NMDAR-dependent long-term depression is associated with increased short term plasticity through autophagy mediated loss of PSD-95

Nat Commun. 2021 May 14;12(1):2849. doi: 10.1038/s41467-021-23133-9.

Abstract

Long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic strength can take multiple forms and contribute to circuit remodeling, memory encoding or erasure. The generic term LTD encompasses various induction pathways, including activation of NMDA, mGlu or P2X receptors. However, the associated specific molecular mechanisms and effects on synaptic physiology are still unclear. We here compare how NMDAR- or P2XR-dependent LTD affect synaptic nanoscale organization and function in rodents. While both LTDs are associated with a loss and reorganization of synaptic AMPARs, only NMDAR-dependent LTD induction triggers a profound reorganization of PSD-95. This modification, which requires the autophagy machinery to remove the T19-phosphorylated form of PSD-95 from synapses, leads to an increase in AMPAR surface mobility. We demonstrate that these post-synaptic changes that occur specifically during NMDAR-dependent LTD result in an increased short-term plasticity improving neuronal responsiveness of depressed synapses. Our results establish that P2XR- and NMDAR-mediated LTD are associated to functionally distinct forms of LTD.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Adenosine Triphosphate / administration & dosage
  • Animals
  • Autophagy / physiology
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein / deficiency
  • Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein / physiology*
  • Female
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Hippocampus / physiology
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Long-Term Synaptic Depression / physiology*
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Miniature Postsynaptic Potentials / physiology
  • Models, Neurological
  • N-Methylaspartate / administration & dosage
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, AMPA / physiology
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / physiology*
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2X / physiology

Substances

  • Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein
  • Dlg4 protein, mouse
  • Dlg4 protein, rat
  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Receptors, Purinergic P2X
  • N-Methylaspartate
  • Adenosine Triphosphate