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. 2021 Jul 14;41(28):5980–5993. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3150-20.2021

Munc18-1 Is Essential for Neuropeptide Secretion in Neurons

Daniël C Puntman 1, Swati Arora 2, Margherita Farina 1, Ruud F Toonen 2,✉, Matthijs Verhage 1,2,✉
PMCID: PMC8276746  PMID: 34103363

Abstract

Neuropeptide secretion from dense-core vesicles (DCVs) controls many brain functions. Several components of the DCV exocytosis machinery have recently been identified, but the participation of a SEC1/MUNC18 (SM) protein has remained elusive. Here, we tested the ability of the three exocytic SM proteins expressed in the mammalian brain, MUNC18-1/2/3, to support neuropeptide secretion. We quantified DCV exocytosis at a single vesicle resolution on action potential (AP) train-stimulation in mouse CNS neurons (of unknown sex) using pHluorin-tagged and/or mCherry-tagged neuropeptide Y (NPY) or brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Conditional inactivation of Munc18-1 abolished all DCV exocytosis. Expression of MUNC18-1, but not MUNC18-2 or MUNC18-3, supported DCV exocytosis in Munc18-1 null neurons. Heterozygous (HZ) inactivation of Munc18-1, as a model for reduced MUNC18-1 expression, impaired DCV exocytosis, especially during the initial phase of train-stimulation, when the release was maximal. These data show that neurons critically and selectively depend on MUNC18-1 for neuropeptide secretion. Impaired neuropeptide secretion may explain aspects of the behavioral and neurodevelopmental phenotypes that were observed in Munc18-1 HZ mice.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT Neuropeptide secretion from dense-core vesicles (DCVs) modulates synaptic transmission, sleep, appetite, cognition and mood. However, the mechanisms of DCV exocytosis are poorly characterized. Here, we identify MUNC18-1 as an essential component for neuropeptide secretion from DCVs. Paralogs MUNC18-2 or MUNC18-3 cannot compensate for MUNC18-1. MUNC18-1 is the first protein identified to be essential for both neuropeptide secretion and synaptic transmission. In heterozygous (HZ) Munc18-1 neurons, that have a 50% reduced MUNC18-1expression and model the human STXBP1 syndrome, DCV exocytosis is impaired, especially during the initial phase of train-stimulation, when the release is maximal. These data show that MUNC18-1 is essential for neuropeptide secretion and that impaired neuropeptide secretion on reduced MUNC18-1expression may contribute to the symptoms of STXBP1 syndrome.

Keywords: Munc18-1, dense-core vesicle, neuropeptide

Introduction

Neuropeptides control diverse brain functions such as memory, appetite, and mood (Cropper et al., 2018; Comeras et al., 2019; Miranda et al., 2019), but the mechanisms that drive neuropeptide release from dense-core vesicles (DCVs) remain poorly understood. The principles of secretory vesicle exocytosis are well conserved and first characterized in yeast (Novick and Schekman, 1979; Novick et al., 1980, 1981; Aalto et al., 1993; Protopopov et al., 1993). Four canonical components appear to be essential in all types of regulated exocytosis: three SNARE proteins, of the (1) SNAP/SEC9 family; (2) the synaptobrevin/VAMP/SNC family; and (3) the syntaxin/SSO1/2 family; and (4) a SEC1/MUNC18 (SM) protein (Toonen and Verhage, 2003, 2007; Jahn and Scheller, 2006; Südhof and Rothman, 2009; Südhof, 2013; Kaeser and Regehr, 2014). While two of these canonical components have recently been identified for DCV exocytosis in mammalian neurons (Shimojo et al., 2015; Arora et al., 2017; Hoogstraaten et al., 2020), the participation of an SM protein has remained elusive.

In mammals, seven SM proteins are expressed: mSly1, mVPS33A, mVPS33B, mVPS45, MUNC18-1, MUNC18-2, and MUNC18-3. The first four control internal membrane trafficking, while the three MUNC18 proteins control exocytosis (for a review, see Toonen and Verhage, 2003). MUNC18 proteins bind syntaxins(Thurmond et al., 1998; Misura et al., 2000; Kauppi et al., 2002; Dulubova et al., 2007; Burkhardt et al., 2008; Bin et al., 2013), promote docking of secretory vesicles (Voets et al., 2001; de Wit et al., 2009) and probably serve as a template for SNARE-complex assembly, which drives exocytosis (Parisotto et al., 2014; Sitarska et al., 2017; Jiao et al., 2018; Meijer et al., 2018; Wang et al., 2019; André et al., 2020). MUNC18-2 acts in blood platelets, cytotoxic T lymphocytes, natural killer cells and mast cells (Côte et al., 2009; Hackmann et al., 2013; Gutierrez et al., 2018; Cardenas et al., 2019); MUNC18-3 in adipocytes (Tamori et al., 1998; Thurmond et al., 2000); and MUNC18-1 in chromaffin cells and the posterior pituitary (Voets et al., 2001; Korteweg et al., 2005) and in synaptic vesicle (SV) exocytosis in neurons (Verhage et al., 2000). In other cell types, such as lung mucus cells and pancreatic β-cells, multiple MUNC18 paralogs support different phases of secretion in the same pathway (Oh and Thurmond, 2009; Oh et al., 2012; Lam et al., 2013; Jaramillo et al., 2019). In neurons, all three MUNC18 paralogs are expressed, but MUNC18-1 has a ∼10-fold higher expression and is the only paralog that supports neurotransmission (Verhage et al., 2000; Yue et al., 2014; Zeisel et al., 2015; He et al., 2017; Santos et al., 2017). Which SM-protein(s) support DCV exocytosis is unknown.

To identify which SM protein(s) support DCV exocytosis in neurons, we analyzed DCV fusion with single vesicle resolution using three fluorescent DCV-fusion reporters in primary neurons from homozygous and heterozygous (HZ) Munc18-1 null mutant mice. We found that Munc18-1 inactivation abolished neuropeptide release and that expression of MUNC18-2 or MUNC18-3 did not restore DCV exocytosis. HZ Munc18-1 inactivation reduced DCV exocytosis. We conclude that neurons critically and specifically depend on MUNC18-1 for neuropeptide secretion.

Materials and Methods

Animals

Animal housing and breeding was in line with institutional and Dutch governmental guidelines and all procedures were approved by the ethical committee of the Vrije Universiteit University/Vrije Universiteit Medical Center (license number: DEC-FGA 11-03 and AVD112002017824). Munc18-1lox/lox mice (Heeroma et al., 2004) and Munc18-1 null mice [Munc18-1 knock-out (KO); Verhage et al., 2000; Toonen et al., 2006b] were generated as described before. To obtain Munc18-1 conditional KO (cKO) primary cultures, Munc18-1lox/lox mice were time-mated and P1 pups were used for dissection of the hippocampi. For Munc18-1 wild-type (WT), Munc18-1 KO, and Munc18-1 HZ primary cultures, Munc18-1 HZ mice were time-mated and embryonic day (E)18 pups were collected via caesarean section, after which they were used for dissection of the hippocampi. All pups were genotyped before culturing and were of unknown sex.

