scholarly journals Developmental restoration of LTP deficits in heterozygous CaMKIIα KO mice

2016 ◽  
Vol 116 (5) ◽  
pp. 2140-2151 ◽  
Author(s):  
Dayton J. Goodell ◽  
Tim A. Benke ◽  
K. Ulrich Bayer
Keyword(s):  
Working Memory ◽  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Paired Pulse ◽  
Paired Pulse Facilitation ◽  
Adult Mice ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
Strength And Plasticity ◽  
Basal Synaptic Transmission

The Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a major mediator of long-term potentiation (LTP) and depression (LTD), two opposing forms of synaptic plasticity underlying learning, memory and cognition. The heterozygous CaMKIIα isoform KO (CaMKIIα+/−) mice have a schizophrenia-related phenotype, including impaired working memory. Here, we examined synaptic strength and plasticity in two brain areas implicated in working memory, hippocampus CA1 and medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC). Young CaMKIIα+/− mice (postnatal days 12–16; corresponding to a developmental stage well before schizophrenia manifestation in humans) showed impaired hippocampal CA1 LTP. However, this LTP impairment normalized over development and was no longer detected in older CaMKIIα+/− mice (postnatal weeks 9–11; corresponding to young adults). By contrast, the CaMKIIα+/− mice failed to show the developmental increase of basal synaptic transmission in the CA1 seen in wild-type (WT) mice, resulting in impaired basal synaptic transmission in the older CaMKIIα+/− mice. Other electrophysiological parameters were normal, including mPFC basal transmission, LTP, and paired-pulse facilitation, as well as CA1 LTD, depotentiation, and paired-pulse facilitation at either age tested. Hippocampal CaMKIIα levels were ∼60% of WT in both the older CaMKIIα+/− mice and in the younger WT mice, resulting in ∼30% of adult WT expression in the younger CaMKIIα+/− mice; levels in frontal cortex were the same as in hippocampus. Thus, in young mice, ∼30% of adult CaMKIIα expression is sufficient for normal LTD and depotentiation, while normal LTP requires higher levels, with ∼60% of CaMKIIα expression sufficient for normal LTP in adult mice.

Modulation of synaptic transmission and long-term potentiation: effects on paired pulse facilitation and EPSC variance in the CA1 region of the hippocampus

1993 ◽  
Vol 70 (4) ◽  
pp. 1451-1459 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. Manabe ◽  
D. J. Wyllie ◽  
D. J. Perkel ◽  
R. A. Nicoll
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Pyramidal Cells ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Similar Amount ◽  
Stimulus Strength ◽  
Paired Pulse ◽  
Paired Pulse Facilitation ◽  
Epsc Amplitude ◽  
Term Potentiation

1. Whole-cell patch-clamp recordings of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) were made from guinea pig hippocampal CA1 pyramidal cells. The sensitivity of paired pulse facilitation (PPF) and EPSC variance to changes in synaptic transmission was investigated and the results were compared with the changes in these parameters evoked by long-term potentiation (LTP). 2. Presynaptic manipulations, such as activation of presynaptic gamma-aminobutyric acid-B receptors by baclofen, blockade of presynaptic adenosine receptors by theophylline, blockade of presynaptic potassium channels by cesium, and increasing the Ca(2+)-Mg2+ ratio in the external recording solution, each reliably changed PPF in a fashion reciprocal to the change in the EPSC amplitude. However, recruitment of additional synaptic release sites by increasing stimulus strength and antagonism of non-N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) glutamate receptors by 6-cyano-7-nitroquinoxaline-2,3-dione (CNQX) failed to alter PPF. 3. Presynaptic manipulations including increased stimulus strength gave the predicted changes in the value of mean 2/variance (M2/sigma 2). Moreover, postsynaptic manipulations that altered EPSC amplitude, including blockade of non-NMDA receptors by CNQX, or changing the holding potential of the postsynaptic cell, gave little change in M2/sigma 2, as would be predicted for manipulations resulting in a uniform postsynaptic change. 4. LTP caused no change in PPF, whereas the presynaptic manipulations, which caused a similar amount of potentiation to that induced by LTP, significantly decreased PPF. On the other hand, LTP did increase M2/sigma 2, although the increase was less than that predicted for a purely presynaptic mechanism.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)

