Yuko Fukata

Autoantibodies to Epilepsy-Related LGI1 in Limbic Encephalitis Neutralize LGI1-ADAM22 Interaction and Reduce Synaptic AMPA Receptors

More than 30 mutations in LGI1, a secreted neuronal protein, have been reported with autosomal dominant lateral temporal lobe epilepsy (ADLTE). Although LGI1 haploinsufficiency is thought to cause ADLTE, the underlying molecular mechanism that results in abnormal brain excitability remains mysterious. Here, we focused on a mode of action of LGI1 autoantibodies associated with limbic encephalitis (LE), which is one of acquired epileptic disorders characterized by subacute onset of amnesia and seizures. We comprehensively screened human sera from patients with immune-mediated neurological disorders for LGI1 autoantibodies, which also uncovered novel autoantibodies against six cell surface antigens including DCC, DPP10, and ADAM23. Our developed ELISA arrays revealed a specific role for LGI1 antibodies in LE and concomitant involvement of multiple antibodies, including LGI1 antibodies in neuromyotonia, a peripheral nerve disorder. LGI1 antibodies associated with LE specifically inhibited the ligand-receptor interaction between LGI1 and ADAM22/23 by targeting the EPTP repeat domain of LGI1 and reversibly reduced synaptic AMPA receptor clusters in rat hippocampal neurons. Furthermore, we found that disruption of LGI1-ADAM22 interaction by soluble extracellular domain of ADAM22 was sufficient to reduce synaptic AMPA receptors in rat hippocampal neurons and that levels of AMPA receptor were greatly reduced in the hippocampal dentate gyrus in the epileptic LGI1 knock-out mouse. Therefore, either genetic or acquired loss of the LGI1-ADAM22 interaction reduces the AMPA receptor function, causing epileptic disorders. These results suggest that by finely regulating the synaptic AMPA receptors, the LGI1-ADAM22 interaction maintains physiological brain excitability throughout life.

Identification of PSD-95 Depalmitoylating Enzymes

Postsynaptic density (PSD)-95, the most abundant postsynaptic scaffolding protein, plays a pivotal role in synapse development and function. Continuous palmitoylation cycles on PSD-95 are essential for its synaptic clustering and regulation of AMPA receptor function. However, molecular mechanisms for palmitate cycling on PSD-95 remain incompletely understood, as PSD-95 depalmitoylating enzymes remain unknown. Here, we isolated 38 mouse or rat serine hydrolases and found that a subset specifically depalmitoylated PSD-95 in heterologous cells. These enzymes showed distinct substrate specificity. α/β-Hydrolase domain-containing protein 17 members (ABHD17A, 17B, and 17C), showing the strongest depalmitoylating activity to PSD-95, showed different localization from other candidates in rat hippocampal neurons, and were distributed to recycling endosomes, the dendritic plasma membrane, and the synaptic fraction. Expression of ABHD17 in neurons selectively reduced PSD-95 palmitoylation and synaptic clustering of PSD-95 and AMPA receptors. Furthermore, taking advantage of the acyl-PEGyl exchange gel shift (APEGS) method, we quantitatively monitored the palmitoylation stoichiometry and the depalmitoylation kinetics of representative synaptic proteins, PSD-95, GluA1, GluN2A, mGluR5, Gαq, and HRas. Unexpectedly, palmitate on all of them did not turn over in neurons. Uniquely, most of the PSD-95 population underwent rapid palmitoylation cycles, and palmitate cycling on PSD-95 decelerated accompanied by its increased stoichiometry as synapses developed, probably contributing to postsynaptic receptor consolidation. Finally, inhibition of ABHD17 expression dramatically delayed the kinetics of PSD-95 depalmitoylation. This study suggests that local palmitoylation machinery composed of synaptic DHHC palmitoylating enzymes and ABHD17 finely controls the amount of synaptic PSD-95 and synaptic function. SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Protein palmitoylation, the most common lipid modification, dynamically regulates neuronal protein localization and function. Its unique reversibility is conferred by DHHC-type palmitoyl acyl transferases (palmitoylating enzymes) and still controversial palmitoyl-protein thioesterases (depalmitoylating enzymes). Here, we identified the membrane-anchored serine hydrolases, ABHD17A, 17B, and 17C, as the physiological PSD-95 depalmitoylating enzymes that regulate PSD-95 palmitoylation cycles in neurons. This study describes the first direct evidence for the neuronal depalmitoylating enzyme and provides a new aspect of the dynamic regulatory mechanisms of synaptic development and synaptic plasticity. In addition, our established APEGS assay, which provides unbiased and quantitative information about the palmitoylation state and dynamics, revealed the distinct regulatory mechanisms for synaptic palmitoylation.

