PKN1 promotes synapse maturation by inhibiting mGluR-dependent silencing through neuronal glutamate transporter activation

Hiroki Yasuda, Hikaru Yamamoto, Kenji Hanamura, Mona Mehruba, Toshio Kawamata, Hiromi Morisaki, Masaaki Miyamoto, Shinji Takada, Tomoaki Shirao, Yoshitaka Ono, Hideyuki Mukai

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

3 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Abnormal metabotropic glutamate receptor (mGluR) activity could cause brain disorders; however, its regulation has not yet been fully understood. Here, we report that protein kinase N1 (PKN1), a protein kinase expressed predominantly in neurons in the brain, normalizes group 1 mGluR function by upregulating a neuronal glutamate transporter, excitatory amino acid transporter 3 (EAAT3), and supports silent synapse activation. Knocking out PKN1a, the dominant PKN1 subtype in the brain, unmasked abnormal input-nonspecific mGluR-dependent long-term depression (mGluR-LTD) and AMPA receptor (AMPAR) silencing in the developing hippocampus. mGluR-LTD was mimicked by inhibiting glutamate transporters in wild-type mice. Knocking out PKN1a decreased hippocampal EAAT3 expression and PKN1 inhibition reduced glutamate uptake through EAAT3. Also, synaptic transmission was immature; there were more silent synapses and fewer spines with shorter postsynaptic densities in PKN1a knockout mice than in wild-type mice. Thus, PKN1 plays a critical role in regulation of synaptic maturation by upregulating EAAT3 expression.

Original languageEnglish
Article number710
JournalCommunications Biology
Volume3
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - Dec 2020
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Medicine (miscellaneous)
  • Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology(all)
  • Agricultural and Biological Sciences(all)

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