The novel caspase-3 substrate Gap43 is involved in AMPA receptor endocytosis and long-term depression

Mol Cell Proteomics. 2013 Dec;12(12):3719-31. doi: 10.1074/mcp.M113.030676. Epub 2013 Sep 10.

Abstract

The cysteine protease caspase-3, best known as an executioner of cell death in apoptosis, also plays a non-apoptotic role in N-methyl-d-aspartate receptor-dependent long-term depression of synaptic transmission (NMDAR-LTD) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) receptor endocytosis in neurons. The mechanism by which caspase-3 regulates LTD and AMPA receptor endocytosis, however, remains unclear. Here, we addressed this question by using an enzymatic N-terminal peptide enrichment method and mass spectrometry to identify caspase-3 substrates in neurons. Of the many candidates revealed by this proteomic study, we have confirmed BASP1, Dbn1, and Gap43 as true caspase-3 substrates. Moreover, in hippocampal neurons, Gap43 mutants deficient in caspase-3 cleavage inhibit AMPA receptor endocytosis and LTD. We further demonstrated that Gap43, a protein well-known for its functions in axons, is also localized at postsynaptic sites. Our study has identified Gap43 as a key caspase-3 substrate involved in LTD and AMPA receptor endocytosis, uncovered a novel postsynaptic function for Gap43 and provided new insights into how long-term synaptic depression is induced.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Caspase 3 / genetics*
  • Caspase 3 / metabolism
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Endocytosis
  • GAP-43 Protein / genetics*
  • GAP-43 Protein / metabolism
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Hippocampus / growth & development
  • Hippocampus / metabolism*
  • Long-Term Synaptic Depression / genetics*
  • Neuronal Plasticity / genetics
  • Neurons / cytology
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Protein Binding
  • Protein Interaction Mapping
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, AMPA / genetics*
  • Receptors, AMPA / metabolism
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / genetics
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism
  • Synapses / genetics
  • Synapses / metabolism
  • Synaptic Transmission / genetics*
  • Tissue Culture Techniques

Substances

  • GAP-43 Protein
  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Caspase 3