The 4.1 protein coracle mediates subunit-selective anchoring of Drosophila glutamate receptors to the postsynaptic actin cytoskeleton

J Neurosci. 2005 Jul 13;25(28):6667-75. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.1527-05.2005.

Abstract

Glutamatergic Drosophila neuromuscular junctions contain two spatially, biophysically, and pharmacologically distinct subtypes of postsynaptic glutamate receptor (GluR). These receptor subtypes appear to be molecularly identical except that A receptors contain the subunit GluRIIA (but not GluRIIB), and B receptors contain the subunit GluRIIB (but not GluRIIA). A- and B-type receptors are coexpressed in the same cells, in which they form homotypic clusters. During development, A- and B-type receptors can be differentially regulated. The mechanisms that allow differential segregation and regulation of A- and B-type receptors are unknown. Presumably, A- and B-type receptors are differentially anchored to the membrane cytoskeleton, but essentially nothing is known about how Drosophila glutamate receptors are localized or anchored. We identified coracle, a homolog of mammalian brain 4.1 proteins, in yeast two-hybrid and genetic screens for proteins that interact with and localize Drosophila glutamate receptors. Coracle interacts with the C terminus of GluRIIA but not GluRIIB. To test whether coracle is required for glutamate receptor localization, we immunocytochemically and electrophysiologically examined receptors in coracle mutants. In coracle mutants, synaptic A-type receptors are lost, but there is no detectable change in B-type receptor function or localization. Pharmacological disruption of postsynaptic actin phenocopies the coracle mutants, suggesting that A-type receptors are anchored to the actin cytoskeleton via coracle, whereas B-type receptors are anchored at the synapse by another (yet unknown) mechanism.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / drug effects
  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism*
  • Actin Depolymerizing Factors / pharmacology
  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic / pharmacology
  • Drosophila Proteins / chemistry
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila Proteins / physiology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / embryology
  • Drosophila melanogaster / genetics
  • Drosophila melanogaster / growth & development
  • Drosophila melanogaster / physiology*
  • Larva
  • Membrane Proteins / genetics
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Membrane Proteins / physiology*
  • Mutation
  • Neuromuscular Junction / embryology
  • Neuromuscular Junction / metabolism
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Receptors, Glutamate / chemistry
  • Receptors, Glutamate / metabolism*
  • Thiazoles / pharmacology
  • Thiazolidines
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques

Substances

  • Actin Depolymerizing Factors
  • Actins
  • Bridged Bicyclo Compounds, Heterocyclic
  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptors, Glutamate
  • Thiazoles
  • Thiazolidines
  • cora protein, Drosophila
  • latrunculin A