Potentiated transmission and prevention of further LTP by increased CaMKII activity in postsynaptic hippocampal slice neurons.
Calcium-calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is a necessary component of the cellular machinery underlying learning and memory. Here, a constitutively active form of this enzyme, CaMKII(1-290), was introduced into neurons of hippocampal slices with a recombinant vaccinia virus to test the hypothesis that increased postsynaptic activity of this enzyme is sufficient to produce long-term synaptic potentiation (LTP), a prominent cellular model of learning and memory. Postsynaptic expression of CaMKII(1-290) increased CaMKII activity, enhanced synaptic transmission, and prevented more potentiation by an LTP-inducing protocol. These results, together with previous studies, suggest that postsynaptic CaMKII activity is necessary and sufficient to generate LTP.
Pettit
D L
DL
Neuroscience Program, University of Iowa, Iowa City 52242.
Perlman
S
S
Malinow
R
R
D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D002460:Cell Line; D005822:Genetic Vectors; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials; D018408:Patch-Clamp Techniques; D017966:Pyramidal Cells / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D051381:Rats; D011994:Recombinant Proteins / Q000378:metabolism; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D014162:Transfection; D014616:Vaccinia virus / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology
D011994:Recombinant Proteins; D015763:2-Amino-5-phosphonovalerate; D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases