ePoster

Tropomyosin depletion affects neural cell development, signalling and uptake of pathological proteins

Sian Genoud, Chanchanok Chaichim, Rossana Rosa Porto, Tamara Tomanic, Holly Stefen, Tim Karl, John Power, Thomas Fath
FENS Forum 2024(2024)
Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center, Vienna, Austria

Conference

FENS Forum 2024

Messe Wien Exhibition & Congress Center, Vienna, Austria

Resources

Authors & Affiliations

Sian Genoud, Chanchanok Chaichim, Rossana Rosa Porto, Tamara Tomanic, Holly Stefen, Tim Karl, John Power, Thomas Fath

Abstract

The actin-cytoskeleton is an essential structural component of all mammalian cells, and involves the constant dynamic cycling between actin monomers and filaments, a process mediated by numerous actin-associated proteins[1]. Tropomyosins are actin-associated proteins that form co-polymers with actin filaments. Here, we aim to determine tropomyosin isoform-specific properties in the brain[2]. We report the expression, localisation and physiological function of various tropomyosin isoforms (and by proxy, their actin filaments) in mouse primary neurons, astrocytes and microglia – with a focus on the post-synaptic isoforms in neurons[3,4]. Behavioural analysis was conducted on tropomyosin knock-out mouse models and identified behavioural alterations in a sex-dependent manner. Using live calcium imaging in primary neurons of tropomyosin knock-out mice, we identified a significant reduction in single cell amplitude, increase in rise and fall time (P<0.001), suggesting a reduction in synaptic strength and a role of tropomyosin in fast spontaneous neuronal firing. Tropomyosin knockout neurons have significantly increased dendritic fields and increased neuronal connectivity and network ensembles (P<0.0001). Tropomyosin knock-out neurons also exhibit significant reductions in receptor internalisation (63% reduction, P<0.05), suggesting a role in endocytosis. We further found that targeting of postsynaptic tropomyosin leads to a reduction in the uptake of pathological forms of tau protein, which is observed during disease progression in tau-related dementias. Identifying and targeting this pathway can therefore have significant implications for the development of disease-modifying therapies to slow or halt pathological tau spread throughout the brain in tau-related dementias such as Alzheimer’s disease.

Unique ID: fens-24/tropomyosin-depletion-affects-neural-14ad0d40