慢性间歇低压低氧暴露对小鼠空间记忆及海马谷氨酸受体磷酸化 水平的影响

目的:观察慢性间歇低压低氧暴露对成年C57小鼠认知功能、海马区p-Glu R-831、845位点蛋白表达以及海马区突触囊泡释放的影响。方法:雄性C57小鼠,随机分为对照组(n=16)与暴露组(n=16)。暴露组给予每天6 h 5000 m低压低氧暴露,持续4w;对照组无低压低氧暴露。两组小鼠其他饲养条件一致。利用Morris水迷宫实验检测每组小鼠空间记忆能力;免疫印迹实验检测Glu R1蛋白ser831和ser845位点磷酸化水平变化;透射电镜实验观察低氧对突触囊泡的影响。结果:(1)水迷宫结果显示慢性间歇低压低氧暴露后,暴露组平均逃脱潜伏期(17.6±1.69 s)显著低于对照组(27.3±1.45 s),暴露组小鼠平台搜索能力提升;(2)免疫印迹结果显示,暴露组小鼠海马Glu R1蛋白ser831和ser845位点磷酸化水平显著高于对照组小鼠;(3)透射电镜结果显示,暴露组小鼠海马区突触囊泡数目显著多于对照组,且差异有统计学意义。结论:慢性间歇低压低氧暴露可以显著提升C57小鼠空间认知功能,其机制可能是通过增加Glu R1蛋白ser831和ser845位点磷酸化水平,并增加突触结构内囊泡数目。     

益智Ⅱ号对记忆保持及消退中海马CA3区突触结构的影响

目的:观察益智II号对小鼠记忆保持及消退过程中海马CA3区突触结构的影响。方法:给小鼠灌胃益智II号口服液0.2ml.d-1,连续20d。给药结束后,进行一次性被动回避反应训练,24h后检测小鼠记忆的保持。在行为训练前及训练后的第6d、第12d分别取海马CA3区,电镜观察不同时期突触结构的变化。结果:①在行为训练后的第1d、第6和第12d,益智II号组动物的步入潜伏期明显长于对照组(P<0.01,P<0.05);②行为训练后的第6、第12d,不论是对照组还是益智II号组,海马CA3区突触活性区长度均显著大于行为训练前(P<0.01,P<0.05);在行为训练后的同一时期,益智II号组的突触活性区长度明显大于对照组(P<0.01);③在行为训练后的第6d,益智II号组中轴树突触、穿孔突触的数量明显高于学习前(P<0.05),也高于同一时期对照组动物(P<0.05)。结论:益智II号能明显促进小鼠记忆的保持,延缓记忆消退;益智II号促进记忆保持可能与其增加海马CA3区突触活性区长度、轴树突触及穿孔突触的数量有关。     

锁阳乙酸乙酯提取物改善慢性应激小鼠认知功能障碍的神经保护机制

本实验以去卵巢后慢性应激模型,探究锁阳乙酸乙酯提取物(ECS)改善慢性应激小鼠认知功能障碍的神经保护机制。采用Morris水迷宫检测小鼠空间学习记忆能力,Western Blot检测海马组织突触蛋白中突触囊泡蛋白(synaptophysin,Syn)和突触后致密物(Postsynaptic density protein 95,PSD-95)表达量,通过海马组织形态学改变进一步证明ECS的神经保护作用。Morris水迷宫结果显示雌鼠锁阳乙酸乙酯组穿越平台次数增加(P0.01)。Western Blot结果显示,ECS可增加Syn(P0.05)与PSD-95(P0.05)蛋白表达量。HE染色结果显示ECS可减轻海马神经元损伤,改善海马CA1区锥体细胞形态。结果表明ECS能够增加去势后慢性应激小鼠突触蛋白中Syn与PSD-95的表达量,保护海马神经元,改善慢性应激所致学习记忆障碍。     

