Role of the Visual Experience-Dependent Nascent Proteome in Neuronal Plasticity

Abstract

Experience-dependent synaptic plasticity refines brain circuits during development. To identify novel protein synthesis-dependent mechanisms contributing to experience-dependent plasticity, we conducted a quantitative proteomic screen of the nascent proteome in response to visual experience in Xenopus optic tectum using bio-orthogonal metabolic labeling (BONCAT). We identified 83 differentially synthesized candidate plasticity proteins (CPPs). The CPPs form strongly interconnected networks and are annotated to a variety of biological functions, including RNA splicing, protein translation, and chromatin remodeling. Functional analysis of select CPPs revealed the requirement for eukaryotic initiation factor 3 subunit A (eIF3A), fused in sarcoma (FUS), and ribosomal protein s17 (RPS17) in experience-dependent structural plasticity in tectal neurons and behavioral plasticity in tadpoles. These results demonstrate that the nascent proteome is dynamic in response to visual experience and that de novo synthesis of machinery that regulates RNA splicing and protein translation is required for experience-dependent plasticity.\n\nHighlightsO_LIThe nascent proteome changes dynamically in response to visual experience\nC_LIO_LINewly synthesized candidate plasticity proteins were identified using MS/MS\nC_LIO_LIVisual experience induces de novo synthesis of synaptic and cytoskeletal proteins\nC_LIO_LISynthesis of RNA splicing and translation machinery is required for plasticity\nC_LI\n\neTOC BlurbLiu et al. show that the nascent proteome changes dynamically in response to plasticity-inducing visual experience. Functional analysis reveals that visual experience-dependent synthesis of RNA splicing and protein translation machinery is required for plasticity.