Uncoupling endosomal CLC chloride/proton exchange causes severe neurodegeneration
Open Access
- 2 March 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Springer Science and Business Media LLC in The EMBO Journal
- Vol. 39 (9), e103358
- https://doi.org/10.15252/embj.2019103358
Abstract
CLC chloride/proton exchangers may support acidification of endolysosomes and raise their luminal Cl− concentration. Disruption of endosomal ClC‐3 causes severe neurodegeneration. To assess the importance of ClC‐3 Cl−/H+ exchange, we now generate Clcn3unc/unc mice in which ClC‐3 is converted into a Cl− channel. Unlike Clcn3−/− mice, Clcn3unc/unc mice appear normal owing to compensation by ClC‐4 with which ClC‐3 forms heteromers. ClC‐4 protein levels are strongly reduced in Clcn3−/−, but not in Clcn3unc/unc mice because ClC‐3unc binds and stabilizes ClC‐4 like wild‐type ClC‐3. Although mice lacking ClC‐4 appear healthy, its absence in Clcn3unc/unc/Clcn4−/− mice entails even stronger neurodegeneration than observed in Clcn3−/− mice. A fraction of ClC‐3 is found on synaptic vesicles, but miniature postsynaptic currents and synaptic vesicle acidification are not affected in Clcn3unc/unc or Clcn3−/− mice before neurodegeneration sets in. Both, Cl−/H+‐exchange activity and the stabilizing effect on ClC‐4, are central to the biological function of ClC‐3.Keywords
Funding Information
- Deutsche Forschungsgemeinschaft (JE164/9‐2, SFB 740 TP C5, FOR 2625 (Je164/14‐1))
- H2020 European Research Council (ERC 294435)
- Louis-Jeantet Foundation
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