Long-lasting decrease in neuronal Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II activity in a hippocampal neuronal culture model of spontaneous recurrent seizures

Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM Kinase II) activity was evaluated in a well-characterized in vitro model of epileptiform activity. Long-lasting spontaneous recurrent seizure (SRS) activity was induced in hippocampal neuronal cultures by exposure to low Mg2+ media for 3 h. Analysis of endogenous Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation revealed a significant long-lasting decrease in 32P incorporation into the alpha (50 kDa) and beta (60 kDa) subunits of CaM kinase II in association with the induction of SRS activity in this preparation. Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent substrate phosphorylation of the synthetic peptides, Autocamtide-2 and Syntide II, was also significantly reduced following the induction of SRSs and persisted for the life of the neurons in culture. The decrement in CaM kinase II activity associated with low Mg2+ treatment remained significantly decreased when values were corrected for changes in levels of alpha subunit immunoreactivity and neuronal cell loss. Addition of the protein phosphatase inhibitors, okadaic acid and cyclosporin A, to the phosphorylation reaction did not block the SRS-associated decrease in substrate phosphorylation, indicating that enhanced phosphatase activity was not a contributing factor to the observed decrease in phosphate incorporation. The findings of this study demonstrate that CaM kinase II activity is decreased in association with epileptogenesis observed in these hippocampal cultures and may contribute to the production and maintenance of SRSs in this model.     

In situ protein phosphorylation in hippocampal tissue slices

We have studied the subcellular distribution of phosphoproteins in intact hippocampal slices and examined factors that regulate their phosphorylation and dephosphorylation in situ. The presence of Ca2+ in slice equilibration and prelabeling buffers and high-K+-induced depolarization markedly increased 32Pi incorporation into endogenous proteins. Ca2+-stimulatory effects were significantly reduced by Ca2+-channel blockers and the calmodulin antagonist W-13. Certain proteins were dephosphorylated in situ, and their dephosphorylation was dependent on both Ca2+ and depolarization. A number of proteins phosphorylated in situ was similar to those previously characterized in synaptic fractions phosphorylated in vitro. Many phosphoproteins were identified on the basis of molecular weight, isoelectric point, immunoreactivity, and phosphopeptide mapping; these included the 87 kDa substrate of protein kinase C, synapsin I, the 50 and 60 kDa subunits of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CKII), tubulin, B-50, the alpha-subunit of pyruvate dehydrogenase and myelin basic proteins. CKII phosphorylation in situ appeared similar but not identical to its in vitro counterpart. Phosphopeptide mapping analysis of in situ labeled substrate proteins indicated that cAMP-, Ca2+/calmodulin-, and Ca2+/phospholipid-dependent protein kinases were all active in slice preparations under basal conditions. Increased 32Pi labeling of hippocampal proteins following tissue depolarization appeared to be associated with increased activity of endogenous protein kinases since depolarization did not result in 32Pi-labeling of any new phosphoproteins.     

Developmental changes in Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II in cultures of hippocampal pyramidal neurons and astrocytes

We have analyzed Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM-kinase II) localization, activity, and endogenous protein substrates during differentiation and synaptogenesis in cultured hippocampal neurons. Primary cultures from hippocampi from 18 d embryonic rats are composed primarily of pyramidal neurons, with minimal contamination by nonneuronal cells. We have used monoclonal (Mab) and affinity-purified polyclonal antibodies that recognize either or both of the subunits of CaM-kinase II in order to localize the enzyme at progressive stages of neuronal differentiation. Diffuse but specific binding, determined by indirect immunofluorescence analyses, was first detected in cell bodies and growth cones of pyramidal neurons after 4 d in culture. Immunoreactivity increased during the next 3 d of culture, at which time fluorescent, labeling was patchy along neuritic processes. By 10 d, intensely fluorescent, discrete spots were observed along processes and on cell bodies. Astrocyte cultures prepared from newborn rat cortex showed no detectable immunofluorescence with anti-CaM-kinase II antibodies. Cytosolic and particulate fractions from cultured pyramidal neurons and astrocytes were analyzed using immunoblot, in vitro phosphorylation, 2-dimensional gel electrophoresis, and phosphopeptide mapping techniques. Although pure astrocyte cultures contained low levels of Ca2+/CaM-stimulated protein kinase activity, they did not display detectable levels of immunoreactive 50 kDa subunit nor 50 and 60 kDa phosphoproteins analogous to the autophosphorylated subunits of CaM-kinase II. Immunoblot analysis detected the 60 kDa kinase subunit in particulate and cytosolic fractions from 2 d neurons. By contrast, the 50 kDa subunit of CaM-kinase II was not detected in cytosolic or particulate fractions of pyramidal neurons before 4 d in culture. In 2 d pyramidal neuron cultures, only low levels of Ca2+/CaM-stimulated protein phosphorylation were observed. Ca2+/CaM-dependent phosphorylation of 10 d pyramidal cell proteins was 3-5-fold greater than that of 2 d cultures, and included major phosphoproteins of 48, 50, 56, 58/60, 80-86, 90, 120, 138, 175, and 190 kDa. Phosphopeptide maps of 58/60 and 50 kDa phosphoproteins gave patterns very similar to those of the autophosphorylated 60 and 50 kDa subunits, respectively, of purified CaM-kinase II. A phosphoprotein doublet of 83 kDa was identified as synapsin I. Developmental changes in Ca2+/CaM-dependent phosphorylation in pyramidal neuron cultures were very similar to those previously described in subcellular fractions from postnatal rat forebrain.     

