title: Abelson tyrosine kinase links PDGFbeta receptor activation to cytoskeletal regulation of NMDA receptors in CA1 hippocampal neurons.
abstract: BACKGROUND
  We have previously demonstrated that PDGF receptor activation indirectly inhibits N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) currents by modifying the cytoskeleton. PDGF receptor ligand is also neuroprotective in hippocampal slices and cultured neurons. PDGF receptors are tyrosine kinases that control a variety of signal transduction pathways including those mediated by PLCγ. In fibroblasts Src and another non-receptor tyrosine kinase, Abelson kinase (Abl), control PDGF receptor regulation of cytoskeletal dynamics. The mechanism whereby PDGF receptor regulates cytoskeletal dynamics in central neurons remains poorly understood.
  
  
  RESULTS
  Intracellular applications of active Abl, but not heat-inactivated Abl, decreased NMDA-evoked currents in isolated hippocampal neurons. This mimics the effects of PDGF receptor activation in these neurons. The Abl kinase inhibitor, STI571, blocked the inhibition of NMDA currents by Abl. We demonstrate that PDGF receptors can activate Abl kinase in hippocampal neurons via mechanisms similar to those observed previously in fibroblasts. Furthermore, PDGFβ receptor activation alters the subcellular localization of Abl. Abl kinase is linked to actin cytoskeletal dynamics in many systems. We show that the inhibition of NMDA receptor currents by Abl kinase is blocked by the inclusion of the Rho kinase inhibitor, Y-27632, and that activation of Abl correlates with an increase in ROCK tyrosine phosphorylation.
  
  
  CONCLUSIONS
  This study demonstrates that PDGFβ receptors act via an interaction with Abl kinase and Rho kinase to regulated cytoskeletal regulation of NMDA receptor channels in CA1 pyramidal neurons.
authors.affiliation: Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, ON, Canada. mbeazely@uwaterloo.ca
authors.forename: Michael A
authors.initials: MA
authors.lastname: Beazely
authors.forename: Manjula
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Weerapura
authors.forename: John F
authors.initials: JF
authors.lastname: MacDonald
mesh_terms: D000577:Amides / Q000494:pharmacology; D000818:Animals; D000077214:Becaplermin; D056547:CA1 Region, Hippocampal / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D003599:Cytoskeleton / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism*; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000187:drug effects; D042541:Intracellular Space / Q000187:drug effects / Q000378:metabolism; D015640:Ion Channel Gating / Q000187:drug effects; D051379:Mice; D008954:Models, Biological; D009474:Neurons / Q000187:drug effects / Q000201:enzymology*; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor / Q000494:pharmacology; D016315:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-abl / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism*; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D011725:Pyridines / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017208:Rats, Wistar; D020797:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta / Q000378:metabolism*; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000378:metabolism*; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D000577:Amides; D010982:Platelet-Derived Growth Factor; D020574:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-sis; D011725:Pyridines; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; C108830:Y 27632; D000077214:Becaplermin; D020797:Receptor, Platelet-Derived Growth Factor beta; D016315:Proto-Oncogene Proteins c-abl; D054460:rho-Associated Kinases