Water-soluble variant of human Lynx1 positively modulates synaptic plasticity and ameliorates cognitive impairment associated with α7-nAChR dysfunction
- 1 October 2020
- journal article
- research article
- Published by Wiley in Journal of Neurochemistry
- Vol. 155 (1), 45-61
- https://doi.org/10.1111/jnc.15018
Abstract
Lynx1 is a GPI-tethered protein colocalized with nicotinic acetylcholine receptors (nAChRs) in the brain areas important for learning and memory. Previously, we demonstrated that at low micromolar concentrations the water-soluble Lynx1 variant lacking GPI-anchor (ws-Lynx1) acts on alpha 7-nAChRs as a positive allosteric modulator. We hypothesized that ws-Lynx1 could be used for improvement of cognitive processes dependent on nAChRs. Here we showed that 2 mu M ws-Lynx1 increased the acetylcholine-evoked current at alpha 7-nAChRs in the rat primary visual cortex L1 interneurons. At higher concentrations ws-Lynx1 inhibits alpha 7-nAChRs expressed in Xenopus laevis oocytes with IC50 similar to 50 mu M. In mice, ws-Lynx1 penetrated the blood-brain barrier upon intranasal administration and accumulated in the cortex, hippocampus, and cerebellum. Chronic ws-Lynx1 treatment prevented the olfactory memory and motor learning impairment induced by the alpha 7-nAChRs inhibitor methyllycaconitine (MLA). Enhanced long-term potentiation and increased paired-pulse facilitation ratio were observed in the hippocampal slices incubated with ws-Lynx1 and in the slices from ws-Lynx1-treated mice. Long-term potentiation blockade observed in MLA-treated mice was abolished by ws-Lynx1 co-administration. To understand the mechanism of ws-Lynx1 action, we studied the interaction of ws-Lynx1 and MLA at alpha 7-nAChRs, measured the basal concentrations of endogenous Lynx1 and the alpha 7 nAChR subunit and their association in the mouse brain. Our findings suggest that endogenous Lynx1 limits alpha 7-nAChRs activation in the adult brain. Ws-Lynx1 partially displaces Lynx1 causing positive modulation of alpha 7-nAChRs and enhancement of synaptic plasticity. Ws-Lynx1 and similar compounds may constitute useful hits for treatment of cognitive deficits associated with the cholinergic system dysfunction.Funding Information
- Russian Science Foundation (19‐74‐20163, 16‐14‐00102,)
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