Neuron culture

Preparation of dissociated hippocampal neuron cultures was performed as reported before (De Wit et al., 2009; Farina et al., 2015). In brief, isolated hippocampi were digested with 0.25% trypsin (Life Technologies) for 20 min at 37°C in HBSS (Sigma) with 10 mm HEPES (Life Technologies). After 3× washing and trituration, 1000–2000 neurons were plated per well onto pregrown glia microislands. These were generated by stamping agarose coated 18 mm glass coverslips with a solution of 0.5 mg/ml poly-D-lysine (Sigma), 3.5 mg/ml rat tail collagen (BD Biosciences), and 17 mm acetic acid onto which 6.000 rat glia were plated (Mennerick et al., 1995; Wierda et al., 2007).

Viruses

All constructs were generated with sequence verification, cloned into a pLenti vector containing a Synapsin promotor. To obtain Munc18-1 cKO and control neurons, Cre recombinase and defective Cre (deltaCre; Kaeser et al., 2011; Persoon et al., 2019) were delivered into Munc18-1lox/lox neurons via lenti-virus particles at day in vitro (DIV)8. Imaging was performed at DIV15, when synaptic transmission was absent, but before neuronal degeneration occurred. Lentiviral neuropeptide Y (NPY)-mCherry was used as a marker for neuropeptide release as reported before (van de Bospoort et al., 2012; Persoon et al., 2018) and Synaptophysin-pHluorin as a marker for synaptic transmission (Granseth et al., 2006).

To rescue Munc18-1 KO neurons with the paralogs MUNC18-1, MUNC18-2, or MUNC18-3, we used previously described MUNC18-1, MUNC18-2, and MUNC18-3 plasmids (Toonen et al., 2006b; He et al., 2017; Santos et al., 2017) with Cre-EGFP co-expressed via a T2A cleavage-peptide sequence. Cre-EGFP fluorescence is confined to the nucleus and therefore does not preclude pHluorin-based DCV exocytosis analysis. Munc18-1 KO neurons were infected with these paralogs at DIV0 to ensure neuronal survival and viral concentrations were adjusted until similar survival rates were observed between conditions. For Munc18-1 KO rescue experiments and Munc18-1 HZ experiments, NPY-pHluorin and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF)-pHluorin were used as described before (De Wit et al., 2009; van de Bospoort et al., 2012; Farina et al., 2015; Persoon et al., 2018, 2019).

Western blotting

Munc18-1 null (KO) neurons were infected at DIV0 with Munc18-1, Munc18-2, or Munc18-3 containing lentiviral particles and harvested by scraping in ice-cold PBS at DIV14. Samples were centrifuged (12,000 rpm, 5 min) and lysed in Laemmni sample buffer containing 2% SDS (VWR chemicals, M107), 10% glycerol (Merck, 818709), 0.26 m β-mercaptoethanol (Sigma, M3148), 60mMTris-HCl (Serva, 37180) pH 6.8, and 0.01% bromophenol blue (Applichem, A3640). E18 brains from Munc18-1 KO and WT littermate and the spleen from an E18 WT embryo were triturated in ice-cold PBS before lysis in Laemmni sample buffer. Lysates were separated on 8% SDS-polyacrylamide gels. Proteins were transferred overnight at 150 mA and 4°C via wet-blot transfer. Blocking was done with 2% BSA (Acros Organics, 268131000) in PBS with 0.1% Tween 20 for 4 h at room temperature (RT). Blots were incubated with polyconal Munc18-1 (SySy 116003; Cijsouw et al., 2014; 1:1000), Munc18-2 (SySy 116102; 1:500), or Munc18-3 (Sigma HPA027255; 1:500) antibodies. Mouse monoclonal γ-Tubulin antibody (Sigma; T5326; 1:1000) was used as control for total protein levels. After washing with PBS + 0.1% Tween 20, the blots were incubated with secondary antibodies (goat anti-mouse or anti-rabbit alkaline phosphatase-conjugated secondary antibodies 1:10,000; Jackson immunoresearch' in PBS with 2% BSA and 0.1% Tween 20 for 45 min at 4°C. After washing, blots were incubated with Atto-Phos substrate for 5 min, scanned on a Fujifilm FLA-5000 Reader and analyzed with ImageJ software.

Live imaging

All live imaging experiments were performed between DIV14 and DIV18 at RT (21–26°C). We used a custom-built set-up including an inverted microscope (IX81; Olympus) with an MT20 light source (Olympus), the appropriate filter sets (Semrock), a 40× oil objective (NA 1.3), an EM charge-coupled device camera (EMCCD; C9100-02; Hamamatsu Photonics) and Xcellence RT imaging software (Olympus). Electrical stimulation was delivered by parallel platinum electrodes placed around the glia-island, conducting 30 mA, 1-ms pulses controlled by a Master 8 system (AMPI) and a stimulus generator (A385RC, World Precision Instruments). A total of 16 or eight trains of 50 action potentials (APs) were generated at 50 Hz with 0.5-s interval after 30 s of baseline recording. Imaging acquisition rate was 2 Hz.

Coverslips were perfused with Tyrode's solution (2 mm CaCl2, 2.5 mmKCl, 119 mm NaCl, 2 mm MgCl2, 30 mm glucose, and 25 mm HEPES; pH 7.4). pHluorin-based DCV exocytosis assays ended with a 10 s NH4+ perfusion (Tyrode's solution with 50 mm NH4Cl, replacing 50 mm NaCl), delivered via a gravity flow system with a capillary placed above the neuron, to de-quench pHluorin in all DCVs.

Analysis

In ImageJ (NIH), 2 × 2 pixel regions were placed on NPY-mCherry DCV exocytosis events and 3 × 3 pixel regions were placed on NPY-pHluorin or BDNF-pHluorin events. The ROI intensity measures were loaded into a custom written MATLAB (MathWorks) script for semi-automatic analysis, where each was plotted as change in fluorescence (ΔF) compared with baseline fluorescence (F0, average fluorescence during the first 10 frames). An exocytosis event was detected when ΔF was at least 2 SDs below or above F0 for respectively NPY-mCherry and NPY/BDNF-pHluorin-labeled DCVs. Somatic events were excluded because of high background signal. Histograms and cumulative plots were generated in MATLAB. Further analysis including statistical tests and generation of Tukey/scatter plots was conducted in GraphPad Prism. The onset delay in DCV exocytosis was calculated for each neuron by subtracting the time point of the start of the simulation from the time point where 50% of the events have occurred.

To calculate the neurite length and total number of DCVs (poolsize) per neuron, the highest-intensity frame during NH4 perfusion was taken for pHluorin based assays and further analyzed using the MATLAB program SynD(Schmitz et al., 2011; van de Bospoort et al., 2012). Parameters were optimized for detection of DCVs and the number of detected DCVs was adjusted for intensity by dividing by the mode intensity.

Experimental design and statistical analysis

Statistical analysis was performed in GraphPad Prism (summarized in Table 1, which also includes experimental design). Shapiro-Wilk normality test was used to test for normal distributions and Levene's to test for homogeneity of variances. In all datasets at least one group was not normally distributed. Therefore, a Mann–Whitney U test for data with two conditions and multiple comparisons were tested using a Kruskal–Wallis test followed by a Dunn's multiple comparisons post hoc test.

Table 1.

