PSD-95 Serine 73 phosphorylation is not required for induction of NMDA-LTD

Sci Rep. 2020 Feb 6;10(1):2054. doi: 10.1038/s41598-020-58989-2.

Abstract

PSD-95 is a major scaffolding protein of the post-synaptic density (PSD) of a glutamatergic synapse. PSD-95, via interactions with stargazin, anchors AMPA receptors at the synapse and regulates AMPAR currents. The expression of PSD-95 is regulated during synaptic plasticity. It is, however, unknown whether this regulation is required for induction of functional plasticity of glutamatergic synapses. Here, we show that NMDA-induced long-term depression of synaptic transmission (NMDA-LTD) is accompanied by downregulation of PSD-95 protein levels. Using pharmacologic and molecular manipulations, we further demonstrate that the NMDA-induced downregulation of PSD-95 depends on the activation of CaMKII and CaMKII-driven phosphorylation of PSD-95 serine 73. Surprisingly, neither CaMKII activity nor CaMKII-dependent phosphorylation of PSD-95 serine 73 are required for the expression of NMDA-LTD. These results support the hypothesis that synaptic plasticity of AMPARs may occur without dynamic regulation of PSD-95 protein levels.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine / analogs & derivatives
  • 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine / pharmacology
  • Animals
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein / metabolism*
  • Down-Regulation
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Hippocampus / metabolism
  • Long-Term Synaptic Depression / drug effects
  • Long-Term Synaptic Depression / physiology*
  • N-Methylaspartate / metabolism*
  • Neurons
  • Phosphorylation / drug effects
  • Phosphorylation / physiology
  • Post-Synaptic Density / metabolism
  • Primary Cell Culture
  • Rats
  • Serine / metabolism
  • Synaptic Potentials / drug effects
  • Synaptic Potentials / physiology

Substances

  • Disks Large Homolog 4 Protein
  • Dlg4 protein, rat
  • Serine
  • N-Methylaspartate
  • KN 62
  • 1-(5-Isoquinolinesulfonyl)-2-Methylpiperazine
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2