衰老性记忆障碍与脑突触体内游离[Ca~(2 )]_i的相关性

采用行为观察和生化检测相结合的方法 ,在过去工作的基础上 ,研究了 12月龄和 18月龄小鼠学习记忆能力的变化和 18月龄小鼠四个脑区 (海马、大脑皮层、四叠体和小脑 )突触体内 [Ca2 ]i 的水平 ,同时还比较了老年记忆保持良好组与记忆障碍组小鼠的脑钙水平。结果表明 ,随着年龄的增长 ,小鼠的学习记忆能力显著下降 ,上述脑区 (除大脑皮层外 )突触内 [Ca2 ]i 均明显升高 ,其中老年记忆障碍小鼠脑钙水平升高最为显著。提示 ,小鼠衰老性记忆障碍可能与其脑突触体内 [Ca2 ]i 的超载有关。     

高钙引起的学习记忆障碍与突触界面结构参数的变化

本研究选用１月龄小鼠,观察了海马内注射ＣａＣｌ２造成高钙水平对小鼠学习和记忆行为的影响,并对海马ＣＡ３区进行突触超微结构定量分析。结果表明,与对照组相比：（１）ＣａＣｌ２组小鼠一次性被动回避反应的步入潜伏期有缩短的趋势,说明该组小鼠记忆减弱;同时Ｙ－迷宫分辨学习能力也显著下降（Ｐ〈０．０１）;（２）ＣａＣｌ２组海马ＣＡ３区突触后致密物质极显著变薄（Ｐ〈０．００１）,而突触间隙宽度显著增大（Ｐ〈０．     

右美托咪啶通过抑制NADPH氧化酶2缓解氧化应激小鼠模型神经元的毒性和认知障碍的机制

摘要 目的：探讨右美托咪啶通过抑制NADPH氧化酶2缓解氧化应激小鼠模型神经元的毒性和认知障碍的机制。方法：10只野生型以及20只Sod1KO雄性BALB/c小鼠,12月龄,根据实验目的分为3组：对照组（野生型小鼠）,模型组（氧化应激小鼠模型）和DEX组（氧化应激小鼠模型+50 μg/kg DEX治疗）,每组10只。通过MWM 测试检测小鼠的空间学习和记忆能力。通过免疫染色检测海马中Neu-N+细胞数和PSD-95表达水平。通过蛋白质印迹检测海马中Neu-N、PSD-95、TH、总α-突触核蛋白和Ser129-磷酸化α-突触核蛋白表达水平。通过ROS、MDA和SOD检测试剂盒分别检测ROS、MDA和SOD水平。通过 ELISA试剂盒检测NOX2水平。通过RT-qPCR检测IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α水平。结果：对照小鼠表现出正常的空间学习功能,与对照组小鼠相比,模型组小鼠逃避潜伏期和游泳距离增加（P<0.05）,而DEX治疗能够降低模型组小鼠逃避潜伏期和游泳距离（P<0.05）。三组小鼠平均游泳速度没有统计性差异（P>0.05）。与对照组小鼠相比,模型组小鼠小鼠海马中Neu-N+细胞数和PSD-95表达水平降低（P<0.05）,而DEX治疗能够增加小鼠海马中Neu-N+细胞数和PSD-95表达水平（P<0.05）。与对照组小鼠相比,模型组小鼠小鼠海马中Neu-N、PSD-95和TH蛋白表达水平降低（P<0.05）,总α-突触核蛋白和Ser129-磷酸化α-突触核蛋白表达水平升高（P<0.05）,而DEX治疗能够增加小鼠海马中Neu-N、PSD-95和TH蛋白表达水平（P<0.05）,降低总α-突触核蛋白和Ser129-磷酸化α-突触核蛋白表达水平（P<0.05）。与对照组小鼠相比,模型组小鼠ROS和MDA水平增加,SOD水平降低（P<0.05）,而DEX治疗能够降低ROS和MDA水平,增加SOD水平（P<0.05）。与对照组小鼠相比,模型组小鼠NOX2水平增加（P<0.05）,而DEX治疗能够降低NOX2水平（P<0.05）。与对照组小鼠相比,模型组小鼠IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α水平增加（P<0.05）,而DEX治疗能够降低IL-1β、IL-6和TNF-α水平（P<0.05）。结论：DEX对NOX2的抑制可通过抑制小鼠模型中的氧化应激和神经炎症来阻断学习和记忆障碍以及海马神经变性。     

