CRMP2 Participates in Regulating Mitochondrial Morphology and Motility in Alzheimer’s Disease

Tatiana Brustovetsky, Rajesh Khanna, Nickolay Brustovetsky

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Mitochondrial bioenergetics and dynamics (alterations in morphology and motility of mitochondria) play critical roles in neuronal reactions to varying energy requirements in health and disease. In Alzheimer’s disease (AD), mitochondria undergo excessive fission and become less motile. The mechanisms leading to these alterations are not completely clear. Here, we show that collapsin response mediator protein 2 (CRMP2) is hyperphosphorylated in AD and that is accompanied by a decreased interaction of CRMP2 with Drp1, Miro 2, and Mitofusin 2, which are proteins involved in regulating mitochondrial morphology and motility. CRMP2 was hyperphosphorylated in postmortem brain tissues of AD patients, in brain lysates, and in cultured cortical neurons from the double transgenic APP/PS1 mice, an AD mouse model. CRMP2 hyperphosphorylation and dissociation from its binding partners correlated with increased Drp1 recruitment to mitochondria, augmented mitochondrial fragmentation, and reduced mitochondrial motility. (S)-lacosamide ((S)-LCM), a small molecule that binds to CRMP2, decreased its phosphorylation at Ser 522 and Thr 509/514, and restored CRMP2′s interaction with Miro 2, Drp1, and Mitofusin 2. This was paralleled by decreased Drp1 recruitment to mitochondria, diminished mitochondrial fragmentation, and improved motility of the organelles. Additionally, (S)-LCM-protected cultured cortical AD neurons from cell death. Thus, our data suggest that CRMP2, in a phosphorylation-dependent manner, participates in the regulation of mitochondrial morphology and motility, and modulates neuronal survival in AD.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Article number1287
JournalCells
Volume12
Issue number9
DOIs
StatePublished - May 2023

Keywords

  • Alzheimer’s disease
  • cortical neurons
  • CRMP2
  • mitochondrial morphology
  • mitochondrial motility
  • neuronal cell death

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'CRMP2 Participates in Regulating Mitochondrial Morphology and Motility in Alzheimer’s Disease'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this