A human mitofusin 2 mutation can cause mitophagic cardiomyopathy.

Cardiac muscle has the highest mitochondrial density of any human tissue, but mitochondrial dysfunction is not a recognized cause of isolated cardiomyopathy. Here, we determined that the rare mitofusin (MFN) 2 R400Q mutation is 15-20× over-represented in clinical cardiomyopathy, whereas this specific mutation is not reported as a cause of MFN2 mutant-induced peripheral neuropathy, Charcot-Marie-Tooth disease type 2A (CMT2A). Accordingly, we interrogated the enzymatic, biophysical, and functional characteristics of MFN2 Q400 versus wild-type and CMT2A-causing MFN2 mutants.

Loss of Quaking RNA binding protein disrupts the expression of genes associated with astrocyte maturation in mouse brain.

Quaking RNA binding protein (QKI) is essential for oligodendrocyte development as myelination requires myelin basic protein mRNA regulation and localization by the cytoplasmic isoforms (e.g., QKI-6).

Generation and validation of novel conditional flox and inducible Cre alleles targeting fibroblast growth factor 18 (Fgf18).

Background: Fibroblast growth factor 18 (FGF18) functions in the development of several tissues, including the lung, limb bud, palate, skeleton, central nervous system, and hair follicle. Mice containing a germline knockout of Fgf18 (Fgf18 ) die shortly after birth. Postnatally, FGF18 is being evaluated for pathogenic roles in fibrosis and several types of cancer.

Clptm1 Limits Forward Trafficking of GABA Receptors to Scale Inhibitory Synaptic Strength.

In contrast with numerous studies of glutamate receptor-associated proteins and their involvement in the modulation of excitatory synapses, much less is known about mechanisms controlling postsynaptic GABA receptor (GABAR) numbers. Using tandem affinity purification from tagged GABAR γ2 subunit transgenic mice and proteomic analysis, we isolated several GABAR-associated proteins, including Cleft lip and palate transmembrane protein 1 (Clptm1). Clptm1 interacted with all GABAR subunits tested and promoted GABAR trapping in the endoplasmic reticulum.

A combined transgenic proteomic analysis and regulated trafficking of neuroligin-2.

Synapses, the basic units of communication in the brain, require complex molecular machinery for neurotransmitter release and reception. Whereas numerous components of excitatory postsynaptic sites have been identified, relatively few proteins are known that function at inhibitory postsynaptic sites. One such component is neuroligin-2 (NL2), an inhibitory synapse-specific cell surface protein that functions in cell adhesion and synaptic organization via binding to neurexins.

Spatial relationships between GABAergic and glutamatergic synapses on the dendrites of distinct types of mouse retinal ganglion cells across development.

Neuronal output requires a concerted balance between excitatory and inhibitory (I/E) input. Like other circuits, inhibitory synaptogenesis in the retina precedes excitatory synaptogenesis. How then do neurons attain their mature balance of I/E ratios despite temporal offset in synaptogenesis? To directly compare the development of glutamatergic and GABAergic synapses onto the same cell, we biolistically transfected retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) with PSD95CFP, a marker of glutamatergic postsynaptic sites, in transgenic Thy1-YFPγ2 mice in which GABAA receptors are fluorescently tagged.

Disruption of the developmentally-regulated Col2a1 pre-mRNA alternative splicing switch in a transgenic knock-in mouse model.

The present study describes the generation of a knock-in mouse model to address the role of type II procollagen (Col2a1) alternative splicing in skeletal development and maintenance. Alternative splicing of Col2a1 precursor mRNA is a developmentally-regulated event that only occurs in chondrogenic tissue. Normally, chondroprogenitor cells synthesize predominantly exon 2-containing mRNA isoforms (type IIA and IID) while Col2a1 mRNA devoid of exon 2 (type IIB) is the major isoform produced by differentiated chondrocytes.

Coordinated increase in inhibitory and excitatory synapses onto retinal ganglion cells during development.

Background: Neuronal output is shaped by a balance of excitation and inhibition. How this balance is attained in the central nervous system during development is not well understood, and is complicated by the fact that, in vivo, GABAergic and glycinergic synaptogenesis precedes that of glutamatergic synapses. Here, we determined the distributions of inhibitory postsynaptic sites on the dendritic arbors of individual neurons, and compared their developmental patterns with that of excitatory postsynaptic sites.

Neurotransmission selectively regulates synapse formation in parallel circuits in vivo.

Activity is thought to guide the patterning of synaptic connections in the developing nervous system. Specifically, differences in the activity of converging inputs are thought to cause the elimination of synapses from less active inputs and increase connectivity with more active inputs. Here we present findings that challenge the generality of this notion and offer a new view of the role of activity in synapse development.

A proteomic approach for the discovery of protease substrates.

Standardized, comprehensive platforms for the discovery of protease substrates have been extremely difficult to create. Screens for protease specificity are now frequently based on the cleavage patterns of peptide substrates, which contain small recognition motifs that are required for the cleavage of the scissile bond within an active site. However, these studies do not identify in vivo substrates, nor can they lead to the definition of the macromolecular features that account for the biological specificity of proteases.

ADAMTS7B, the full-length product of the ADAMTS7 gene, is a chondroitin sulfate proteoglycan containing a mucin domain.

We have characterized ADAMTS7B, the authentic full-length protein product of the ADAMTS7 gene. ADAMTS7B has a domain organization similar to that of ADAMTS12, with a total of eight thrombospondin type 1 repeats in its ancillary domain. Of these, seven are arranged in two distinct clusters that are separated by a mucin domain.

A putative ariadne-like E3 ubiquitin ligase (PAUL) that interacts with the muscle-specific kinase (MuSK).

Formation of the postsynaptic membrane at the skeletal neuromuscular junction (NMJ) requires activation of the muscle-specific receptor tyrosine kinase (MuSK). Few intracellular mediators or modulators of MuSK actions are known. E3 ubiquitin ligases may serve this role, because activities of several receptor tyrosine kinases, G-protein-coupled receptors and channels are modulated by ubiquitination.

Roles of neurotransmitter in synapse formation: development of neuromuscular junctions lacking choline acetyltransferase.

Activity-dependent and -independent signals collaborate to regulate synaptogenesis, but their relative contributions are unclear. Here, we describe the formation of neuromuscular synapses at which neurotransmission is completely and specifically blocked by mutation of the neurotransmitter-synthesizing enzyme choline acetyltransferase. Nerve terminals differentiate extensively in the absence of neurotransmitter, but neurotransmission plays multiple roles in synaptic differentiation.