Involvement of a calcineurin/inhibitor-1 phosphatase cascade in hippocampal long-term depression.
Journal Article (Journal Article)
Long-term potentiation (LTP) is a synaptic mechanism thought to be involved in learning and memory. Long-term depression (LTD), an activity-dependent decrease in synaptic efficacy, may be an equally important mechanism which permits neural networks to store information more effectively. One form of LTD that has been observed in the hippocampus requires activation of postsynaptic NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors, a change in postsynaptic calcium concentration, and activation of postsynaptic serine/threonine protein phosphatase 1 (PP1) or 2A (PP2A). The mechanism by which PP1 or PP2A is regulated by synaptic activity is unclear because these protein phosphatases are not directly influenced by calcium concentration. LTD induction may require activation of a more complex protein phosphatase cascade consisting of the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein phosphatase, calcineurin, its phosphoprotein substrate, inhibitor-1, and PP1. We tested this hypothesis using calcineurin inhibitors as well as different forms of inhibitor-1 loaded into postsynaptic cells. Our results suggest a signalling pathway in which calcineurin dephosphorylates and inactivates inhibitor-1. This in turn increases PP1 activity and contributes to the generation of LTD.
Full Text
Duke Authors
Cited Authors
- Mulkey, RM; Endo, S; Shenolikar, S; Malenka, RC
Published Date
- June 9, 1994
Published In
Volume / Issue
- 369 / 6480
Start / End Page
- 486 - 488
PubMed ID
- 7515479
International Standard Serial Number (ISSN)
- 0028-0836
Digital Object Identifier (DOI)
- 10.1038/369486a0
Language
- eng
Conference Location
- England