Acutely elevated O-GlcNAcylation suppresses hippocampal activity by modulating both intrinsic and synaptic excitability factors

Sci Rep. 2019 May 13;9(1):7287. doi: 10.1038/s41598-019-43017-9.

Abstract

Post-translational modification (PTM) plays a critical role in increasing proteome complexity and diversifying protein functions. O-GlcNAc modification is a reversible, dynamic and highly abundant PTM catalyzed by a single pair of enzymes, O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) and O-GlcNAcase (OGA), regardless of substrates. The two enzymes are particularly enriched in the brain, and recent proteomic studies identified that a large number of neuron-specific proteins undergo O-GlcNAc modification. In addition, pathological conditions with aberrant O-GlcNAcylation such as diabetes and obesity are associated with the higher risk of cognitive decline and memory impairment. However, despite its prevalence in the brain, functional significance of O-GlcNAcylation in regulating neuronal properties remains unclear at the molecular level. Here, we report that an acute increase in O-GlcNAcylation induced by pharmacological inhibition of OGA significantly reduces the intrinsic excitability of hippocampal CA1 neurons through the cooperative modulation of multiple voltage-gated ion channels. Moreover, elevated O-GlcNAcylation also suppresses excitatory synaptic transmission at Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses through the removal of GluA2-containing AMPA receptors from postsynaptic densities. Collectively, our findings demonstrate that a change in O-GlcNAcylation levels dynamically regulates hippocampal activity at both intrinsic and synaptic levels, providing a mechanistic link between dysregulated O-GlcNAcylation and hippocampal dysfunction.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acetylglucosamine / metabolism
  • Animals
  • CA1 Region, Hippocampal / cytology
  • CA1 Region, Hippocampal / metabolism
  • CA1 Region, Hippocampal / physiopathology*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Cognitive Dysfunction / physiopathology
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / drug effects
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / physiology
  • Humans
  • Intravital Microscopy
  • Male
  • Memory Disorders / physiopathology
  • Mice
  • Models, Animal
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / metabolism*
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Optical Imaging
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques
  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated / metabolism
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational / drug effects
  • Protein Processing, Post-Translational / physiology*
  • Pyrans / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Receptors, AMPA / metabolism
  • Synapses / drug effects
  • Synapses / physiology
  • Thiazoles / pharmacology
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels / metabolism
  • beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases / metabolism

Substances

  • Potassium Channels, Voltage-Gated
  • Pyrans
  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Thiazoles
  • Voltage-Gated Sodium Channels
  • thiamet G
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases
  • O-GlcNAc transferase
  • hexosaminidase C
  • beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases
  • glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 2
  • Acetylglucosamine