Preso, a novel PSD-95-interacting FERM and PDZ domain protein that regulates dendritic spine morphogenesis

J Neurosci. 2008 Dec 31;28(53):14546-56. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3112-08.2008.

Abstract

PSD-95 is an abundant postsynaptic density (PSD) protein involved in the formation and regulation of excitatory synapses and dendritic spines, but the underlying mechanisms are not comprehensively understood. Here we report a novel PSD-95-interacting protein Preso that regulates spine morphogenesis. Preso is mainly expressed in the brain and contains WW (domain with two conserved Trp residues), PDZ (PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1), FERM (4.1, ezrin, radixin, and moesin), and C-terminal PDZ-binding domains. These domains associate with actin filaments, the Rac1/Cdc42 guanine nucleotide exchange factor betaPix, phosphatidylinositol-4,5-bisphosphate, and the postsynaptic scaffolding protein PSD-95, respectively. Preso overexpression increases the density of dendritic spines in a manner requiring WW, PDZ, FERM, and PDZ-binding domains. Conversely, knockdown or dominant-negative inhibition of Preso decreases spine density, excitatory synaptic transmission, and the spine level of filamentous actin. These results suggest that Preso positively regulates spine density through its interaction with the synaptic plasma membrane, actin filaments, PSD-95, and the betaPix-based Rac1 signaling pathway.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Actin Cytoskeleton / metabolism
  • Animals
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cricetinae
  • Cytoskeletal Proteins / physiology*
  • Dendritic Spines / physiology*
  • Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Gene Expression / physiology
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / genetics
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins / metabolism
  • Guanylate Kinases
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Humans
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / genetics
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / metabolism
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins / physiology*
  • Membrane Proteins / metabolism
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins / metabolism
  • Models, Molecular
  • Morphogenesis / physiology
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Neurons / ultrastructure*
  • PDZ Domains / physiology*
  • Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Diphosphate / metabolism
  • Protein Structure, Tertiary
  • Rats
  • Synaptic Transmission / genetics
  • Transfection
  • Two-Hybrid System Techniques

Substances

  • Cytoskeletal Proteins
  • Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein
  • Dlg4 protein, mouse
  • EPB41L4B protein, human
  • FRMPD4 protein, human
  • Intracellular Signaling Peptides and Proteins
  • Membrane Proteins
  • Microtubule-Associated Proteins
  • Mtap2 protein, mouse
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Phosphatidylinositol 4,5-Diphosphate
  • enhanced green fluorescent protein
  • postsynaptic density proteins
  • Green Fluorescent Proteins
  • Guanylate Kinases