M1乙酰胆碱受体对AMPA受体GluA1-Ser831 位点的调控作用

目的:从海马神经元谷氨酸离子型受体--AMPA受体亚基GluA1的831位丝氨酸(GluA1Ser831)磷酸化角度,探讨M1乙酰胆碱受体对AMPA受体GluA1亚基的调控作用及作用机制。方法:本研究以成熟的原代海马神经元为实验对象,用不易被降解的卡巴胆碱(Carbachol,CCh)作为胆碱受体激动剂,以免疫印迹法作为蛋白和磷酸化蛋白的主要检测手段,结合不同蛋白抑制剂研究M1受体调控AMPA受体GluA1亚基的关键信号分子及其机制。结果:1与对照组相比,CCh组Ser831的磷酸化水平显著升高。2CCh促进Ser831磷酸化的现象在M1受体选择性拮抗剂哌仑西平(Pirenzepine)+CCh组消失,CCh升高GluA1-Ser831磷酸化水平的作用由M1受体介导。3蛋白激酶C(ProteinkinaseC,PKC)抑制剂白屈菜红碱(Chelerythrinechloride,CHCL)能对抗CCh促进GluA1-Ser831位点磷酸化的作用,而钙/钙调素依赖性蛋白激酶II(Calcium/calmodulin-dependentkinaseII,CaMKII)抑制剂KN62不能对抗CCh的作用。4为检测体内GluA1-Ser831的磷酸化情况,用小鼠海马组织定位注射CCh和CHCL,CCh组小鼠海马组织GluA1-Ser831位点的磷酸化水平升高,CHCL能对抗这种作用,PKC介导了M1受体激活所导致的GluA1-Ser831磷酸化水平的升高。结论:M1受体通过激活PKC促进GluA1-Ser831的磷酸化。     

昆明小鼠学习记忆能力的年龄效应及其与海马突触囊泡蛋白的相关性

为了探讨昆明小鼠(Mus musculus)年龄相关性空间学习记忆能力改变及其与海马突触前囊泡蛋白1(synaptotagmin 1,SytⅠ)含量之间的关系。选取3个年龄段的昆明小鼠,①青年组:6月龄,28只;②中年组:11月龄,22只;③老年组:22月龄,17只。利用六臂辐射状水迷宫(RAWM)任务检测其空间学习记忆能力;制作组织微阵列,采用免疫组化技术检测SytⅠ在海马中的的表达;采用方差分析方法对六臂辐射状水迷宫实验参数和SytⅠ的相对含量进行统计学分析,使用Spearman秩相关检测这二者之间的相关性。结果发现,老年组昆明小鼠在学习期及记忆期的平均错误数及潜伏期均高于中年和青年鼠(P0.05),中年昆明小鼠与青年鼠之间的差异不显著(P0.05);老年组昆明小鼠在海马CA3区及齿状回(dentate gyrus,DG区)中SytⅠ的相对含量显著高于中年鼠和青年鼠(P0.05);昆明小鼠海马CA3、DG区SytⅠ的相对含量与学习期和记忆期的错误数及潜伏期均成正相关(P0.05)。由此推断,昆明小鼠可出现年龄相关性空间学习记忆能力降低,其海马CA3和DG的SytⅠ相对含量出现年龄相关性升高,海马SytⅠ升高可能与昆明小鼠年龄相关性空间学习记忆能力减退有关。     