Attenuation of Paired-Pulse Facilitation Associated With Synaptic Potentiation Mediated by Postsynaptic Mechanisms

1997 ◽  
Vol 78 (5) ◽  
pp. 2707-2716 ◽  
Author(s):  
Jin-Hui Wang ◽  
Paul T. Kelly
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Signaling Pathways ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Synaptic Potentiation ◽  
Paired Pulse ◽  
Paired Pulse Facilitation ◽  
Dependent Protein

Wang, Jin-Hui and Paul T. Kelly. Attenuation of paired-pulse facilitation associated with synaptic potentiation mediated by postsynaptic mechanisms. J. Neurophysiol. 78: 2707–2716, 1997. The relationship between paired-pulse facilitation (PPF) and synaptic potentiation induced by various protocols and their cellular and molecular mechanisms were examined by extracellular field potential and current- or voltage-clamp recordings at CA1 synapses in rat hippocampal slices. Microelectrodes were used for both intracellular recordings and injections of modulators of calcium (Ca2+) and Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM) signaling pathways into postsynaptic neurons. Basal synaptic transmission was not accompanied by changes in PPF. Tetanic stimulation induced long-term potentiation (LTP) of synaptic transmission and attenuated PPF. Experiments stimulating two independent Schaffer collateral/commisural(S/C) pathways showed that PPF attenuation and tetanus-LTP were pathway specific. Postsynaptic injections of pseudosubstrate inhibitors of CaM-dependent protein kinase II and protein kinase C (CaM-KII/PKC), [Ala286]CaMKII286–302 plus PKC19–31, almost completely attenuated tetanus-LTP and reversed PPF attenuation but did not affect synaptic transmission and PPF under basal conditions. Postsynaptic injections of heparin and dantrolene (inhibitors of IP3 and ryanodine receptors at intracellular Ca2+ stores) prevented tetanus-LTP induction and PPF attenuation. Postsynaptic injections of calcineurin (CaN) inhibitors, CaN autoinhibitory peptide (CaN-AIP) or FK-506, enhanced synaptic transmission and decreased PPF. CaN-inhibited synaptic potentiation and PPF attenuation were unaffected by d(-)-a-Amino-5-phosphonopentanoic, but blocked by coinjecting 1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)-ethane- N,N,N′,N′-tetraacetic acid, heparin plus dantrolene, calmodulin-binding peptide, or [Ala286]CaMKII281–302 plus PKC19–31. PPFattenuation associated with tetanus-LTP or CaN-inhibited synaptic potentiation resulted from smaller increases in the potentiation of the second synaptic responses (R2) compared with the potentiation of the first responses (R1). Our results indicate that PPF attenuation is associated with synaptic potentiation mediated by postsynaptic mechanisms, and postsynaptic Ca2+/CaM signaling pathways play a dual role in synaptic plasticity. CaN activity limits synaptic transmission under basal conditions, whereas the activation of Ca2+-dependent protein kinases enhances synaptic transmission and attenuates PPF at central synapses.

scholarly journals Pre- and Postnatal Propylthiouracil-Induced Hypothyroidism Impairs Synaptic Transmission and Plasticity in Area CA1 of the Neonatal Rat Hippocampus

Endocrinology ◽  
2003 ◽  
Vol 144 (9) ◽  
pp. 4195-4203 ◽  
Author(s):  
Li Sui ◽  
M. E. Gilbert
Keyword(s):  
Thyroid Hormone ◽  
Synaptic Transmission ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Learning Deficits ◽  
Paired Pulse ◽  
Area Ca1 ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Paired Pulse Depression

