SUSD4 controls GLUA2 degradation, synaptic plasticity and motor learning

Abstract

Fine control of protein stoichiometry at synapses underlies brain function and plasticity. How proteostasis is controlled independently for each type of synaptic protein in a synapse-specific and activity-dependent manner remains unclear. Here we show that SUSD4, a complement-related transmembrane protein, binds the AMPA receptor subunit GLUA2 and controls its activity-dependent degradation. Several proteins with known roles in the regulation of AMPA receptor turnover, in particular ubiquitin ligases of the NEDD4 subfamily, are identified as SUSD4 binding partners. SUSD4 is expressed by many neuronal populations starting at the time of synapse formation. Loss-of-function of Susd4 in the mouse prevents long-term depression at cerebellar synapses, and leads to impairment in motor coordination adaptation and learning. Our findings reveal that activity-dependent synaptic plasticity relies on a transmembrane CCP domain-containing protein that regulates the degradation of specific substrates. This mechanism potentially accounts for the role of SUSD4 mutations in neurodevelopmental diseases.