NGF-TRKA ENDOSOME DYNAMICS, SIGNALING and FUNCTION in SYMPATHETIC NEURON DENDRITES by Kathryn M. Lehigh a Dissertation Submitted
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NGF-TRKA ENDOSOME DYNAMICS, SIGNALING AND FUNCTION IN SYMPATHETIC NEURON DENDRITES by Kathryn M. Lehigh A dissertation submitted to Johns Hopkins University in conformity with the requirements of the degree of Doctor of Philosophy Baltimore, Maryland May, 2016 Abstract Nerve growth factor (NGF) is the prototypical neurotrophin, playing key roles in cell growth, survival, and target innervation as well as dendritic growth and the formation and maintenance of synaptic connections. Sympathetic neurons are dependent on target- derived NGF for survival and as such have become an exemplary model for studying NGF function. NGF signals via retrogradely transported NGF-TrkA endosomes. Recently we have discovered the retrograde transport of TrkA endosomes into the dendritic compartment of sympathetic neurons where they may contribute to the formation and organization of synapses. In this study, we developed a real time imaging paradigm to examine the mobility and transport of TrkA in dendrites, comparing findings to TrkA endosome movement and transport in axons and cell bodies. Using this method we observe that after application of NGF to the distal axon compartment of cultured neurons, TrkA endosomes move in a saltatory manner retrogradely through the axon, slow down or halt in the soma, and move in a bidirectional manner in dendrites. Although TrkA endosomes in dendrites move at a comparable rate to those in axons, their unique dynamics (i.e. more direction changes) result in a smaller net displacement than endosomes in axons. Further, immunocytochemistry using antibodies specific for a TrkA phosphorylated residue (Y785) that supports downstream signaling cascades of the NGF- TrkA complex demonstrates that retrogradely trafficked TrkA endosomes within dendrites are signaling competent and that P-TrkA positive endosomes juxtapose postsynaptic density complexes, in vitro and in vivo. These findings suggest that target- derived NGF-TrkA endosomes signal within dendrites to form and maintain synapses. Functional experiments that combine chemical genetics with drug loaded PLGA ii microspheres allow for spatially specific inhibition of TrkA kinase activity and have revealed that TrkA activity is necessary in the somatodendritic compartment for both synapse formation (in vitro) and maintenance (in vivo). We have achieved the ability to inhibit TrkA kinase activity in dendrites of cultured neurons, observing that retrogradely transported TrkA endosomes signal within dendrites to maintain PSD clusters. This work reveals a novel mode of NGF-dependent synapse formation and maintenance, and the mechanism by which target fields control circuit assembly. Thesis Advisor and Reader #1 David Ginty, Ph.D. Committee Member and Reader #2 Rick Huganir, Ph.D. Committee Member Mollie Meffert, Ph.D. Committee Member Larry Schramm, M.D. Ph.D. iii Acknowledgements The greatest lesson I have learned through the completion of my dissertation is that both science and life are better as collaborative efforts. First, I wish to thank my advisor and mentor Dr. David Ginty because his enthusiasm for good, interesting science always invigorated me, and consequently, my project. I think that David is a scientist for all the right reasons and that has created an incredible lab environment in which to learn how to think critically and innovate. I also want to thank the members of my thesis committee who were always willing to discuss the thesis and contributed valuable insights, ideas, and suggestions: Dr. Richard Huganir, Dr. Larry Schramm, and Dr. Mollie Meffert. I am grateful to Rick, for his strong support and encouragement and for volunteering to be a careful reader of this thesis. Larry for generously providing me with hard copies of innumerable papers documenting the history of the sympathetic nervous system and nerve growth factor field--from him I learned to appreciate that our work stands on the shoulders of those who came before us. I am eternally grateful to Mollie for welcoming me into her lab to use her spinning disk microscope; it was there that I first saw the trafficking of endosomes in real time and experienced a memorable moment of joyful discovery. I am also thankful to Beth and Rita in the Hopkins Neuroscience department for getting stuff done, being supportive, and always showing compassion during the difficult moments of graduate school. The long hours and roller coaster emotions that accompany experimental science turn co- workers into friends. Moving from one university to another turns co-workers into family. I’m grateful to all members of my Hopkins and Harvard Ginty lab family for support, advice, reagents, and scientific discussion. A lab