The synaptic glycoprotein neuroplastin is involved in long-term potentiation at hippocampal CA1 synapses

KH Smalla, H Matthies, K Langnäse… - Proceedings of the …, 2000 - National Acad Sciences
KH Smalla, H Matthies, K Langnäse, S Shabir, TM Böckers, U Wyneken, S Staak, M Krug…
Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences, 2000National Acad Sciences
Neuroplastin-65 and-55 (previously known as gp65 and gp55) are glycoproteins of the Ig
superfamily that are enriched in rat forebrain synaptic membrane preparations. Whereas the
two-Ig domain isoform neuroplastin-55 is expressed in many tissues, the three-Ig domain
isoform neuroplastin-65 is brain-specific and enriched in postsynaptic density (PSD) protein
preparations. Here, we have assessed the function of neuroplastin in long-term synaptic
plasticity. Immunocytochemical studies with neuroplastin-65-specific antibodies differentially …
Neuroplastin-65 and -55 (previously known as gp65 and gp55) are glycoproteins of the Ig superfamily that are enriched in rat forebrain synaptic membrane preparations. Whereas the two-Ig domain isoform neuroplastin-55 is expressed in many tissues, the three-Ig domain isoform neuroplastin-65 is brain-specific and enriched in postsynaptic density (PSD) protein preparations. Here, we have assessed the function of neuroplastin in long-term synaptic plasticity. Immunocytochemical studies with neuroplastin-65-specific antibodies differentially stain distinct synaptic neuropil regions of the rat hippocampus with most prominent immunoreactivity in the CA1 region and the proximal molecular layer of the dentate gyrus. Kainate-induced seizures cause a significant enhancement of neuroplastin-65 association with PSDs. Similarly, long-term potentiation (LTP) of CA1 synapses in hippocampal slices enhanced the association of neuroplastin-65 with a detergent-insoluble PSD-enriched protein fraction. Several antibodies against the neuroplastins, including one specific for neuroplastin-65, inhibited the maintenance of LTP. A similar effect was observed when recombinant fusion protein containing the three extracellular Ig domains of neuroplastin-65 was applied to hippocampal slices before LTP induction. Microsphere binding experiments using neuroplastin-Fc chimeric proteins show that constructs containing Ig1–3 or Ig1 domains, but not Ig2–3 domains mediate homophilic adhesion. These data suggest that neuroplastin plays an essential role in implementing long-term changes in synaptic activity, possibly by means of a homophilic adhesion mechanism.
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