天香胶囊对晕动病模型大鼠行为学与前庭核c-fos蛋白表达的影响

目的:观察中药复方天香胶囊对晕动病模型大鼠行为学与前庭核c-fos蛋白表达的影响。方法:选择雄性SD大鼠并将其随机分为正常组、模型组、阳性药组、天香胶囊低、中、高剂量组。灌胃预给药3天后,采用双轴旋转刺激法建立大鼠晕动病模型,通过晕反应指数评分、自发活动实验、异嗜高岭土实验检测各组大鼠行为学变化,Western blotting法与免疫组化法检测各组大鼠前庭核c-fos蛋白的表达。结果:与正常组大鼠相比,模型组大鼠晕反应指数和高岭土摄入量均显著增高,自发活动总路程与次数均显著减少,前庭核c-fos蛋白表达水平显著增高;与模型组相比,天香胶囊可显著降低晕动病模型大鼠晕反应指数与高岭土摄入量,提高自发活动总路程与活动次数,降低大鼠前庭核组织c-fos蛋白表达。结论:天香胶囊可有效改善晕动病模型大鼠的行为学变化,其作用机制可能与下调前庭核c-fos表达有关,提示降低前庭核兴奋性可能是天香胶囊抗晕动病的内在机制之一。     

心肌细胞核钙调素I介导的bcl-2转录调节在大鼠心肌肥厚中的作用

为探讨心肌细胞核钙调素I(calmodulin I,CaM I)介导的bcl-2转录调节在大鼠心肌肥厚中的作用及其可能机制, 实验随机分为对照组和心肌肥厚组,采用腹主动脉缩窄法制备大鼠心肌肥厚模型。模型复制成功后4周,以改良差速离心和密度梯度离心提取并纯化细胞核;蛋白印迹法测定心肌细胞核cAMP反应元件结合蛋白(cAMP response-element binding protein,CREB)及磷酸化CREB(phosphorylated cAMP response-element binding protein,pCREB)表达;免疫组化法观察左室心肌组织CaM I蛋白表达及分布;延续转录分析法观察阻断CaM I后心肌细胞核bcl-2 mRNA的变化。结果表明,心肌肥厚组pCREB蛋白表达较对照组明显增加(P<0．05),CREB蛋白表达无明显变化(P>0．05);CaM I分布于细胞核及细胞浆,心肌肥厚组CaM I蛋白表达较对照组明显增加(P<0．05);使用CaM抑制剂后心肌细胞核bcl-2 mRNA表达明显上调(P<0．05)。结果提示,压力超负荷时心肌细胞核内CaM I激活,抗凋亡基因bcl-2表达下调,核转录因子CREB磷酸化增加,但CREB 在调节bcl-2基因转录过程中可能发挥次要作用。     

宽频噪音对谷氨酸中毒损伤AD模型大鼠不同脑区NMDAR1(ζ1)、NMDAR2A(ε1)亚基表达的影响

目的:观察AD大鼠模型颞叶和额叶在98 dB宽频噪音暴露5 min后不同脑区NMDAR1(ζ1)、NMDAR2A(ε1) 表达的影响.方法: 采用Western Blot及 RT-PCR技术,结合ABR测定方法.结果:①AD模型组大鼠、空白对照组大鼠在98 dB宽频噪音暴露5 min后额叶、颞区、海马及小脑NMDAR1(ζ1)亚基表达无明显差异,但AD模型组表达明显弱于空白对照组;②生理盐水组加噪音后NMDAR1(ζ1)亚基小脑表达最强,颞叶最弱; NMDAR2A(ε1)表达最强为颞叶,海马最弱.③在海马三组大鼠NMDAR1(ζ1) 、NMDAR2A(ε 1)亚基表达有较明显的下调趋势;④空白对照组大鼠NMDAR1(ζ1)、NMDAR2A(ε1)亚基mRNA表达各区无差异.⑤AD模型组大鼠颞叶、海马NMDAR2A(ε1) 表达明显减弱 ,最弱为小脑,额叶次之.结论:噪音刺激抑制AD大鼠模型海马NMDAR1(ζ1)亚基表达,且不在mRNA水平.噪音刺激抑制AD模型大鼠颞叶、海马NMDAR2A(ε1) 亚基表达,且有部位差异,在mRNA水平已调节.     