消痰化瘀利窍方对慢性间歇性低氧小鼠认知障碍的改善作用*

目的: 探讨消痰化瘀利窍方对慢性间歇性低氧小鼠认知障碍的改善作用。方法: 48只雄性C57小鼠随机分为4组(n=12),常氧对照组(Normoxia),慢性间歇性低氧组(CIH)、慢性间歇性低氧中药干预组(Formula+CIH)、中药对照组(Formula)。Normoxia和Formula组暴露于常氧环境,CIH与Formula+CIH组暴露于间歇性低氧环境(低氧舱中前1.5 min充入氮气使舱内氧浓度降至9%,后1.5 min充入氧气使氧浓度恢复至21%,3 min/循环,每天上舱8 h,共35 d)。其中,Formula +CIH与Formula组于每日灌胃中药水煎液灌胃(26.8 g/kg),同时CIH组与Normoxia组灌胃给予同体积生理盐水。实验在26～35 d连续应用水迷宫观测各组小鼠的学习和记忆能力,35 d造模结束后,首先进行Y-迷宫实验,麻醉后断头取脑,分离海马组织。应用尼氏染色和电镜观察海马神经元的形态学改变,通过Western blot检测海马神经元synapsin和PSD-95的表达水平。结果: 与Normoxia组相比,CIH组小鼠水迷宫和Y-迷宫的成绩显著下降(P＜0.01,P＜0.01),海马神经元尼氏小体的数量和突触后致密物质的厚度均减少,PSD-95蛋白表达下调(P＜0.01),而synapsin表达无明显改变。与CIH组小鼠比较,消痰化瘀利窍方干预可显著提高小鼠水迷宫和Y-迷宫的成绩(P＜0.01),增加海马神经元尼氏小体的数量和突触后致密物质的厚度,上调PSD-95蛋白表达水平(P＜0.01)。结论: 消痰化瘀利窍方可改善由CIH诱导的突触后致密区的结构和功能受损,进而对认知功能障碍起到保护作用。     

海马内不同亚型雌激素受体α及相关信号分子与糖尿病小鼠空间认知障碍的相关性

本研究旨在探讨海马内不同亚型雌激素受体α(estrogen receptorα,ERα)及相关信号分子与糖尿病引起的空间认知障碍的相关性。腹腔注射四氧嘧啶建立1型糖尿病小鼠模型,并采用Morris水迷宫方法检测模型组小鼠是否存在空间认知障碍;然后用Western blot比较模型组和正常对照组小鼠海马内ERα不同亚型ER-α36和ER-α66的表达,同时检测窖蛋白-1(caveolin-1)、PKCα、cAMP反应元件结合蛋白2(cAMP-response element binding protein 2,CREB2)和突触素(synaptophysin,Syn)的表达变化。结果显示,相对对照组,糖尿病模型组小鼠空间训练第3天和第5天的逃避潜伏期显著延长(P0.05),撤去平台后游泳路程增加;模型组小鼠海马caveolin-1、PKCα表达量显著降低(P0.05),ER-α66蛋白表达水平没有明显变化,而ER-α36和CREB2的表达量显著升高(P0.05)。以上结果提示,海马内ER-α36及相关信号分子的异常表达对糖尿病小鼠空间认知障碍形成可能具有重要的作用。     

2-phenylethynyl-butyltellurium improves memory in mice

The present study was conducted to evaluate the effect of 2-phenylethynyl-butyltellurium (PEBT), an organotellurium compound, at doses of 5 and 10 mg/kg on memory, employing the step-down inhibitory avoidance task in mice. Moreover, the involvement of glutamate uptake and release in cerebral cortex and hippocampus of mice was investigated. A single oral administration (p.o.) of PEBT at the dose of 10 mg/kg 1h before training (acquisition), immediately after training (consolidation) or 1 h before the test session (retrieval) of the step-down inhibitory avoidance task increased the step-through latency time in comparison to the control mice. In the open-field test, no significant differences in the number of crossings and rearings were observed among groups. The [(3)H]glutamate uptake by cerebral cortex and hippocampal slices of mice was significantly inhibited after 1h of treatment with PEBT. After 24h of PEBT exposure, only the hippocampal [(3)H]glutamate uptake was inhibited. The [(3)H]glutamate release by cerebral cortex and hippocampal synaptosomes of mice was not altered. These results suggest that PEBT improved memory stages (acquisition, consolidation and retrieval) in the step-down inhibitory avoidance task in mice. The improvement of memory by PEBT seems most likely to be mediated through an interaction with the amino acid transporters of the glutamatergic system.     

