A Peptide Uncoupling BDNF Receptor TrkB from Phospholipase Cγ1 Prevents Epilepsy Induced by Status Epilepticus

The BDNF receptor tyrosine kinase, TrkB, underlies nervous system function in both health and disease. Excessive activation of TrkB caused by status epilepticus promotes development of temporal lobe epilepsy (TLE), revealing TrkB as a therapeutic target for prevention of TLE. To circumvent undesirable consequences of global inhibition of TrkB signaling, we implemented a novel strategy aimed at selective inhibition of the TrkB-activated signaling pathway responsible for TLE. Our studies of a mouse model reveal that phospholipase Cγ1 (PLCγ1) is the dominant signaling effector by which excessive activation of TrkB promotes epilepsy. We designed a novel peptide (pY816) that uncouples TrkB from PLCγ1. Treatment with pY816 following status epilepticus inhibited TLE and prevented anxiety-like disorder yet preserved neuroprotective effects of endogenous TrkB signaling. We provide proof-of-concept evidence for a novel strategy targeting receptor tyrosine signaling and identify a therapeutic with promise for prevention of TLE caused by status epilepticus in humans. •Genetic inhibition of TrkB-mediated PLCγ1 signaling inhibits status epilepticus•pY816, a novel peptide, selectively inhibits TrkB-mediated activation of PLCγ1•Treatment with pY816 initiated after status epilepticus prevents temporal lobe epilepsy•pY816 prevents epilepsy while preserving neuroprotective effects of TrkB Lack of preventive therapies for common disorders of the nervous system constitutes a major unmet medical need. Gu et al. report a novel strategy targeting receptor tyrosine kinase signaling and identify a therapeutic for prevention of temporal lobe epilepsy.