Cornichons Control ER Export of AMPA Receptors to Regulate Synaptic Excitability

Penelope J. Brockie, Michael Jensen, Jerry E. Mellem, Erica Jensen, Tokiwa Yamasaki, Rui Wang, Dane Maxfield, Colin Thacker, Frédéric Hoerndli, Patrick J. Dunn, Susumu Tomita, David M. Madsen, Andres V. Maricq

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

38 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

The strength of synaptic communication at central synapses depends on the number of ionotropic glutamate receptors, particularly the class gated by the agonist AMPA (AMPARs). Cornichon proteins, evolutionarily conserved endoplasmic reticulum cargo adaptors, modify the properties of vertebrate AMPARs when coexpressed in heterologous cells. However, the contribution of cornichons to behavior and invivo nervous system function has yet to be determined. Here, we take a genetic approach to these questions by studying CNI-1-the sole cornichon homolog in C.elegans. cni-1 mutants hyperreverse, a phenotype associated with increased glutamatergic synaptic transmission. Consistent with this behavior, we find larger glutamate-gated currents in cni-1 mutants with a corresponding increase in AMPAR number. Furthermore, we observe opposite phenotypes in transgenic worms that overexpress CNI-1 or vertebrate homologs. In reconstitution studies, we provide support for an evolutionarily conserved role for cornichons in regulating the export of vertebrate and invertebrate AMPARs

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)129-142
Number of pages14
JournalNeuron
Volume80
Issue number1
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 2013 Oct 2
Externally publishedYes

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Neuroscience(all)

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'Cornichons Control ER Export of AMPA Receptors to Regulate Synaptic Excitability'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this