Behavioral characteristics in mice with brain lesions induced by hypertonic saline

Behavioral and histopathological characteristics were studied in mice treated repeatedly with hypertonic saline. In passive avoidance response using a step-through-type shuttle box, the mice treated with hypertonic saline showed shorter latency than control mice. No changes were observed in active avoidance response using a two-way-type shuttle box, spontaneous motor activity or motor function. Histopathological examination revealed marked and frequent degeneration and loss of neurons in the hippocampus as compared with animals after single treatment. The animals with severe hippocampal lesions showed impairment of passive avoidance response. The present brain lesions resulting from repeated treatment with hypertonic saline in mice are considered to be a possible model for memory disorders caused by hippocampal lesions in humans.     

B-50/GAP-43 Phosphorylation and PKC Activity are Increased in Rat Hippocampal Synaptosomal Membranes After an Inhibitory Avoidance Training

Several lines of evidence indicate that protein kinase C (PKC) is involved in long-term potentiation (LTP) and in certain forms of learning. Recently, we found a learning-specific, time-dependent increase in [³H]phorbol dibutyrate binding to membrane-associated PKC in the hippocampus of rats subjected to an inhibitory avoidance task. Here we confirm and extend this observation, describing that a one trial inhibitory avoidance learning was associated with rapid and specific increases in B-50/GAP-43 phosphorylation in vitro and in PKC activity in hippocampal synaptosomal membranes. The increased phosphorylation of B-50/GAP-43 was seen at 30 min (+35% relative to naive or shocked control groups), but not at 10 or 60 min after training. This learning-associated increase in the phosphorylation of B-50/GAP-43 is mainly due to an increase in the activity of PKC. This is based on three different sets of data: 1) PKC activity increased by 24% in hippocampal synaptosomal membranes of rats sacrificed 30 min after training; 2) B-50/GAP-43 immunoblots revealed no changes in the amount of this protein among the different experimental groups; 3) phosphorylation assays, performed in the presence of bovine purified PKC or in the presence of the selective PKC inhibitor CGP 41231, exhibited no differences in B-50/GAP-43 phosphorylation between naive and trained animals. In conclusion, these results support the contention that hippocampal PKC participates in the early neural events of memory formation of an aversively-motivated learning task.     

Sigma-1 receptor stimulation by dehydroepiandrosterone ameliorates cognitive impairment through activation of CaM kinase II, protein kinase C and extracellular signal-regulated kinase in olfactory bulbectomized mice

Dehydroepiandrosterone (DHEA) is one of the most abundant neurosteroids synthesized de novo in the CNS. We here found that sigma-1 receptor stimulation by DHEA improves cognitive function through phosphorylation of synaptic proteins in olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) mouse hippocampus. We have previously reported that calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), protein kinase C (PKC) and extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) were impaired in OBX mouse hippocampus. OBX mice were administered once a day for 7-8 days with DHEA (30 or 60 mg/kg p.o.) 10 days after operation. The spatial, cognitive and conditioned fear memories in OBX mice were significantly improved as assessed by Y-maze, novel object recognition and passive avoidance task, respectively. DHEA also improved impaired hippocampal long-term potentiation in OBX mice. Notably, DHEA treatment restored PKCα (Ser-657) autophosphorylation and NR1 (Ser-896) and myristoylated alanine-rich protein kinase C substrate (Ser-152/156) phosphorylation to the control levels in the hippocampal CA1 region. Likewise, DHEA treatment improved CaMKIIα (Thr-286) autophosphorylation and GluR1 (Ser-831) phosphorylation to the control levels in the CA1 region. Furthermore, DHEA treatment improved ERK and cAMP-responsive element-binding protein (Ser-133) phosphorylation to the control levels. Finally, NE-100, sigma-1 receptor antagonist, significantly inhibited the DHEA-induced improvement of memory-related behaviors and CaMKII, PKC and ERK phosphorylation in CA1 region. Taken together, sigma-1 receptor stimulation by DHEA ameliorates OBX-induced impairment in memory-related behaviors and long-term potentiation in the hippocampal CA1 region through activation of CaMKII, PKC and ERK.     