Abstract Thyroid hormones are essential for neonatal brain development. It is well established that insufficiency of thyroid hormone during critical periods of development can impair cognitive functions. The mechanisms that underlie learning deficits in hypothyroid animals, however, are not well understood. As impairments in synaptic function are likely to contribute to cognitive deficits, the current study tested whether thyroid hormone insufficiency during development would alter quantitative characteristics of synaptic function in the hippocampus. Developing rats were exposed in utero and postnatally to 0, 3, or 10 ppm propylthiouracil (PTU), a thyroid hormone synthesis inhibitor, administered in the drinking water of dams from gestation d 6 until postnatal day (PN) 30. Excitatory postsynaptic potentials and population spikes were recorded from the stratum radiatum and the pyramidal cell layer, respectively, in area CA1 of hippocampal slices from offspring between PN21 and PN30. Baseline synaptic transmission was evaluated by comparing input-output relationships between groups. Paired-pulse facilitation, paired-pulse depression, long-term potentiation, and long-term depression were recorded to examine short- and long-term synaptic plasticity. PTU reduced thyroid hormones, reduced body weight gain, and delayed eye-opening in a dose-dependent manner. Excitatory synaptic transmission was increased by developmental exposure to PTU. Thyroid hormone insufficiency was also dose-dependently associated with a reduction paired-pulse facilitation and long-term potentiation of the excitatory postsynaptic potential and elimination of paired-pulse depression of the population spike. The results indicate that thyroid hormone insufficiency compromises the functional integrity of synaptic communication in area CA1 of developing rat hippocampus and suggest that these changes may contribute to learning deficits associated with developmental hypothyroidism.

Developmental increase in CA3-CA1 presynaptic function in the hippocampal slice

1995 ◽  
Vol 73 (5) ◽  
pp. 1821-1828 ◽  
Author(s):  
T. C. Dumas ◽  
T. C. Foster
Keyword(s):  
Hippocampal Slices ◽  
Age Groups ◽  
Extracellular Recording ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Developmental Differences ◽  
Excitatory Postsynaptic Potential ◽  
Paired Pulse ◽  
Paired Pulse Facilitation ◽  
Presynaptic Function ◽  
Term Potentiation

1. We recorded extracellular and intracellular CA3-CA1 synaptic responses in hippocampal slices from neonatal rats [postnatal day (P) 15-21 and P29-35]. Presynaptic function was examined by measuring input-output relationships and paired-pulse facilitation and by quantal analysis of minimally evoked responses. 2. Extracellular recording revealed no difference in excitatory postsynaptic potential (EPSP) threshold or the fiber potential response for a given stimulus intensity between the two age groups. However, the slope of the field EPSP was consistently larger in older animals. The increase in EPSP slope was associated with a decrease in paired-pulse facilitation, suggesting an increase in presynaptic function with postnatal development. 3. Extracellular results were confirmed by intracellular recordings that revealed no difference in the minimal stimulation intensity needed to evoke a response, an increase in mean EPSP amplitude with development, and a decrease in paired-pulse facilitation. Quantal parameters were extracted by three separate methods including method of failures, coefficient of variance, and parameter optimization through noise deconvolution. All methods supported presynaptic mediation of facilitation. Comparison of quantal parameters during development indicated an increase in mean quantal content. 4. The results demonstrate that synaptic strength is altered over the course of development because of, at least in part, changes in presynaptic release mechanisms. Developmental differences in presynaptic function provide an explanation of differences in mechanisms for expression of long-term potentiation. The lower initial probability of transmitter release in neonates may permit increased presynaptic change.

scholarly journals Inducible molecular switches for the study of long-term potentiation

2003 ◽  
Vol 358 (1432) ◽  
pp. 797-804 ◽  
Author(s):  
Gaël Hédou ◽  
Isabelle M. Mansuy
Keyword(s):  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Knock Out ◽  
Technical Developments ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Dependent Protein ◽  
Strength And Plasticity ◽  
Regulated Gene Expression ◽  
Molecular Bases

This article reviews technical and conceptual advances in unravelling the molecular bases of long-term potentiation (LTP), learning and memory using genetic approaches. We focus on studies aimed at testing a model suggesting that protein kinases and protein phosphatases balance each other to control synaptic strength and plasticity. We describe how gene ‘knock-out’ technology was initially exploited to disrupt the Ca 2+ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II α (CaMKII α ) gene and how refined knock-in techniques later allowed an analysis of the role of distinct phosphorylation sites in CaMKII. Further to gene recombination, regulated gene expression using the tetracycline-controlled transactivator and reverse tetracycline-controlled transactivator systems, a powerful new means for modulating the activity of specific molecules, has been applied to CaMKII α and the opposing protein phosphatase calcineurin. Together with electro-physiological and behavioural evaluation of the engineered mutant animals, these genetic methodologies have helped gain insight into the molecular mechanisms of plasticity and memory. Further technical developments are, however, awaited for an even higher level of finesse.

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