Astrocyte-to-neuron H2O2 signalling supports long-term memory formation in Drosophila and is impaired in an Alzheimer’s disease model

Abstract

Astrocytes help protect neurons from potential damage caused by reactive oxygen species (ROS). While ROS can also exert beneficial effects, it remains unknown how neuronal ROS signalling is activated during memory formation, and whether astrocytes play a role in this process. Here we discover an astrocyte-to-neuron H₂O₂ signalling cascade in Drosophila that is essential for long-term memory formation. Stimulation of astrocytes by acetylcholine induces an increase in intracellular calcium ions, which triggers the generation of extracellular superoxide (O₂•^–) by astrocytic NADPH oxidase. Astrocyte-secreted superoxide dismutase 3 (Sod3) converts O₂•^– to hydrogen peroxide (H₂O₂), which is imported into neurons of the olfactory memory centre, the mushroom body, as revealed by in vivo H₂O₂ imaging. Notably, Sod3 activity requires copper ions, which are supplied by neuronal amyloid precursor protein. We also find that human amyloid-β peptide, implicated in Alzheimer’s disease, inhibits the nAChRα7 astrocytic cholinergic receptor and impairs memory formation by preventing H₂O₂ synthesis. These findings may have important implications for understanding the aetiology of Alzheimer’s disease.