STIM2 regulates NMDA receptor endocytosis that is induced by short-term NMDA receptor overactivation in cortical neurons

Abstract

Recent findings suggest an important role for the dysregulation of stromal interaction molecule (STIM) proteins, activators of store-operated Ca²⁺ channels, and the prolonged activation of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors (NMDARs) in the development of neurodegenerative diseases. We previously demonstrated that STIM silencing increases Ca²⁺ influx through NMDAR and STIM-NMDAR2 complexes are present in neurons. However, the interplay between NMDAR subunits (GluN1, GluN2A, and GluN2B) and STIM1/STIM2 with regard to intracellular trafficking remains unknown. Here, we found that the activation of NMDAR endocytosis led to an increase in STIM2-GluN2A and STIM2-GluN2B interactions in primary cortical neurons. STIM1 appeared to migrate from synaptic to extrasynaptic sites. STIM2 silencing inhibited post-activation NMDAR translocation from the plasma membrane and synaptic spines and increased NMDAR currents. Our findings reveal a novel molecular mechanism by which STIM2 regulates NMDAR synaptic trafficking by promoting NMDAR endocytosis after receptor overactivation, which may suggest protection against excessive uncontrolled Ca²⁺ influx through NMDARs.

Keywords: Calcium; Cell surface; Endocytosis; GluN2B; Internalization; Lentiviruses; NMDA receptors; NMDAR overactivation; Neuronal activation; Receptor trafficking; STIM proteins; Synaptosomes; Whole-cell patch clamp.