). Most of them are scaffolding proteins that contain several structural interaction domains such as Src homology 2 (SH2) or 3 (SH3) domains, post-synapticdensity-95/disc-large/zonula-occludens-1 (PDZ) domains and Drosophila enabled and vasodilator-stimulated phosphoprotein homologous (EVH) domains. These proteins participate in the building of large submembrane protein signaling networks. We have recently isolated a complex of at least 15 proteins interacting with the C-terminal tail of the 5-HT2C receptor, using a proteomic approach combining peptide-affinity chromatography and mass spectrometry. This further supports the interaction of the GPCR C-terminus with large protein networks. Moreover, functional studies have established that the proteins that interact with the GPCR C-terminus are implicated in various GPCR functions that do not involve Gproteins. These functions include trafficking, targeting to specific subcellular compartments, clustering with effectors, fine tuning of G-protein activation and desensitization.

Activation of EphB receptors by efnB ligands on neuronal cell surface regulates important functions including neurite outgrowth, axonal guidance and synaptic plasticity. Here we show that efnB rescues primary cortical neuronal cultures from necrotic cell death induced by glutamate excitotoxicity and that this function depends on EphB receptors. Importantly, the neuroprotective function of the efnB/EphB system depends on PS1, a protein that plays crucial roles in Alzheimer's disease (AD) neurodegeneration. Furthermore, absence of one PS1 allele results in significantly decreased neuroprotection indicating that both PS1 alleles are necessary for full expression of the neuroprotective activity of the efnB/EphB system. We also show that the ability of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) to protect neuronal cultures from glutamate-induced cell death depends on PS1. Neuroprotective functions of both efnB and BDNF however, were independent of γ-secretase activity. Absence of PS1 decreases cell surface expression of neuronal TrkB and EphB2 without affecting total cellular levels of the receptors. Furthermore, PS1 knockout neurons show defective ligand-dependent internalization and decreased ligand-induced degradation of TrkB and Eph receptors. Our data show that PS1 mediates the neuroprotective activities of efnB and BDNF against excitotoxicity and regulates surface expression and ligand-induced metabolism of their cognate receptors. Together, our observations indicate that PS1 promotes neuronal survival by regulating neuroprotective functions of ligand-receptor systems.

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