S327 phosphorylation of the presynaptic protein SEPTIN5 increases in the early stages of neurofibrillary pathology and alters the functionality of SEPTIN5

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is the most common form of dementia, which is neuropathologically characterized by extracellular senile plaques containing amyloid-beta and intracellular neurofibrillary tangles composed of hyperphosphorylated tau protein. Previous studies have suggested a role for septin (SEPTIN) protein family members in AD-associated cellular processes. Here, we elucidated the potential role of presynaptic SEPTIN5 protein and its post-translational modifications in the molecular pathogenesis of AD. RNA and protein levels of SEPTIN5 showed a significant decrease in human temporal cortex in relation to the increasing degree of AD-related neurofibrillary pathology. Conversely, an increase in the phosphorylation of the functionally relevant SEPTIN5 phosphorylation site S327 was observed already in the early phases of AD-related neurofibrillary pathology, but not in the cerebrospinal fluid of individuals fulfilling the criteria for mild cognitive impairment due to AD. According to the mechanistic assessments, a link between SEPTIN5 S327 phosphorylation status and the effects of SEPTIN5 on amyloid precursor protein processing and markers of autophagy was discovered in mouse primary cortical neurons transduced with lentiviral constructs encoding wild type SEPTIN5 or SEPTIN5 phosphomutants (S327A and S327D). C57BL/6 J mice intrahippocampally injected with lentiviral wild type SEPTIN5 or phosphomutant constructs did not show changes in cognitive performance after five to six weeks from the start of injections. However, SEPTIN5 S327 phosphorylation status was linked to changes in short-term synaptic plasticity ex vivo at the CA3-CA1 synapse. Collectively, these data suggest that SEPTIN5 and its S327 phosphorylation status play a pivotal role in several cellular processes relevant for AD.

Automated summary

SEPTIN5 and its S327 phosphorylation status play a pivotal role in the molecular pathogenesis of Alzheimer's disease. The expression of SEPTIN5 is decreased in the brain tissue of AD patients, while the increased phosphorylation status of S327 is associated with the early development of AD pathology. Further experiments reveal a link between SEPTIN5 S327 phosphorylation status and cellular processes relevant for AD, including amyloid precursor protein processing and autophagy.