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Nestin affects fusion pore dynamics in mouse astrocytes
Eva Lasič1, Saša Trkov Bobnar1,2, Ulrika Wilhelmsson3
1Laboratory of Neuroendocrinology-Molecular Cell Physiology, Institute of Pathophysiology, Faculty of Medicine, University of Ljubljana, Ljubljana, Slovenia.
Acta Physiologica (Oxford, England)
|October 10, 2019
Summary
Nestin protein in astrocytes influences vesicle dynamics, affecting how cells communicate. This protein regulates vesicle fusion, mobility, and calcium signaling, crucial for central nervous system homeostasis.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cell Biology
Background:
- Astrocytes are key for central nervous system homeostasis, regulating neurophysiology through vesicle trafficking.
- Intermediate filaments, like nestin, impact cellular processes including organelle trafficking and neurogenesis.
- Nestin is expressed in astrocytes and may regulate neurogenesis via Notch signaling and vesicle trafficking.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of nestin in astrocyte vesicle dynamics.
- To examine how nestin deficiency affects single vesicle interactions and trafficking in astrocytes.
Main Methods:
- Utilized high-resolution cell-attached membrane capacitance measurements and confocal microscopy.
- Compared astrocytes from nestin-deficient (Nes-/-) and wild-type (wt) mice.
- Assessed vesicle mobility and intracellular calcium (Ca2+) concentration using fluorescent dextran and Fluo-2.
Main Results:
- Nestin-deficient astrocytes showed altered vesicle sizes, fusion pore geometry, and kinetics.
- Reduced spontaneous and altered ATP-evoked vesicle mobility was observed in Nes-/- astrocytes.
- Calcium signaling was attenuated and more oscillatory in Nes-/- astrocytes compared to wt.
Conclusions:
- Nestin regulates single vesicle interactions with the plasmalemma and vesicle trafficking in astrocytes.
- These findings highlight nestin's role in astrocyte vesicle-based communication.
- Nestin's influence on vesicle dynamics is critical for astrocyte function in the CNS.
