Reduced TDP-43 Expression Improves Neuronal Activities in a Drosophila Model of Perry Syndrome

Parkinsonian Perry syndrome, involving mutations in the dynein motor component dynactin or p150(Glued), is characterized by TDP-43 pathology in affected brain regions, including the substantia nigra. However, the molecular relationship between p150(Glued) and TDP-43 is largely unknown. Here, we report that a reduction in TDP-43 protein levels alleviates the synaptic defects of neurons expressing the Perry mutant p150(G50R) in Drosophila. Dopaminergic expression of p150(G50R), which decreases dopamine release, disrupts motor ability and reduces the lifespan of Drosophila. p150(G50R) expression also causes aggregation of dense core vesicles (DCVs), which contain monoamines and neuropeptides, and disrupts the axonal flow of DCVs, thus decreasing synaptic strength. The above phenotypes associated with Perry syndrome are improved by the removal of a copy of Drosophila TDP-43 TBPH, thus suggesting that the stagnation of axonal transport by dynactin mutations promotes TDP-43 aggregation and interferes with the dynamics of DCVs and synaptic activities. (C) 2017 The Author(s). Published by Elsevier B.V.