scholarly journals Pilocarpine-Induced Status Epilepticus Is Associated with Changes in the Actin-Modulating Protein Synaptopodin and Alterations in Long-Term Potentiation in the Mouse Hippocampus

2017 ◽  
Vol 2017 ◽  
pp. 1-7 ◽  
Author(s):  
Maximilian Lenz ◽  
Marina Ben Shimon ◽  
Thomas Deller ◽  
Andreas Vlachos ◽  
Nicola Maggio
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Status Epilepticus ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Seizure Activity ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Stratum Radiatum ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Term Potentiation

Epilepsy is a complex neurological disorder which can severely affect neuronal function. Some patients may experience status epilepticus, a life-threatening state of ongoing seizure activity associated with postictal cognitive dysfunction. However, the molecular mechanisms by which status epilepticus influences brain function beyond seizure activity remain not well understood. Here, we addressed the question of whether pilocarpine-induced status epilepticus affects synaptopodin (SP), an actin-binding protein, which regulates the ability of neurons to express synaptic plasticity. This makes SP an interesting marker for epilepsy-associated alterations in synaptic function. Indeed, single dose intraperitoneal pilocarpine injection (250 mg/kg) in three-month-old male C57BL/6J mice leads to a rapid reduction in hippocampal SP-cluster sizes and numbers (in CA1 stratum radiatum of the dorsal hippocampus; 90 min after injection). In line with this observation (and previous work using SP-deficient mice), a defect in the ability to induce long-term potentiation (LTP) of Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses is observed. Based on these findings we propose that status epilepticus could exert its aftereffects on cognition at least in part by perturbing SP-dependent mechanisms of synaptic plasticity.

scholarly journals Dissecting the Roles of Kalirin-7/PSD-95/GluN2B Interactions in Different Forms of Synaptic Plasticity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mason L. Yeh ◽  
Jessica R Yasko ◽  
Eric S. Levine ◽  
Betty A. Eipper ◽  
Richard Mains
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Long Term Depression ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Knockout Animals

Abstract Background: Kalirin-7 (Kal7) is a multidomain scaffold and guanine nucleotide exchange factor localized to the postsynaptic density, where Kal7 is crucial for synaptic plasticity. Kal7 knockout mice exhibit marked suppression of long-term potentiation and long-term depression in hippocampus, cerebral cortex and spinal cord, with depressed surface expression of GluN2B receptor subunits and dramatically blunted perception of pain. Kal7 knockout animals show exaggerated locomotor responses to psychostimulants and self-administer cocaine more enthusiastically than wildtype mice. Results: To address the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms which are deranged by loss of Kal7, we infused candidate intracellular interfering peptides to acutely challenge the synaptic function(s) of Kal7 with potential protein binding partners, to determine if plasticity deficits in Kal7-/- mice are the product of developmental processes since conception, or could be produced on a much shorter time scale. We demonstrated that these small intracellular peptides disrupted normal long-term potentiation and long-term depression, strongly suggesting that maintenance of established interactions of Kal7 with PSD-95 and/or GluN2B is crucial to synaptic plasticity. Conclusions: Blockade of the Kal7-GluN2B interaction was most effective at blocking long-term potentiation, but had no effect on long-term depression. Biochemical approaches indicated that Kal7 interacted with PSD-95 at multiple sites within Kal7.

scholarly journals Dissecting the Roles of Kalirin-7/PSD-95/GluN2B Interactions in Different Forms of Synaptic Plasticity

2020 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mason L. Yeh ◽  
Jessica R Yasko ◽  
Eric S. Levine ◽  
Betty A. Eipper ◽  
Richard Mains
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Nucleotide Exchange ◽  
Long Term Depression ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Knockout Animals

Abstract Background: Kalirin-7 (Kal7) is a multidomain scaffold and guanine nucleotide exchange factor localized to the postsynaptic density, where Kal7 is crucial for synaptic plasticity. Kal7 knockout mice exhibit marked suppression of long-term potentiation and long-term depression in hippocampus, cerebral cortex and spinal cord, with depressed surface expression of GluN2B receptor subunits and dramatically blunted perception of pain. Kal7 knockout animals show exaggerated locomotor responses to psychostimulants and self-administer cocaine more enthusiastically than wildtype mice. Results: To explore the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms which are deranged by loss of Kal7, we infused candidate intracellular interfering peptides to acutely challenge the synaptic function(s) of Kal7 with potential protein binding partners, to determine if plasticity deficits in Kal7-/- mice are the product of developmental processes since conception, or could be produced on a much shorter time scale. We demonstrated that these small intracellular peptides disrupted normal long-term potentiation and long-term depression, strongly suggesting that maintenance of established interactions of Kal7 with PSD-95 and/or GluN2B is crucial to synaptic plasticity. Conclusions: Blockade of the Kal7-GluN2B interaction was most effective at blocking long-term potentiation, but had no effect on long-term depression. Biochemical approaches indicated that Kal7 interacted with PSD-95 at multiple sites within Kal7.

