Ontology highlight
ABSTRACT: Background
Apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoEr2) is a postsynaptic protein involved in long-term potentiation (LTP), learning, and memory through unknown mechanisms. We examined the biological effects of ApoEr2 on synapse and dendritic spine formation-processes critical for learning and memory.Methodology/principal findings
In a heterologous co-culture synapse assay, overexpression of ApoEr2 in COS7 cells significantly increased colocalization with synaptophysin in primary hippocampal neurons, suggesting that ApoEr2 promotes interaction with presynaptic structures. In primary neuronal cultures, overexpression of ApoEr2 increased dendritic spine density. Consistent with our in vitro findings, ApoEr2 knockout mice had decreased dendritic spine density in cortical layers II/III at 1 month of age. We also tested whether the interaction between ApoEr2 and its cytoplasmic adaptor proteins, specifically X11? and PSD-95, affected synapse and dendritic spine formation. X11? decreased cell surface levels of ApoEr2 along with synapse and dendritic spine density. In contrast, PSD-95 increased cell surface levels of ApoEr2 as well as synapse and dendritic spine density.Conclusions/significance
These results suggest that ApoEr2 plays important roles in structure and function of CNS synapses and dendritic spines, and that these roles are modulated by cytoplasmic adaptor proteins X11? and PSD-95.
SUBMITTER: Dumanis SB
PROVIDER: S-EPMC3039666 | biostudies-literature | 2011 Feb
REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature
Dumanis Sonya B SB Cha Hyun-Jung HJ Song Jung Min JM Trotter Justin H JH Spitzer Matthew M Lee Ji-Yun JY Weeber Edwin J EJ Turner R Scott RS Pak Daniel T S DT Rebeck G William GW Hoe Hyang-Sook HS
PloS one 20110215 2
<h4>Background</h4>Apolipoprotein E receptor 2 (ApoEr2) is a postsynaptic protein involved in long-term potentiation (LTP), learning, and memory through unknown mechanisms. We examined the biological effects of ApoEr2 on synapse and dendritic spine formation-processes critical for learning and memory.<h4>Methodology/principal findings</h4>In a heterologous co-culture synapse assay, overexpression of ApoEr2 in COS7 cells significantly increased colocalization with synaptophysin in primary hippoca ...[more]