Segregation of morphogenetic regulatory function of Shox2 from its cell fate guardian role in sinoatrial node development.

Shox2 plays a vital role in the morphogenesis and physiological function of the sinoatrial node (SAN), the primary cardiac pacemaker, manifested by the formation of a hypoplastic SAN and failed differentiation of pacemaker cells in Shox2 mutants. Shox2 and Nkx2-5 are co-expressed in the developing SAN and regulate the fate of the pacemaker cells through a Shox2-Nkx2-5 antagonistic mechanism. Here we show that simultaneous inactivation of Nkx2-5 in the SAN of Shox2 mutants (dKO) rescued the pacemaking cell fate but not the hypoplastic defects, indicating uncoupling of SAN cell fate determination and morphogenesis. Single-cell RNA-seq revealed that the presumptive SAN cells of Shox2-/- mutants failed to activate pacemaking program but remained in a progenitor state preceding working myocardium, while both wildtype and dKO SAN cells displayed normal pacemaking cell fate with similar cellular state. Shox2 thus acts as a safeguard but not a determinant to ensure the pacemaking cell fate through the Shox2-Nkx2-5 antagonistic mechanism, which is segregated from its morphogenetic regulatory function in SAN development.

KCNQ Channels Enable Reliable Presynaptic Spiking and Synaptic Transmission at High Frequency.

The presynaptic action potential (AP) is required to drive calcium influx into nerve terminals, resulting in neurotransmitter release. Accordingly, the AP waveform is crucial in determining the timing and strength of synaptic transmission. The calyx of Held nerve terminals of rats of either sex showed minimum changes in AP waveform during high-frequency AP firing. We found that the stability of the calyceal AP waveform requires KCNQ (KV7) K+ channel activation during high-frequency spiking activity. High-frequency presynaptic spikes gradually led to accumulation of KCNQ channels in open states which kept interspike membrane potential sufficiently negative to maintain Na+ channel availability. Blocking KCNQ channels during stimulus trains led to inactivation of presynaptic Na+, and to a lesser extent KV1 channels, thereby reducing the AP amplitude and broadening AP duration. Moreover, blocking KCNQ channels disrupted the stable calcium influx and glutamate release required for reliable synaptic transmission at high frequency. Thus, while KCNQ channels are generally thought to prevent hyperactivity of neurons, we find that in axon terminals these channels function to facilitate reliable high-frequency synaptic signaling needed for sensory information processing.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT The presynaptic spike results in calcium influx required for neurotransmitter release. For this reason, the spike waveform is crucial in determining the timing and strength of synaptic transmission. Auditory information is encoded by spikes phase locked to sound frequency at high rates. The calyx of Held nerve terminals in the auditory brainstem show minimum changes in spike waveform during high-frequency spike firing. We found that activation of KCNQ K+ channel builds up during high-frequency firing and its activation helps to maintain a stable spike waveform and reliable synaptic transmission. While KCNQ channels are generally thought to prevent hyperexcitability of neurons, we find that in axon terminals these channels function to facilitate high-frequency synaptic signaling during auditory information processing.

Mechanisms Underlying Enhancement of Spontaneous Glutamate Release by Group I mGluRs at a Central Auditory Synapse.

One emerging concept in neuroscience states that synaptic vesicles and the molecular machinery underlying spontaneous transmitter release are different from those underlying action potential-driven synchronized transmitter release. Differential neuromodulation of these two distinct release modes by metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) constitutes critical supporting evidence. However, the mechanisms underlying such a differential modulation are not understood. Here, we investigated the mechanisms of the modulation by group I mGluRs (mGluR Is) on spontaneous glutamate release in the medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB), an auditory brainstem nucleus critically involved in sound localization. Whole-cell patch recordings from brainstem slices of mice of both sexes were performed. Activation of mGluR I by 3,5-dihydroxyphenylglycine (3,5-DHPG; 200 µm) produced an inward current at -60 mV and increased spontaneous glutamate release in MNTB neurons. Pharmacological evidence indicated involvement of both mGluR1 and mGluR5, which was further supported for mGluR5 by immunolabeling results. The modulation was eliminated by blocking NaV channels (tetrodotoxin, 1 µm), persistent Na+ current (INaP; riluzole, 10 µm), or CaV channels (CdCl2, 100 µm). Presynaptic calyx recordings revealed that 3,5-DHPG shifted the activation of INaP to more hyperpolarized voltages and increased INaP at resting membrane potential. Our data indicate that mGluR I enhances spontaneous glutamate release via regulation of INaP and subsequent Ca2+-dependent processes under resting condition.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT For brain cells to communicate with each other, neurons release chemical messengers, termed neurotransmitters, in response to action potential invasion (evoked release). Neurons also release neurotransmitters spontaneously. Recent work has revealed different release machineries underlying these two release modes, and their different roles in synaptic development and plasticity. Our recent work discovered differential neuromodulation of these two release modes, but the mechanisms are not well understood. The present study showed that activation of group I metabotropic glutamate receptors enhanced spontaneous glutamate release in an auditory brainstem nucleus, while suppressing evoked release. The modulation is dependent on a persistent Na+ current and involves subsequent Ca2+ signaling, providing insight into the mechanisms underlying the different release modes in auditory processing.

Activity and Cytosolic Na+ Regulate Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis.