scholarly journals High levels of 27-hydroxycholesterol results in synaptic plasticity alterations in the hippocampus

2021 ◽  
Vol 11 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Raul Loera-Valencia ◽  
Erika Vazquez-Juarez ◽  
Alberto Muñoz ◽  
Gorka Gerenu ◽  
Marta Gómez-Galán ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Pyramidal Neurons ◽  
Memory Function ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Cholesterol Homeostasis ◽  
Stratum Radiatum ◽  
Actin Binding ◽  
Ca1 Region ◽  
Hippocampal Ca1 Region ◽  
Term Potentiation

AbstractAlterations in brain cholesterol homeostasis in midlife are correlated with a higher risk of developing Alzheimer’s disease (AD). However, global cholesterol-lowering therapies have yielded mixed results when it comes to slowing down or preventing cognitive decline in AD. We used the transgenic mouse model Cyp27Tg, with systemically high levels of 27-hydroxycholesterol (27-OH) to examine long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampal CA1 region, combined with dendritic spine reconstruction of CA1 pyramidal neurons to detect morphological and functional synaptic alterations induced by 27-OH high levels. Our results show that elevated 27-OH levels lead to enhanced LTP in the Schaffer collateral-CA1 synapses. This increase is correlated with abnormally large dendritic spines in the stratum radiatum. Using immunohistochemistry for synaptopodin (actin-binding protein involved in the recruitment of the spine apparatus), we found a significantly higher density of synaptopodin-positive puncta in CA1 in Cyp27Tg mice. We hypothesize that high 27-OH levels alter synaptic potentiation and could lead to dysfunction of fine-tuned processing of information in hippocampal circuits resulting in cognitive impairment. We suggest that these alterations could be detrimental for synaptic function and cognition later in life, representing a potential mechanism by which hypercholesterolemia could lead to alterations in memory function in neurodegenerative diseases.

scholarly journals Dissecting the Roles of Kalirin-7/PSD95/GluN2B Interactions in Different Forms of Synaptic Plasticity

2019 ◽  
Author(s):  
Mason L. Yeh ◽  
Jessica R. Yasko ◽  
Eric S. Levine ◽  
Betty A. Eipper ◽  
Richard E. Mains
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Knockout Mice ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Postsynaptic Density ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Surface Expression ◽  
Multiple Components ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Knockout Animals

AbstractKalirin-7 (Kal7) is a Rac1/RhoG GEF and multidomain scaffold localized to the postsynaptic density which plays an important role in synaptic plasticity. Behavioral and physiological phenotypes observed in the Kal7 knockout mouse are quite specific: genetics of breeding, growth, strength and coordination are normal; Kal7 knockout animals self-administer cocaine far more than normal mice, show exaggerated locomotor responses to cocaine, but lack changes in dendritic spine morphology seen in wildtype mice; Kal7 knockout mice have depressed surface expression of GluN2B receptor subunits and exhibit marked suppression of long-term potentiation and depression in hippocampus, cerebral cortex, and spinal cord; and Kal7 knockout mice have dramatically blunted perception of pain. To address the underlying cellular and molecular mechanisms which are deranged by loss of Kal7, we administered intracellular blocking peptides to acutely change Kal7 function at the synapse, to determine if plasticity deficits in Kal7-/-mice are the product of developmental processes since conception, or could be detected on a much shorter time scale. We found that specific disruption of the interactions of Kal7 with PSD-95 or GluN2B resulted in significant suppression of long-term potentiation and long-term depression. Biochemical approaches indicated that Kal7 interacted with PSD-95 at multiple sites within Kal7.Graphical Table of ContentsThe postsynaptic density is an integral player in receiving, interpreting and storing signals transmitted by presynaptic terminals. The correct molecular composition is crucial for successful expression of synaptic plasticity. Key components of the postsynaptic density include ligand-gated ion channels, structural and binding proteins, and multidomain scaffolding plus enzymatic proteins. These studies address whether the multiple components of the synaptic density bind together in a static or slowly adapting molecular complex, or whether critical interactions are fluid on a minute-to-minute basis.

scholarly journals Chronic neuronal excitation leads to homeostatic suppression of structural long-term potentiation

