Identification and characterization of a novel phosphorylation site on the GluR1 subunit of AMPA receptors

Mol Cell Neurosci. 2007 Sep;36(1):86-94. doi: 10.1016/j.mcn.2007.06.003. Epub 2007 Jun 27.

Abstract

Phosphorylation of various AMPA receptor subunits can alter synaptic transmission and plasticity at excitatory glutamatergic synapses in the central nervous system. Here, we identified threonine-840 (T840) on the GluR1 subunit of AMPA receptors as a novel phosphorylation site. T840 is phosphorylated by protein kinase C (PKC) in vitro and is a highly turned-over phosphorylation site in the hippocampus. Interestingly, the high basal phosphorylation of T840 in the hippocampus is maintained by a persistent activity of a protein kinase, which is counter-balanced by a basal protein phosphatase activity. To study the function of T840, we generated a line of mutant mice lacking this phosphorylation site using a gene knock-in technique. The mice generated lack T840, in addition to two previously identified phosphorylation sites S831 and S845. Using this mouse, we demonstrate that T840 may regulate synaptic plasticity in an age-dependent manner.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Line, Transformed
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Humans
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Long-Term Potentiation / genetics
  • Long-Term Potentiation / physiology
  • Male
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mutation / physiology
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / physiology
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Protein Kinase C / pharmacology
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Receptors, AMPA / genetics
  • Receptors, AMPA / metabolism*
  • Threonine / metabolism*
  • Transfection / methods

Substances

  • Receptors, AMPA
  • Threonine
  • Protein Kinase C
  • glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 1