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Zn2+ acts as a brake signal for axonal transport by directly inhibiting motor protein progression

Minckley, T. F.; Dischler, A. M.; Fudge, D. H.; Zadeh, E. G.; Li, W.-h.; Verhey, K.; Markus, S. M.; Qin, Y.

2021-12-03 cell biology
10.1101/2021.12.02.470968 bioRxiv
Show abstract

Accurate delivery of cargo over long distances through axonal transport requires precise spatiotemporal regulation and relies on microtubule function. Here we discover that Zn2+ influx via depolarization inhibits axonal transport. Zn2+-mediated inhibition is nonselective for cargo. Elevated Zn2+ (IC50 >> 5-10 nM) reduces both lysosomal and mitochondrial motility in primary rat hippocampal neurons and HeLa cells. We further reveal that Zn2+ directly binds to microtubules, inhibiting movement of motor proteins (kinesin and dynein) and promoting detachment of neuronal-specific MAPs (Tau, DCX, and MAP2C). We finally provide a detailed model of microtubule interactions with Tau, DCX, dynein, kinesin, and predict microtubule Zn2+ binding sites. Our results reveal that Zn2+ acts to inhibit the microtubule binding of tau, DCX, and MAP2C and can directly block the progression of motor proteins on microtubules. Intraneuronal Zn2+, therefore, is a critical signal for regulating axonal transport and microtubulebased processes.

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