Spatiotemporal proteomics elucidates trafficking and localization of Neuroligins to the axon initial segment plasma membrane

Kersten, N.; Li, C. H.; al Naqib, V.; de Haas, L.; Vataka, V.; van der Meer, E.; Uljee, P. J.; Levenswaard, G.; Altelaar, M.; Freal, A.; Kole, M. H. P.; Farias, G. G.

doi:10.64898/2026.06.18.733123

bioRxiv · 10.64898/2026.06.18.733123

Spatiotemporal proteomics elucidates trafficking and localization of Neuroligins to the axon initial segment plasma membrane

Kersten, N.·Li, C. H.·al Naqib, V.·de Haas, L.·Vataka, V.·van der Meer, E.·Uljee, P. J.·Levenswaard, G.·Altelaar, M.·Freal, A.·Kole, M. H. P.·Farias, G. G.

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Abstract

Neuronal development and function rely on precise sorting of membrane proteins to distinct neuronal domains, yet the underlying mechanisms remain incompletely understood. Here, we investigated the trafficking of two highly homologous NLGNs (NLGN1 and 2) which distinctly localize and function at excitatory and inhibitory synapses. By using spatiotemporal proteomics, genetic engineering and microscopy in CNS cultured neurons and organotypic slices, we dissected the itinerary of biosynthetic NLGNs, identifying co-cargoes and sorting routes to dendrites and the AIS. At the AIS, which contains only inhibitory synapses, both NLGN1 and NLGN2 are locally exocytosed. While NLGN2 is stably recruited to axo-axonic synapses by its extracellular domain and modulated by activity, NLGN1 is retrieved by endocytic mechanisms. We propose that biosynthetic NLGNs are co-sorted to the AIS PM where they detect pre-synaptic type. These findings may help to elucidate the role of AIS-localized NLGNs in shaping AIS structural and functional plasticity. HighlightsO_LISpatiotemporal proteomics elucidates interactome of biosynthetic NLGN1 in neurons C_LIO_LINLGN1 and NLGN2 are targeted to the AIS by kinesin-1 C_LIO_LINLGN2, but not NLGN1, is retained at axo-axonic synapses and modulated by activity C_LIO_LINLGN stability at the AIS plasma membrane is determined by the ectodomain C_LI Graphical Abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=194 HEIGHT=200 SRC="FIGDIR/small/733123v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (41K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@a45909org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1d171b0org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@17f132aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1c33a8d_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

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Kersten, N., Li, C. H., al Naqib, V., de Haas, L., Vataka, V., van der Meer, E., Uljee, P. J., Levenswaard, G., Altelaar, M., Freal, A., Kole, M. H. P., Farias, G. G.. 2026-06-19. Spatiotemporal proteomics elucidates trafficking and localization of Neuroligins to the axon initial segment plasma membrane. https://doi.org/10.64898/2026.06.18.733123

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