Protein phosphorylation in nerve terminals: comparison of calcium/calmodulin-dependent and calcium/diacylglycerol-dependent systems

Rat cerebral cortical synaptosomes that had been prelabeled with 32P-orthophosphate were exposed to either (1) K depolarization which causes Ca2+ influx and hence would be expected to activate Ca2+-dependent enzymes, including Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent and Ca2+/diacylglycerol-dependent protein kinases (Ca/CaM kinases and protein kinase C, respectively); or (2) phorbol esters or 1-oleoyl-2-acetyl-glycerol (OAG), which selectively activate protein kinase C. Proteins whose state of phosphorylation was affected by these treatments could be divided into 3 classes. Class A includes 5 phosphoproteins that showed rapidly increased phosphorylation by synaptosomal depolarization but not by OAG or phorbol ester. Four of these proteins, synapsins Ia and Ib and proteins IIIa and IIIb, are neuron-specific, synaptic vesicle-associated proteins known to be substrates for Ca/CaM kinases I and II. These phosphoproteins were rapidly dephosphorylated upon synaptosomal repolarization. Class B is composed of 2 phosphoproteins that showed rapidly increased phosphorylation by either synaptosomal depolarization or treatment with phorbol ester or OAG. These 2 acidic proteins of Mr87 and 49 kDa are known from in vitro studies to be specific substrates for protein kinase C. Thermolytic peptide mapping indicated that the 87 kDa protein in synaptosomes was phosphorylated by protein kinase C in situ. These 2 phosphoproteins were slowly dephosphorylated upon synaptosomal repolarization. Class C comprises 4 phosphoproteins that were rapidly dephosphorylated upon synaptosomal depolarization and may be substrates for Ca2+-activated protein phosphatase(s). These data suggest that Ca2+ influx into nerve terminals activates Ca/CaM kinases I and II, protein kinase C, and unidentified protein phosphatase(s).(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

4-Aminopyridine stimulates B-50 (GAP-43) phosphorylation in rat synaptosomes

Recently, we have shown that stimulation of [³H]-noradrenaline release from hippocampal slices by 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) is accompanied by an enhancement of the phosphorylation of B-50, a major presynaptic substrate of protein kinase C (PKC). PKC has been implicated in the regulation of transmitter release. In this study, we investigated the effects of 4-AP on B-50 phosphorylation in synaptosomes from rat brain and compared the effects of 4-AP with those of depolarization with K⁺, in order to gain more insight into the mechanism of action of 4-AP. B-50 phosphorylation was stimulated by incubation with 4-AP for 2 minutes at concentrations ranging from 10 μM to 5 mM. 4-AP (100 μM) stimulated B-50 phosphorylation already within 15 seconds; longer incubations revealed a sustained increase in the presence of 4-AP. B-50 phosphorylation was also stimulated by depolarization with 30 mM K⁺ for 15 seconds. The effects of both 4-AP or K⁺ depolarization on B-50 phosphorylation were abolished at low extracellular Ca²⁺ concentrations. The increase in B-50 phosphorylation induced by 4-AP seemed to be dependent on the state of depolarization, since the effect of 4-AP was largest under nondepolarizing conditions. Comparing the effects of 4-AP and K⁺ depolarization on B-50 phosphorylation suggests that a different mechanism of action is involved. These results indicate that the stimulation of B-50 phosphorylation by 4-AP in hippocampal slices can be attributed to a direct action of 4-AP on presynaptic terminals. In addition, our results support the hypothesis that B-50 phosphorylation by PKC is involved in Ca²⁺-dependent transmitter release evoked by 4-AP. This research was supported by CLEO-TNO grant A66 of the Dutch Epilepsy Foundation.     