Identification and characterization of GABA(A) receptor autoantibodies in autoimmune encephalitis.

Autoimmune forms of encephalitis have been associated with autoantibodies against synaptic cell surface antigens such as NMDA- and AMPA-type glutamate receptors, GABAB receptor, and LGI1. However, it remains unclear how many synaptic autoantigens are yet to be defined. Using immunoproteomics, we identified autoantibodies against the GABAA receptor in human sera from two patients diagnosed with encephalitis who presented with cognitive impairment and multifocal brain MRI abnormalities. Both patients had antibodies directed against the extracellular epitope of the β3 subunit of the GABAA receptor. The β3-subunit-containing GABAA receptor was a major target of the patients serum antibodies in rat hippocampal neurons because the serum reactivity to the neuronal surface was greatly decreased by 80% when the β3 subunit was knocked down. Our developed multiplex ELISA testing showed that both patients had similar levels of GABAA receptor antibodies, one patient also had a low level of LGI1 antibodies, and the other also had CASPR2 antibodies. Application of the patients serum at the time of symptom presentation of encephalitis to rat hippocampal neuron cultures specifically decreased both synaptic and surface GABAA receptors. Furthermore, treatment of neurons with the patients serum selectively reduced miniature IPSC amplitude and frequency without affecting miniature EPSCs. These results strongly suggest that the patients GABAA receptor antibodies play a central role in the patients symptoms. Therefore, this study establishes anti-GABAA receptor encephalitis and expands the pathogenic roles of GABAA receptor autoantibodies.

In silico screening for palmitoyl substrates reveals a role for DHHC1/3/10 (zDHHC1/3/11)-mediated neurochondrin palmitoylation in its targeting to Rab5-positive endosomes

Background: The identification of palmitoyl substrate-enzyme pairs is important for elucidating physiological roles of protein palmitoylation. Results: In silico screening revealed neurochondrin palmitoylation. DHHC1/3/10 were identified as neurochondrin palmitoylating enzymes and were essential for targeting of neurochondrin to Rab5-positive endosomes. Conclusion: Neurochondrin and the DHHC1/10 and DHHC3/7 subfamilies represent novel substrate-enzyme pairs. Significance: In silico palmitoyl screening is useful for clarifying functions of palmitoylation. Protein palmitoylation, a common post-translational lipid modification, plays an important role in protein trafficking and functions. Recently developed palmitoyl-proteomic methods identified many novel substrates. However, the whole picture of palmitoyl substrates has not been clarified. Here, we performed global in silico screening using the CSS-Palm 2.0 program, free software for prediction of palmitoylation sites, and selected 17 candidates as novel palmitoyl substrates. Of the 17 candidates, 10 proteins, including 6 synaptic proteins (Syd-1, transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory protein (TARP) γ-2, TARP γ-8, cornichon-2, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIα, and neurochondrin (Ncdn)/norbin), one focal adhesion protein (zyxin), two ion channels (TRPM8 and TRPC1), and one G-protein-coupled receptor (orexin 2 receptor), were palmitoylated. Using the DHHC palmitoylating enzyme library, we found that all tested substrates were palmitoylated by the Golgi-localized DHHC3/7 subfamily. Ncdn, a regulator for neurite outgrowth and synaptic plasticity, was robustly palmitoylated by the DHHC1/10 (zDHHC1/11; z1/11) subfamily, whose substrate has not yet been reported. As predicted by CSS-Palm 2.0, Cys-3 and Cys-4 are the palmitoylation sites for Ncdn. Ncdn was specifically localized in somato-dendritic regions, not in the axon of rat cultured neurons. Stimulated emission depletion microscopy revealed that Ncdn was localized to Rab5-positive early endosomes in a palmitoylation-dependent manner, where DHHC1/10 (z1/11) were also distributed. Knockdown of DHHC1, -3, or -10 (z11) resulted in the loss of Ncdn from Rab5-positive endosomes. Thus, through in silico screening, we demonstrate that Ncdn and the DHHC1/10 (z1/11) and DHHC3/7 subfamilies are novel palmitoyl substrate-enzyme pairs and that Ncdn palmitoylation plays an essential role in its specific endosomal targeting.