Statistical analysis summary and experimental design

Measurement Condition Value (mean ± SEM) n p value Statistical test (test value)
DCV exocytosis per cell;
Figure 1J 		WT
Munc18-1null (conditional)		 41.4 ± 24.9
0.462 ± 0.877		 4 (21)
4 (13)		 **p = 0.0024 Mann–Whitney test (53.5)
Neurite length;
Figure 2D 		Munc18-1null
(1) + MUNC18-1
(2) + MUNC18-2
(3) + MUNC18-3		 2377 ± 160.4
2480 ± 245.1
2720 ± 324.2		 4 (38)
4 (39)
4 (37)		 n.s.: 1 vs 2, 1 vs 3, 2 vs 3 Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn's correction (0.040)
DCV exocytosis per cell;
Figure 2G 		Munc18-1null
(1) + MUNC18-1
(2) + MUNC18-2
(3) + MUNC18-3		 62.1 ± 10.6
7.05 ± 4.01
0.24 ± 0.09		 4 (38)
4 (39)
4 (37)		 n.s.: 2 vs 3
***p < 0.001: 1 vs 2, 1 vs 3		 Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn's correction (65.8)
DCV poolsize;
Figure 2H 		Munc18-1null
(1) + MUNC18-1
(2) + MUNC18-2
(3) + MUNC18-3		 3971 ± 327.7
3595 ± 522.0
4381 ± 558.4		 4 (38)
4 (39)
4 (37)		 n.s.: 1 vs 2, 1 vs 3, 2 vs 3 Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn's correction (2.15)
Release fraction;
Figure 2I 		Munc18-1null
(1) + MUNC18-1
(2) + MUNC18-2
(3) + MUNC18-3		 0.0191 ± 0.0039
0.0030 ± 0.0019
0.000 ± 0.000		 4 (38)
4 (39)
4 (37)		 n.s.: 2 vs 3
***p < 0.001: 1 vs 2, 1 vs 3		 Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn's correction (65.3)
Early DCV exocytosis;
Figure 3D 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 0.238 ± 0.032
0.117 ± 0.026		 3 (30)
3 (26)		 **p = 0.0069 Mann–Whitney test (225.5)
DCV exocytosis per cell;
Figure 3E 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 79.1 ± 15.7
57.2 ± 8.9		 3 (30)
3 (26)		 n.s. p = 0.502 Mann–Whitney test (336.5)
DCV poolsize;
Figure 3F 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 3642 ± 411.6
3528 ± 432.2		 3 (30)
3 (26)		 n.s. p = 0.702 Mann–Whitney test (471)
Release fraction;
Figure 3G 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 0.0306 ± 0.0070
0.0255 ± 0.0058		 3 (30)
3 (26)		 n.s. p = 0.598 Mann–Whitney test (437)
DCV exocytosis delay;
Figure 3H 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 8.1 ± 0.9
10.6 ± 0.8		 3 (30)
3 (26)		 *p = 0.0438 Mann–Whitney test (427)
DCV exocytosis Stim. 1;
Figure 4C 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 118 ± 26.9
29.5 ± 5.00		 4 (35)
4 (41)		 ***p = 0.0003 Mann–Whitney test (366.5)
DCV exocytosis delay;
Figure 4E 		(1) WT 1st Stim.
(2) HZ 1st Stim.
(3) WT 2nd Stim.
(4) HZ 2nd Stim.		 6.0 ± 0.38
6.6 ± 0.36
3.0 ± 0.30
3.5 ± 0.24		 4 (35)
4 (40)
4 (35)
4 (39)		 n.s.: 1 vs 2, 3 vs 4
***p < 0.001: 1 vs 3, 2 vs 4		 Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn's correction (58.8)
DCV exocytosis Stim. 2;
Figure 4F 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 105 ± 35.7
33.9 ± 5.44		 4 (35)
4 (41)		 **p = 0.0028 Mann–Whitney test (430.5)
Potentiation;
Figure 4G 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 0.97 ± 0.10
1.60 ± 0.20		 4 (35)
4 (41)		 **p = 0.0077 Mann–Whitney test (423)
Poolsize;
Figure 4H 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 4224 ± 339
3888 ± 360		 4 (35)
4 (41)		 n.s. p = 0.223 Mann–Whitney test (600)
Release fraction Stim. 1;
Figure 4I 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 0.0348 ± 0.0079
0.0104 ± 0.0024		 4 (35)
4 (41)		 **p = 0.0028 Mann–Whitney test (430)
Release fraction Stim. 2;
Figure 4J 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 0.0284 ± 0.0078
0.0120 ± 0.0024		 4 (35)
4 (41)		 *p = 0.0416 Mann–Whitney test (521.5)
DCV exocytosis meta-analysis;
Figure 5C 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 86.7 ± 15.5
31.5 ± 3.88		 7 (67)
7 (70)		 ***p = 0.0006 Mann–Whitney test (1551)
DCV poolsize meta-analysis;
Figure 5D 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 3946 ± 265.0
3739 ± 275.2		 7 (67)
7 (70)		 n.s. p = 0.338 Mann–Whitney test (2122)
Neurite length;
Figure 5E 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 2525 ± 152.6
2185 ± 134.3		 7 (70)
7 (72)		 n.s. p = 0.0631 Mann–Whitney test (2064)
Release fraction;
Figure 5F 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 0.0284 ± 0.0049
0.0129 ± 0.0022		 7 (67)
7 (70)		 **p = 0.0039 Mann–Whitney test (1675)
BDNF-pHluorin exocytosis Stim. 1;
Figure 6C 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 233 ± 31.0
118 ± 13.2		 4 (45)
4 (41)		 *p = 0.0230 Mann–Whitney test (659)
BDNF-pHluorin exocytosis Stim. 2;
Figure 6D 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 182 ± 24.0
127 ± 16.3		 4 (45)
4 (41)		 n.s. p = 0.1336 Mann–Whitney test (748.5)
Potentiation BDNF-pHluorin;
Figure 6E 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 0.878 ± 0.061
1.175 ± 0.108		 4 (45)
4 (41)		 *p = 0.0300 Mann–Whitney test (671)
BDNF-pHluorin exocytosis delay;
Figure 6G 		(1) WT 1st Stim.
(2) HZ 1st Stim.
(3) WT 2nd Stim.
(4) HZ 2nd Stim.		 4.7 ± 0.2
5.2 ± 0.3
2.5 ± 0.1
2.8 ± 0.2		 4 (45)
4 (41)
4 (45)
4 (40)		 n.s.: 1 vs 2, 3 vs 4
***p < 0.001: 1 vs 3, 2 vs 4		 Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn's correction (83)
DCV poolsize BDNF-pHluorin;
Figure 6H 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 3947 ± 275.1
3514 ± 236.7		 4 (45)
4 (41)		 n.s. p = 0.2895 Mann–Whitney test (669.5)
BDNF-pHluorin release fraction Stim. 1;
Figure 6I 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 0.0586 ± 0.0066
0.0372 ± 0.0043		 4 (45)
4 (41)		 *p = 0.0449 Mann–Whitney test (690)
BDNF-pHluorin release fraction Stim. 2;
Figure 6J 		WT
Munc18-1 HZ		 0.0466 ± 0.0055
0.0383 ± 0.0046		 4 (45)
4 (41)		 n.s. p = 0.3920 Mann–Whitney test (823)
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The conditions, values, sample sizes, p values, and statistical test are represented for each measurement. n = number of independent experiments (number of cells); n.s. = non-significant, p values were calculated in GraphPad prism