Reduction of NR1 and phosphorylated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II levels in Alzheimer's disease

Ca2+ influx through the N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptor leads to activation and postsynaptic accumulation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. NR1 and NR2B subunits of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor serve as high-affinity Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II docking sites in dendritic spines on autophosphorylation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II. By comparative Western blot analysis, we show a reduction of NR1 and phosphorylated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II levels in the frontal cortex and hippocampus of Alzheimer's disease brains. We also found a significant correlation between phosphorylated Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and NR1 levels. Our study extends the view that N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor deficiency underlies memory impairment in Alzheimer's disease, and that this process likely involves insufficient activation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II.     

Activators of protein kinase C increase the phosphorylation of the synapsins at sites phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase in the rat hippocampal slice.

Previous studies have shown that activators of protein kinase C (C kinase) produce synaptic potentiation in the hippocampus. For example, the C kinase activator phorbol dibutyrate has been shown to increase transmitter release in the hippocampus. In addition, a role for C kinase in long-term potentiation has been proposed. A common assumption in such studies has been that substrates for C kinase were responsible for producing these forms of synaptic potentiation. However, we have recently shown that phorbol dibutyrate increased the phosphorylated of synapsin II (formerly protein III, Browning et al., 1987) in chromaffin cells (Haycock et al., 1988). Synapsin II is a synaptic vesicle-associated phosphoprotein that is a very poor substrate for C kinase but an excellent substrate for cAMP-dependent and Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase. We felt, therefore, that activation of C kinase might lead to activation of a kinase cascade. Thus effects of C kinase activation might be produced via the phosphorylation of proteins that are not substrates for C kinase. In this report we test the hypothesis that activators of C kinase increase the phosphorylation of synapsin II and an homologous protein synapsin I. Our data indicate that PdBu produced dose-dependent increases in the phosphorylation of synapsin I and synapsin II. We also performed phospho-site analysis of synapsin I using limited proteolysis. These studies indicated that PdBu increased the phosphorylation of multiple sites on synapsin I. These sites have previously been shown to be phosphorylated by both cAMP-dependent protein kinase and the multifunctional Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)     

Regulation of phosphorylation of the GluR1 AMPA receptor in the neostriatum by dopamine and psychostimulants in vivo.

The activation of cAMP-dependent protein kinase regulates the physiological activity of AMPA-type glutamate receptors. In this study, phosphorylation of the AMPA receptor subunit GluR1 at Ser(845) was increased in neostriatal slices by activation of D1-type dopamine receptors and by inhibitors of protein phosphatase 1/protein phosphatase 2A. In contrast, Ser(831), a residue which, when phosphorylated by protein kinase C or calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II, increases AMPA receptor channel conductance, was unaffected by either D1 or D2 receptor agonists in neostriatal slices. The phosphorylation of Ser(845), but not Ser(831), was strongly increased in neostriatum in vivo in response to the psychostimulants cocaine and methamphetamine. The effects of dopamine and psychostimulants on the phosphorylation of GluR1 were attenuated in dopamine and cAMP-regulated phosphoprotein M(r) 32 kDa (DARPP-32) knock-out mice. These results identify DARPP-32 and AMPA-type glutamate receptors as likely essential cellular effectors for psychostimulant actions.     

Activation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II by stimulation with bradykinin in neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid NG108-15 cells.

To elucidate the mechanisms of the intracellular signal transduction elicited with bradykinin in NG108-15 neuroblastoma x glioma hybrid cells, we examined the activation of Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II) by bradykinin stimulation. When the extract of NG108-15 cells was immunoprecipitated with the affinity-purified antibody to brain CaM kinase II, a 50-kDa protein in the immunoprecipitate mainly became autophosphorylated in a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent manner. The results suggest that the 50-kDa protein is the subunit of CaM kinase II in NG108-15 cells. The Ca2+/calmodulin-independent activity (autonomous activity) of the enzyme increased twice within 10 s by stimulation with 1 microM bradykinin in the cells. The increase in the autonomous activity of the enzyme had two phases: the transient early-peak phase and the long late-plateau phase. The former was abolished by the pretreatment of the cells with 10 mM caffeine or 20 microM BAPTA-AM, and the latter was abolished by the removal of the extracellular Ca2+ with 1 mM EGTA or by the pretreatment with 1 microM nifedipine. Stimulation of 32P-labeled NG108-15 cells with 1 microM bradykinin increased the autophosphorylation of CaM kinase II and this increase was abolished by pretreatment with caffeine or BAPTA-AM. These results suggest that CaM kinase II is activated via the inositol phospholipid signaling pathway induced with bradykinin in NG108-15 cells.     