The LGI1–ADAM22 protein complex directs synapse maturation through regulation of PSD-95 function

Significance The PSD-95 family proteins serve as central scaffolds of excitatory synapses. Their expression levels dictate synaptic strength, and the functions of many synaptic organizing molecules are dependent on interactions with these proteins. Yet, it is unclear what guides PSD-95 into maturing synapses, which occurs postnatally and is required for proper synapse development. Here, we establish that the secreted protein LGI1 controls the functional incorporation of PSD-95 through interactions with the transmembrane protein ADAM22. This process occurs in a paracrine fashion, with LGI1 released from the pre- and postsynaptic cell able to modulate postsynaptic strength. Our data illustrate a previously undescribed level of synaptic organization, identifying a critical role for the LGI1–ADAM22 complex in controlling the function of PSD-95 itself and, in turn, normal synapse development. Synapse development is coordinated by a number of transmembrane and secreted proteins that come together to form synaptic organizing complexes. Whereas a variety of synaptogenic proteins have been characterized, much less is understood about the molecular networks that support the maintenance and functional maturation of nascent synapses. Here, we demonstrate that leucine-rich, glioma-inactivated protein 1 (LGI1), a secreted protein previously shown to modulate synaptic AMPA receptors, is a paracrine signal released from pre- and postsynaptic neurons that acts specifically through a disintegrin and metalloproteinase protein 22 (ADAM22) to set postsynaptic strength. We go on to describe a novel role for ADAM22 in maintaining excitatory synapses through PSD-95/Dlg1/zo-1 (PDZ) domain interactions. Finally, we show that in the absence of LGI1, the mature synapse scaffolding protein PSD-95, but not the immature synapse scaffolding protein SAP102, is unable to modulate synaptic transmission. These results indicate that LGI1 and ADAM22 form an essential synaptic organizing complex that coordinates the maturation of excitatory synapses by regulating the functional incorporation of PSD-95.

Local Palmitoylation Cycles and Specialized Membrane Domain Organization.

Palmitoylation is an evolutionally conserved lipid modification of proteins. Dynamic and reversible palmitoylation controls a wide range of molecular and cellular properties of proteins including the protein trafficking, protein function, protein stability, and specialized membrane domain organization. However, technical difficulties in (1) detection of palmitoylated substrate proteins and (2) purification and enzymology of palmitoylating enzymes have prevented the progress in palmitoylation research, compared with that in phosphorylation research. The recent development of proteomic and chemical biology techniques has unexpectedly expanded the known complement of palmitoylated proteins in various species and tissues/cells, and revealed the unique occurrence of palmitoylated proteins in membrane-bound organelles and specific membrane compartments. Furthermore, identification and characterization of DHHC (Asp-His-His-Cys) palmitoylating enzyme-substrate pairs have contributed to elucidating the regulatory mechanisms and pathophysiological significance of protein palmitoylation. Here, we review the recent progress in protein palmitoylation at the molecular, cellular, and in vivo level and discuss how locally regulated palmitoylation machinery works for dynamic nanoscale organization of membrane domains.

