title: Loss of hnRNP K impairs synaptic plasticity in hippocampal neurons.
abstract: Heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein K (hnRNP K) is an RNA-binding protein implicated in RNA metabolism. Here, we investigated the role of hnRNP K in synapse function. We demonstrated that hnRNP K regulates dendritic spine density and long-term potentiation (LTP) in cultured hippocampal neurons from embryonic rats. LTP requires the extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK)1/2-mediated phosphorylation and cytoplasmic accumulation of hnRNP K. Moreover, hnRNP K knockdown prevents ERK cascade activation and GluA1-S845 phosphorylation and surface delivery, which are essential steps for LTP. These findings establish hnRNP K as a new critical regulator of synaptic transmission and plasticity in hippocampal neurons.
authors.affiliation: CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Milan 20129, Italy.
authors.forename: Alessandra
authors.initials: A
authors.lastname: Folci
authors.affiliation: CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Milan 20129, Italy, Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, Neurophysiology Unit, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy, Brain Connectivity Center, C. Mondino National Neurological Institute, Pavia 27100, Italy, and.
authors.forename: Lisa
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Mapelli
authors.affiliation: IRCCS Istituto Auxologico Italiano, Department of Neurology and Laboratory of Neuroscience, Milan 20095, Italy.
authors.forename: Jenny
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Sassone
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, Neurophysiology Unit, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy.
authors.forename: Francesca
authors.initials: F
authors.lastname: Prestori
authors.affiliation: Department of Brain and Behavioral Sciences, Neurophysiology Unit, University of Pavia, Pavia 27100, Italy, Brain Connectivity Center, C. Mondino National Neurological Institute, Pavia 27100, Italy, and.
authors.forename: Egidio
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: D'Angelo
authors.affiliation: CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Milan 20129, Italy, s.bassani@in.cnr.it m.passafaro@in.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Silvia
authors.initials: S
authors.lastname: Bassani
authors.affiliation: CNR Institute of Neuroscience, Department of Medical Biotechnology and Translational Medicine (BIOMETRA), University of Milan, Milan 20129, Italy, s.bassani@in.cnr.it m.passafaro@in.cnr.it.
authors.forename: Maria
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Passafaro
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D020013:Calcium Signaling; D002478:Cells, Cultured; D003712:Dendrites / Q000648:ultrastructure; D005260:Female; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000166:cytology; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D008297:Male; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009474:Neurons / Q000502:physiology / Q000648:ultrastructure; D010766:Phosphorylation; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D021381:Protein Transport; D034622:RNA Interference; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D018091:Receptors, AMPA / Q000378:metabolism; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000502:physiology*; D014162:Transfection
chemical_list: D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D018091:Receptors, AMPA; D012261:Ribonucleoproteins; C557648:Hnrnpk protein, rat
keywords: LTP; dendritic spines; hnRNP K; neurons; synapse