The nuclear import of Frizzled2-C by Importins-beta11 and alpha2 promotes postsynaptic development

Nat Neurosci. 2010 Aug;13(8):935-43. doi: 10.1038/nn.2593. Epub 2010 Jul 4.

Abstract

Synapse-to-nucleus signaling is critical for synaptic development and plasticity. In Drosophila, the ligand Wingless causes the C terminus of its Frizzled2 receptor (Fz2-C) to be cleaved and translocated from the postsynaptic density to nuclei. The mechanism of nuclear import is unknown and the developmental consequences of this translocation are uncertain. We found that Fz2-C localization to muscle nuclei required the nuclear import factors Importin-beta11 and Importin-alpha2 and that this pathway promoted the postsynaptic development of the subsynaptic reticulum (SSR), an elaboration of the postsynaptic plasma membrane. importin-beta11 (imp-beta11) and dfz2 mutants had less SSR, and some boutons lacked the postsynaptic marker Discs Large. These developmental defects in imp-beta11 mutants could be overcome by expression of Fz2-C fused to a nuclear localization sequence that can bypass Importin-beta11. Thus, Wnt-activated growth of the postsynaptic membrane is mediated by the synapse-to-nucleus translocation and active nuclear import of Fz2-C via a selective Importin-beta11/alpha2 pathway.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Active Transport, Cell Nucleus / physiology
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Cell Nucleus / metabolism*
  • Drosophila
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Frizzled Receptors / metabolism*
  • Image Processing, Computer-Assisted
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Microscopy, Electron, Transmission
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Synapses / metabolism
  • alpha Karyopherins / metabolism*
  • beta Karyopherins / metabolism*

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Frizzled Receptors
  • Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled
  • alpha Karyopherins
  • beta Karyopherins
  • fz2 protein, Drosophila
  • karyopherin alpha 2