Role of Protein Kinase D1 in neurotransmitter receptors’ sorting.

MASSERONI, MARÍA LUJÁN; CORIA, ANDREA SOLEDAD; DÍAZ AÑEL, ALBERTO MARCELO

Huerta Grande

Congreso; XXVI Congreso Anual Sociedad Argentina Investigación en Neurociencias (SAN); 2011

Sociedad Argentina Investigación en Neurociencias (SAN)

Most of neuronal dendritic and axonal membrane protein sorting, a key process for establishment and maintenance of neuron polarity, occurs at the Trans-Golgi Network (TGN). Additionally, accurate localization of membrane neurotransmitter receptors is essential for transmission of neural impulse and for proper neuronal maturity and development. Metabotropic and ionotropic glutamate receptors contribute to synaptic plasticity, hence in learning and memory processes, and their transport towards their final localization - dendrites or axons - is still a complex and not well-characterized process. Protein Kinase D1 (PKD1) is a major component in membrane trafficking events; in neurons, PKD1 participates in dendritic membrane proteins’ sorting; in non-polarized cells, such as HeLa, this kinase regulates TGN vesicle fission. All these previous observations lead us to hypothesize that PKD1 regulates glutamate receptors’ sorting. In order to test our hypothesis, we have analyzed the involvement of PKD1 in metabotropic glutamate receptor 1 (mGluR1) sorting. Expression of kinase inactive PKD1 or its depletion by short harping PKD1 (sh-PKD1), alter the intracellular trafficking and membrane delivery of mGluR1, an effect coupled with a significant reduction in the length of dendrite branches.