Copine-6 is a Ca ²⁺ sensor for activity-induced AMPA receptor exocytosis

The recruitment of synaptic AMPA (α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid) receptors underlies the strengthening of neuronal connectivity during learning and memory. This process is triggered by NMDA ( N -methyl- D -aspartate) receptor-dependent postsynaptic Ca ²⁺ influx. Synaptotagmin (Syt)-1 and −7 have been proposed as Ca ²⁺ -sensors for AMPA receptor exocytosis, but are functionally redundant. Here we identify a cytosolic C2 domain-containing Ca ²⁺ -binding protein Copine-6 that forms a complex with AMPA receptors. Loss of Copine-6 expression impairs activity-induced exocytosis of AMPA receptors in primary hippocampal neurons, which is rescued by wild-type Copine-6, but not Ca ²⁺ -binding mutants. In contrast, Copine-6 loss-of-function has no effects on steady-state expression or tetrodotoxin-induced synaptic upscaling of surface AMPA receptors. Loss of Syt-1/-7 significantly reduces Copine-6 protein expression. Interestingly, overexpression of wild-type Copine-6, but not the Ca ²⁺ -binding mutant, restores activity-dependent exocytosis of AMPA receptors in Syt-1/-7 double-knockdown neurons. We conclude that Copine-6 is a postsynaptic Ca ²⁺ -sensor that mediates AMPA receptor exocytosis during synaptic potentiation.