Results

Munc18-1 is essential for DCV exocytosis in neurons

To test which SM protein(s) drives DCV exocytosis in mammalian neurons, we used hippocampal neurons from conditional Munc18-1 null (cKO) mice grown on prepatterned glia microislands, each containing a single neuron infected with NPY-mCherry as a DCV exocytosis reporter (De Wit et al., 2009; Farina et al., 2015; Persoon et al., 2018; Fig. 1A). Neurons were infected with EGFP-tagged Cre-recombinase at DIV8 to induce Munc18-1 null, or with ineffective deltaCre (WT) as control. DCV exocytosis was triggered by high-frequency burst-stimulation (16 × 50 APs at 50 Hz; Fig. 1B) and individual release events, marked as sudden disappearance of mCherry fluorescence, were quantified over time (Fig. 1C).

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

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Munc18-1 is essential for DCV exocytosis in neurons. A, Schematic representation of a primary mouse hippocampal neuron grown on a glia microisland. B, The kymograph shows NPY-mCherry fluorescence in an axonal stretch over time. During high-frequency train-stimulation indicated by blue bars (16 trains of 50 APs at 50 Hz), NPY-mCherry release events are visible as an abrupt termination of the line, marked by arrowheads. Below, Schematic model of an NPY-mCherry release event. C, Disappearance of a NPY-mCherry punctum visualized by two still frames: one before and one after the indicated exocytosis event (red arrowhead, same event as in B). The typical trace shows the change in fluorescence (ΔF) over time measured from the indicated exocytosis event. D, Isolated Munc18-1cKO and WT (control) neurons infected at DIV8 with Cre-EGFP were tested for viability (+ = viable, – = non-viable) and for SV exocytosis using Synaptophysin-pHluorin (SypHy). E, Typical Ca2+ traces during high-frequency burst-stimulation (16 trains of 50 APs at 50 Hz, blue bars), obtained using Fluo5-AM, which increases fluorescence on Ca2+ binding, in DIV14–DIV15 Munc18-1cKO (+ Cre-EGFP) and WT (– Cre-EGFP) neurons. F, SV exocytosis assessed using SypHy in Munc18-1 cKO (+ Cre-EGFP) and WT (– Cre-EGFP) neurons. Fluorescence intensity increase reports SV exocytosis. NH4+ is superfused at second 85 (indicated by gray shading) to dequench SypHy fluorescence in all SVs. G, Quantification of F: ΔFMax/Δ NH4+ of SypHy in Munc18-1 cKO and WT neurons. H, Histogram of the average number of DCV exocytosis events over time from non-silent Munc18-1 cKO neurons infected with ΔCre (WT) or Cre (cKO). The blue bars indicate the stimulation paradigm. Sample size excluding silent neurons is visualized as n/N. I, Cumulative representation of the data in D. Error bars are SEM. J, The Tukey/scatter plot shows that the total number of DCV exocytosis events per cell is severely reduced in Munc18-1 cKO neurons (sample size is visualized as n/N). Mann–Whitney U test: **p < 0.01.

As MUNC18-1 is essential for SV exocytosis (Verhage et al., 2000), we used the fluorescent SV exocytosis reporter Synaptophysin-pHluorin(Granseth et al., 2006) to assess the Cre-dependent loss of MUNC18-1 protein in Munc18-1 cKO neurons. SV exocytosis was marked as an increase in fluorescence during burst stimulation in control neurons at DIV15 and was blocked in Munc18-1 cKO neurons that were infected 7 d earlier with Cre-EGFP, while calcium influx during stimulation was not significantly affected (Fig. 1D–G). In sister cultures at DIV15, control neurons showed NPY-mCherry release events throughout the 50 Hz burst stimulation, with the highest rate during the first few bursts, as shown before (Fig. 1H,I; Farina et al., 2015; Persoon et al., 2018, 2019). In contrast, virtually no NPY-mCherry release events occurred in Munc18-1 cKO neurons (Fig. 1H–J). Not a single release event was observed in 75% of these neurons (Fig. 1J). Hence, MUNC18-1 is essential for neuronal DCV exocytosis.

Expression of MUNC18-1, but not MUNC18-2 or MUNC18-3, supports DCV exocytosis in Munc18-1 null neurons

For independent confirmation of the DCV exocytosis defect in Munc18-1 cKO neurons, we next used a different DCV exocytosis reporter in classical Munc18-1 null neurons. The pH-sensitive DCV exocytosis reporter NPY-pHluorin, which has low basal fluorescence because of quenching at the low pH inside DCVs, and detects DCV fusion pore opening (van de Bospoort et al., 2012; Farina et al., 2015; Persoon et al., 2018). During high-frequency burst-stimulation, NPY-pHluorin marks DCV exocytosis events by a sudden increase in fluorescence on DCV fusion with the plasma membrane, followed by an immediate decrease (transient events representing fusion pore closure and vesicle reacidification or full cargo release) or delayed decrease (persistent events representing delayed reacidification or extracellular cargo deposition; Fig. 2A,B). To visualize the total DCV pool, neurons were superfused with NH4+ at the end of each recording, de-quenching NPY-pHluorin in acidified compartments (Fig. 2A,B).

Figure 2.

Figure 2.

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Expression of MUNC18-1, but not MUNC18-2 or MUNC18-3, supports DCV exocytosis in Munc18-1 null neurons. A, left, Model showing the DCV cargo NPY-pHluorin quenched at the low pH inside the vesicle, and de-quenched on vesicular pH elevation during an exocytosis event or NH4+ application. Right, Still frames show an axonal stretch before and during stimulation, and during NH4+ perfusion. The line plots show changes in fluorescence (ΔF) over time measured from the exocytosis events indicated by the green arrows. Scale bar: 5 µm. B, The kymograph shows an axonal stretch over time, visualizing NPY-pHluorin de-quenching events (arrowheads), caused by DCV exocytosis, as well as de-quenching caused by NH4+ (depicted by green-shading at the bottom). High-frequency train-stimulation is indicated with blue bars. The green arrowheads indicate the same exocytosis events as in A. The black arrows indicate other visible exocytosis events. C, Lysates of primary WT neurons, Munc18-1 null (KO) neurons (DIV14–DIV18) or mouse spleen were separated via SDS-PAGE gel electrophoresis and immunoblotted for MUNC18-1 (M18-1), MUNC18-2 (M18-2), or MUNC18-3 (M18-3), and for γ-Tubulin (Tubulin) as loading control. Rescue of Munc18-1 KO neurons (indicated with KO + rescue, third lane) was done with Munc18-1 (top), Munc18-2 (middle), or Munc18-3 (bottom) containing lentivirus particles at DIV0. Ratio indicates intensity of MUNC18-1, MUNC18-2, or MUNC18-3 divided by tubulin, showing that MUNC18-1 rescue levels were higher than WT and that MUNC18-2 rescue levels were higher, while MUNC18-3 rescue levels were lower than endogenous levels in the spleen. D,The Tukey/scatter plot shows that the total neurite length of Munc18-1null neurons rescued with MUNC18-1, MUNC18-2, or MUNC18-3 is similar (same data set as in Fig. 2). Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn's correction: n.s. = non-significant. E, Histogram showing the average number of NPY-pHluorin-labeled DCV exocytosis events in Munc18-1 null neurons rescued with MUNC18-1 (black), MUNC18-2 (green), or MUNC18-3 (brown). Sample size is indicated per condition as n/N. The blue bars indicate the stimulation paradigm. Error bars are SEM. F, Cumulative representation of the data in D. Error bars are SEM. G, The Tukey/scatter plot shows that Munc18-1 null neurons rescued with MUNC18-2 or MUNC18-3 have a strong reduction in the total number of DCV exocytosis events per cell compared with MUNC18-1 rescued neurons. Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn's correction: ***p < 0.001. n.s. = non-significant, p > 0.05. H, The Tukey/scatter plot shows that the total pool of DCVs per cell, revealed by NH4 application, is similar in Munc18-1 null neurons rescued with MUNC18-1, MUNC18-2, or MUNC18-3. Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn's correction: n.s. = non-significant. I, The Tukey/scatter plot shows that in MUNC18-2 or MUNC18-3 rescued neurons, the number of DCV exocytosis events normalized by the poolsize (indicated as release fraction) is strongly reduced. Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn's correction: ***p < 0.001, n.s. = non-significant.

