Enzymatic Activity of the Scaffold Protein Rapsyn for Synapse Formation

Neuron. 2016 Dec 7;92(5):1007-1019. doi: 10.1016/j.neuron.2016.10.023. Epub 2016 Nov 10.

Abstract

Neurotransmission is ensured by a high concentration of neurotransmitter receptors at the postsynaptic membrane. This is mediated by scaffold proteins that bridge the receptors with cytoskeleton. One such protein is rapsyn (receptor-associated protein at synapse), which is essential for acetylcholine receptor (AChR) clustering and NMJ (neuromuscular junction) formation. We show that the RING domain of rapsyn contains E3 ligase activity. Mutation of the RING domain that abolishes the enzyme activity inhibits rapsyn- as well as agrin-induced AChR clustering in heterologous and muscle cells. Further biological and genetic studies support a working model where rapsyn, a classic scaffold protein, serves as an E3 ligase to induce AChR clustering and NMJ formation, possibly by regulation of AChR neddylation. This study identifies a previously unappreciated enzymatic function of rapsyn and a role of neddylation in synapse formation, and reveals a potential target of therapeutic intervention for relevant neurological disorders.

Keywords: AChR; E3 ligase; RING domain; neddylation; rapsyn.

MeSH terms

  • Agrin / metabolism*
  • Animals
  • Cytoskeleton / metabolism*
  • Mice
  • Muscle Fibers, Skeletal / metabolism*
  • Muscle Proteins / genetics*
  • Muscle Proteins / metabolism
  • Neuromuscular Junction / metabolism*
  • Receptors, Cholinergic / metabolism*
  • Synapses / metabolism*
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases / metabolism

Substances

  • Agrin
  • Muscle Proteins
  • Receptors, Cholinergic
  • peripheral membrane protein 43K
  • Ubiquitin-Protein Ligases