Kindling induces a long-lasting change in the activity of a hippocampal membrane calmodulin-dependent protein kinase system

Septal kindling has been shown to produce a long-lasting decrease in endogenous calcium/calmodulin-dependent phosphorylation of hippocampal synaptic plasma membrane proteins, including two major bands of approximately 50,000 and 60,000 Daltons. These two proteins differ from the B-50 protein and tubulin, as evidenced by differences in migration in SDS-PAGE gels and by lack of cross-immunoreactivity with specific antibodies. Identity of these two proteins with the rho and sigma subunits of purified calmodulin-dependent kinase (CaM Kinase II) is suggested by similar migration in SDS-PAGE and two-dimensional gels, by similar calmodulin binding in two-dimensional gels, and similar 125I-peptide mapping of the 50,000 Dalton protein. These results demonstrate that septal kindling is associated with changes in the activity of a major Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent kinase system in hippocampal synaptic plasma membrane. This long-lasting modulation of kinase activity may provide a molecular insight into some aspects of neuronal plasticity.     

Protein kinases regulate glycine receptor binding in brain stem auditory nuclei after unilateral cochlear ablation

Glycinergic synaptic inhibition is part of acoustic information processing in brain stem auditory pathways and contributes to the regulation of neuronal excitation. We found previously that unilateral cochlear ablation (UCA) in young adult guinea pigs decreased [3H]strychnine binding activity in several brain stem auditory nuclei. This study determined if the UCA-induced deficit could be regulated by protein kinase C (PKC), protein kinase A (PKA) or Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). The specific binding of [3H]strychnine was measured in slices of the dorsal (DCN), posteroventral (PVCN) and anteroventral (AVCN) cochlear nucleus (CN), the lateral (LSO) and medial (MSO) superior olive, and the inferior colliculus (IC) 145 days after UCA. Tissues from age-matched unlesioned animals served as controls. UCA induced deficits in specific binding in the AVCN, PVCN, and LSO on the ablated side and in the MSO bilaterally. These deficits were reversed by 3 microM phorbol 1,2-dibutyrate, a PKC activator, or 0.2 mM dibutyryl-cAMP, a PKA activator. However, 50 nM Ro31-8220, a PKC inhibitor, and 2 microM H-89, a PKA inhibitor, had no effect in unlesioned controls and after UCA. In contrast, 4 microM KN-93, a CaMKII inhibitor, relieved or reversed the UCA-induced binding deficits and elevated binding in the IC. These findings suggest that a UCA-induced down-regulation of glycine receptor synthesis may have occurred via reduced phosphorylation of proteins that control receptor synthesis; this effect was reversed by diminishing CaMKII activity or increasing PKC and PKA activity.     

Calcium-dependent serine phosphorylation of synaptophysin

The phosphorylation of synaptophysin, a major integral membrane protein of small synaptic vesicles, was found to be regulated in a Ca²⁺ -dependent manner in rat cerebrocortical slices, synaptosome preparations, and highly purified synaptic vesicles isolated from rat forebrain. K⁺-induced depolarization of slices and synaptosomes prelabeled with ³²P-orthophosphate produced a rapid, transient increase in serine phosphorylation of synaptophysin. In synaptosomes, the depolarization-dependent increase in synaptophysin phosphorylation required the presence of external Ca²⁺ in the incubation medium. The addition of Ca²⁺ plus calmodulin to purified synaptic vesicles resulted in a 4-fold increase in serine phosphorylation of synaptophysin, and this phosphorylation was antagonized by a peptide inhibitor of Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaM kinase II). Purified rat forebrain CaM kinase II phosphorylated both purified synaptophysin and endogenous, vesicle-associated synaptophysin, and the resulting 2-dimensional chymotryptic phosphopeptide maps were similar to those derived from synaptophysin phosphorylated in cerebrocortical slices. These data demonstrate that Ca²⁺-dependent phosphorylation of synaptophysin, mediated by CaM kinase II, occurs under physiological conditions. © 1993 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Phosphorylation and activation of tyrosine hydroxylase in PC18 cells: a cell line derived from rat pheochromocytoma PC12 cells.