黄芩汤对糖尿病肾病大鼠肾脏NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1细胞焦亡通路的影响*

目的:研究黄芩汤对糖尿病肾病(diabetic nephropathy,DN)大鼠肾组织核因子κB(nuclear factor kappa-B,NF-κB)/NOD样受体热蛋白结构域相关蛋白3(NOD-like receptor thermal protein domain associated protein 3,NLRP3)/胱天蛋白酶-1(cysteinyl aspartate specific proteinase-1,Caspase-1)细胞焦亡通路的影响。方法: 将SD大鼠随机分为空白组、模型组、厄贝沙坦组(27 mg/kg)和黄芩汤低、高剂量组(5 g/kg和20 g/kg),高脂饲料喂养6周联合一次性腹腔注射链脲佐菌素(35 mg/kg)诱导DN大鼠模型,每组9只。灌胃给药6周后检测大鼠血清空腹血糖(fasting blood glucose,FBG)、总胆固醇(total cholesterol,TC)、甘油三酯(triacylglycerol,TG)、尿蛋白(urine protein,UP)、尿素氮(blood urea nitrogen,BUN)、血肌酐(serum creatinine,Scr)、白介素-1β(interleukin 1β,IL-1β)和IL-18水平;HE染色和Masson染色观察大鼠肾脏病理变化;Western blot和免疫组化检测肾脏NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1细胞焦亡通路相关蛋白及阳性细胞表达。结果: 与空白组比较,模型组大鼠FBG、TC、TG、UP、BUN、Scr、IL-1β和IL-18水平明显升高(P<0.01);肾脏出现肾小球体积增大及基底膜增厚,肾小管管腔扩张,炎性浸润及纤维化明显等病理变化;肾脏组织NF-κB的磷酸化水平,以及NLRP3、凋亡相关斑点样蛋白(apoptosis-associated speck-like protein containing a CARD,ASC)、Caspase-1、IL-1β和消皮素D(gasdermin D,GSDMD)的蛋白质表达明显升高(P<0.01);肾脏组织NLRP3和GSDMD阳性细胞表达水平明显升高(P<0.01)。与模型组比较,黄芩汤组大鼠上述血糖、血脂、肾功能及炎性因子水平均得到明显改善(P<0.05,P<0.01);肾脏肾小球及肾小管结构趋于正常,炎性浸润及纤维化程度得到改善;肾脏组织NF-κB的磷酸化水平,以及NLRP3、ASC、Caspase-1、IL-1β和GSDMD的蛋白质表达水平明显降低(P<0.05,P<0.01);肾脏组织NLRP3和GSDMD阳性细胞表达明显降低(P<0.05,P<0.01)。结论: 黄芩汤对DN大鼠具有确切的疗效,机制可能与抑制NF-κB/NLRP3/Caspase-1细胞焦亡通路有关。     

急、慢性乙醇处理后大鼠伏核内cAMP反应元件结合蛋白磷酸化的变化

采用免疫组织化学的方法,检测急性、慢性乙醇作用及戒断后大鼠伏核内cAMP反应元件结合蛋白(cAMP response element binding protein,CREB)磷酸化的变化。结果显示,急性腹腔注射乙醇后15min,伏核内磷酸化CREB(Phospho-CREB,p-CREB)蛋白明显增加,30min后达高峰,至1和6h后仍明显高于对照组。而慢性饮乙醇溶液显著降低大鼠伏核内P—CREB蛋白含量,在撤除乙醇后24、72h时,伏核内p—CREB蛋白含量仍明显较低,戒断后7d,恢复到正常水平。结果表明,急性乙醇处理增加伏核内CREB磷酸化作用,而慢性乙醇作用则降低伏核内CREB磷酸化作用,这可能是乙醇依赖的分子机制之一。     

