Open AccessAcid-sensing ion channel 1a is a postsynaptic proton receptor that affects the density of dendritic spines
Author(s) -
Xiang-ming Zha,
John A. Wemmie,
Steven H. Green,
Michael J. Welsh
Publication year - 2006
Publication title -
proceedings of the national academy of sciences of the united states of america
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
eISSN - 1091-6490
pISSN - 0027-8424
DOI - 10.1073/pnas.0608018103
Subject(s) - dendritic spine , postsynaptic density , postsynaptic potential , excitatory postsynaptic potential , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , phosphorylation , intracellular , receptor , extracellular , biophysics , biology , biochemistry , neuroscience , hippocampal formation
Extracellular proton concentrations in the brain may be an important signal for neuron function. Proton concentrations change both acutely when synaptic vesicles release their acidic contents into the synaptic cleft and chronically during ischemia and seizures. However, the brain receptors that detect protons and their physiologic importance remain uncertain. Using organotypic hippocampal slices and biolistic transfection, we found the acid-sensing ion channel 1a (ASIC1a), localized in dendritic spines where it functioned as a proton receptor. ASIC1a also affected the density of spines, the postsynaptic site of most excitatory synapses. Decreasing ASIC1a reduced the number of spines, whereas overexpressing ASIC1a had the opposite effect. Ca2+ -mediated Ca2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) signaling was probably responsible, because acid evoked an ASIC1a-dependent elevation of spine intracellular Ca2+ concentration, and reducing or increasing ASIC1a levels caused parallel changes in CaMKII phosphorylationin vivo . Moreover, inhibiting CaMKII prevented ASIC1a from increasing spine density. These data indicate that ASIC1a functions as a postsynaptic proton receptor that influences intracellular Ca2+ concentration and CaMKII phosphorylation and thereby the density of dendritic spines. The results provide insight into how protons influence brain function and how they may contribute to pathophysiology.