title: Brain-derived neurotrophic factor induces NMDA receptor 1 phosphorylation in rat spinal cord.
abstract: The NMDA receptor and the neurotrophin brain-derived neurotrophic factor, BDNF, are involved in central sensitisation and synaptic plasticity in the spinal cord. Recent evidence suggests that BDNF modulates NMDA responses, by a yet unknown mechanism. The phosphorylation of the NMDA subunit 1 following BDNF exposure has been investigated in the neonatal rat spinal cord. Western blotting revealed that BDNF administered to isolated cords for 20 minutes significantly elevated phospho-NR1 levels. Immunohistochemical analysis localised this increase to functionally appropriate regions of the dorsal horn. Pre-incubation with trkB-IgG (BDNF sequestering molecule) abolished this NR1 phosphorylation. We suggest that BDNF modulates synaptic activity within the spinal cord via NR1 phosphorylation.
authors.affiliation: Centre for Neuroscience Research, Guy's Kings and St Thomas' School of Biomedical Science, Kings College London, UK.
authors.forename: Sarah E
authors.initials: SE
authors.lastname: Slack
authors.forename: Stephen W N
authors.initials: SW
authors.lastname: Thompson
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000494:pharmacology; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D010766:Phosphorylation / Q000187:drug effects; D020671:Posterior Horn Cells / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D051381:Rats; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013116:Spinal Cord / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D013569:Synapses / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology*; D015854:Up-Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D019208:Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor; C409466:NR1 NMDA receptor; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate