Key pointsr The role of non-synaptic calcium entry in the formation and functions of dendritic spines was studied in dissociated cultured rat hippocampal neurons.r Orai1, a store-operated calcium channel, is found in dendritic spines. r Orai1 co-localizes in dendritic spines with STIM2 under conditions of lower [Ca 2+ ]o.r Orai1 channels are associated with the formation of new dendritic spines in response to elevatedr Lack of Orai1, either by transfection with a dominant negative construct or with small interfering RNA to Orai1, results in retarded dendritic spines, an increase in density of filopodia, lower synaptic connectivity and the ability to undergo plastic changes.r These results highlight a novel role for Orai1 in synapse formation, maturation and plasticity.Abstract The possible role of store operated calcium entry (SOCE) through the Orai1 channel in the formation and functions of dendritic spines was studied in cultured hippocampal neurons. In calcium store-depleted neurons, a transient elevation of extracellular calcium concentration ([Ca 2+ ] o ) caused a rise in [Ca 2+ ] i that was mediated by activation of the SOCE. The store depletion resulted in an increase in stromal interacting molecule 2 (an endoplasmic calcium sensor) association with Orai1 in dendritic spines. The response to the rise in [Ca 2+ ] o was larger in spines endowed with a cluster of Orai1 molecules than in spines devoid of Orai1. Transfection of neurons with a dominant negative Orai1 resulted in retarded maturation of dendritic spines, a reduction in synaptic connectivity with afferent neurons and a reduction in the ability to undergo morphological changes following induction of chemical long-term potentiation. Similarly, small interfering RNA (siRNA)-treated neurons had fewer mature dendritic spines, and lower rates of mEPSCs compared to scrambled control siRNA-treated neurons. Thus, influx of calcium through Orai1 channels facilitates the maturation of dendritic spines and the formation of functional synapses in central neurons.

Mitochondrial Carrier Homolog 2 (MTCH2) is a novel regulator of mitochondria metabolism, which was recently associated with Alzheimer’s disease. Here we demonstrate that deletion of forebrain MTCH2 increases mitochondria and whole-body energy metabolism, increases locomotor activity, but impairs motor coordination and balance. Importantly, mice deficient in forebrain MTCH2 display a deficit in hippocampus-dependent cognitive functions, including spatial memory, long term potentiation (LTP) and rates of spontaneous excitatory synaptic currents. Moreover, MTCH2-deficient hippocampal neurons display a deficit in mitochondria motility and calcium handling. Thus, MTCH2 is a critical player in neuronal cell biology, controlling mitochondria metabolism, motility and calcium buffering to regulate hippocampal-dependent cognitive functions.

Disruption in calcium homeostasis is linked to several pathologies and is suggested to play a pivotal role in the cascade of events leading to Alzheimer's disease (AD). Synaptopodin (SP) residing in dendritic spines has been associated with ryanodine receptor (RyR), such that spines lacking SP release less calcium from stores. In this work, we mated SPKO with 3xTg mice (3xTg/SPKO) to test the effect of SP deficiency in the AD mouse. We found that 6-month-old male 3xTg/SPKO mice restored normal spatial learning in the Barns maze, LTP in hippocampal slices, and expression levels of RyR in the hippocampus that were altered in the 3xTg mice. In addition, there was a marked reduction in 3xTg-associated phosphorylated tau, amyloid ␤ plaques, and activated microglia in 3xTg/SPKO male and female mice. These experiments indicate that a reduction in the expression of SP ameliorates AD-associated phenotype in 3xTg mice.

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