SUMOylation of NaV1.2 channels regulates the velocity of backpropagating action potentials in cortical pyramidal neurons

Voltage-gated sodium channels located in axon initial segments (AIS) trigger action potentials (AP) and play pivotal roles in the excitability of cortical pyramidal neurons. The differential electrophysiological properties and distributions of Na(V)1.2 and Na(V)1.6 channels lead to distinct contributions to AP initiation and propagation. While Na(V)1.6 at the distal AIS promotes AP initiation and forward propagation, Na(V)1.2 at the proximal AIS promotes the backpropagation of APs to the soma. Here, we show the small ubiquitin-like modifier (SUMO) pathway modulates Na+ channels at the AIS to increase neuronal gain and the speed of backpropagation. Since SUMO does not affect Na(V)1.6, these effects were attributed to SUMOylation of Na(V)1.2. Moreover, SUMO effects were absent in a mouse engineered to express Na(V)1.2-Lys38Gln channels that lack the site for SUMO linkage. Thus, SUMOylation of Na(V)1.2 exclusively controls I-NaP generation and AP backpropagation, thereby playing a prominent role in synaptic integration and plasticity.

Automated summary

Voltage-gated sodium channels in axon initial segments have distinct roles in regulating action potentials of cortical pyramidal neurons. While Na(V)1.6 promotes AP initiation and forward propagation, Na(V)1.2 facilitates backpropagation to the soma. This study demonstrates that the SUMO pathway modulates Na+ channels at the initial segments, increasing neuronal gain and backpropagation speed by SUMOylation of Na(V)1.2. These findings highlight the prominent role of SUMOylation in synaptic integration and plasticity.