夏枯草胶囊对自身免疫性甲状腺炎大鼠甲状腺组织及Fas、FasL表达的影响

目的:探讨夏枯草胶囊对自身免疫性甲状腺炎(AITD)大鼠甲状腺组织病理学及Fas、FasL表达的影响。方法:将40只雌性SD大鼠按照随机数表法随机分为空白对照组、模型组、夏枯草胶囊组、硒酵母组,每组10只,空白对照组予以正常饲养,模型组和药物组予以PTg皮下注射建立AITD模型,夏枯草胶囊组、硒酵母组分别给予夏枯草胶囊与硒酵母片的生理水溶液灌胃,药物干预6周后处死大鼠,取甲状腺组织,HE染色电镜下观察各组大鼠甲状腺组织形态,免疫组化法检测各组大鼠甲状腺组织Fas、FasL蛋白的表达。结果:1)模型组大鼠甲状腺组织滤泡大量破坏,形态不规则,胶质分布不均匀,滤泡间隙增大,可见大量淋巴细胞及浆细胞浸润。夏枯草胶囊组滤泡形态尚规则,胶质含量较空白组少,滤泡间有少量淋巴细胞浸润。与模型组对比,夏枯草胶囊组与硒酵母组滤泡破坏及淋巴细胞浸润有显著改善。2)对照组大鼠甲状腺组织中Fas、FasL蛋白仅呈少量表达,模型组大鼠甲状腺组织中Fas、FasL蛋白表达较对照组显著增加(P0.01),夏枯草胶囊组大鼠甲状腺组织中Fas、FasL蛋白表达较模型组及硒酵母组均显著减少(P0.01)。结论:夏枯草胶囊可能通过减少Fas、FasL的表达,抑制甲状腺滤泡细胞凋亡,从而减轻甲状腺滤泡上皮的破坏。     

心肌细胞核钙调素Ⅰ介导的bcl-2转录调节在大鼠心肌肥厚中的作用

为探讨心肌细胞核钙调素Ⅰ（calmodulinⅠ,CaMⅠ）介导的bcl-2转录调节存人鼠心肌肥脬中的作用及其可能机制,实验随机分为对照组和心肌肥厚组,采用腹卡动脉缩窄法制备人鼠心肌肥厚模犁。模型复制成功后4周,以改良差速离心和密度梯度离心提取并纯化细胞核;蛋白印迹法测定心肌细胞核cAMP反应元件结合蛋白（cAMP response-element binding protein,CREB）及磷酸化CREB（phosphorylated cAMP response-element binding protein,pCREB）表达;免瘦组化法观察左审心肌组织CaMI蛋白表达及分布;延续转录分析法观察阻断CaMⅠ后心肌细胞核bcl-2 mRNA的变化。结果表明,心肌肥厚组pCREB蛋白表达较对照组明显增加（P〈0．05）,CREB蛋门表达无明显变化（P〉0．05）;CaMⅠ分布于细胞核及细胞浆,心肌肥厚组CaMⅠ蛋白表达较对照组明显增加（P〈0．05）;使用CaM抑制刺后心肌细胞核bcl-2 mRNA表达明显上调（P〈0．05）。结果提示,压力超负荷时心肌细胞核内CaMⅠ激活,抗凋亡基因bcl-2表达下调,核转录因子CREB磷酸化增加,但CREB在调节bcl-2基因转录过程中可能发挥次要作用。     

人参皂甙Rb1减轻冈田酸诱导的大鼠海马神经元Tau蛋白过度磷酸化

为研究人参皂甙Rb1(ginsenoside Rb1)对冈田酸(okadaic acid,OA)诱导的大鼠海马神经元Tau蛋白过度磷酸化的影响及其可能机制,实验随机分为正常组、溶媒对照组、OA模型组和Rb1预处理组。正常组不作任何处理;Rb1预处理组大鼠分别用5、10、20 mg/kg的Rb1预处理,每天一次,共14 d,于第13天向海马背侧注射1.5μl OA[0.483 μl,溶于10% 二甲基亚砜(dimethysulphoxide,DMSO)];OA模型组大鼠于第13天时海马背侧注射OA,溶媒对照组则注射等体积的生理盐水。各组均于第15天收取标本。通过Biescbowski’s染色、免疫组化和Western blot,分别观察大鼠海马神经元胞体和突起内神经原纤维的改变和磷酸化Tau蛋白的表达水平,同时检测蛋白磷酸酯酶2A(protein phosphatase-2A,PP2A)活性以探讨其作用机制。结果显示:(1)OA模型组与溶媒对照组及正常组比较,海马神经元胞体和突起着色较深,染色不均匀;神经元中Thr231和Sei396位点磷酸化的Tau蛋白和总Tau含量增多;PP2A活性则明显下降(P<0.01):(2)Rb1预处理组大鼠海马神经元胞体和突起染色均匀,神经原纤维走行规则;海马神经元中Thr231和Ser396位点磷酸化的Tau蛋白和总Tau 含量较OA模型组减少,而PP2A活性明显增高(P<0.01)。以上观察结果表明,人参皂甙Rb1可以减轻OA诱导的大鼠海马神经元Tau蛋白过度磷酸化,其机制可能与提高PP2A活性有关。     

