title: LTP and LTD in the visual cortex require the activation of NOX2.
abstract: Reactive oxygen species (ROS) are signaling factors involved in many intracellular transduction pathways. In the nervous system, ROS are thought to modulate various mechanisms of synaptic plasticity. One important source of ROS production in the brain is the NADPH oxidase complex. Stimulation of NMDA receptors activates NADPH oxidase, which provides selective oxidative responses accompanying the induction of synaptic changes. The activity of NADPH oxidase is known to be crucial for the induction of LTP in the hippocampus. However, the involvement of this complex in cortical synaptic plasticity is still unclear. Here we provide evidence that genetic ablation of NOX2 (the prototypical member of NADPH oxidase family of proteins) suppresses LTP and LTD in the primary visual cortex of the mouse. We also found that the involvement of NOX2 on LTP is partially age-dependent, as the activity of this complex is not critical for mechanisms of synaptic potentiation occurring in immature animals. Furthermore, we show that inhibition of NOX2 reduces the NMDA receptor function, suggesting a possible mechanism that could be the basis of the effects on synaptic plasticity.
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Cidade Universitária, Butantã, São Paulo, SP 05508-000 r.depasquale@hotmail.it.
authors.forename: Roberto
authors.initials: R
authors.lastname: De Pasquale
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Cidade Universitária, Butantã, São Paulo, SP 05508-000.
authors.forename: Thiago F
authors.identifier: http://orcid.org/0000-0001-9393-8636
authors.initials: TF
authors.lastname: Beckhauser
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Cidade Universitária, Butantã, São Paulo, SP 05508-000.
authors.forename: Marina Sorrentino
authors.initials: MS
authors.lastname: Hernandes
authors.affiliation: Universidade de São Paulo, Departamento de Fisiologia e Biofísica, Cidade Universitária, Butantã, São Paulo, SP 05508-000.
authors.forename: Luiz R
authors.initials: LR
authors.lastname: Giorgetti Britto
mesh_terms: D000098:Acetophenones / Q000494:pharmacology; D000375:Aging / Q000502:physiology*; D000818:Animals; D000975:Antioxidants / Q000494:pharmacology; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate / Q000494:pharmacology; D004789:Enzyme Activation; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists / Q000494:pharmacology; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation / Q000502:physiology*; D036881:Long-Term Synaptic Depression / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D008564:Membrane Potentials / Q000187:drug effects / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D018345:Mice, Knockout; D016202:N-Methylaspartate / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000502:physiology; D000074662:NADPH Oxidase 2; D019255:NADPH Oxidases / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species / Q000378:metabolism; D014793:Visual Cortex / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D000098:Acetophenones; D000975:Antioxidants; D018691:Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists; D008562:Membrane Glycoproteins; D017382:Reactive Oxygen Species; D016202:N-Methylaspartate; D016291:Dizocilpine Maleate; C056165:acetovanillone; C488842:Cybb protein, mouse; D000074662:NADPH Oxidase 2; D019255:NADPH Oxidases
keywords: LTD; LTP; NOX2; reactive oxygen species; synaptic plasticity; visual cortex