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Hiromi H Ueda ◽  
Aiko Sato ◽  
Maki Onda ◽  
Hideji Murakoshi
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Homeostatic Plasticity ◽  
Ca1 Neurons ◽  
Downstream Signaling ◽  
Neuronal Excitation ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Hippocampal Ca1

Synaptic plasticity is long-lasting changes in synaptic currents and structure. When neurons are exposed to signals that induce aberrant neuronal excitation, they increase the threshold for the induction of synaptic plasticity, called homeostatic plasticity. To further understand the homeostatic regulation of synaptic plasticity and its molecular mechanisms, we investigated glutamate uncaging/photoactivatable (pa)CaMKII-dependent sLTP induction in hippocampal CA1 neurons after chronic neuronal excitation by GABAA receptor antagonists. The neuronal excitation suppressed the glutamate uncaging-evoked Ca2+ influx and failed to induce sLTP. Single-spine optogenetic stimulation using paCaMKII also failed to induce sLTP, suggesting that CaMKII downstream signaling is impaired in response to chronic neuronal excitation. Furthermore, while the inhibition of Ca2+ influx was protein synthesis-independent, paCaMKII-induced sLTP depended on it. Our findings demonstrate that chronic neuronal excitation suppresses sLTP in two independent ways (i.e., the inhibitions of Ca2+ influx and CaMKII downstream signaling), which may contribute to the robust neuronal protection in excitable environments.

scholarly journals Mechanisms of heterosynaptic metaplasticity

2014 ◽  
Vol 369 (1633) ◽  
pp. 20130148 ◽  
Author(s):  
Sarah R. Hulme ◽  
Owen D. Jones ◽  
Clarke R. Raymond ◽  
Pankaj Sah ◽  
Wickliffe C. Abraham
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Long Range ◽  
Intercellular Communication ◽  
Atp Hydrolysis ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Stratum Radiatum ◽  
Signalling Pathways ◽  
Stratum Oriens ◽  
Term Potentiation

Synaptic plasticity is fundamental to the neural processes underlying learning and memory. Interestingly, synaptic plasticity itself can be dynamically regulated by prior activity, in a process termed ‘metaplasticity’, which can be expressed both homosynaptically and heterosynaptically. Here, we focus on heterosynaptic metaplasticity, particularly long-range interactions between synapses spread across dendritic compartments, and review evidence for intra cellular versus inter cellular signalling pathways leading to this effect. Of particular interest is our previously reported finding that priming stimulation in stratum oriens of area CA1 in the hippocampal slice heterosynaptically inhibits subsequent long-term potentiation and facilitates long-term depression in stratum radiatum. As we have excluded the most likely intracellular signalling pathways that might mediate this long-range heterosynaptic effect, we consider the hypothesis that intercellular communication may be critically involved. This hypothesis is supported by the finding that extracellular ATP hydrolysis, and activation of adenosine A2 receptors are required to induce the metaplastic state. Moreover, delivery of the priming stimulation in stratum oriens elicited astrocytic calcium responses in stratum radiatum. Both the astrocytic responses and the metaplasticity were blocked by gap junction inhibitors. Taken together, these findings support a novel intercellular communication system, possibly involving astrocytes, being required for this type of heterosynaptic metaplasticity.

scholarly journals In search of general mechanisms for long-lasting plasticity: Aplysia and the hippocampus

2003 ◽  
Vol 358 (1432) ◽  
pp. 757-763 ◽  
Author(s):  
Christopher Pittenger ◽  
Eric R. Kandel
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Mammalian Brain ◽  
Marine Snail ◽  
Synaptic Facilitation ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
Two Systems ◽  
Mechanisms Of Plasticity

Long-term synaptic plasticity is thought to underlie many forms of long-lasting memory. Long-lasting plasticity has been most extensively studied in the marine snail Aplysia and in the mammalian hippocampus, where Bliss and Lømo first described long-term potentiation 30 years ago. The molecular mechanisms of plasticity in these two systems have proven to have many similarities. Here, we briefly describe some of these areas of overlap. We then summarize recent advances in our understanding of the mechanisms of long-lasting synaptic facilitation in Aplysia and suggest that these may prove fruitful areas for future investigation in the mammalian hippocampus and at other synapses in the mammalian brain.

scholarly journals NMDA receptor-dependent long-term potentiation comprises a family of temporally overlapping forms of synaptic plasticity that are induced by different patterns of stimulation

2014 ◽  
Vol 369 (1633) ◽  
pp. 20130131 ◽  
Author(s):  
Pojeong Park ◽  
Arturas Volianskis ◽  
Thomas M. Sanderson ◽  
Zuner A. Bortolotto ◽  
David E. Jane ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Recent Work ◽  
Molecular Mechanisms ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Extensive Literature ◽  
Synaptic Activation ◽  
Aspartate Receptor ◽  
Term Potentiation

