title: Interaction with the NMDA receptor locks CaMKII in an active conformation.
abstract: Calcium- and calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and glutamate receptors are integrally involved in forms of synaptic plasticity that may underlie learning and memory. In the simplest model for long-term potentiation, CaMKII is activated by Ca2+ influx through NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptors and then potentiates synaptic efficacy by inducing synaptic insertion and increased single-channel conductance of AMPA (alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionic acid) receptors. Here we show that regulated CaMKII interaction with two sites on the NMDA receptor subunit NR2B provides a mechanism for the glutamate-induced translocation of the kinase to the synapse in hippocampal neurons. This interaction can lead to additional forms of potentiation by: facilitated CaMKII response to synaptic Ca2+; suppression of inhibitory autophosphorylation of CaMKII; and, most notably, direct generation of sustained Ca2+/calmodulin (CaM)-independent (autonomous) kinase activity by a mechanism that is independent of the phosphorylation state. Furthermore, the interaction leads to trapping of CaM that may reduce down-regulation of NMDA receptor activity. CaMKII-NR2B interaction may be prototypical for direct activation of a kinase by its targeting protein.
authors.affiliation: Department of Neurobiology, Stanford University School of Medicine, California 94305-5125, USA. ulli.bayer@stanford.edu
authors.forename: K U
authors.initials: KU
authors.lastname: Bayer
authors.forename: P
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: De Koninck
authors.forename: A S
authors.initials: AS
authors.lastname: Leonard
authors.forename: J W
authors.initials: JW
authors.lastname: Hell
authors.forename: H
authors.initials: H
authors.lastname: Schulman
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D002118:Calcium / Q000378:metabolism; D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000737:chemistry / Q000378:metabolism*; D002147:Calmodulin / Q000378:metabolism; D002460:Cell Line; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology / Q000378:metabolism; D009474:Neurons / Q000378:metabolism; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011485:Protein Binding; D011487:Protein Conformation; D051381:Rats; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000378:metabolism*; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D002147:Calmodulin; C121001:NR2B NMDA receptor; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D011993:Recombinant Fusion Proteins; D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2; D017871:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases; D002118:Calcium