Tuning GABAergic Inhibition: Gephyrin Molecular Organization and Functions. (15th July 2020)

• Record Type: Journal Article
• Authors: Pizzarelli, Rocco; Griguoli, Marilena; Zacchi, Paola; Petrini, Enrica Maria; Barberis, Andrea; Cattaneo, Antonino; Cherubini, Enrico
• Is Part Of: Neuroscience. Volume 439(2020)
• Page Start: 125
• Page End: 136
• Publication Date: 2020-07-15
• Subjects: AD Alzheimer Disease -- ASDs Autism Spectrum Disorders -- Cys cysteine -- GABA γ-aminobutyric acid -- GBD gephyrin-binding domain -- GlyR glycine receptor -- GPHN gene encoding for gephyrin -- GRAIL Gene Relationships Across Implicated Loci -- iLTP inhibitory long-term synaptic potentiation -- IATC Intracellular Antibodies Capture Technology -- IPSCs inhibitory postsynaptic currents -- m miniature -- Moco Molybdenum cofactor -- NMDA N-methyl-D- aspartate -- PIN1 Peptidyl-prolyl Isomerase 1 -- PSD postsynaptic density -- R receptor -- scFv single-chain antibody fragment -- shRNAs small hairpin RNAs -- TM transmembrane domain -- Tyr tyrosine -- vGAT vesicular GABA transporter; gephyrin -- glycine and GABAARs -- structural organization -- synaptic plasticity -- neuropsychiatric disorders; Neurochemistry -- Periodicals; Neurophysiology -- Periodicals; Neurology -- Periodicals; Neurochimie -- Périodiques; Neurophysiologie -- Périodiques; Neurochemistry; Neurophysiology; Electronic journals; Periodicals; Electronic journals; 612.8
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuroscience.2019.07.036
• Languages: English
• ISSNs: 0306-4522

Abstract

Abstract: To be highly reliable, synaptic transmission needs postsynaptic receptors (Rs) in precise apposition to the presynaptic release sites. At inhibitory synapses, the postsynaptic protein gephyrin self-assembles to form a scaffold that anchors glycine and GABAA Rs to the cytoskeleton, thus ensuring the accurate accumulation of postsynaptic receptors at the right place. This protein undergoes several post-translational modifications which control protein–protein interaction and downstream signaling pathways. In addition, through the constant exchange of scaffolding elements and receptors in and out of synapses, gephyrin dynamically regulates synaptic strength and plasticity. The aim of the present review is to highlight recent findings on the functional role of gephyrin at GABAergic inhibitory synapses. We will discuss different approaches used to interfere with gephyrin in order to unveil its function. In addition, we will focus on the impact of gephyrin structure and distribution at the nanoscale level on the functional properties of inhibitory synapses as well as the implications of this scaffold protein in synaptic plasticity processes. Finally, we will emphasize how gephyrin genetic mutations or alterations in protein expression levels are implicated in several neuropathological disorders, including autism spectrum disorders, schizophrenia, temporal lobe epilepsy and Alzheimer's disease, all associated with severe deficits of GABAergic signaling. This article is part of a Special Issue entitled: Honoring Ricardo Miledi - outstanding neuroscientist of XX-XXI centuries. Graphical abstract: Unlabelled Image Highlights: Post-translational modifications of gephyrin clusters shape GABAergic transmission. The subsynaptic nanoscale distribution of gephyrin affects GABAergic inhibitory synaptic plasticity. Hampering gephyrin function with selective intrabodies reduces the probability of GABA release. Dynamic changes of gephyrin govern lateral diffusion of GABAA receptors and synaptic plasticity processes. Impaired gephyrin function is often associated with neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative disorders.