S-nitrosylation of stargazin regulates surface expression of AMPA-glutamate neurotransmitter receptors

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Sep 22;106(38):16440-5. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0908949106. Epub 2009 Sep 10.

Abstract

Synaptic plasticity is mediated by changes in the surface expression of AMPA receptors (AMPARs). Stargazin and related transmembrane AMPAR regulatory proteins have emerged as the principal regulators of AMPAR surface expression. Here, we show in heterologous cells and primary neurons that stargazin is physiologically S-nitrosylated, resulting in increased surface expression. S-nitrosylation of stargazin increases binding to the AMPAR subunit GluR1, causing increased surface expression of the AMPAR. NMDAR stimulation, well known to activate neuronal nitric oxide synthase, increases both nitrosylation of stargazin and its binding to AMPAR. Thus, S-nitrosylation of stargazin is a physiologic regulator of AMPAR surface expression.

Publication types

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

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Brain / cytology
  • Brain / metabolism
  • Calcium Channels / genetics
  • Calcium Channels / metabolism*
  • Cell Line
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Electrophoresis, Polyacrylamide Gel
  • Humans
  • Immunoprecipitation
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Mutation
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / genetics
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I / metabolism
  • Nitrosation
  • Rats
  • Receptors, AMPA / genetics
  • Receptors, AMPA / metabolism*

Substances

  • CACNG2 protein, human
  • Calcium Channels
  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Nitric Oxide Synthase Type I
  • glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 1