Treatment of rat pheochromocytoma PC18 cells (a variant subclone of PC12 cells) with forskolin produced increased activity and phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase. In contrast, treatment of the PC18 cells with 56 mM K+, A23187, phorbol-12-myristate-13-acetate (PMA) or phorbol-12,13-dibutyrate (PDB) did not affect the activity and only slightly increased the phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase. None of the treatments except forskolin increased cyclic AMP levels in PC18 cells. Furthermore, 45Ca2+ uptake into PC18 cells was not affected by 56 mM K+, PDB or forskolin; however, A23187 increased 45Ca2+ uptake 4-fold over basal uptake. Nevertheless, no activation and little increase in phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase was observed in PC18 cells treated with A23187. When tyrosine hydroxylase levels in PC18 cells were elevated by treatment with dexamethasone, activation of tyrosine hydroxylase by 56 mM K+, PDB or A23187 was still not observed. Both purified Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase and cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase catalyzed the phosphorylation of tyrosine hydroxylase purified from PC18 cells in vitro. Furthermore, crude cell extracts from PC12 cells and PC18 cells possessed Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity that catalyzed the phosphorylation of purified tyrosine hydroxylase. These results suggest that tyrosine hydroxylase activity in PC18 cells is regulated by a cyclic AMP-dependent mechanism. However, due to a number of abnormalities the Ca(2+)-dependent mechanisms do not result in the activation of tyrosine hydroxylase and only slightly increase the phosphorylation of the enzyme in PC18 cells.     

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase activity in primary astrocyte cultures

Calcium, calmodulin-dependent protein kinase (Ca/CaM kinase) is an important component of calcium signalling mechanisms in the brain, but little is known about the properties of this protein phosphorylation system in astrocytes. Addition of calcium and calmodulin to supernatant or membrane fractions obtained from rat astrocytes in primary culture increased phosphate incorporation into an exogenously added substrate, casein, and into endogenous protein substrates; this increase was greater than that observed with either calcium alone or calmodulin alone. The calcium, calmodulin-stimulated increase was inhibited by trifluoperazine, and this inhibition could be overcome by the addition of excess calmodulin. The major substrates for Ca/CaM kinase activity were proteins with molecular weights of 59 and 53 kDa, which were similar, but not identical, to the subunits of Ca/CaM kinase type II from brain. The specific activity of Ca/CaM kinase and the phosphorylation of 59 kDa were increased in astrocyte cultures treated and maintained in dibutyryl cyclic adenosine monophosphate (dBcAMP). These results indicate that astrocytes contain Ca/CaM kinase activity and suggest an interaction between the cAMP and calcium/calmodulin messenger systems in these cells.     

钾通道阻断剂4-氨基吡啶诱导海马CA1锥体神经元钙瞬变

目的 研究4-氨基吡啶(4-AP)诱导的急性脑片海马CA1锥体神经元钙瞬变现象,探讨钾通道功能与钙瞬变的关系及可能机制.方法 荧光探针标记正常大鼠急性脑片海马神经元.共聚焦显微镜技术进行钙成像,观察不同浓度4-AP及细胞灌流液条件对神经元钙瞬变的影响.结果 低浓度(<15 mmol/L)4-AP诱导的钙瞬变峰值与剂量呈线性相关(r2=0.910,P=0.000),高浓度(20～80 mmol/L)4-AP诱导的钙瞬变峰值随浓度增高而下降.在无钙灌流液条件下,4-AP诱导的钙瞬变峰值水平下降,达峰时间延长,与含钙灌流液比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 4-AP可诱导急性脑片海马CA1锥体神经元的钙瞬变,其机制包括细胞外钙内流与钙库钙释放.

