Complex formation of APP with GABAB receptors links axonal trafficking to amyloidogenic processing

Nat Commun. 2019 Mar 22;10(1):1331. doi: 10.1038/s41467-019-09164-3.

Abstract

GABAB receptors (GBRs) are key regulators of synaptic release but little is known about trafficking mechanisms that control their presynaptic abundance. We now show that sequence-related epitopes in APP, AJAP-1 and PIANP bind with nanomolar affinities to the N-terminal sushi-domain of presynaptic GBRs. Of the three interacting proteins, selectively the genetic loss of APP impaired GBR-mediated presynaptic inhibition and axonal GBR expression. Proteomic and functional analyses revealed that APP associates with JIP and calsyntenin proteins that link the APP/GBR complex in cargo vesicles to the axonal trafficking motor. Complex formation with GBRs stabilizes APP at the cell surface and reduces proteolysis of APP to Aβ, a component of senile plaques in Alzheimer's disease patients. Thus, APP/GBR complex formation links presynaptic GBR trafficking to Aβ formation. Our findings support that dysfunctional axonal trafficking and reduced GBR expression in Alzheimer's disease increases Aβ formation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence
  • Amyloid / metabolism*
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / chemistry
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Axonal Transport*
  • Axons / metabolism
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / chemistry
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules / metabolism
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism
  • Dendrites / metabolism
  • Epitopes / metabolism
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / metabolism
  • HEK293 Cells
  • Humans
  • Kinesins / metabolism
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / chemistry
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Stability
  • Proteomics
  • Receptors, GABA-B / metabolism*
  • Signal Transduction
  • Synapses / metabolism

Substances

  • Amyloid
  • Amyloid beta-Peptides
  • Cell Adhesion Molecules
  • Epitopes
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Receptors, GABA-B
  • GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Kinesins