@article{BeckEhmannAndlaueretal.2015, author = {Beck, Katherina and Ehmann, Nadine and Andlauer, Till F. M. and Ljaschenko, Dmitrij and Strecker, Katrin and Fischer, Matthias and Kittel, Robert J. and Raabe, Thomas}, title = {Loss of the Coffin-Lowry syndrome-associated gene RSK2 alters ERK activity, synaptic function and axonal transport in Drosophila motoneurons}, series = {Disease Models \& Mechanisms}, volume = {8}, journal = {Disease Models \& Mechanisms}, doi = {10.1242/dmm.021246}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-145185}, pages = {1389-1400}, year = {2015}, abstract = {Plastic changes in synaptic properties are considered as fundamental for adaptive behaviors. Extracellular-signal-regulated kinase (ERK)-mediated signaling has been implicated in regulation of synaptic plasticity. Ribosomal S6 kinase 2 (RSK2) acts as a regulator and downstream effector of ERK. In the brain, RSK2 is predominantly expressed in regions required for learning and memory. Loss-of-function mutations in human RSK2 cause Coffin-Lowry syndrome, which is characterized by severe mental retardation and low IQ scores in affected males. Knockout of RSK2 in mice or the RSK ortholog in Drosophila results in a variety of learning and memory defects. However, overall brain structure in these animals is not affected, leaving open the question of the pathophysiological consequences. Using the fly neuromuscular system as a model for excitatory glutamatergic synapses, we show that removal of RSK function causes distinct defects in motoneurons and at the neuromuscular junction. Based on histochemical and electrophysiological analyses, we conclude that RSK is required for normal synaptic morphology and function. Furthermore, loss of RSK function interferes with ERK signaling at different levels. Elevated ERK activity was evident in the somata of motoneurons, whereas decreased ERK activity was observed in axons and the presynapse. In addition, we uncovered a novel function of RSK in anterograde axonal transport. Our results emphasize the importance of fine-tuning ERK activity in neuronal processes underlying higher brain functions. In this context, RSK acts as a modulator of ERK signaling.}, language = {en} } @article{PlanesNinolesRubioetal.2015, author = {Planes, Maria D. and Ni{\~n}oles, Regina and Rubio, Lourdes and Bissoli, Gaetano and Bueso, Eduardo and Garc{\´i}a-S{\´a}nchez, Mar{\´i}a J. and Alejandro, Santiago and Gonzalez-Guzm{\´a}n, Miguel and Hedrich, Rainer and Rodriguez, Pedro L. and Fern{\´a}ndez, Jos{\´e} A. and Serrano, Ram{\´o}n}, title = {A mechanism of growth inhibition by abscisic acid in germinating seeds of Arabidopsis thaliana based on inhibition of plasma membrane \(H^+\)-ATPase and decreased cytosolic pH, \(K^+\), and anions}, series = {Journal of Experimental Botany}, volume = {66}, journal = {Journal of Experimental Botany}, number = {3}, doi = {10.1093/jxb/eru442}, url = {http://nbn-resolving.de/urn:nbn:de:bvb:20-opus-121221}, pages = {813-25}, year = {2015}, abstract = {The stress hormone abscisic acid (ABA) induces expression of defence genes in many organs, modulates ion homeostasis and metabolism in guard cells, and inhibits germination and seedling growth. Concerning the latter effect, several mutants of Arabidopsis thaliana with improved capability for \(H^+\) efflux (wat1-1D, overexpression of AKT1 and ost2-1D) are less sensitive to inhibition by ABA than the wild type. This suggested that ABA could inhibit \(H^+\) efflux (\(H^+\)-ATPase) and induce cytosolic acidification as a mechanism of growth inhibition. Measurements to test this hypothesis could not be done in germinating seeds and we used roots as the most convenient system. ABA inhibited the root plasma-membrane H+-ATPase measured in vitro (ATP hydrolysis by isolated vesicles) and in vivo (\(H^+\) efflux from seedling roots). This inhibition involved the core ABA signalling elements: PYR/PYL/RCAR ABA receptors, ABA-inhibited protein phosphatases (HAB1), and ABA-activated protein kinases (SnRK2.2 and SnRK2.3). Electrophysiological measurements in root epidermal cells indicated that ABA, acting through the PYR/PYL/RCAR receptors, induced membrane hyperpolarization (due to \(K^+\) efflux through the GORK channel) and cytosolic acidification. This acidification was not observed in the wat1-1D mutant. The mechanism of inhibition of the \(H^+\)-ATPase by ABA and its effects on cytosolic pH and membrane potential in roots were different from those in guard cells. ABA did not affect the in vivo phosphorylation level of the known activating site (penultimate threonine) of (\(H^+\)-ATPase in roots, and SnRK2.2 phosphorylated in vitro the C-terminal regulatory domain of (\(H^+\)-ATPase while the guard-cell kinase SnRK2.6/OST1 did not.}, language = {en} }