Calmodulin Triggers Activity-Dependent rRNA Biogenesis via Interaction with DDX21

Abstract

Protein synthesis in response to neuronal activity, known as activity-dependent translation, is critical for synaptic plasticity and memory formation. However, the signaling cascades that couple neuronal activity to the translational events remain elusive. In this study, we identified the role of calmodulin (CaM), a conserved Ca2+-binding protein, in ribosomal RNA (rRNA) biogenesis in neurons. We found the CaM-regulated rRNA synthesis is Ca2+-dependent and necessary for nascent protein synthesis and axon growth in hippocampal neurons. Mechanistically, CaM interacts with nucleolar DEAD (Asp–Glu–Ala–Asp) box RNA helicase (DDX21) in a Ca2+-dependent manner to regulate nascent rRNA transcription within nucleoli. We further found CaM alters the conformation of DDX21 to liberate the DDX21-sequestered RPA194, the catalytic subunit of RNA polymerase I, to facilitate transcription of ribosomal DNA. Using high-throughput screening, we identified the small molecules batefenterol and indacaterol that attenuate the CaM-DDX21 interaction and suppress nascent rRNA synthesis and axon growth in hippocampal neurons. These results unveiled the previously unrecognized role of CaM as a messenger to link the activity-induced Ca2+influx to the nucleolar events essential for protein synthesis. We thus identified the ability of CaM to transmit information to the nucleoli of neurons in response to stimulation.