Both protein kinase A and mitogen-activated protein kinase are required in the amygdala for the macromolecular synthesis-dependent late phase of long-term potentiation.
The lateral amygdala (LA) is thought to be critical for the specific acquisition of conditioned fear, and the emotionally charged memories related to fear are thought to require a form of synaptic plasticity related to long-term potentiation (LTP). Is LTP in the lateral amygdala enduring, and, if so, does it require gene expression and the synthesis of new protein? Using brain slices, we have examined the molecular-signaling pathway of LTP in the cortico-amygdala and the thalamo-amygdala pathways. We find that a single high-frequency train of stimuli induces a transient LTP (E-LTP); by contrast, five repeated high-frequency trains induce an enduring late phase of LTP (L-LTP), which is dependent on gene expression and on new protein synthesis. In both pathways the late phase of LTP is mediated by protein kinase A (PKA) and mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK). Application of the adenylyl cyclase activator forskolin induced L-LTP in both pathways, and this potentiation is blocked by inhibitors of protein synthesis. The late phase of LTP also is modulated importantly by beta-adrenergic agonists. An inhibitor of beta-adrenergic receptors blocks L-LTP; conversely, application of a beta-adrenergic agonist induces the L-LTP. Immunocytochemical studies show that both repeated tetanization and application of forskolin stimulate the phosphorylation of cAMP response element-binding proteins (CREB) in cells of the lateral nucleus of the amygdala. These results suggest that PKA and MAPK are critical for the expression of a persistent phase of LTP in the lateral amygdala and that this late component requires the synthesis of new protein and mRNA.
Huang
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Center for Neurobiology and Behavior, College of Physicians and Surgeons of Columbia University, New York State Psychiatric Institute, and Howard Hughes Medical Institute, New York, New York 10032, USA.
Martin
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KC
Kandel
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ER
D000679:Amygdala / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D001303:Auditory Cortex / Q000502:physiology; D002227:Carbazoles; D002540:Cerebral Cortex / Q000502:physiology*; D005576:Colforsin / Q000494:pharmacology; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / Q000378:metabolism; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D066298:In Vitro Techniques; D007211:Indoles / Q000494:pharmacology; D007545:Isoproterenol / Q000494:pharmacology; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000187:drug effects; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011758:Pyrroles / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction; D013788:Thalamus / Q000502:physiology*; D014158:Transcription, Genetic
D002227:Carbazoles; D017362:Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein; D007211:Indoles; D011758:Pyrroles; D011943:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta; D005576:Colforsin; C057416:KT 5720; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D007545:Isoproterenol