Munc18-1 is essential for neuropeptide secretion in neurons

Daniël C. Puntman, Swati Arora, Margherita Farina, Ruud F. Toonen, Matthijs Verhage

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8 Citations (Scopus)

Abstract

Neuropeptide secretion from dense-core vesicles (DCVs) controls many brain functions. Several components of the DCV exocytosis machinery have recently been identified, but the participation of a SEC1/MUNC18 (SM) protein has remained elusive. Here, we tested the ability of the three exocytic SM proteins expressed in the mammalian brain, MUNC18-1/2/3, to support neuropeptide secretion. We quantified DCV exocytosis at a single vesicle resolution on action potential (AP) train-stimulation in mouse CNS neurons (of unknown sex) using pHluorin-tagged and/or mCherry-tagged neuropeptide Y (NPY) or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Conditional inactivation of Munc18-1 abolished all DCV exocytosis. Expression of MUNC18-1, but not MUNC18-2 or MUNC18-3, supported DCV exocytosis in Munc18-1 null neurons. Heterozygous (HZ) inactivation of Munc18-1, as a model for reduced MUNC18-1 expression, impaired DCV exocytosis, especially during the initial phase of train-stimulation, when the release was maximal. These data show that neurons critically and selectively depend on MUNC18-1 for neuropeptide secretion. Impaired neuropeptide secretion may explain aspects of the behavioral and neurodevelopmental phenotypes that were observed in Munc18-1 HZ mice.

Original languageEnglish
Pages (from-to)5980-5993
Number of pages14
JournalJournal of neuroscience
Volume41
Issue number28
DOIs
Publication statusPublished - 14 Jul 2021

Keywords

  • Dense-core vesicle
  • Munc18-1
  • Neuropeptide

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