中风胶囊对脑缺血/再灌注损伤模型鼠脑组织自噬相关蛋白表达的影响*

目的: 观察中风胶囊对脑缺血/再灌注损伤(CIRI)模型鼠脑组织自噬相关蛋白表达的影响,初步揭示其对神经元损伤保护的分子机制。方法: 采用改良线栓法构建大鼠脑缺血/再灌注损伤模型,随机将60只雄性SD大鼠分为假手术组、模型组、丁苯酞组(0.054 g/kg)、中风胶囊高剂量组(1.08 g/kg)、中风胶囊中剂量组(0.54 g/kg)、中风胶囊低剂量组(0.27 g/kg),每组10只。造模结束后灌胃给药10 d,每天1次,实验结束后处死各组大鼠,摘取脑组织。各组大鼠末次给药24 h后进行神经功能评分;HE染色法观察各组大鼠脑组织病理形态;ELISA法检测各组大鼠血清雌二醇(E2)和卵泡刺激素(FSH);RT-PCR法与Western blot法分别测定各组大鼠脑组织PI3K/Akt/Beclin1信号通路关键基因及蛋白的表达。结果: 与假手术组比较,模型组大鼠体重及脑组织中p-PI3K、p-Akt等蛋白表达均显著降低,脑指数、神经功能缺损评分及脑组织Beclin1、LC3基因和蛋白表达均显著升高(P＜0.05或P＜0.01),脑组织结构排列疏松,间质水肿,神经细胞呈三角形,核固缩深染。与模型组相比,中风胶囊高剂量组大鼠体重显著升高,神经功能缺损评分显著下降(P＜0.05),脑组织病理损伤较模型组明显改善;中风胶囊各剂量组的脑指数及脑组织Beclin1、LC3的基因和蛋白表达均显著降低,脑组织中p-PI3K、p-Akt等蛋白表达均显著升高(P＜0.05或P＜0.01)。结论: 中风胶囊通过调控PI3K/Akt/Beclin1信号通路中Beclin1和LC3的表达来抑制CIRI模型鼠的自噬反应,从而发挥保护其脑神经元损伤的作用。     

针刺百会穴对产后抑郁小鼠行为学改变和海马区NMDAR相关蛋白表达的影响

摘要 目的：研究针刺百会穴对产后抑郁小鼠行为学改变和海马区N-甲基-D-天冬氨酸受体（NMDAR）相关蛋白表达的影响。方法：30只C57BL/6母鼠被随机分为对照组、模型组和治疗组,每组30只。模型组和治疗组小鼠在妊娠期间通过皮下注射地塞米松磷酸钠建立产后抑郁小鼠模型,对照组小鼠皮下注射等量的生理盐水作为对照。治疗组小鼠分娩后通过针刺百会穴治疗14天,模型组和对照组小鼠不进行治疗。比较三组小鼠24 h食物消耗量和体重,黑白箱实验中白箱停留时间和黑白箱穿梭次数,以及强迫游泳实验不动状态时间和悬尾实验中悬尾不动时间。同时,通过免疫印记法检测三组小鼠海马去NMDA受体（NR2A和NR2B）、cAMP 结合蛋白(CREB) 和钙调蛋白激酶II(CaMKII) 蛋白表达水平。结果：治疗前,产后抑郁小鼠24 h食物消耗量、体重、白箱停留时间、黑白箱穿梭次数以及海马区CREB蛋白表达水平均显著低于对照组小鼠（P<0.05）,而游泳不同状态时间、悬尾不动时间和海马区NR2A、NR2B、cAMP蛋白表达水平均显著高于对照组小鼠（P<0.05）。治疗后,针刺百会穴治疗组小鼠24 h食物消耗量、体重、白箱停留时间和黑白箱穿梭次数以及海马区CREB蛋白表达水平均显著高于模型组小鼠（P<0.05）,而游泳不同状态时间、悬尾不动时间和海马区NR2A、NR2B、cAMP蛋白表达水平均显著低于模型组小鼠（P<0.05）。结论：针刺百会穴可以显著改善产后抑郁小鼠行为学情况,提高其运动能力,其可能与影响产后抑郁小鼠NMDAR相关蛋白表达有关。     

