Canonical Wnt3a modulates intracellular calcium and enhances excitatory neurotransmission in hippocampal neurons.
A role for Wnt signal transduction in the development and maintenance of brain structures is widely acknowledged. Recent studies have suggested that Wnt signaling may be essential for synaptic plasticity and neurotransmission. However, the direct effect of a Wnt protein on synaptic transmission had not been demonstrated. Here we show that nanomolar concentrations of purified Wnt3a protein rapidly increase the frequency of miniature excitatory synaptic currents in embryonic rat hippocampal neurons through a mechanism involving a fast influx of calcium from the extracellular space, induction of post-translational modifications on the machinery involved in vesicle exocytosis in the presynaptic terminal leading to spontaneous Ca(2+) transients. Our results identify the Wnt3a protein and a member of its complex receptor at the membrane, the low density lipoprotein receptor-related protein 6 (LRP6) coreceptor, as key molecules in neurotransmission modulation and suggest cross-talk between canonical and Wnt/Ca(2+) signaling in central neurons.
Avila
Miguel E
ME
Department of Biochemistry and Molecular Biology, Faculty of Biological Sciences, Universidad de Concepción, PO Box 4070386, Concepción, Chile.
Sepúlveda
Fernando J
FJ
Burgos
Carlos F
CF
Moraga-Cid
Gustavo
G
Parodi
Jorge
J
Moon
Randall T
RT
Aguayo
Luis G
LG
Opazo
Carlos
C
De Ferrari
Giancarlo V
GV
D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism*; D004594:Electrophysiology / Q000379:methods; D005089:Exocytosis; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000378:metabolism*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D008024:Ligands; D060488:Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-6; D008954:Models, Biological; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011973:Receptors, LDL / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction; D051153:Wnt Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*; D060508:Wnt3 Protein
D008024:Ligands; D060488:Low Density Lipoprotein Receptor-Related Protein-6; C555477:Lrp6 protein, rat; D011973:Receptors, LDL; D051153:Wnt Proteins; D060508:Wnt3 Protein; D002118:Calcium
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