N -methyl- d -aspartate receptor (NMDAR)-dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) is extensively studied since it is believed to use the same molecular mechanisms that are required for many forms of learning and memory. Unfortunately, many controversies exist, not least the seemingly simple issue concerning the locus of expression of LTP. Here, we review our recent work and some of the extensive literature on this topic and present new data that collectively suggest that LTP can be explained, during its first few hours, by the coexistence of at least three mechanistically distinct processes that are all triggered by the synaptic activation of NMDARs.

scholarly journals Regulation of NMDA receptor Ca2+ signalling and synaptic plasticity

2009 ◽  
Vol 37 (6) ◽  
pp. 1369-1374 ◽  
Author(s):  
C. Geoffrey Lau ◽  
Koichi Takeuchi ◽  
Alma Rodenas-Ruano ◽  
Yukihiro Takayasu ◽  
Jessica Murphy ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Extracellular Signals ◽  
Term Potentiation ◽  
A Cell ◽  
Nmdar Subunit ◽  
Higher Cognitive Functions ◽  
Activity Dependent

NMDARs (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors) are critical for synaptic function throughout the CNS (central nervous system). NMDAR-mediated Ca2+ influx is implicated in neuronal differentiation, neuronal migration, synaptogenesis, structural remodelling, long-lasting forms of synaptic plasticity and higher cognitive functions. NMDAR-mediated Ca2+ signalling in dendritic spines is not static, but can be remodelled in a cell- and synapse-specific manner by NMDAR subunit composition, protein kinases and neuronal activity during development and in response to sensory experience. Recent evidence indicates that Ca2+ permeability of neuronal NMDARs, NMDAR-mediated Ca2+ signalling in spines and induction of NMDAR-dependent LTP (long-term potentiation) at hippocampal Schaffer collateral–CA1 synapses are under control of the cAMP/PKA (protein kinase A) signalling cascade. Thus, by enhancing Ca2+ influx through NMDARs in spines, PKA can regulate the induction of LTP. An emerging concept is that activity-dependent regulation of NMDAR-mediated Ca2+ signalling by PKA and by extracellular signals that modulate cAMP or protein phosphatases at synaptic sites provides a dynamic and potentially powerful mechanism for bi-directional regulation of synaptic efficacy and remodelling.

scholarly journals Reduced expression of the psychiatric risk gene DLG2 (PSD93) impairs hippocampal synaptic integration and plasticity

2021 ◽  
Author(s):  
Simonas Griesius ◽  
Cian O'Donnell ◽  
Sophie Waldron ◽  
Kerrie L Thomas ◽  
Dominic M Dwyer ◽  
...  
Keyword(s):  
Synaptic Plasticity ◽  
Nmda Receptor ◽  
Potassium Channels ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Autism Spectrum ◽  
Synaptic Function ◽  
Synaptic Integration ◽  
Dendritic Integration ◽  
Term Potentiation

Background: Genetic variations indicating loss of function in the DLG2 gene have been associated with markedly increased risk for schizophrenia, autism spectrum disorder, and intellectual disability. DLG2 encodes the postsynaptic scaffolding protein DLG2 (PSD93) that interacts with NMDA receptors, potassium channels, and cytoskeletal regulators but the net impact of these interactions on synaptic plasticity, likely underpinning cognitive impairments associated with these conditions, remains unclear. Methods: Hippocampal CA1 neuronal excitability and synaptic function were investigated in a novel clinically relevant heterozygous Dlg2+/- rat model using ex vivo patch-clamp electrophysiology, pharmacology, and computational modelling. Results: Dlg2+/- rats had increased NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic currents and, conversely, impaired associative long-term potentiation. This impairment resulted from an increase in potassium channel function leading to a decrease in input resistance and reduced supra-linear dendritic integration during induction of associative long-term potentiation. Enhancement of dendritic excitability by blockade of potassium channels or activation of muscarinic M1 receptors with selective allosteric agonist 77-LH-28- 1 reduced the threshold for dendritic integration and 77-LH-28-1 rescued the associative long- term potentiation impairment in the Dlg2+/- rats. Conclusions: Despite increasing synaptic NMDA receptor currents, the combined impact of reduced DLG2 impairs synaptic integration in dendrites resulting in disrupted associative synaptic plasticity. This biological phenotype can be reversed by compound classes used clinically such as muscarinic M1 receptor agonists and is therefore a potential target for therapeutic intervention.

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