Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience (Jan 2016)

Myosin IXa binds AMPAR and regulates synaptic structure, LTP and cognitive function

  • Alessandra eFolci,
  • Alessandra eFolci,
  • Luca eMurru,
  • Elena eVezzoli,
  • Elena eVezzoli,
  • Luisa ePonzoni,
  • Laura eGerosa,
  • Edoardo eMoretto,
  • Fabiana eLongo,
  • Jonathan eZapata,
  • Daniela eBraida,
  • Francesco ePistillo,
  • Martin eBähler,
  • Maura eFrancolini,
  • Maura eFrancolini,
  • Mariaelvina eSala,
  • Silvia eBassani

DOI
https://doi.org/10.3389/fnmol.2016.00001
Journal volume & issue
Vol. 9

Abstract

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Myosin IXa (Myo9a) is a motor protein that is highly expressed in the brain. However, the role of Myo9a in neurons remains unknown. Here, we investigated Myo9a function in hippocampal synapses. In rat hippocampal neurons, Myo9a localizes to the postsynaptic density (PSD) and binds the alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid receptor (AMPAR) GluA2 subunit. Myo9a+/- mice displayed a thicker PSD and increased levels of PSD95 and surface AMPAR expression. Furthermore, synaptic transmission, long-term potentiation (LTP) and cognitive functions were impaired in Myo9a+/- mice. Together, these results support a key role for Myo9a in controlling the molecular structure and function of hippocampal synapses.

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