Munc18-1 null neurons degenerate in vitro and in vivo, which can be delayed by the trophic factors insulin and BDNF (Verhage et al., 2000; Heeroma et al., 2004). Viral expression of MUNC18-1, or its paralogs MUNC18-2 or MUNC18-3 completely rescues cell viability (He et al., 2017; Santos et al., 2017). To test which paralogs support DCV exocytosis, we expressed each paralog separately in Munc18-1 null neurons and quantified DCV exocytosis with NPY-pHluorin. All MUNC18 paralogs were detected on Western-blot, supported normal viability and neurons expressing any of these paralogs had a normal morphology, as reported before (Fig. 2C,D). Re-expression of MUNC18-1 in Munc18-1 null neurons resulted in robust DCV exocytosis on high-frequency burst-stimulation (Fig. 2E–G), comparable to WT neurons (see below). However, DCV exocytosis was severely impaired on expression of MUNC18-2 or MUNC18-3 (Fig. 2E–G). Not a single fusion event was observed in 56% (MUNC18-2) and 81% (MUNC18-3) of the neurons (Fig. 2G). The total number of DCVs per neuron (DCV poolsize) was similar in all three conditions (Fig. 2H). DCV exocytosis normalized to the poolsize (release fraction) was normal in Munc18-1 null neurons re-expressing MUNC18-1, but severely impaired in Munc18-1 null neurons expressing MUNC18-2 or MUNC18-3 (Fig. 2I). These data show that MUNC18-1 re-expression supports stimulus-evoked DCV exocytosis in Munc18-1 null neurons and that MUNC18-2 and MUNC18-3 do not support DCV exocytosis. In addition, MUNC18-1, MUNC18-2, and MUNC18-3 all support normal morphology and DCV biogenesis in Munc18-1 null neurons.

Reduced expression in Munc18-1 HZ neurons leads to decreased DCV exocytosis

To characterize the role of MUNC18-1 in DCV exocytosis further, we quantified exocytosis events of NPY-pHluorin-labeled DCVs under conditions of reduced expression in Munc18-1 HZ neurons, which are shown to have ∼50% reduced MUNC18-1 expression levels (Toonen et al., 2006b; Kovacevic et al., 2018). First, Munc18-1 WT and Munc18-1 HZ neurons were stimulated with a high-frequency burst-stimulation (16 × 50 APs at 50 Hz). Munc18-1 HZ neurons showed a trend toward reduced DCV exocytosis, especially during the first two bursts (2 × 50 APs; Fig. 3A,B). Post hoc analysis of this initial phase indicated a 61% reduction in initial DCV exocytosis in Munc18-1 HZ neurons (Fig. 3C,D). The median DCV exocytosis onset delay, defined as the duration from the start of the stimulation until 50% of the DCV exocytosis events have occurred, was increased in Munc18-1 HZ (Fig. 3E). The total number of exocytosis events, the total DCV pool and release fraction were all not altered (Fig. 3F–H).

Figure 3.

Figure 3.

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Reduced MUNC18-1 levels decrease DCV exocytosis during the first seconds of stimulation. A, The histogram shows the average number of DCV exocytosis events for Munc18-1 WT (black) and Munc18-1 HZ (blue) neurons over time (sample size is indicated as n/N). Error bars are SEM. B, Cumulative representation of the data in A. Error bars are SEM. WT exocytosis levels varied between experiments, probably because of changes in medium batches. C, Normalized cumulative representation of the data in A during the first seconds of train-stimulation. Error bars are SEM. D, The Tukey/scatter plot shows that the relative DCV exocytosis during the first two trains of stimulation is decreased in Munc18-1 HZ neurons. This was calculated per cell by dividing the number of events during the first two seconds of stimulation by the total number of exocytosis events of that cell. Mann–Whitney test: **p < 0.01. E, The Tukey/scatter plot shows that the median delay of DCV exocytosis events relative to the start of the train-stimulation is larger in Munc18-1 HZ neurons comparted to WT. Mann–Whitney test: *p < 0.05. F, The Tukey/scatter plot shows the number of DCV exocytosis events for Munc18-1 WT and HZ neurons. Mann–Whitney test: n.s. = non-significant. G, The Tukey/scatter plot shows the total number of DCVs, extracted from NH4+superfusion at the end of each recording, for Munc18-1 WT and HZ neurons. Mann–Whitney test: n.s. = non-significant. H, The Tukey/scatter plot shows the number of DCV exocytosis events normalized by the poolsize (release fraction) for Munc18-1 WT and HZ neurons. Mann–Whitney test: n.s. = non-significant.

To seek independent confirmation of these effects, we stimulated Munc18-1 WT and HZ neurons in a new series of experiments with half the number of bursts (eight instead of 16), the same number of APs per burst (50) and the same frequency (50 Hz), followed by the same pattern 30 s later. DCV exocytosis in Munc18-1 HZ neurons was reduced throughout the first 8-burst train-stimulation, by 79% (Fig. 4A–C; Movies 1, 2). During this first 8-burst train-stimulation, the onset of exocytosis events was unaltered in Munc18-1 HZ neurons compared with WT neurons (Fig. 4A,B,D,E). During the subsequent (second) eight-burst train-stimulation, both Munc18-1 WT and HZ neurons showed acceleration of DCV exocytosis compared with the first train-stimulation, indicated by a strong reduction in the median delay of DCV exocytosis relative to the start of the train-stimulation (Fig. 4A,B,D,E). DCV exocytosis was again reduced in HZ neurons during the second stimulation, with a smaller effect size than during the first stimulation (60% reduction; Fig. 4A,B,F; Movies 1, 2), resulting in a median reduction of 69% over the two eight-trains. As a measure for potentiation of DCV exocytosis, the number of exocytosis events during the second stimulation was divided by the number of events during the first stimulation. DCV exocytosis in Munc18-1 HZ neurons showed a potentiation effect during the second train-stimulation, whereas this was absent in WT neurons (Fig. 4G). The total DCV pool was similar between genotypes (Fig. 4H). Consequently, DCV exocytosis normalized by the poolsize was significantly reduced during both stimulations in Munc18-1 HZ neurons (Fig. 4I,J).

