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Cover ArticleResearch Articles, Cellular/Molecular

Ste20-like Kinase Is Critical for Inhibitory Synapse Maintenance and Its Deficiency Confers a Developmental Dendritopathy

Susanne Schoch, Anne Quatraccioni, Barbara K. Robens, Robert Maresch, Karen M.J. van Loo, Silvia Cases-Cunillera, Tony Kelly, Thoralf Opitz, Valeri Borger, Dirk Dietrich, Julika Pitsch, Heinz Beck and Albert J. Becker
Journal of Neuroscience 29 September 2021, 41 (39) 8111-8125; DOI: https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0352-21.2021
Susanne Schoch
1Institute of Neuropathology, Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
2Department of Epileptology, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
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Anne Quatraccioni
1Institute of Neuropathology, Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
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Barbara K. Robens
1Institute of Neuropathology, Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
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Robert Maresch
3Institute of Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
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Karen M.J. van Loo
1Institute of Neuropathology, Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
5Department of Epileptology, Neurology, RWTH Aachen University, Aachen, 52062, Germany
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Silvia Cases-Cunillera
1Institute of Neuropathology, Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
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Tony Kelly
3Institute of Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
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Thoralf Opitz
3Institute of Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
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Valeri Borger
4Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
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Dirk Dietrich
4Department of Neurosurgery, University Hospital Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
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Julika Pitsch
1Institute of Neuropathology, Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
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Heinz Beck
3Institute of Experimental Epileptology and Cognition Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
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Albert J. Becker
1Institute of Neuropathology, Section for Translational Epilepsy Research, Medical Faculty, University of Bonn, Bonn, 53127, Germany
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Abstract

The size and structure of the dendritic arbor play important roles in determining how synaptic inputs of neurons are converted to action potential output. The regulatory mechanisms governing the development of dendrites, however, are insufficiently understood. The evolutionary conserved Ste20/Hippo kinase pathway has been proposed to play an important role in regulating the formation and maintenance of dendritic architecture. A key element of this pathway, Ste20-like kinase (SLK), regulates cytoskeletal dynamics in non-neuronal cells and is strongly expressed throughout neuronal development. However, its function in neurons is unknown. We show that, during development of mouse cortical neurons, SLK has a surprisingly specific role for proper elaboration of higher, ≥ third-order dendrites both in male and in female mice. Moreover, we demonstrate that SLK is required to maintain excitation-inhibition balance. Specifically, SLK knockdown caused a selective loss of inhibitory synapses and functional inhibition after postnatal day 15, whereas excitatory neurotransmission was unaffected. Finally, we show that this mechanism may be relevant for human disease, as dysmorphic neurons within human cortical malformations revealed significant loss of SLK expression. Overall, the present data identify SLK as a key regulator of both dendritic complexity during development and inhibitory synapse maintenance.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT We show that dysmorphic neurons of human epileptogenic brain lesions have decreased levels of the Ste20-like kinase (SLK). Decreasing SLK expression in mouse neurons revealed that SLK has essential functions in forming the neuronal dendritic tree and in maintaining inhibitory connections with neighboring neurons.

  • dendrite
  • development
  • dysplasia
  • kinase
  • synapse assembly
  • synapse maturation

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The Journal of Neuroscience: 41 (39)
Journal of Neuroscience
Vol. 41, Issue 39
29 Sep 2021
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Ste20-like Kinase Is Critical for Inhibitory Synapse Maintenance and Its Deficiency Confers a Developmental Dendritopathy
Susanne Schoch, Anne Quatraccioni, Barbara K. Robens, Robert Maresch, Karen M.J. van Loo, Silvia Cases-Cunillera, Tony Kelly, Thoralf Opitz, Valeri Borger, Dirk Dietrich, Julika Pitsch, Heinz Beck, Albert J. Becker
Journal of Neuroscience 29 September 2021, 41 (39) 8111-8125; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0352-21.2021

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Ste20-like Kinase Is Critical for Inhibitory Synapse Maintenance and Its Deficiency Confers a Developmental Dendritopathy
Susanne Schoch, Anne Quatraccioni, Barbara K. Robens, Robert Maresch, Karen M.J. van Loo, Silvia Cases-Cunillera, Tony Kelly, Thoralf Opitz, Valeri Borger, Dirk Dietrich, Julika Pitsch, Heinz Beck, Albert J. Becker
Journal of Neuroscience 29 September 2021, 41 (39) 8111-8125; DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.0352-21.2021
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Keywords

  • dendrite
  • development
  • dysplasia
  • kinase
  • synapse assembly
  • synapse maturation

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