Abstract：

Objective To investigate the calcium transient of CA1 pyramidal neurons induced by potassium blocker 4-aminopyridine (4-AP) in acute hippocampal slices to explore the relation between potassium channel function and calcium transient, and their mechanism. Methods Fluorescent probe was employed to mark the hippocampai neurons in acute brain slices of rats; confocal microscopy was used to perform calcium imaging to observe the influences of different concentrations of 4-AP and perfusate with/without calcium on calcium transient of CA1 pyramidal neurons. Results The response of [Ca2+]I to lower concentration of 4-AP (<15 mmol/L) was in a dose-dependent manner (r2=0.910, P=0.000); the higher the concentration of 4-AP (20-80 mmol/L), the lower the peak level of calcium transient. The latency and amplitude of calcium transient induced by 4-AP were obviously reduced when the extracellular condition was switched to an absence of calcium, which was significantly different as compared with that with calcium (P<0.05). Conclusion Blockade of potassium channels with 4-AP can increase [Ca2+]I in the hippocampal pyramidal neurons of acute slices. The increase of [Ca2+]1 to 4-AP could be ascribe to calcium release from intracellular stores and calcium influx from extracellular matrix.     

钾通道阻断剂4-氨基吡啶诱导海马CA1锥体神经元钙瞬变

目的 研究4-氨基吡啶(4-AP)诱导的急性脑片海马CA1锥体神经元钙瞬变现象,探讨钾通道功能与钙瞬变的关系及可能机制.方法 荧光探针标记正常大鼠急性脑片海马神经元.共聚焦显微镜技术进行钙成像,观察不同浓度4-AP及细胞灌流液条件对神经元钙瞬变的影响.结果 低浓度(<15 mmol/L)4-AP诱导的钙瞬变峰值与剂量呈线性相关(r2=0.910,P=0.000),高浓度(20～80 mmol/L)4-AP诱导的钙瞬变峰值随浓度增高而下降.在无钙灌流液条件下,4-AP诱导的钙瞬变峰值水平下降,达峰时间延长,与含钙灌流液比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 4-AP可诱导急性脑片海马CA1锥体神经元的钙瞬变,其机制包括细胞外钙内流与钙库钙释放.     

钾通道阻断剂4-氨基吡啶诱导海马CA1锥体神经元钙瞬变

目的 研究4-氨基吡啶(4-AP)诱导的急性脑片海马CA1锥体神经元钙瞬变现象,探讨钾通道功能与钙瞬变的关系及可能机制.方法 荧光探针标记正常大鼠急性脑片海马神经元.共聚焦显微镜技术进行钙成像,观察不同浓度4-AP及细胞灌流液条件对神经元钙瞬变的影响.结果 低浓度(<15 mmol/L)4-AP诱导的钙瞬变峰值与剂量呈线性相关(r2=0.910,P=0.000),高浓度(20～80 mmol/L)4-AP诱导的钙瞬变峰值随浓度增高而下降.在无钙灌流液条件下,4-AP诱导的钙瞬变峰值水平下降,达峰时间延长,与含钙灌流液比较差异有统计学意义(P<0.05).结论 4-AP可诱导急性脑片海马CA1锥体神经元的钙瞬变,其机制包括细胞外钙内流与钙库钙释放.     

Neurotensin effects on calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphorylation in rat neostriatal slices.

Neurotensin (NT) is an endogenous brain tridecapeptide for which high affinity binding sites exist in the central nervous system. We have investigated the effects of NT incubation with rat neostriatal slices on calcium/calmodulin (Ca/CaM)-dependent protein phosphorylation. Slices were incubated with NT (5 or 50 nM) for 3, 10, 16 or 30 min followed by in vitro phosphorylation, electrophoresis and autoradiography. NT significantly altered the phosphorylation of a 62 kDa protein which is likely the beta subunit of the Ca/CaM dependent protein kinase. These changes may reflect the ability of NT to influence calcium mediated signal transduction.     

Phenylketonuria-related synaptic changes in a BTBR-Pah(enu2) mouse model

Phenylketonuria is the most common, inherited aminoacidopathy associated with brain injury. To date, no study has focused on the neuropathology of the genetic mouse model of phenylketonuria, BTBR-Pah(enu2). We examined dendritic spines and synapses in the CA1 and prefrontal cortex among the wild-type, heterozygous, and BTBR-Pah(enu2) mice. A reduced density of dendritic spines, a shortened length of the presynaptic active zone, a widened synaptic cleft, and decreased thickness of postsynaptic density were revealed in BTBR-Pah(enu2) mice. Meanwhile, the phosphorylation at Thr286 of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIα was alerted in BTBR-Pah(enu2) mice. These findings revealed that phenylketonuria-related brain impairment is accompanied with abnormalities of dendritic spines and synapses. The dysfunction of Ca(2+)/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IIα may result in an impaired synaptic function.