Phosphorylation and modulation of a kainate receptor (GluR6) by cAMP-dependent protein kinase

Glutamate receptor modulation by protein phosphorylation

Glutamate-gated ion channels mediate most excitatory synaptic transmission in the mammalian central nervous system and play major roles in synaptic plasticity, neuronal development, and in some neuropathological conditions. Recent studies have suggested that protein phosphorylation of neuronal glutamate receptors by cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) and protein kinase C (PKC) may regulate their function and play a role in some forms of synaptic plasticity. To test whether these protein kinase effects are due to direct phosphorylation of the receptors and to further examine the sites and mechanisms by which the receptors are modulated, we transiently expressed recombinant glutamate receptors in HEK-293 cells and studied their biochemical and biophysical properties. Our results indicate that the kainate-preferring receptor GluR6 is phosphorylated by PKA, primarily on a single serine in the proposed major intracellular loop. Moreover, using the whole cell patch clamp recording technique, we have shown that phosphorylation at this site increases the amplitude of the GluR6-mediated glutamate current without significantly altering its dose-response, current-voltage relation or desensitization kinetics. In other experiments, we have demonstrated that the NMDA receptor subunit NR1 is phosphorylated by PKC on several distinct sites, and most of these sites are located within a single alternatively spliced exon in the C-terminal domain. These findings suggest that RNA splicing can regulate NMDA receptor phosphorylation and that, contrary to the previously proposed membrane topology model, the NR1 C-terminus is intracellular. Furthermore, in HEK-293 cells co-transfected with NR2A and NR1 subunits containing the C-terminal exon with the PKC phosphorylation sites, our preliminary studies indicate that the NMDA-evoked current is potentiated by intracellular PKC. We are currently examining PKC effects on the NMDA-evoked current responses of mutant NR1 receptors that lack the C-terminal phosphorylation sites. These studies provide evidence that glutamate receptors are directly phosphorylated and functionally modulated by protein kinases. Moreover, by identifying phosphorylation sites within the receptor proteins, our results provide information about the structure and membrane topology of these receptors.

A rise in postsynaptic Ca2+ potentiates miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents and AMPA responses in hippocampal neurons

We have investigated the site of expression of the potentiation of excitatory postsynaptic currents (EPSCs) induced by the activation of postsynaptic voltage-sensitive Ca2+ channels, by examining the effect of depolarizing pulses on miniature (m) EPSCs and responses to AMPA. Application of voltage pulses caused a approximately 2.5-fold increase in the mean amplitude of mEPSCs. This NMDA receptor-independent potentiation of mEPSC amplitudes was transient, returning to control values within 30-40 min. The potentiation was associated with a decrease in the number of small amplitude events and an increase in the number, as well as the maximum amplitude, of the larger events, with no apparent change in mEPSC kinetics. Accompanying the increase in mEPSC amplitudes, there was a 1.6-fold increase in the apparent frequency of events. Voltage pulse-induced potentiation was completely blocked by the inclusion of the Ca2+ chelator BAPTA in the recording pipette. Responses to repeated applications of AMPA were also potentiated following the application of voltage pulses, and the time course of this potentiation was similar to that observed with the mEPSCs. Our data indicate that rises in intracellular Ca2+ that occur independently of NMDA receptor activation can result in a potentiation of quantal size, which is due to an increase in the postsynaptic sensitivity of non-NMDA receptors.

The role of protein phosphorylation in the regulation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases

The cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases constitute a complex superfamily of enzymes responsible for catalyzing the hydrolysis of cyclic nucleotides. Regulation of cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases is one of the two major mechanisms by which intracellular cyclic nucleotide levels are controlled. In many cases the fluctuations in cyclic nucleotide levels in response to hormones is due to the hormone responsiveness of the phosphodiesterase. Isozymes of the cGMP-inhibited, cAMP-specific, calmodulin-stimulated and cGMP-binding phosphodiesterases have been demonstrated to be substrates for protein kinases. Here we review the evidence that hormonally responsive phosphorylation acts to regulate cyclic nucleotide phosphodiesterases. In particular, the cGMP-inhibited phosphodiesterases, which can be phosphorylated by at least two different protein kinases, are activated as a result of phosphorylation. In contrast, phosphorylation of the calmodulin-stimulated phosphodiesterases, which coincides with a decreased sensitivity to activation by calmodulin, results in decreased phosphodiesterase activity.

An essential role for protein phosphatases in hippocampal long-term depression

The effectiveness of long-term potentiation (LTP) as a mechanism for information storage would be severely limited if processes that decrease synaptic strength did not also exist. In area CA1 of the rat hippocampus, prolonged periods of low-frequency afferent stimulation elicit a long-term depression (LTD) that is specific to the stimulated input. The induction of LTD was blocked by the extracellular application of okadaic acid or calyculin A, two inhibitors of protein phosphatases 1 and 2A. The loading of CA1 cells with microcystin LR, a membrane-impermeable protein phosphatase inhibitor, or calmodulin antagonists also blocked or attenuated LTD. The application of calyculin A after the induction of LTD reversed the synaptic depression, suggesting that phosphatase activity is required for the maintenance of LTD. These findings indicate that the synaptic activation of protein phosphatases plays an important role in the regulation of synaptic transmission.