Abstract
Protein kinase A (PKA) signaling is essential for numerous processes but the subcellular localization of specific PKA regulatory (R) and catalytic (C) subunits has yet to be explored comprehensively. Additionally, the localization of the Cβ subunit has never been spatially mapped in any tissue even though ∼50% of PKA signaling in neuronal tissues is thought to be mediated by Cβ. Here we used human retina with its highly specialized neurons as a window into PKA signaling in the brain and characterized localization of PKA Cα, Cβ, RIIα, and RIIβ subunits. We found that each subunit presented a distinct localization pattern. Cα and Cβ were localized in all cell layers (photoreceptors, interneurons, retinal ganglion cells), while RIIα and RIIβ were selectively enriched in photoreceptor cells where both showed distinct patterns of co-localization with Cα but not Cβ. Only Cα was observed in photoreceptor outer segments and at the base of the connecting cilium. Cβ in turn, was highly enriched in mitochondria and was especially prominent in the ellipsoid of cone cells. Further investigation of Cβ using RNA BaseScope technology showed that two Cβ splice variants (Cβ4 and Cβ4ab) likely code for the mitochondrial Cβ proteins. Overall, our data indicates that PKA Cα, Cβ, RIIα, and RIIβ subunits are differentially localized and are likely functionally non-redundant in the human retina. Furthermore, Cβ is potentially important for mitochondrial-associated neurodegenerative diseases previously linked to PKA dysfunction.
Original language | English |
---|---|
Article number | 782041 |
Journal | Frontiers in Molecular Neuroscience |
Volume | 14 |
DOIs | |
State | Published - 18 Nov 2021 |
Bibliographical note
Funding Information:JR was supported by NIH/NIGMS IRACDA K12 GM068524 and by R35 GM130389. Work in the DS-K laboratory was supported by R01 EY027011, RPB Special Scholar Award, Glaucoma Research Foundation Shaffer Grant and in part by an unrestricted grant from Research to Prevent Blindness (New York, NY, United States) awarded to Department of Ophthalmology, UC Irvine. Work in the ST laboratory was supported by R35 GM130389 and R03 TR002947. The Zeiss LSM 880 was funded by NIH S10OD021831.
Publisher Copyright:
Copyright © 2021 Roa, Ma, Mikulski, Xu, Ilouz, Taylor and Skowronska-Krawczyk.
Keywords
- PKA
- mitochondria
- neuron
- photoreceptors
- retina
- signaling