Dynamic bi-directional phosphorylation events associated with the reciprocal regulation of synapses during homeostatic up- and down-scaling

Homeostatic synaptic scaling allows for bi-directional adjustment of the strength of synaptic connections in response to changes in their input. Protein phosphorylation modulates many neuronal processes, but it has not been studied on a global scale during synaptic scaling. Here, we use liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry (LC-MS/MS) analyses to measure changes in the phosphoproteome in response to up- or down-scaling in cultured cortical neurons over minutes to 24 h. Of similar to 45,000 phosphorylation events, similar to 3,300 (associated with 1,285 phosphoproteins) are regulated by homeostatic scaling. Activity-sensitive phosphoproteins are predominantly located at synapses and involved in cytoskeletal reorganization. We identify many early phosphorylation events that could serve as sensors for the activity offset as well as late and/or persistent phosphoregulation that could represent effector mechanisms driving the homeostatic response. Much of the persistent phosphorylation is reciprocally regulated by up- or down-scaling, suggesting that mechanisms underlying these two poles of synaptic regulation make use of a common signaling axis.

Automated summary

Protein phosphorylation plays a crucial role in cellular processes. Liquid chromatography-tandem mass spectrometry was used to analyze changes in phosphorylation in response to up- or down-scaling in cultured cortical neurons. Activity-sensitive phosphoproteins are mainly located at synapses and involved in cytoskeletal reorganization.