title: Synaptic desensitization of NMDA receptors by calcineurin.
abstract: Desensitization is a phenomenon that is common to many ligand-gated ion channels but has been demonstrated only rarely with physiological stimulation. Numerous studies describe desensitization of the N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) subtype of glutamate receptor by exogenous agonists, but whether synaptic stimulation causes desensitization has been unknown. Synaptic stimulation of NMDA receptors on rat hippocampal neurons resulted in desensitization that was prevented by intracellular 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA), adenosine-5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate) (ATP-gamma-S), or inhibitors of phosphatase 2B (calcineurin), but not by inhibitors of phosphatases 1 and 2A or of tyrosine phosphatases. Synaptic NMDA receptors may fluctuate between phosphorylated and dephosphorylated forms, depending on the rate of synaptic stimulation and the magnitude of the associated influx of calcium through NMDA receptors.
authors.affiliation: Vollum Institute, Oregon Health Sciences University, Portland 97201-3098.
authors.forename: G
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Tong
authors.forename: D
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Shepherd
authors.forename: C E
authors.initials: CE
authors.lastname: Jahr
mesh_terms: D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D019703:Calcineurin; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins / Q000494:pharmacology*; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D004533:Egtazic Acid / Q000031:analogs & derivatives / Q000494:pharmacology; D004558:Electric Stimulation; D005998:Glycine / Q000494:pharmacology; D006624:Hippocampus; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D010749:Phosphoprotein Phosphatases / Q000494:pharmacology*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D051381:Rats; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects* / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000502:physiology*
chemical_list: D002148:Calmodulin-Binding Proteins; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; C022571:adenosine 5'-O-(3-thiotriphosphate); D004533:Egtazic Acid; D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate; D000255:Adenosine Triphosphate; D019703:Calcineurin; D010749:Phosphoprotein Phosphatases; C025603:1,2-bis(2-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid; D002118:Calcium; D005998:Glycine