Matin, N. | bioRxiv Science

bioRxiv2021

Synaptic Activity-Dependent Changes in the Hippocampal Palmitoylome

Dynamic protein S-palmitoylation is critical for neuronal function, development, and synaptic plasticity. Activity-dependent changes in palmitoylation have been observed for several neuronal substrates, however a full characterization of the activity-regulated palmitoylome is lacking. Here, we use an unbiased approach to identify differentially palmitoylated proteins in the mouse hippocampus following context-dependent fear conditioning. Of the 121 differentially palmitoylated proteins identified 63 were synaptic proteins, while others were associated with metabolic functions, cytoskeletal organization, and signal transduction. The vast majority of synaptic proteins exhibited increased palmitoylation following fear conditioning, whereas proteins that exhibited decreased palmitoylation were predominantly associated with metabolic processes. We show a link between dynamic palmitoylation and synapse plasticity by demonstrating that the palmitoylation of one of our identified proteins, PRG-1/LPPR4, is essential for activity-induced insertion of AMPA receptors into the postsynaptic membrane. Together, this study identifies networks of synaptic proteins whose dynamic palmitoylation may play a central role in learning and memory. SUMMARYThis study identifies networks of proteins that undergo dynamic post-translational palmitoylation in response to fear conditioning and demonstrates that palmitoylation of one of these proteins is essential for synapse plasticity. Together, this illustrates the importance of palmitoylation in learning/memory and synapse plasticity.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2020

Regulation of Hippocampal Excitatory Synapses by the Zdhhc5 Palmitoyl Acyl Transferase

Palmitoylation is the most common post-translational lipid modification in the brain; however, the role of palmitoylation and palmitoylating enzymes in the nervous system remains elusive. One of these enzymes, Zdhhc5, has previously been shown to regulate synapse plasticity. Here, we report that Zdhhc5 is also essential for the formation of excitatory, but not inhibitory synapses both in vitro and in vivo. We demonstrate in vitro that this is dependent on Zdhhc5s enzymatic activity, its localization at the plasma membrane, and its C-terminal domain which has been shown to be truncated in a patient with schizophrenia. Loss of Zdhhc5 in mice results in a decrease in the density of excitatory hippocampal synapses accompanied by alterations in membrane capacitance and synaptic currents, consistent with an overall decrease in spine number and silent synapses. These findings reveal an important role for Zdhhc5 in the formation and/or maintenance of excitatory synapses.

neuroscience↗