Pyk2 modulates hippocampal excitatory synapses and contributes to cognitive deficits in a Huntington’s disease model

Albert Giralt, Veronica Brito, Quentin Chevy, Clémence Simonnet, Yo Otsu, Carmen Cifuentes-Díaz, Benoit de Pins, Renata Coura, Jordi Alberch, Sílvia Ginés, Jean-Christophe Poncer and Jean-Antoine Girault ()
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Albert Giralt: Inserm UMR-S 839
Veronica Brito: Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona
Quentin Chevy: Inserm UMR-S 839
Clémence Simonnet: Inserm UMR-S 839
Yo Otsu: Inserm UMR-S 839
Carmen Cifuentes-Díaz: Inserm UMR-S 839
Benoit de Pins: Inserm UMR-S 839
Renata Coura: Inserm UMR-S 839
Jordi Alberch: Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona
Sílvia Ginés: Departament de Biomedicina, Facultat de Medicina, Universitat de Barcelona
Jean-Christophe Poncer: Inserm UMR-S 839
Jean-Antoine Girault: Inserm UMR-S 839

Nature Communications, 2017, vol. 8, issue 1, 1-16

Abstract: Abstract The structure and function of spines and excitatory synapses are under the dynamic control of multiple signalling networks. Although tyrosine phosphorylation is involved, its regulation and importance are not well understood. Here we study the role of Pyk2, a non-receptor calcium-dependent protein-tyrosine kinase highly expressed in the hippocampus. Hippocampal-related learning and CA1 long-term potentiation are severely impaired in Pyk2-deficient mice and are associated with alterations in NMDA receptors, PSD-95 and dendritic spines. In cultured hippocampal neurons, Pyk2 has autophosphorylation-dependent and -independent roles in determining PSD-95 enrichment and spines density. Pyk2 levels are decreased in the hippocampus of individuals with Huntington and in the R6/1 mouse model of the disease. Normalizing Pyk2 levels in the hippocampus of R6/1 mice rescues memory deficits, spines pathology and PSD-95 localization. Our results reveal a role for Pyk2 in spine structure and synaptic function, and suggest that its deficit contributes to Huntington’s disease cognitive impairments.

Date: 2017
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DOI: 10.1038/ncomms15592

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