Rabconnectin-3α is required for the morphological maturation of GnRH neurons and kisspeptin responsiveness

Sci Rep. 2017 Feb 17:7:42463. doi: 10.1038/srep42463.

Abstract

A few hundred hypothalamic neurons form a complex network that controls reproduction in mammals by secreting gonadotropin-releasing hormone (GnRH). Timely postnatal changes in GnRH secretion are essential for pubertal onset. During the juvenile period, GnRH neurons undergo morphological remodeling, concomitantly achieving an increased responsiveness to kisspeptin, the main secretagogue of GnRH. However, the link between GnRH neuron activity and their morphology remains unknown. Here, we show that brain expression levels of Dmxl2, which encodes the vesicular protein rabconnectin-3α, determine the capacity of GnRH neurons to be activated by kisspeptin and estradiol. We also demonstrate that Dmxl2 expression levels control the pruning of GnRH dendrites, highlighting an unexpected role for a vesicular protein in the maturation of GnRH neuronal network. This effect is mediated by rabconnectin-3α in neurons or glial cells afferent to GnRH neurons. The widespread expression of Dmxl2 in several brain areas raises the intriguing hypothesis that rabconnectin-3α could be involved in the maturation of other neuronal populations.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dendrites / metabolism
  • Estradiol / metabolism
  • Estradiol / pharmacology
  • Female
  • Gene Deletion
  • Gene Expression
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone / metabolism*
  • Kisspeptins / metabolism*
  • Kisspeptins / pharmacology
  • Luteinizing Hormone / metabolism
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / metabolism*
  • Sexual Maturation

Substances

  • DMXL2 protein, mouse
  • Kisspeptins
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • Gonadotropin-Releasing Hormone
  • Estradiol
  • Luteinizing Hormone