Restoration of Sarco/Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca-ATPase Activity Functions as a Pivotal Therapeutic Target of Anti-Glutamate-Induced Excitotoxicity to Attenuate Endoplasmic Reticulum Ca Depletion

Glutamate-induced excitotoxicity is a pathological basis of many acute/chronic neurodegenerative diseases. Sarco/endoplasmic reticulum Ca-ATPase (SERCA2b) is a membrane-embedded P-type ATPase pump that manages the translocation of calcium ions (Ca) from cytosol into the lumen of the endoplasmic reticulum (ER) calcium stores. It participates in a wide range of biological functions in the central nervous system (CNS). However, the role of SERCA2b in glutamate-induced excitotoxicity and its mechanism must be elucidated. Herein, we demonstrate that SERCA2b mutants exacerbate the excitotoxicity of hypo-glutamate stimulation on HT22 cells. In this study, SERCA2b mutants accelerated Ca depletion through loss-of-function (reduced pumping capacity) or gain-of-function (acquired leakage), resulting in ER stress. In addition, the occurrence of ER Ca depletion increased mitochondria-associated membrane formation, which led to mitochondrial Ca overload and dysfunction. Moreover, the enhancement of SERCA2b pumping capacity or inhibition of Ca leakage attenuated Ca depletion and impeded excitotoxicity in response to hypo-glutamate stimulation. In conclusion, SERCA2b mutants exacerbate ER Ca-depletion-mediated excitotoxicity in glutamate-sensitive HT22 cells. The mechanism of disruption is mainly related to the heterogeneity of SERCA2b mutation sites. Stabilization of SRECA2b function is a critical therapeutic approach against glutamate-induced excitotoxicity. These data will expand understanding of organelle regulatory networks and facilitate the discovery and creation of drugs against excitatory/inhibitory imbalance in the CNS.