TrkB and protein kinase Mζ regulate synaptic localization of PSD-95 in developing cortex

J Neurosci. 2011 Aug 17;31(33):11894-904. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.2190-11.2011.

Abstract

Postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95), the major scaffold at excitatory synapses, is critical for synapse maturation and learning. In rodents, eye opening, the onset of pattern vision, triggers a rapid movement of PSD-95 from visual neuron somata to synapses. We showed previously that the PI3 kinase-Akt pathway downstream of BDNF/TrkB signaling stimulates synaptic delivery of PSD-95 via vesicular transport. However, vesicular transport requires PSD-95 palmitoylation to attach it to a lipid membrane. Also, PSD-95 insertion at synapses is known to require this lipid modification. Here, we show that BDNF/TrkB signaling is also necessary for PSD-95 palmitoylation and its transport to synapses in mouse visual cortical layer 2/3 neurons. However, palmitoylation of PSD-95 requires the activation of another pathway downstream of BDNF/TrkB, namely, signaling through phospholipase Cγ and the brain-specific PKC variant protein kinase M ζ (PKMζ). We find that PKMζ selectively regulates phosphorylation of the palmitoylation enzyme ZDHHC8. Inhibition of PKMζ results in a reduction of synaptic PSD-95 accumulation in vivo, which can be rescued by overexpressing ZDHHC8. Therefore, TrkB and PKMζ, two critical regulators of synaptic plasticity, facilitate PSD-95 targeting to synapses. These results also indicate that palmitoylation can be regulated by a trophic factor. Our findings have implications for neurodevelopmental disorders as well as aging brains.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein
  • Drug Delivery Systems
  • Female
  • Guanylate Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Guanylate Kinases / metabolism*
  • Male
  • Membrane Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Pregnancy
  • Protein Kinase C / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Protein Kinase C / physiology*
  • Protein Transport / physiology
  • Receptor, trkB / physiology*
  • Synapses / chemistry
  • Synapses / metabolism*
  • Visual Cortex / embryology*
  • Visual Cortex / enzymology
  • Visual Cortex / metabolism*

Substances

  • Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein
  • Dlg4 protein, mouse
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Receptor, trkB
  • protein kinase C zeta
  • Protein Kinase C
  • Guanylate Kinases