Figure 4.

Figure 4.

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Munc18-1 HZ inactivation reduces exocytosis of NPY-pHluorin-labeled DCVs. A, The histogram shows the average number of DCV exocytosis events for Munc18-1 WT (black) and HZ (blue) neurons that were infected with NPY-pHluorin (sample size is indicated as n/N). The blue bars indicate the two stimulation paradigms (8 times 50 APs at 50 Hz). Error bars are SEM. B, Cumulative representation of the data in A. Error bars are SEM. C, The Tukey/scatter plot shows that the number of DCV exocytosis events per cell during the first train-stimulation is decreased in Munc18-1 HZ neurons. Mann–Whitney U test: ***p < 0.001. In this experiment, Munc18-1 WT neurons had higher absolute numbers of DCV exocytosis compared with those in Figure 3. D, Normalized cumulative representation of the data in A. Error bars are SEM. E, The Tukey/scatter plot shows the median delay of DCV exocytosis events, relative to the start of each train-stimulation, for Munc18-1 WT and HZ neurons. The delay within each train-stimulation is similar between Munc18-1 WT and HZ neurons. During the second train-stimulation, in both WT and HZ neurons, the median delay of exocytosis is decreased compared with the first stimulation. Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn's correction: ***p < 0.001, n.s. = non-significant. F, The Tukey/scatter plot shows that the number of DCV exocytosis events per cell during the second train-stimulation is decreased in Munc18-1 HZ neurons. Mann–Whitney U test: **p < 0.01. G, The Tukey/scatter plot shows that the ratio of the number of exocytosis events between the second and first train-stimulation (potentiation) is higher in Munc18-1 HZ neurons. Mann–Whitney U test: **p < 0.01. H, The Tukey/scatter plot shows that Munc18-1 WT and HZ neurons have a similar total pool of DCVs, as revealed by NH4 application. Mann–Whitney U test: n.s. = non-significant. I, The Tukey/scatter plot shows that the number of DCV exocytosis events normalized by the total pool (indicated as release fraction) was decreased in Munc18-1 HZ neurons during the first train-stimulation. Mann–Whitney U test: **p < 0.01. J, The Tukey/scatter plot shows that the number of DCV exocytosis events normalized by the total pool (indicated as release fraction) was decreased in Munc18-1 HZ neurons during the second train-stimulation. Mann–Whitney U test: *p < 0.01.

Movie 1.

NPY-pHluorin-labeled DCV exocytosis events in WT neuron. Neuron was stimulated with two episodes consisting of eight bursts of 50 APs at 50 Hz. The first episode of train-stimulation starts at 30 s, the second stimulation starts 30 s after the end of the first stimulation (which is at 72 s). NPY-pHluorin-labeled DCV exocytosis events are visible as appearing puncta, mostly during the train-stimulations. From 113 s, NH4+ perfusion starts, which dequenches all NPY-pHluorin in acidic compartments, labeling the total DCV pool.

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DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3150-20.2021.video.1
Movie 2.

NPY-pHluorin-labeled DCV exocytosis events in Munc18-1 HZ neuron. Neuron was stimulated with two episodes consisting of eight bursts of 50 APs at 50 Hz. The first episode of train-stimulation starts at 30 s, the second stimulation starts 30 s after the end of the first stimulation (which is at 72 s). NPY-pHluorin-labeled DCV exocytosis events are visible as appearing puncta, mostly during the train-stimulations. From 113 s, NH4+ perfusion starts, which dequenches all NPY-pHluorin in acidic compartments, labeling the total DCV pool.

Download video file (267.1KB, mp4)
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3150-20.2021.video.2

To assess the overall effect of reduced MUNC18-1 expression on DCV exocytosis in both datasets (Figs. 3, 4), we performed a meta-analysis combining the data of the first eight bursts of 50 APs from both experiments. This analysis revealed that DCV exocytosis was reduced by 56% during the first eight bursts of high-frequency stimulation (Fig. 5A–C). The total number of DCVs and the total neurite length were not altered, and as a consequence, DCV exocytosis normalized to the total DCV pool was reduced by 56% (Fig. 5D–F). Taken together, these data show that HZ inactivation of Munc18-1 decreased DCV exocytosis, with a relatively stronger effect during the first stimulation, while acceleration of DCV exocytosis during the second stimulation stayed intact.

Figure 5.

Figure 5.

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Meta-analysis: Munc18-1 HZ inactivation reduces DCV exocytosis. A, The histogram shows the average number of DCV exocytosis events of Munc18-1 WT (black) and HZ (blue) neurons infected with NPY-pHluorin (sample size is indicated as n/N), during the first eight bursts of high-frequency train-stimulation (combined meta-analysis of datasets from Figs. 3, 4). Error bars are SEM. B, Cumulative representation of the data in A. Error bars are SEM. C, The Tukey/scatter plot shows that the number of DCV exocytosis events is decreased in Munc18-1 HZ neurons during the first eight bursts of high-frequency train-stimulation. Mann–Whitney U test: ***p < 0.001. D, The Tukey/scatter plot shows the total number of DCVs for Munc18-1 WT and HZ neurons, revealed by NH4+superfusion. Mann–Whitney U test: n.s. = non-significant. E, The Tukey/scatter plot shows the total neurite length of Munc18-1 WT and HZ neurons. Mann–Whitney U test: n.s. = non-significant. F, The Tukey/scatter plot shows that the number of DCV exocytosis events normalized by the poolsize (indicated as release fraction) is reduced in Munc18-1 HZ neurons during the first eight bursts of high-frequency train-stimulation. Mann–Whitney U test: p < 0.001.

Finally, to test whether the reduction of DCV exocytosis in Munc18-1 HZ neurons generalizes to different DCV cargo types, we used the neurotrophin release reporter BDNF-pHluorin as an alternative DCV cargo. The total number of BDNF-pHluorin exocytosis events in both genotypes was at least twice as high as with NPY-pHluorin (Figs. 4A,B,C,F, 6A–D). Munc18-1 HZ neurons expressing BDNF-pHluorin and stimulated with two episodes of eight-burst train-stimulation of 50 APs at 50 Hz showed a 36% reduced DCV exocytosis during the first stimulation, with a similar, albeit smaller, effect during the second stimulation (Fig. 6A–D), resulting in a median reduction of 43% over the two eight-trains compared with WT. Exocytosis in Munc18-1 HZ neurons was potentiated during the second train-stimulation, whereas this effect was absent in WT neurons (Fig. 6E). The acceleration of release during the second eight-train was similar to the previous experiment using NPY-pHluorin and similar for both genotypes (Fig. 6F,G). The total DCV pool was again similar between experimental groups and consequently DCV exocytosis normalized to the total pool was reduced during the first stimulation, but less pronounced during the second stimulation (Fig. 6H–J). Hence, HZ inactivation of Munc18-1 and a 50% reduced protein level decreased DCV exocytosis substantially, independent of DCV cargo, with a relatively stronger effect during the first stimulation.

