Synaptic targeting of PSD-Zip45 (Homer 1c) and its involvement in the synaptic accumulation of F-actin

J Biol Chem. 2003 Mar 21;278(12):10619-28. doi: 10.1074/jbc.M210802200. Epub 2003 Jan 10.

Abstract

PSD-Zip45/Homer1c, which contains an enabled/VASP homology 1 (EVH1) domain and leucine zipper motifs, is a postsynaptic density (PSD) scaffold protein that interacts with metabotropic glutamate receptors and the shank family. We studied the molecular mechanism underlying the synaptic targeting of PSD-Zip45 in cultured hippocampal neurons. The EVH1 domain and the extreme C-terminal leucine zipper motif were molecular determinants for its synaptic targeting. The overexpression of the mutant of the EVH1 domain or deletion of the extreme C-terminal leucine zipper motif markedly suppressed the synaptic localization of endogenous shank but not PSD-95 or GKAP. In contrast, an overexpressed GKAP mutant lacking shank binding activity had no effect on the synaptic localization of shank. Actin depolymerization by latrunculin A reduced the synaptic localization of PSD-Zip45, shank, and F-actin but not of PSD-95 or GKAP. Overexpression of PSD-Zip45 enhanced the accumulation of synaptic F-actin. Additionally, overexpression of PSD-Zip45 and an isoform of shank induced synaptic enlargement in association with the further accumulation of synaptic F-actin. The EVH1 domain and extreme C-terminal leucine zipper motif of PSD-Zip45 were also critical for these events. Thus, these data suggest that the PSD-Zip45-shank and PSD-95-GKAP complexes form different synaptic compartments, and PSD-Zip45 alone or PSD-Zip45-shank is involved in the synaptic accumulation of F-actin.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actins / metabolism*
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing*
  • Animals
  • Carrier Proteins / analysis
  • Carrier Proteins / chemistry
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism
  • Carrier Proteins / physiology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dual-Specificity Phosphatases
  • Homer Scaffolding Proteins
  • Immunohistochemistry
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neuropeptides / analysis
  • Neuropeptides / chemistry
  • Neuropeptides / physiology*
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / metabolism
  • Rats
  • Synapses / chemistry
  • Synapses / metabolism*

Substances

  • Actins
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Homer Scaffolding Proteins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Neuropeptides
  • Shank1 protein, rat
  • Phosphoprotein Phosphatases
  • dual specificity phosphatase 12
  • Dual-Specificity Phosphatases