Rapid and Transient Learning-Associated Increase in NMDA NR1 Subunit in the Rat Hippocampus

Several lines of evidence indicate that glutamate NMDA receptors are critically involved in long-term potentiation (LTP) and in certain forms of learning. It was previously demonstrated that memory formation of an inhibitory avoidance task in chick is specifically associated with an increase in the density of NMDA receptor in selected brain regions. Here we report on the effect of a one trial inhibitory avoidance training in rats, a hippocampal-dependent learning task, on the levels of different subunits of the glutamate NMDA receptor in synaptic plasma membranes (SPM) isolated from the hippocampus. Training rats on a one trial inhibitory avoidance task results in a rapid, transient and selective increase (+33 %, p < 0.05) in NMDA NR1 subunit expression in hippocampal SPM of rats sacrificed 30 min posttraining. No changes were observed at 0 or 120 min after training or in shocked animals in comparison to naive control rats. In addition, no training-associated increase in the levels of NMDA NR2A and NR2B or AMPA GluR 2/3 subunits was observed at any timepoint tested. In conclusion, the present findings support the hypothesis that alterations in expression of synaptic NMDA NR1 subunits in the hippocampus are specifically associated with memory formation of an inhibitory avoidance task and strongly suggest that hippocampal NMDA receptors are crucially involved in the neural mechanisms underlying certain forms of learning.These authors contributed equally to this work     

The ACTH-(4-9) analog ORG 2766 and desglycinamide9-(Arg8)-vasopressin reverse the retrograde amnesia induced by disrupting circadian rhythms in rats

Disrupting circadian organization by exposing rats to a shifted illumination schedule after training for passive avoidance and shuttle box avoidance behavior resulted in retrograde amnesia as evidenced by impaired performance during retention and extinction testing respectively. A single treatment with either the ACTH-(4-9) analog ORG 2766 or desglycinamide9-(Arg8)-vasopressin (DGAVP) 1 hour prior to the retention of passive avoidance or extinction of shuttle box avoidance behavior restored the behavioral impairment. It is suggested that these peptides may be useful to relieve memory deficits induced by disturbances in circadian organization.     

Decreased calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II and protein kinase C activities mediate impairment of hippocampal long-term potentiation in the olfactory bulbectomized mice

Olfactory bulbectomized (OBX) mice showed significant impairment of learning and memory-related behaviors 14 days after olfactory bulbectomy, as measured by passive avoidance and Y-maze tasks. We here observed a large impairment of hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) in the OBX mice. Concomitant with decreased acetylcholinesterase expression, protein kinase C (PKC)alpha autophosphorylation and NR1(Ser-896) phosphorylation significantly decreased in the hippocampal CA1 region of OBX mice. Both PKCalpha and NR1(Ser-896) phosphorylation significantly increased following LTP in the control mice, whereas increases were not observed in OBX mice. Like PKC activities, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) autophosphorylation significantly decreased in the hippocampal CA1 region of OBX mice as compared with that of control mice. In addition, increased CaMKII autophosphorylation following LTP was not observed in OBX mice. Finally, the impairment of CaMKII autophosphorylation was closely associated with reduced pGluR1(Ser-831) phosphorylation, without change in synapsin I (site 3) phosphorylation in the hippocampal CA1 region of OBX mice. Taken together, in OBX mice NMDA receptor hypofunction, possibly through decreased PKCalpha activity, underlies decreased CaMKII activity in the post-synaptic regions, thereby impairing LTP induction in the hippocampal CA1 region. Both decreased PKC and CaMKII activities with concomitant LTP impairment account for the learning disability observed in OBX mice.     