Figure 6.

Figure 6.

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HZ inactivation of Munc18-1 reduces exocytosis of BDNF-pHluorin-labeled DCVs. A, The histogram shows the average number of DCV exocytosis events for Munc18-1 WT (black) and HZ (magenta) neurons infected with BDNF-pHluorin (sample size is indicated as n/N). The blue bars indicate the two stimulation paradigms (8 times 50 APs at 50 Hz). Error bars are SEM. B, Cumulative representation of the data in A. Error bars are SEM. C, The Tukey/scatter plot shows that the total number of DCV exocytosis events during the first train-stimulation is decreased in Munc18-1 HZ neurons. Mann–Whitney U test: *p < 0.05. D, The Tukey/scatter plot shows the total number of DCV exocytosis events during the second train-stimulation for Munc18-1 WT and HZ neurons. Mann–Whitney U test: n.s. = non-significant. E, The Tukey/scatter plot shows that the ratio of the number of exocytosis events between the second and first train-stimulation (potentiation) is higher in Munc18-1 HZ neurons. Mann–Whitney U test: *p < 0.05. F, Normalized cumulative representation of the data in A. Error bars are SEM. G, The Tukey/scatter plot shows the median delay of BDNF-pHluorin-labeled DCV exocytosis events relative to the start of each train-stimulation for Munc18-1 WT and HZ neurons. The delay within each train-stimulation is similar between Munc18-1 WT and HZ neurons. In both WT and HZ neurons, the median delay of exocytosis is decreased during the second train-stimulation compared with the first. Kruskal–Wallis with Dunn's correction: ***p < 0.001, n.s. = non-significant. H, The Tukey/scatter plot shows that the total pool of DCVs per cell, revealed by NH4 application, is similar for Munc18-1 WT and HZ neurons. Mann–Whitney U test: ns = non-significant. I, The Tukey/scatter plot shows that the number of DCV exocytosis events normalized by the total pool (indicated as release fraction) is decreased in Munc18-1 HZ neurons during the first train-stimulation. Mann–Whitney U test: *p < 0.05. J, The Tukey/scatter plot shows the number of DCV exocytosis events normalized by the total pool (indicated as release fraction) for Munc18-1 WT and HZ neurons during the second train-stimulation. Mann–Whitney U test: n.s. = non-significant.

Discussion

Here, we report that MUNC18-1 is essential for DCV exocytosis in hippocampal neurons. Live imaging of fluorescent reporters showed that Munc18-1 inactivation abolished neuropeptide release. Expression of paralogs MUNC18-2 or MUNC18-3 did restore cell viability but not DCV exocytosis. Furthermore, Munc18-1 HZ inactivation impaired DCV exocytosis. Hence, neurons critically and selectively depend on MUNC18-1 for DCV exocytosis.

We previously showed that neurotransmitter secretion critically depends on MUNC18-1 (Verhage et al., 2000). Our current data demonstrates that this is also true for neuropeptide secretion (Figs. 1, 2). SVs and DCVs share many other components of their exocytosis machinery (van de Bospoort et al., 2012; Cao et al., 2013; Südhof, 2013; Farina et al., 2015; Shimojo et al., 2015; Arora et al., 2017; Persoon et al., 2019; Hoogstraaten et al., 2020); however, several properties are strikingly different. DCVs require a much higher number of APs to trigger exocytosis and fuse with a much longer delay after the start of stimulation (Zucker, 1973; Rosenmund et al., 1993; Murthy et al., 1997; Persoon et al., 2018). Additionally, while SV exocytosis is generally confined to specialized presynaptic release sites (active zones), DCVs exocytosis frequently occurs at non-synaptic locations (Südhof and Rizo, 2011; van de Bospoort et al., 2012; Persoon et al., 2018) and synaptic DCV exocytosis may be outside the active zone. It is puzzling that the only mechanistic difference for the final stages of either pathways is the critical requirement of RAB3A in DCV but not SV exocytosis (Schlüter et al., 2004, 2006; Persoon et al., 2018). This seems insufficient to explain the strikingly different properties of the two pathways.

Endogenous expression of Munc18-2 and Munc18-3 is insufficient to support neuronal viability, synaptic transmission or DCV exocytosis in Munc18-1 null neurons (Fig. 1; Santos et al., 2017; Verhage et al., 2000). Overexpression of MUNC18-2 or MUNC18-3 in Munc18-1 null neurons compensates for the absence of MUNC18-1 and restores viability, but does not support synaptic transmission or DCV exocytosis (Fig. 2; He et al., 2017; Santos et al., 2017). Hence, MUNC18-1 is the only MUNC18 paralog capable of supporting neuropeptide and neurotransmitter release in mouse CNS neurons. Likewise, only one SM-protein (MUNC18-2) mediates secretion from several blood cell types (Côte et al., 2009; Hackmann et al., 2013; Gutierrez et al., 2018; Cardenas et al., 2019), and different MUNC18 paralogs support distinct phases of secretion in the pancreas and lung (Oh and Thurmond, 2009; Oh et al., 2012; Lam et al., 2013; Jaramillo et al., 2019). Conversely, overexpression of MUNC18-2 in Munc18-1 null chromaffin cells partly rescues DCV exocytosis (Gulyás-Kovács et al., 2007). Hence, with few exceptions, SM-proteins have highly specialized roles in different forms of regulated secretion, with little or no redundancy among its paralogs. In contrast, the (unknown) function of MUNC18-1 in neuronal viability (Santos et al., 2017) as well as its role in regulating the actin cytoskeleton (Pons-Vizcarra et al., 2019), show ample redundancy among SM-proteins.

We previously showed synaptic assembly of the brain and cortical layering in the absence of synaptic transmission in Munc18-1null mice (Verhage et al., 2000). Our current data suggest that in Munc18-1 null brains, secretion of neuropeptides, neurotrophic factors, and axon guidance molecules from DCVs may be defective as well, implying that synaptic assembly and cortical layering do not require both secretory pathways. However, we cannot exclude that other, MUNC18-1 independent, secretion pathways may play a role during early brain development. Furthermore, one study recently challenged the conclusion that MUNC18-1 is dispensable for cortical layering of the brain, using more transient interference with MUNC18-1 expression in a small fraction of developing neurons (Hamada et al., 2017). Such a role in brain development may be supported by DCV exocytosis, e.g., by BDNF release (Schwartz et al., 1997; Borghesani et al., 2002; Medina et al., 2004; Zhou et al., 2007).

Neuropeptide/neurotrophin signaling is also associated with at least two other aspects of brain development. First, NPY and BDNF promote neural stem cell proliferation and differentiation during development (Hansel et al., 2001; Zhang et al., 2011; Chen et al., 2013). Second, BDNF signaling promotes layer-specific branching of callosal axons in vivo(Shimojo et al., 2015) and self-amplifying BDNF signaling underlies axonal differentiation and growth in vitro(Cheng et al., 2011). Therefore, it seems plausible that neuropeptides/neurotrophins are released during early brain development in Munc18-1 null mice, potentially via constitutive secretion.

