Department of Molecular Neurochemistry, Medical University of Lodz, Lodz, Poland.
Department of Pharmaceutical Toxicology, China Medical University, Shenyang, China.
Mol Brain. 2024 Nov 22;17(1):85. doi: 10.1186/s13041-024-01157-8.
Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) is known for its potent prosurvival effect. Despite successfully replicating this effect in various clinical and pre-clinical models, the complete characterization of the molecular mechanisms underlying its neuroprotective action remains incomplete. Emerging research suggests a vital role for A-kinase anchoring proteins (AKAPs) as central nodal points orchestrating BDNF-dependent signaling. Among the over 50 identified AKAPs, AKAP6 has recently gained special attention due to its involvement in the neurotrophin-mediated survival of injured retinal ganglion cells (RGCs). However, the mechanisms by which AKAP6 responds to pro-survival BDNF signaling remain unknown. In this study, we shown that AKAP6 plays a crucial role in regulating BDNF-mediated NFAT transcriptional activity in neuronal survival by anchoring protein phosphatase calcineurin (CaN) and nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFATc4). Furthermore, we demonstrate that disrupting the anchoring of CaN diminishes the pro-survival effect of BDNF. Lastly, through experiments with NFATc4-/- mice, we provide evidence that NFATc4 acts downstream to BDNF's neuroprotection in vivo. These findings could offer valuable insights for developing neuroprotective strategies aimed at preserving injured neurons from degeneration and promoting their regeneration.
脑源性神经营养因子 (BDNF) 以其强大的生存促进作用而闻名。尽管在各种临床和临床前模型中成功复制了这种作用,但对其神经保护作用的分子机制的全面描述仍不完整。新出现的研究表明,A-激酶锚定蛋白 (AKAP) 作为协调 BDNF 依赖性信号的核心节点,起着至关重要的作用。在超过 50 种已鉴定的 AKAP 中,AKAP6 最近由于其参与神经营养因子介导的损伤视网膜神经节细胞 (RGC) 的存活而受到特别关注。然而,AKAP6 响应生存促进 BDNF 信号的机制尚不清楚。在这项研究中,我们表明 AKAP6 通过锚定蛋白磷酸酶钙调神经磷酸酶 (CaN) 和激活 T 细胞的核因子 (NFATc4) 在神经元存活中发挥关键作用,调节 BDNF 介导的 NFAT 转录活性。此外,我们证明破坏 CaN 的锚定会降低 BDNF 的生存促进作用。最后,通过 NFATc4-/- 小鼠的实验,我们提供了证据表明 NFATc4 在体内 BDNF 的神经保护作用下游发挥作用。这些发现可为开发旨在防止受损神经元退化和促进其再生的神经保护策略提供有价值的见解。