Semaphorin3A Drives AMPA Receptor Subunit GluR2 to Dendrites

Sema3A, a repulsive guidance molecule, also facilitates axodendritic transport. Here we show that Sema3A induces facilitation of axodendritic transport via electrical signals and drives AMPA receptor GluR2 to dendrites. Local application of Sema3A at axonal growth cone facilitates axodendritic transport in hippocampal neurons. This response was mediated by the activities of L-type calcium channels, ryanodine receptors, and tetrodotoxin-sensitive sodium channels. We also found that GluR2 along with GRIP1 were accumulated in neurites of Sema3A-treated hippocampal neurons. Time-lapse imaging using EGFP-GRIP1 shows that local application of Sema3A at axonal growth cone enhances the transport of GRIP1 at dendrite, suggesting that the transport of GRIP1 is induced by Sema3A signaling propagated from axonal growth cone. Concordantly, the expression level of GluR2 and GRIP1 in stratum lacunosum-moleculare was decreased in the sema3A-deficient hippocampus. Our results identify a novel mechanism and physiological roles of Sema3A-induced axodendritic transport.