Sphingomyelinase as modulator of neuromuscular transmission via presynaptic mechanism
Authors: Gafurova C. R. , Tsentsevitsky А. N. , Mukhutdinova К. А. , Giniatullin А. R. , Petrov А. М. 
Published: May 2024

Secretory sphingomyelinases are released in response to various types of stress stimuli, including inflammation [1]. Excessive activity and release of these enzymes can be pathological and accelerate age-related neurological changes, neuroinflammation, neurodegenerative disorders, and muscle dysfunction [1–3]. In contrast, sphingomyelinases were detected in areas close to exocytosis sites and dendritic spines, and their inhibition reduced synaptic transmission at both the presynaptic and postsynaptic levels in hippocampal synapses. Deficiency of acid sphingomyelinase results in neurodegenerative Niemann–Pick disease type A. Knockouts of neutral sphingomyelinases in model mice cause motor defects and disorders that resemble the Alzheimer’s disease phenotype [1, 2]. These findings suggest the existence of a mechanism regulating synaptic transmission, which is dependent on sphingomyelinases.
In this study, we examined the impact of neutral sphingomyelinase on neurotransmission in mouse diaphragm muscles using microelectrode recordings of postsynaptic responses, exo-endocytic FM dyes, and fluorescent probes sensitive to membrane properties.
The researchers discovered that adding sphingomyelinase at a low concentration (0.01 u/ml) for 15 minutes causes disruption of the lipid packaging of selectively synaptic membranes. This disruption leads to ceramide accumulation, a decrease in staining with Alexa Fluor 488 cholera toxin subunit B conjugate (a marker of GM1 ganglioside cluster), and a shift to the green part of the F2N12S fluorescence spectrum (an indicator of the expansion of the lipid-disordered phase). Increased fluorescence of 22-NBD-cholesterol, indicating an increase in membrane fluidity, and enhanced incorporation of exogenous ceramide into the outer monolayer were observed in the synaptic membranes. Increasing sphingomyelinase concentration to 0.1 u/ml intensifies changes in synaptic membranes and leads to corresponding alterations in membrane properties in muscle fiber plasmalemma. Subsequent experiments used a synapse-specific effect on membrane properties by applying sphingomyelinase at a low concentration for 15 minutes.
The application of sphingomyelinase did not alter the amplitude and temporal parameters of miniature postsynaptic responses or the resting membrane potential. Additionally, sphingomyelinase (0.01 u/ml) did not change spontaneous secretion and evoked neurotransmitter release in response to single stimuli. However, the activity of sphingomyelinase led to a notable increase in the release of neurotransmitters and the rate of exocytotic unloading of FM dye from synaptic vesicles during nerve stimulation at 10, 20, and 70 Hz frequencies. The effect of sphingomyelinase on neurotransmission potentiation was irreversible and more significant at 10 Hz activity. Experiments involving intermittent nerve stimulation with short bursts of 60 stimuli each at 10 or 20 Hz frequencies, along with brief 0.5-second rest intervals, indicated that sphingomyelinase elevated the short-term facilitation of neurotransmitter release at the onset of each subsequent episode at 10 Hz (but not at 20 Hz) stimulation.
Experiments with a combination of electrophysiological detection of evoked postsynaptic responses, monitoring of exocytotic release of the FM1-43 dye, and the use of FM1-43 fluorescence quencher that penetrates through the fusion pores have demonstrated that a significant portion of synaptic vesicles release the neurotransmitter through the transient fusion pore (kiss-and-run mechanism) during high-frequency (70 Hz) activity [4, 5]. Treatment with sphingomyelinase inhibited the neurotransmitter release pathway. As a consequence, the majority of neurosecretion events went through exocytosis, completely incorporating the vesicular membrane into the presynaptic membrane.
Sphingomyelin in the membranes of presynaptic and synaptic vesicles is believed to have varying functions in regulating neurotransmitter release. To investigate this theory, we stimulated the exo-endocytosis processes of synaptic vesicles using sphingomyelinase, which provided access to the synaptic vesicle membranes. Under these circumstances, the enhancing impact of sphingomyelinase on neurotransmitter release and FM1-43 exocytosis rate were notably inhibited.
Based on the obtained data, we hypothesize that sphingomyelinase disrupts the integrity of lipid rafts and selectively forms ceramide accumulations in synaptic membranes within the muscles at low concentrations. This ultimately leads to an increase in the mobilization of synaptic vesicles towards exocytosis sites during 10–70 Hz activity. Presumably, the synaptic vesicles from a distinct pool, which predominantly mediates the neurotransmission at a frequency of 10 Hz, are the most actively involved in exocytosis under these circumstances. Sphingomyelinase modifies membrane properties and can inhibit the release of neurotransmitters through the fusion pore during high-frequency activity, redirecting exocytosis towards the complete fusion pathway. Hydrolysis of sphingomyelin in both plasma and synaptic vesicle membranes reduces the stimulatory effects of sphingomyelinase, indicating a contrasting role of sphingomyelin in presynaptic and vesicular membranes for controlling neurotransmitter release [5].