Dysbindin-1, WAVE2 and Abi-1 form a complex that regulates dendritic spine formation

Mol Psychiatry. 2010 Oct;15(10):976-86. doi: 10.1038/mp.2010.69. Epub 2010 Jun 8.

Abstract

Genetic variations in dysbindin-1 (dystrobrevin-binding protein-1) are one of the most commonly reported variations associated with schizophrenia. As schizophrenia could be regarded as a neurodevelopmental disorder resulting from abnormalities of synaptic connectivity, we attempted to clarify the function of dysbindin-1 in neuronal development. We examined the developmental change of dysbindin-1 in rat brain by western blotting and found that a 50 kDa isoform is highly expressed during the embryonic stage, whereas a 40 kDa one is detected at postnatal day 11 and increased thereafter. Immunofluorescent analyses revealed that dysbindin-1 is enriched at the spine-like structure of primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons. We identified WAVE2, but not N-WASP, as a binding partner for dysbindin-1. We also found that Abi-1, a binding molecule for WAVE2 involved in spine morphogenesis, interacts with dysbindin-1. Although dysbindin-1, WAVE2 and Abi-1 form a ternary complex, dysbindin-1 promoted the binding of WAVE2 to Abi-1. RNA interference-mediated knockdown of dysbindin-1 led to the generation of abnormally elongated immature dendritic protrusions. The present results indicate possible functions of dysbindin-1 at the postsynapse in the regulation of dendritic spine morphogenesis through the interaction with WAVE2 and Abi-1.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Age Factors
  • Animals
  • Blotting, Western
  • Carrier Proteins / genetics
  • Carrier Proteins / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Dendritic Spines / metabolism*
  • Dysbindin
  • Dystrophin-Associated Proteins
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Hippocampus / embryology
  • Hippocampus / growth & development
  • Multiprotein Complexes / metabolism*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Neurons / ultrastructure
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Rats
  • Schizophrenia / metabolism*
  • Schizophrenia / physiopathology
  • Synapses / metabolism
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family / metabolism*
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein, Neuronal / metabolism

Substances

  • Abi1 protein, rat
  • Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing
  • Carrier Proteins
  • Dtnbp1 protein, rat
  • Dysbindin
  • Dystrophin-Associated Proteins
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • RNA, Small Interfering
  • Wasl protein, rat
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein Family
  • Wiskott-Aldrich Syndrome Protein, Neuronal