of our size doesn’t run on its own; Dori, Sarah, Jessie, and Steve have been invaluable to making the Ginty lab an excellent home for six years. Particular thanks to past members whom I consider mentors—Coryse, Tony, Kevin, and Tracy, and to current members whom I turn to daily—Lauren, Vicky, and Emily. There’s a forever special bond between myself, Emily, and Krissy, who were not only my baymates but also my roommates through our not always smooth transition. iv All of my work has been made possible by incredible core staff members at both Hopkins and Harvard. Thank you Michele Pucak, Huy Vo, Daniel Tom, Lai Ding, Michelle Ocana, and Hunter Eliot for being so conscientious with your work and for taking the time to make my life easier and science better. I’m so grateful for my friendships forged through grad school trials and tribulations; business meetings with Clint and coffee meetings with Alex, Claudia and Erin are amazing memories. I feel so lucky that I have the most wonderful volleyball, book club, roommate, home and college friendships to rejuvenate me outside of the lab. Of course, the best support system of all has been my family. I could never thank my Mom and Dad enough for everything they have done for me. Nate has made me beautiful neuron drawings and has listened to every struggle whether in person or in email. Fortunately, he also married Justine who always kept me well fed. Nick, Becky, and Danny are amazing siblings, I’m grateful that they think I’m smart enough to do this and (sometimes) find it cool. Finally, I’m so happy I have Ron, who may have come along last but his support of my career has been the most tangible. Simply put, thanks for moving to Boston and for being my life partner. Last, I have to express gratitude for the opportunity to pursue my scientific interests, and for the incredible mentorship of Dr. Maria Donoghue who jumpstarted my scientific career. As David once said to me, “as scientists we get to discover things no one else knows, and it really doesn’t get any better than that”. v Table of Contents Title Page…………………………………………………………………………………..i Abstract……………………………………………………………………………………ii Acknowledgements……………………………………………………………………….iv Table of Contents…………………………………………………………………………vi List of Figures……………………………………………………………………………vii Chapter 1. Introduction……………………………………………………………………1 Chapter 2. Trka endosome dynamics, signaling and function in sympathetic neuron dendrites…………………………………………………………………………………19 Chapter 3. Discussion and Future Directions……………………………………………81 Materials and Methods………………………………………………………………….100 References………………………………………………………………………………112 Curriculum Vitae……………………………………………………………………….127 vi List of Figures Figure 2.1. Live cell assay to monitor endogenous receptor TrkA trafficking. Figure 2.2. Dynamics of axonal TrkA endosomes. Figure 2.3. The dynamics of TrkA endosomes in cell bodies. Figure 2.4. Dynamics of TrkA endosomes in dendrites. Figure 2.5. Comparison of TrkA endosome dynamics within different cellular compartments. Figure 2.6. Flag-TrkA endosomes from the target are transcytosed to CB/dendrite plasma membrane. Figure 2.7. Specificity of phosphorylated TrkA antibodies in vitro. Figure 2.8. Target-derived TrkA endosomes in dendrites are signaling competent. Figure 2.9. Target-derived Flag-TrkA endosomes are found in close proximity to PSDs. Figure 2.10. Target-derived signaling endosomes are located in close proximity to PSDs. Figure 2.11. Assay for visualizing target-derived vesicles in vivo. Figure 2.12 Target-derived endosomes containing TrkA are transported into dendrites in vivo. Figure 2.13 Specificity of phosphorylated TrkA antibody in vivo. Figure 2.14 TrkA signaling endosomes are found in close proximity to synapses in vivo. Figure 2.15 Ipsilateral injection of PLGA-1NM-PP1 microspheres results in local inhibition of TrkA kinase activity. Figure 2.16 PLGA-1NM-PP1 microspheres, not control PLGA microspheres, specifically F592A inhibit TrkA kinase activity in TrkA mice. Figure 2.17 Local inhibition of TrkA kinase activity in the SCG decreases number of synaptic puncta. Figure2.18 NGF-TrkA signaling is required for synapse formation in cell body/dendrite compartment. Figure 2.19 PLGA microspheres loaded with 1NM-PP1 inhibit TrkA kinase signaling and PSDs. Figure 2.20 In vitro assay for local inhibition of TrkA kinase activity within dendrites. Figure 2.21 Local TrkA kinase activity maintains synapses. vii Figure 3.1 Summary: Target-derived NGF-TrkA endosomes signal for synaptic maintenance. viii Chapter 1 Introduction 1.1. The sympathetic nervous system is an important and accessible system for the study of system and circuit formation At the heart of the study of neuroscience is the question of how individual neurons communicate with one another, coordinating the complex functions that are attributed to the central and peripheral nervous