Epilepsy and synaptic proteins

Throughout history, epilepsy affects about 1-2% of the population worldwide. Epilepsy can be caused by traumatic brain injury, exposure to certain toxins and drugs, and mutations of genes that often encode synaptic proteins. In addition to conventional linkage and association studies, the recent trio exome sequencing in epilepsy and proteomic analysis in autoimmune synaptopathies have accelerated identification of novel epilepsy-related proteins, most of which play critical roles in synaptic transmission. Furthermore, super-resolution microscopy analysis has revealed subsynaptic nanoscale distribution of presynaptic and postsynaptic proteins and suggests a precise trans-synaptic alignment of neurotransmitter release to receptors. Such identification and characterization of epilepsy-related synaptic proteins have been promoting the development of anti-epileptic drugs and the understanding of mechanisms of synaptic transmission.

The LGI1–ADAM22 protein complex in synaptic transmission and synaptic disorders

Physiological functioning of the brain requires fine-tuned synaptic transmission, and its dysfunction causes various brain disorders such as autism, dementia, and epilepsy. It is therefore extremely important to identify and characterize key regulators of synaptic function. In particular, disease-related synaptic proteins, such as autism-related neurexin-neuroligin and psychiatric disorder-related NMDA receptor, have attracted considerable attention. Recent basic and clinical research has highlighted critical roles of a ligand-receptor complex, LGI1-ADAM22, in synaptic transmission and brain function, as mutations in the LGI1 gene cause autosomal dominant lateral temporal lobe epilepsy and autoantibodies to LGI1 cause limbic encephalitis which is characterized by memory loss and seizures. Here, we will review our current knowledge about LGI1 and ADAM22, and discuss their patho-physiological roles in synaptic transmission and synaptic disorders.

Ivermectin activates GIRK channels in a PIP2‐dependent, Gβγ‐independent manner and an amino acid residue at the slide helix governs the activation

Ivermectin (IVM) is a widely used antiparasitic drug in humans and pets which activates glutamate‐gated Cl− channel in parasites. It is known that IVM binds to the transmembrane domains (TMs) of several ligand‐gated channels, such as Cys‐loop receptors and P2X receptors. We found that the G‐protein‐gated inwardly rectifying K+ (GIRK) channel, especially GIRK2, is activated by IVM directly in a Gβγ‐independent manner, but the activation is dependent on phosphatidylinositol‐4,5‐biphosphate (PIP2). We identified a critical amino acid residue of GIRK2 for activation by IVM, Ile82, located in the slide helix between the TM1 and the N‐terminal cytoplasmic tail domain (CTD). The results demonstrate that the TM–CTD interface in GIRK channel, rather than the TMs, governs IVM‐mediated activation and provide us with novel insights on the mode of action of IVM in ion channels.

Neurobiology of autoimmune encephalitis

Autoimmune encephalitis presenting with amnesia, seizures, and psychosis is highly topical in basic and clinical neuroscience. Recent studies have identified numerous associated autoantibodies, targeting cell-surface synaptic proteins including neurotransmitter receptors (e.g. NMDA receptors (NMDARs)) and a secreted protein, LGI1. In vitro and in vivo analyses of the influence of the autoantibodies have begun to clarify their causal roles. Of particular interest is the generation of recombinant monoclonal antibodies from patients B cells with anti-NMDAR encephalitis. Patient monoclonal antibodies could be useful to reveal their direct, detailed pathogenicity. Such identification and characterization of autoantibodies could create new categories of neurological diseases and promote the understanding of patho-physiologic roles of target proteins in human brain function.