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Biochemical Studies of Postsynaptic Density Signaling Proteins With a Focus on synGAP and PDZ Domains

Citation

Walkup, Ward Gale IV (2014) Biochemical Studies of Postsynaptic Density Signaling Proteins With a Focus on synGAP and PDZ Domains. Dissertation (Ph.D.), California Institute of Technology. doi:10.7907/Z9N877R8. https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:12182013-191308687

Abstract

Memory storage in the brain involves adjustment of the strength of existing synapses and formation of new neural networks. A key process underlying memory formation is synaptic plasticity, the ability of excitatory synapses to strengthen or weaken their connections in response to patterns of activity between their connected neurons. Synaptic plasticity is governed by the precise pattern of Ca²⁺ influx through postsynaptic N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs), which can lead to the activation of the small GTPases Ras and Rap. Differential activation of Ras and Rap acts to modulate synaptic strength by promoting the insertion or removal of 2-amino-3-(3-hydroxy-5-methyl-isoxazol-4-yl)propanoic acid receptors (AMPARs) from the synapse. Synaptic GTPase activating protein (synGAP) regulates AMPAR levels by catalyzing the inactivation of GTP-bound (active) Ras or Rap. synGAP is positioned in close proximity to the cytoplasmic tail regions of the NMDAR through its association with the PDZ domains of PSD-95. SynGAP’s activity is regulated by the prominent postsynaptic protein kinase, Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and cyclin-dependent kinase 5 (CDK5), a known binding partner of CaMKII. Modulation of synGAP’s activity by phosphorylation may alter the ratio of active Ras to Rap in spines, thus pushing the spine towards the insertion or removal of AMPARs, subsequently strengthening or weakening the synapse. To date, all biochemical studies of the regulation of synGAP activity by protein kinases have utilized impure preparations of membrane bound synGAP. Here we have clarified the effects of phosphorylation of synGAP on its Ras and Rap GAP activities by preparing and utilizing purified, soluble recombinant synGAP, Ras, Rap, CaMKII, CDK5, PLK2, and CaM. Using mass spectrometry, we have confirmed the presence of previously identified CaMKII and CDK5 sites in synGAP, and have identified novel sites of phosphorylation by CaMKII, CDK5, and PLK2. We have shown that the net effect of phosphorylation of synGAP by CaMKII, CDK5, and PLK2 is an increase in its GAP activity toward HRas and Rap1. In contrast, there is no effect on its GAP activity toward Rap2. Additionally, by assaying the GAP activity of phosphomimetic synGAP mutants, we have been able to hypothesize the effects of CDK5 phosphorylation at specific sites in synGAP. In the course of this work, we also found, unexpectedly, that synGAP is itself a Ca²⁺/CaM binding protein. While Ca²⁺/CaM binding does not directly affect synGAP activity, it causes a conformational change in synGAP that increases the rate of its phosphorylation and exposes additional phosphorylation sites that are inaccessible in the absence of Ca²⁺/CaM.

The postsynaptic density (PSD) is an electron-dense region in excitatory postsynaptic neurons that contains a high concentration of glutamate receptors, cytoskeletal proteins, and associated signaling enzymes. Within the PSD, three major classes of scaffolding molecules function to organize signaling enzymes and glutamate receptors. PDZ domains present in the Shank and PSD-95 scaffolds families serve to physically link AMPARs and NMDARs to signaling molecules in the PSD. Because of the specificity and high affinity of PDZ domains for their ligands, I reasoned that these interacting pairs could provide the core components of an affinity chromatography system, including affinity resins, affinity tags, and elution agents. I show that affinity columns containing the PDZ domains of PSD-95 can be used to purify active PDZ domain-binding proteins to very high purity in a single step. Five heterologously expressed neuronal proteins containing endogenous PDZ domain ligands (NMDAR GluN2B subunit Tail, synGAP, neuronal nitric oxide synthase PDZ domain, cysteine rich interactor of PDZ three and cypin) were purified using PDZ domain resin, with synthetic peptides having the sequences of cognate PDZ domain ligands used as elution agents. I also show that conjugation of PDZ domain-related affinity tags to Proteins Of Interest (POIs) that do not contain endogenous PDZ domains or ligands does not alter protein activity and enables purification of the POIs on PDZ domain-related affinity resins.

Item Type:Thesis (Dissertation (Ph.D.))
Subject Keywords:synGAP; affinity chromatography; enzymology; GTPase; neurobiology
Degree Grantor:California Institute of Technology
Division:Biology and Biological Engineering
Major Option:Biochemistry and Molecular Biophysics
Thesis Availability:Public (worldwide access)
Research Advisor(s):
  • Kennedy, Mary B.
Thesis Committee:
  • Rees, Douglas C. (chair)
  • Kennedy, Mary B.
  • Mayo, Stephen L.
  • Bjorkman, Pamela J.
Defense Date:16 December 2013
Additional Information:Title varies lightly on the 2014 Commencement program: Biochemical Studies of the Postsynaptic Density Signaling Proteins with a Focus on Synaptic GTPase Activating Protein and PDZ Domains.
Funders:
Funding AgencyGrant Number
NSF Graduate Research FellowshipUNSPECIFIED
NSF Interdisciplinary Post Doctoral FellowshipUNSPECIFIED
NIH TraineeUNSPECIFIED
Record Number:CaltechTHESIS:12182013-191308687
Persistent URL:https://resolver.caltech.edu/CaltechTHESIS:12182013-191308687
DOI:10.7907/Z9N877R8
Related URLs:
URLURL TypeDescription
http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC2291726/PubMed CentralArticle 1 included in Appendix 2
http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.mimet.2006.04.026DOIArticle 2 included in Appendix 2
http://dx.doi.org/10.1002/adma.201301472DOIArticle 3 included in Appendix 2
ORCID:
AuthorORCID
Walkup, Ward Gale IV0000-0002-0385-6256
Default Usage Policy:No commercial reproduction, distribution, display or performance rights in this work are provided.
ID Code:8044
Collection:CaltechTHESIS
Deposited By: Ward Walkup
Deposited On:20 Sep 2016 16:35
Last Modified:04 Oct 2019 00:03

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