Retrieval of synaptic vesicles via endocytosis is essential for maintaining sustained synaptic transmission, especially for neurons that fire action potentials at high frequencies. However, how neuronal activity regulates synaptic vesicle recycling is largely unknown. Here we report that Na+ substantially accumulated in the mouse calyx of Held terminals of either sex during repetitive high-frequency spiking. Elevated presynaptic Na+ accelerated both slow and rapid forms of endocytosis and facilitated endocytosis overshoot, but did not affect the readily releasable pool size, Ca2+ influx, or exocytosis. To examine whether this facilitation of endocytosis is related to the Na+-dependent vesicular content change, we dialyzed glutamate into the presynaptic cytosol or blocked the vesicular glutamate uptake with bafilomycin and found that the rate of endocytosis was not affected by regulating the vesicular glutamate content. Endocytosis is critically dependent on intracellular Ca2+, and the activity of Na+/Ca2+ exchanger (NCX) may be altered when the Na+ gradient is changed. However, neither NCX inhibitor nor change of extracellular Na+ concentration affected the endocytosis rate. Moreover, two-photon Ca2+ imaging showed that presynaptic Na+ did not affect the action potential-evoked intracellular Ca2+ transient and decay. Therefore, we revealed a novel mechanism of cytosolic Na+ in accelerating vesicle endocytosis. During high-frequency synaptic transmission, when large numbers of synaptic vesicles were fused, the rapid buildup of presynaptic cytosolic Na+ promoted vesicle recycling and sustained synaptic transmission.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT High-frequency firing neurons are widely distributed in the CNS. A large number of synaptic vesicles are released during high-frequency synaptic transmission; accordingly, synaptic vesicles need to be recycled rapidly to replenish the vesicle pool. Synaptic vesicle exocytosis and endocytosis are tightly coupled, and their coupling is essential for synaptic function and structural stability. We showed here that intracellular Na+ concentration at the calyx of Held terminal increased rapidly during spike activity and the increased Na+ accelerated endocytosis. Thus, when large numbers of synaptic vesicles are released during high-frequency synaptic transmission, Na+ accumulated in terminals and facilitated vesicle recycling. These findings represent a novel cellular mechanism that supports reliable synaptic transmission at high frequency in the CNS.

Spike Activity Regulates Vesicle Filling at a Glutamatergic Synapse.

Synaptic vesicles need to be recycled and refilled rapidly to maintain high-frequency synaptic transmission. However, little is known about the control of neurotransmitter transport into synaptic vesicles, which determines the contents of synaptic vesicles and the strength of synaptic transmission. Here, we report that Na+ substantially accumulated in the calyx of Held terminals of juvenile mice of either sex during high-frequency spiking. The activity-induced elevation of cytosolic Na+ activated vesicular Na+/H+ exchanger, facilitated glutamate loading into synaptic vesicles, and increased quantal size of asynchronous released vesicles but did not affect the vesicle pool size or release probability. Consequently, presynaptic Na+ increased the EPSCs and was required to maintain the reliable high-frequency signal transmission from the presynaptic calyces to the postsynaptic medial nucleus of the trapezoid body (MNTB) neurons. Blocking Na+/H+ exchange activity decreased the postsynaptic current and caused failures in postsynaptic firing. Therefore, during high-frequency synaptic transmission, when large amounts of glutamate are released, Na+ accumulated in the terminals, activated vesicular Na+/H+ exchanger, and regulated glutamate loading as a function of the level of vesicle release.SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Auditory information is encoded by action potentials (APs) phase-locked to sound frequency at high rates. A large number of synaptic vesicles are released during high-frequency synaptic transmission; accordingly, synaptic vesicles need to be recycled and refilled rapidly. We have recently found that a Na+/H+ exchanger expressed on synaptic vesicles promotes vesicle filling with glutamate. Here, we showed that when a large number of synaptic vesicles are released during high-frequency synaptic transmission, Na+ accumulates in axon terminals and facilitates glutamate uptake into synaptic vesicles. Na+ thus accelerates vesicle replenishment and sustains reliable synaptic transmission.

Nkx2-5 defines a subpopulation of pacemaker cells and is essential for the physiological function of the sinoatrial node in mice.

The sinoatrial node (SAN), the primary cardiac pacemaker, consists of a head domain and a junction/tail domain that exhibit different functional properties. However, the underlying molecular mechanism defining these two pacemaker domains remains elusive. Nkx2-5 is a key transcription factor essential for the formation of the working myocardium, but it was generally thought to be detrimental to SAN development. However, Nkx2-5 is expressed in the developing SAN junction, suggesting a role for Nkx2-5 in SAN junction development and function. In this study, we present unambiguous evidence that SAN junction cells exhibit unique action potential configurations intermediate to those manifested by the SAN head and the surrounding atrial cells, suggesting a specific role for the junction cells in impulse generation and in SAN-atrial exit conduction. Single-cell RNA-seq analyses support this concept. Although Nkx2-5 inactivation in the SAN junction did not cause a malformed SAN at birth, the mutant mice manifested sinus node dysfunction. Thus, Nkx2-5 defines a population of pacemaker cells in the transitional zone. Despite Nkx2-5 being dispensable for SAN morphogenesis during embryogenesis, its deletion hampers atrial activation by the pacemaker.