Biology subjects

Druzin, M.

Publications and source records attributed to Druzin, M..

4 recordsLinked to original sources

bioRxiv2025

O-GlcNAc Transferase Regulates GABAergic Synapse Organization and Receptor Composition.

Neural circuits must integrate metabolic information to maintain stable activity and appropriate behavioral responses. While metabolic regulation of excitatory synapses has been well studied, far less is known about how inhibitory synapses respond to changes in energy state. In this study, we show that O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT), a dynamic sensor of cellular nutrient flux, localizes to postsynaptic sites of the inhibitory synapses where it modulates synapse morphology and receptor composition. OGT over-expression reduced the size and intensity of vGAT and gephyrin puncta, whereas conditional OGT deletion produced a converse enlargement and redistribution of inhibitory scaffolds and vesicular proteins. Furthermore, OGT deletion accelerated inhibitory postsynaptic current decay kinetics and induced subunit-specific shifts in GABAA receptor surface expression: {beta}3 subunits decreased, whereas {gamma}2 subunit total and surface levels increased. Together, these findings identify OGT as a metabolic regulator that modulates inhibitory synapse structure and signaling, providing a mechanistic link between energy state and GABAergic circuit function in health and disease.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2025

Satiation is associated with OGT-dependent regulation of excitatory synapses.

Satiation is essential for energy homeostasis and is dysregulated in metabolic disorders like obesity and eating disorders such as anorexia nervosa. While satiation engages a large neural network across brain regions, how the communication within this network depends on metabolic fluctuations is unclear. This study shows that nutrient access can affect neuron-to-neuron communication in this network by regulating excitatory synaptic plasticity through O-GlcNAc transferase (OGT) in CaMKII satiation neurons in the paraventricular nucleus (PVN). Using cell-specific knockout mice and electrophysiological recordings, we demonstrate that OGT deletion in PVNCaMKII neurons increases input resistance and neuronal excitability while preserving basic membrane electrical properties. Strikingly, feeding triggered a robust 3.8-fold increase in the excitatory synaptic input in wild-type neurons, whereas OGT-knockout neurons failed to exhibit this feeding-induced synaptic activation, instead displayed a paradoxical trend towards increases in synaptic activity during hungry conditions. Furthermore, OGT deletion destabilized glucose-dependent synaptic responses, with knockout neurons displaying maladaptive depression of excitatory transmission in conditions where stability is normally preserved. These findings establish OGT as a nutrient-sensitive modulator of synaptic plasticity that ensures appropriate satiation signalling by coupling metabolic state to synaptic plasticity.

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Extracellular Matrix Regulates Neuronal Chloride Concentration via K+-Cl--Cotransporter 2

The neuronal intracellular chloride concentration [Cl-]i is critical for {gamma}-aminobutyric acid type A (GABAA) receptor-mediated transmission. Degradation of the extracellular matrix (ECM) is associated with raised [Cl-]I but neither the mechanisms underlying this effect nor the consequences for GABA- mediated transmission are well understood. Hitherto it has been unclear how to reconcile the effect of the ECM on [Cl-]i with the established role of cation-chloride cotransporters in setting [Cl-]I. In the present work we clarify the role of the ECM in the control of neuronal [Cl-]i. By measuring [Cl-]i in central neurons from male rats we show that the ECM affects basal [Cl-]i as well as the rate of Cl- extrusion after a high load. The mechanism is not via impermeant anions but through regulation of K+-Cl--cotransporter 2 (KCC2). ECM degradation is accompanied by an N-type Ca2+-channel- and calpain-dependent reduction in the amount of KCC2 protein, increased basal [Cl-]i, reduced Cl- extrusion capacity as well as by reduced inhibitory, or even an excitatory, effect of intense GABAA- receptor mediated trans mission. This implies a previously unrecognized pathway for the control of neuronal [Cl-]i and excitability by the ECM. Graphical abstract O_FIG O_LINKSMALLFIG WIDTH=200 HEIGHT=144 SRC="FIGDIR/small/527837v1_ufig1.gif" ALT="Figure 1"> View larger version (53K): org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1ee0d30org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@1a3eb1aorg.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@a00b44org.highwire.dtl.DTLVardef@143b43f_HPS_FORMAT_FIGEXP M_FIG C_FIG

neuroscience↗

bioRxiv2023

Heparan sulfates regulate axonal excitability and context generalization through Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II

Our previous studies demonstrated that enzymatic removal of highly sulfated heparan sulfates with heparinase 1 impaired axonal excitability and reduced expression of ankyrin G at the axon initial segments in the CA1 region of the hippocampus ex vivo, impaired context discrimination in vivo, and elevated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) activity in vitro. Here, we show that in vivo delivery of heparinase 1 in the CA1 region of the hippocampus elevated autophosphorylation of CaMKII 24 hours after injection in mice. Patch-clamp recording in CA1 neurons revealed no significant heparinase effects on the amplitude or frequency of miniature excitatory and inhibitory postsynaptic currents, while the threshold for action potential generation was increased and fewer spikes were generated in response to current injection. Delivery of heparinase on the next day after contextual fear conditioning induced context overgeneralization 24 hours after injection. Co-administration of heparinase with the CaMKII inhibitor (autocamtide-2-related inhibitory peptide) rescued neuronal excitability and expression of ankyrin G at the axon initial segment. It also restored context discrimination, suggesting a key role of CaMKII in neuronal signaling downstream of heparan sulfate proteoglycans and highlighting a link between impaired CA1 pyramidal cell excitability and context generalization during recall of contextual memories.

neuroscience↗