BDNF-pHluorin and NPY-pHluorin label a largely overlapping population of DCVs (De Wit et al., 2009; Persoon et al., 2018), but NPY-pHluorin exocytosis events in WT neurons occurred 50% less frequently than BDNF-pHluorin events on the same stimulation (Figs. 4, 6). Numbers of NPY-pHluorin-labeled or BDNF-pHluorin-labeled DCVs were similar (Figs. 4, 6). NPY is inhibits synaptic transmission (Raposinho et al., 1999; Tschenett et al., 2003), while BDNF stimulates spontaneous and evoked synaptic transmission (Collin et al., 2001; Tartaglia et al., 2001; Tyler and Pozzo-Miller, 2001; Shinoda et al., 2014). Our data suggest that NPY and BDNF exert a similar effect on DCV exocytosis.

We observed a different effect size between two datasets obtained with NPY-pHluorin (Figs. 3, 4), possibly because of differences in culture conditions (supplements, coatings). However, meta-analysis on both data-sets shows clearly reduced DCV exocytosis on HZ Munc18-1 inactivation (Fig. 5). To confirm this conclusion with an independent line of evidence, we used DCV exocytosis marker BDNF-pHluorin, and also observed reduced DCV exocytosis in Munc18-1 HZ neurons (Fig. 6). Hence,HZ Munc18-1 inactivation reduces DCV exocytosis almost proportionally, by 36–56% (Figs. 6, 4, respectively), while protein levels are 50% reduced (Verhage et al., 2000; Toonen et al., 2005, 2006b; Lee et al., 2019). In contrast, HZ Munc18-1 inactivation barely affected chromaffin cell secretion, although docking was ∼3-fold reduced (Toonen et al., 2006a), and hippocampal synapses from Munc18-1 HZ mice had a normal first evoked response (Toonen et al., 2006b). This suggests that DCV exocytosis is generally more vulnerable to reduced MUNC18-1 protein levels than other regulated secretion pathways. However, specific synapses in the brains of Munc18-1 HZ mice did show substantial impairments, a 40% reduction in synaptic transmission in synapses between neocortical neurons and striatal fast spiking interneurons (Miyamoto et al., 2019) and 45% in synapses between PV interneurons and pyramidal neurons (Chen et al., 2020).

Normal MUNC18-1 expression levels are especially required during the high initial rate of DCV exocytosis, which is ∼5 times higher than in later phases (Fig. 3; Arora et al., 2017; Persoon et al., 2018, 2019; Hoogstraaten et al., 2020). In contrast, Munc18-1 HZ chromaffin cells and synapses showed the largest effects during later phases of release (Toonen et al., 2006a,b; Miyamoto et al., 2019), albeit using different stimulation paradigms. It is tempting to speculate that the MUNC18-1-dependent rate-limiting step in the secretory pathway (probably docking/priming and setting up trans-SNARE-complexes) has already taken place before the onset of stimulation in chromaffin cells and synapses, while for neuronal DCVs this occurs after the onset. Such a scenario may help to explain why neuronal DCV exocytosis is so much slower than SV exocytosis and why the initial secretion response in synapses and chromaffin cells is hardly affected by reduced MUNC18-1 expression.

In dual train-stimulated neurons (two episodes of 8 × 50 APs), NPY-pHluorin and BDNF-pHluorin exocytosis events were accelerated at the onset of the second stimulation compared with the first (Figs. 4, 6). To our knowledge, such an acceleration of neuronal DCV exocytosis has not been reported before. Munc18-1 HZ inactivation did not affect this acceleration (Figs. 4, 6). Hence, normal MUNC18-1 expression levels are not required for the acceleration of DCV exocytosis during a second train-stimulation. However, neurons with a reduced MUNC18-1 level, but not WT neurons, show potentiation of DCV exocytosis during the second train-stimulation (Figs. 4, 6). Potentiation of DCV exocytosis during dual stimulation has also been observed in (WT) Drosophila neuromuscular junctions, where ER-mediated calcium release elevates neuropeptide release via CaMKII during a second stimulation episode (Shakiryanova et al., 2007). However, mouse neuronal DCV exocytosis is normal in the absence of both α and β CaMKII (Moro et al., 2020), suggesting that a possible potentiation mechanism does not depend on CaMKII in mouse neurons.

This study shows that neuronal DCV exocytosis is particularly vulnerable to reduced MUNC18-1 expression levels. This finding may be relevant for STXBP1 syndrome, which is caused by mutations in the human STXBP1 gene (encoding for MUNC18-1) and characterized by developmental delay, intellectual disability, often epilepsy, motor abnormalities and sometimes also autistic traits (Saitsu et al., 2008; Stamberger et al., 2016; Abramov et al., 2020). Haploinsufficiency, because of impaired MUNC18-1/STXBP1 protein stability and consequently reduced cellular levels, is considered to explain the disease in most cases (Guiberson et al., 2018; Kovacevic et al., 2018; Verhage and Sørensen, 2020). Munc18-1 HZ mice recapitulate the major hallmarks of STXBP1 syndrome (Kovacevic et al., 2018; Miyamoto et al., 2019; Chen et al., 2020). Impaired neuropeptide secretion may contribute, in addition to reduced synaptic transmission, to the behavioral and neurodevelopmental phenotypes in Munc18-1 HZ mice and the pathogenesis of STXBP1 syndrome.

Footnotes

This work was supported by the ERC Advanced Grant 322966 of the European Union (to M.V.). We thank RobbertZalm for cloning and producing viral particles, Lisa Laan and Desiree Schut for producing glia island cultures and providing primary culture assistance, Joke Wortel for organizing the animal breeding, Joost Hoetjes for genotyping, JurjenBroeke for technical support, Ingrid Saarloos for Western blottings, and members of the Center for Neurogenomics and Cognitive Research DCV team for discussions and helpful input.

The authors declare no competing financial interests.

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Associated Data

This section collects any data citations, data availability statements, or supplementary materials included in this article.

Supplementary Materials

Movie 1.

NPY-pHluorin-labeled DCV exocytosis events in WT neuron. Neuron was stimulated with two episodes consisting of eight bursts of 50 APs at 50 Hz. The first episode of train-stimulation starts at 30 s, the second stimulation starts 30 s after the end of the first stimulation (which is at 72 s). NPY-pHluorin-labeled DCV exocytosis events are visible as appearing puncta, mostly during the train-stimulations. From 113 s, NH4+ perfusion starts, which dequenches all NPY-pHluorin in acidic compartments, labeling the total DCV pool.

Download video file (271.2KB, mp4)
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3150-20.2021.video.1
Movie 2.

NPY-pHluorin-labeled DCV exocytosis events in Munc18-1 HZ neuron. Neuron was stimulated with two episodes consisting of eight bursts of 50 APs at 50 Hz. The first episode of train-stimulation starts at 30 s, the second stimulation starts 30 s after the end of the first stimulation (which is at 72 s). NPY-pHluorin-labeled DCV exocytosis events are visible as appearing puncta, mostly during the train-stimulations. From 113 s, NH4+ perfusion starts, which dequenches all NPY-pHluorin in acidic compartments, labeling the total DCV pool.

Download video file (267.1KB, mp4)
DOI: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3150-20.2021.video.2

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