title: Platelet-activating factor as a potential retrograde messenger in CA1 hippocampal long-term potentiation.
abstract: Long-term potentiation (LTP) refers to a persisting enhancement of neurotransmission that follows high-frequency activation of certain synapses. Although both pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms contribute to LTP, it is believed that the enhanced release of neurotransmitter that accompanies this process results from the production of a diffusible messenger in postsynaptic neurons which traverses the synaptic cleft and alters the function of presynaptic terminals. One candidate for such a messenger is arachidonic acid, a metabolite produced by phospholipase A2 which augments synaptic transmission when coupled with presynaptic stimulation. However, the effects of arachidonic acid require activation of the postsynaptic receptor for N-methyl-D-aspartate. Previously we found that platelet-activating factor (1 O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), another phospholipase A2-derived messenger, selectively enhances excitatory postsynaptic currents in hippocampal neurons by a presynaptic mechanism. We now present evidence that platelet-activating factor, acting at a receptor localized to synaptic regions, participates in LTP in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices and may serve as part of a retrograde signalling cascade.
authors.affiliation: Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, St Louis, Missouri 63110.
authors.forename: K
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Kato
authors.forename: G D
authors.initials: GD
authors.lastname: Clark
authors.forename: N G
authors.initials: NG
authors.lastname: Bazan
authors.forename: C F
authors.initials: CF
authors.lastname: Zorumski
mesh_terms: D000200:Action Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001381:Azepines / Q000494:pharmacology; D004224:Diterpenes; D046934:Ginkgolides; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007783:Lactones / Q000494:pharmacology; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D010742:Phospholipid Ethers / Q000494:pharmacology; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology*; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051381:Rats; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D013777:Tetrazoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D058924:Thienopyridines; D014230:Triazoles
chemical_list: D001381:Azepines; D004224:Diterpenes; D046934:Ginkgolides; D007783:Lactones; D010742:Phospholipid Ethers; D010972:Platelet Activating Factor; D010980:Platelet Membrane Glycoproteins; D011956:Receptors, Cell Surface; D043562:Receptors, G-Protein-Coupled; D013777:Tetrazoles; D058924:Thienopyridines; D014230:Triazoles; C039351:platelet activating factor receptor; C053479:1-O-hexadecyl-2-N-methylcarbamylphosphatidylcholine; C066686:BN 50730; C045856:ginkgolide B