In the striatum, specific N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subtypes are found in different neuronal cells. Spiny projection neurons (SPNs) are characterized by NMDARs expressing GluN2A and GluN2B subunits, while GluN2D is exclusively detected in striatal cholinergic interneurons (ChIs). In Parkinson's disease (PD), dopamine depletion and prolonged treatment with levodopa (L-DOPA) trigger adaptive changes in the glutamatergic transmission from the cortex to the striatum, also resulting in the aberrant function of striatal NMDARs. While modifications of GluN2A- and GluN2B-NMDARs in SPNs have been extensively documented, only few studies report GluN2D dysfunction in PD and no data are available in L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID). Here we investigate the contribution of a specific NMDAR subtype (GluN2D-NMDAR) to PD and LID, and whether this receptor could represent a candidate for future pharmacological interventions. Our results show that GluN2D synaptic abundance is selectively augmented in the striatum of L-DOPA-treated male parkinsonian rats displaying a dyskinetic phenotype. This event is associated to a dramatic increase in GluN2D binding to the postsynaptic protein scaffold PSD-95. Moreover, immunohistochemistry and electrophysiology experiments reveal that GluN2D-NMDARs are expressed not only by striatal ChIs but also by SPNs in dyskinetic rats. Notably, in vivo treatment with a well-characterized GluN2D antagonist ameliorates the severity of established dyskinesia in L-DOPA-treated animals. Our findings support a role for GluN2D-NMDARs in LID, and they confirm that cell-type and subunit specific modifications of NMDARs underlie the pathophysiology of LID.

NMDA receptor GluN2D subunit participates to levodopa-induced dyskinesia pathophysiology / M. Mellone, E. Zianni, J. Stanic, F. Campanelli, G. Marino, V. Ghiglieri, A. Longhi, M.L. Thiolat, Q. Li, P. Calabresi, E. Bezard, B. Picconi, M. Di Luca, F. Gardoni. - In: NEUROBIOLOGY OF DISEASE. - ISSN 0969-9961. - 121(2019 Jan), pp. 338-349. [10.1016/j.nbd.2018.09.021]

NMDA receptor GluN2D subunit participates to levodopa-induced dyskinesia pathophysiology

M. Mellone
Primo
;
E. Zianni
Secondo
;
J. Stanic;A. Longhi;M. Di Luca
Penultimo
;
F. Gardoni
Ultimo
2019

Abstract

In the striatum, specific N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDAR) subtypes are found in different neuronal cells. Spiny projection neurons (SPNs) are characterized by NMDARs expressing GluN2A and GluN2B subunits, while GluN2D is exclusively detected in striatal cholinergic interneurons (ChIs). In Parkinson's disease (PD), dopamine depletion and prolonged treatment with levodopa (L-DOPA) trigger adaptive changes in the glutamatergic transmission from the cortex to the striatum, also resulting in the aberrant function of striatal NMDARs. While modifications of GluN2A- and GluN2B-NMDARs in SPNs have been extensively documented, only few studies report GluN2D dysfunction in PD and no data are available in L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia (LID). Here we investigate the contribution of a specific NMDAR subtype (GluN2D-NMDAR) to PD and LID, and whether this receptor could represent a candidate for future pharmacological interventions. Our results show that GluN2D synaptic abundance is selectively augmented in the striatum of L-DOPA-treated male parkinsonian rats displaying a dyskinetic phenotype. This event is associated to a dramatic increase in GluN2D binding to the postsynaptic protein scaffold PSD-95. Moreover, immunohistochemistry and electrophysiology experiments reveal that GluN2D-NMDARs are expressed not only by striatal ChIs but also by SPNs in dyskinetic rats. Notably, in vivo treatment with a well-characterized GluN2D antagonist ameliorates the severity of established dyskinesia in L-DOPA-treated animals. Our findings support a role for GluN2D-NMDARs in LID, and they confirm that cell-type and subunit specific modifications of NMDARs underlie the pathophysiology of LID.
GluN2D; Levodopa-induced dyskinesia; NMDA receptor; Parkinson's disease; Pharmacological target; Neurology
Settore BIO/14 - Farmacologia
   Cell-type and subunit specific alteration of NMDA receptors in striatum at early stages of Parkinson’s disease
   MINISTERO DELLA SALUTE
   14/RF-2013-02356215

   Cell-type and sununit specific alterations of NMDA receptors in striatum at early stages of Parkinson's disease: from molecular pathogenesis to identification of new pharmacological targets
   FONDAZIONE CARIPLO
   2014-0660

   Targeting early synaptic dysfunctions induced by alpha-synuclein as a novel therapeutic approach in Parkinson's disease
   MINISTERO DELL'ISTRUZIONE E DEL MERITO
   2015FNWP34_003
gen-2019
2018
Article (author)
File in questo prodotto:
File Dimensione Formato  
1-s2.0-S0969996118303000-main.pdf

accesso riservato

Tipologia: Publisher's version/PDF
Dimensione 2.63 MB
Formato Adobe PDF
2.63 MB Adobe PDF   Visualizza/Apri   Richiedi una copia
Pubblicazioni consigliate

I documenti in IRIS sono protetti da copyright e tutti i diritti sono riservati, salvo diversa indicazione.

Utilizza questo identificativo per citare o creare un link a questo documento: https://hdl.handle.net/2434/596950
Citazioni
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.pmc??? 7
  • Scopus 22
  • ???jsp.display-item.citation.isi??? 20
social impact