexpectedly blocked by apamin. These results demonstrate a reciprocal functional interaction between mGlu5 receptors and SK2 channels that reflects their molecular coassembly

Introduciendo el profesionalismo médico en etapas precoces del currículo de medicina: un curso para alumnos de primer año del Grado de Medicina

a adquisición de valores y actitudes es un aspecto esencial de los resultados del aprendizaje de los estudiantes de medicina junto con los conocimientos y las habilidades prácticas y forma parte de lo que se conoce como profesionalis- mo médico. El proceso de aprendizaje de un médico implica no sólo el desarrollo de conocimientos y habilidades, sino también un proceso de transformación del alumno en el transcurso del cual aprende a ser diferente y a ser capaz de inte- grarse en una comunidad profesional. Por ello, debe considerarse seriamente la formación de nuestros estudiantes en este campo. Esta formación debe ser un proceso continuo y desde los primeros momentos del Grado de Medicina. En el contexto de la reforma de Bolonia, la Facultad de Medicina de la Universitat de Barcelona y otras facultades de medicina españolas han de nido sus resultados de aprendizaje. Entre ellos, gura que los estudiantes deben ser capaces de aplicar los valores profesionales de excelencia como altruismo, compromiso, responsabilidad, integridad y honestidad en la prác- tica médica. Sin embargo, esta temática no está su cientemente representada en las actividades de aprendizaje del plan de estudios. Por ello, hace seis años, decidimos implementar un curso introductorio sobre profesionalismo médico dirigi- do a estudiantes de primer curso de medicina. En este trabajo describimos nuestra experiencia durante esos años. Los re- sultados de esta experiencia indican que la introducción del profesionalismo desde momentos iniciales del Grado de Me- dicina es factible y altamente apreciado por los estudiantes. Palabras clave. Grado de Medicina. Profesionalismo. Introducing medical professionalism in early moments of the medical curriculum: a course for rst year's medical students Summary. The acquisition of values and attitudes is an essential aspect of the learning outcomes of medical students together with knowledge and practical skills and they are part of what is known as medical professionalism. The learning process of a physician implies not only the development of knowledge and skills but also a transformational process of the learner, whereby he/she also learns to be di erent and to be able to join a professional community. Therefore we need to consider seriously the training of our students in this eld. This training must be a continuous and on-going process throughout the entire educational continuum, beginning from early moments in medical school. In the context of the Bologna reform the Medical School of the University of Barcelona, and other Spanish medical schools, have de ned their learning outcomes. Among them, the students must be able to apply the professional values of excellence, altruism, commitment, responsibility, integrity and honesty in medical practice, but this topic is insu ciently represented in the curriculum learning activities. Consequently six years ago, we decided to implement an introductory course on medical professionalism addressed to rst year medical students. We describe our experience during the last six years of the implementation and development of this introductory course. Our results indicate that the introduction of professionalism from the earliest moments of the educative process in medical schools is feasible and is highly appreciated by our students. Key words. Professionalism. Undergraduate medical curriculum