Reduced calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II activity in the hippocampus is associated with impaired cognitive function in MPTP-treated mice

Parkinson's disease (PD) patients frequently reveal deficit in cognitive functions during the early stage in PD. The dopaminergic neurotoxin, MPTP-induced neurodegeneration causes an injury of the basal ganglia and is associated with PD-like behaviors. In this study, we demonstrated that deficits in cognitive functions in MPTP-treated mice were associated with reduced calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) autophosphorylation and impaired long-term potentiation (LTP) induction in the hippocampal CA1 region. Mice were injected once a day for 5days with MPTP (25mg/kg i.p.). The impaired motor coordination was observed 1 or 2week after MPTP treatment as assessed by rota-rod and beam-walking tasks. In immunoblotting analyses, the levels of tyrosine hydroxylase protein and CaMKII autophosphorylation in the striatum were significantly decreased 1week after MPTP treatment. By contrast, deficits of cognitive functions were observed 3-4weeks after MPTP treatment as assessed by novel object recognition and passive avoidance tasks but not Y-maze task. Impaired LTP in the hippocampal CA1 region was also observed in MPTP-treated mice. Concomitant with impaired LTP induction, CaMKII autophosphorylation was significantly decreased 3weeks after MPTP treatment in the hippocampal CA1 region. Finally, the reduced CaMKII autophosphorylation was closely associated with reduced AMPA-type glutamate receptor subunit 1 (GluR1; Ser-831) phosphorylation in the hippocampal CA1 region of MPTP-treated mice. Taken together, decreased CaMKII activity with concomitant impaired LTP induction in the hippocampus likely account for the learning disability observed in MPTP-treated mice.     

Activation of Transient Receptor Potential Vanilloid 4 Promotes the Proliferation of Stem Cells in the Adult Hippocampal Dentate Gyrus

Neurogenesis plays an important role in adult hippocampal function, and this process can be modulated by intracellular calcium. The activation of transient receptor potential vanilloid 4 (TRPV4) induces an increase in intracellular calcium concentration, but whether neurogenesis can be modulated by TRPV4 activation remains unclear. Here, we report that intracerebroventricular injection of the TRPV4 agonist GSK1016790A for 5 days enhanced the proliferation of stem cells in the hippocampal dentate gyrus (DG) of adult mice without affecting neurite growth, differentiation, or survival of newborn cells. GSK1016790A induced increases in the hippocampal protein levels of cyclin-dependent kinase (CDK) 6, CDK2, cyclin E1, and cyclin A2 but did not affect CDK4 and cyclin D1 expression. The phosphorylation of retinoblastoma protein (Rb) in hippocampi was enhanced in GSK1016790A-injected mice compared with control mice. Moreover, hippocampal protein levels of extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) and p38 mitogen-activated protein kinase (p38 MAPK) phosphorylation were enhanced by GSK1016790A. Finally, GSK1016790A-enhanced proliferation was markedly blocked by a MAPK/ERK kinase or p38 MAPK antagonist (U0126 or SB203580, respectively). The increased protein levels of CDK2 and CDK6, as well as those of cyclin E1 and cyclin A2, in GSK1016790A-injected mice were substantially reduced by co-injection of U0126 or SB203580. We conclude that TRPV4 activation results in the proliferation of stem cells in the adult hippocampal DG, which is likely mediated through ERK1/2 and p38 MAPK signaling to increase the expression of CDKs (CDK6 and CDK2) and cyclins (cyclin E1 and A2), phosphorylate Rb consequently, and accelerate the cell cycle ultimately.     

Inhibitory Avoidance Learning Inhibits Ectonucleotidases Activities in Hippocampal Synaptosomes of Adult Rats

Several lines of evidence indicate that ATP may play an important role in Long-Term Potentiation. In this investigation we evaluated the effect of a memory task (step-down inhibitory avoidance) on the synaptosomal ecto-enzymes (ATP diphosphohydrolase and 5-nucleotidase) involved in the degradation of ATP to adenosine. After the training session, a decrease in the ATPase (40%) and ADPase (29%) activities of ATP diphosphohydrolase as well as was a decrease in 5-nucleotidase activity (31%) was observed in hippocampal synaptosomes of rats trained and killed immediately after training. In synaptosomes of rats killed 30 minutes after training, a decrease in ATPase activity (28%) was observed. In the test session, no significant changes were observed in the enzyme activities studied. These results provide new information about the activity of ecto-enzymes involved in nucleotide degradation and their possible participation in mechanisms of acquisition and modulation of memory processing.