Neuroligins are postsynaptic cell adhesion molecules that are important for synaptic function through their trans-synaptic interaction with neurexins (NRXNs). The localization and synaptic effects of neuroligin-1 (NL-1, also called NLGN1) are specific to excitatory synapses with the capacity to enhance excitatory synapses dependent on synaptic activity or Ca(2+)/calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII). Here we report that CaMKII robustly phosphorylates the intracellular domain of NL-1. We show that T739 is the dominant CaMKII site on NL-1 and is phosphorylated in response to synaptic activity in cultured rodent neurons and sensory experience in vivo. Furthermore, a phosphodeficient mutant (NL-1 T739A) reduces the basal and activity-driven surface expression of NL-1, leading to a reduction in neuroligin-mediated excitatory synaptic potentiation. To the best of our knowledge, our results are the first to demonstrate a direct functional interaction between CaMKII and NL-1, two primary components of excitatory synapses.
        
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Bemben MA, Shipman SL, Hirai T, Herring BE, Li Y, Badger JD, 2nd, Nicoll RA, Diamond JS, Roche KW (2014) CaMKII phosphorylation of neuroligin-1 regulates excitatory synapses Nat Neurosci17: 56-64
Bemben MA, Shipman SL, Hirai T, Herring BE, Li Y, Badger JD, 2nd, Nicoll RA, Diamond JS, Roche KW (2014) Nat Neurosci17: 56-64