PKA phosphorylation of AMPA receptor subunits controls synaptic trafficking underlying plasticity

Nat Neurosci. 2003 Feb;6(2):136-43. doi: 10.1038/nn997.

Abstract

The regulated incorporation of AMPA receptors into synapses is important for synaptic plasticity. Here we examine the role of protein kinase A (PKA) in this process. We found that PKA phosphorylation of the AMPA receptor subunits GluR4 and GluR1 directly controlled the synaptic incorporation of AMPA receptors in organotypic slices from rat hippocampus. Activity-driven PKA phosphorylation of GluR4 was necessary and sufficient to relieve a retention interaction and drive receptors into synapses. In contrast, PKA phosphorylation of GluR1 and the activity of calcium/calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) were both necessary for receptor incorporation. Thus, PKA phosphorylation of AMPA receptor subunits contributes to diverse mechanisms underlying synaptic plasticity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Sequence / physiology
  • Animals
  • Animals, Newborn
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism
  • Cyclic AMP / metabolism
  • Cyclic AMP / pharmacology
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / drug effects
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / physiology
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Hippocampus / enzymology*
  • Mutation / genetics
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology*
  • Phosphorylation
  • Presynaptic Terminals / enzymology*
  • Presynaptic Terminals / ultrastructure
  • Protein Transport / physiology*
  • Rats
  • Receptors, AMPA / genetics
  • Receptors, AMPA / metabolism*
  • Serine / metabolism
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology*

Substances

  • Receptors, AMPA
  • glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 4
  • Serine
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 1