Expression of Calcitonin Gene-Related Peptide in Efferent Vestibular System and Vestibular Nucleus in Rats with Motion Sickness

Motion sickness presents a challenge due to its high incidence and unknown pathogenesis although it is a known fact that a functioning vestibular system is essential for the perception of motion sickness. Recent studies show that the efferent vestibular neurons contain calcitonin gene-related peptide (CGRP). It is a possibility that the CGRP immunoreactivity (CGRPi) fibers of the efferent vestibular system modulate primary afferent input into the central nervous system; thus, making it likely that CGRP plays a key role in motion sickness. To elucidate the relationship between motion sickness and CGRP, the effects of CGRP on the vestibular efferent nucleus and the vestibular nucleus were investigated in rats with motion sickness.

Methods

An animal model of motion sickness was created by subjecting rats to rotary stimulation for 30 minutes via a trapezoidal stimulation pattern. The number of CGRPi neurons in the vestibular efferent nucleus at the level of the facial nerve genu and the expression level of CGRPi in the vestibular nucleus of rats were measured. Using the ABC method of immunohistochemistry technique, measurements were taken before and after rotary stimulation. The effects of anisodamine on the expression of CGRP in the vestibular efferent nucleus and the vestibular nucleus of rats with motion sickness were also investigated.

Results and Discussion

Both the number of CGRPi neurons in the vestibular efferent nucleus and expression level in the vestibular nucleus increased significantly in rats with motion sickness compared to that of controls. The increase of CGRP expression in rats subjected to rotary stimulation 3 times was greater than those having only one-time stimulation. Administration of anisodamine decreased the expression of CGRP within the vestibular efferent nucleus and the vestibular nucleus in rats subjected to rotary stimulation. In conclusion, CGRP possibly plays a role in motion sickness and its mechanism merits further investigation.     

大鼠运动病敏感性性别差异与相关脑区AVP及其V1b受体表达的关系

目的：检测不同性别大鼠旋转刺激后脑内相关区域精氨酸加压素（AVP）含量及V1b受体表达的变化,探讨AVP及受体参与运动病的可能机制。方法：给予SD大鼠30 min绕水平轴的旋转刺激,然后采用放免法检测相关脑区AVP含量,并通过荧光免疫组化方法测定相应脑区V1b受体的表达情况。结果：①在雌性大鼠,旋转刺激组各脑区AVP含量无显著性改变;对于雄性大鼠,对照组各检测脑区AVP含量高于雌性,旋转刺激组小脑、延髓内AVP含量的变化无显著性意义,但前脑、间脑、脑桥内AVP含量较对照组明显降低（P〈0.05）。②雌性大鼠视上核AVP的V1b受体表达阳性神经元数量旋转刺激组显著低于对照组（P〈0.05）,而前庭核、最后区V1b受体表达阳性神经元数量明显多于对照组（P〈0.05）;在雄性大鼠,旋转刺激组视上核与前庭核V1b受体表达阳性神经元数量无显著性改变,而最后区V1b受体表达阳性神经元数量有所增加（P〈0.05）,但增加幅度没有雌性大鼠明显。结论：前脑、间脑、脑桥内AVP含量与前庭核和最后区V1b受体表达及对旋转刺激反应的差异可能与运动病敏感性性别差异有关,并且前庭核、最后区可能是AVP-V1受体拮抗剂抗运动病作用的靶点。     

Inhibition of Acid Sensing Ion Channel 3 Aggravates Seizures by Regulating NMDAR Function

The existing data about whether acid sensing ion channels (ASICs) are proconvulsant or anticonvulsant are controversial. Particularly, acid sensing ion channel 3 (ASIC3) is the most sensitive to extracellular pH and has the characteristic ability to generate a biphasic current, but few studies have focused on the role of ASIC3 in seizure. Here we found ASIC3 expression was increased in the hippocampus of pilocarpine induced seizure rats, as well as in hippocampal neuronal cultures undergoing epileptiform discharge elicited by Mg²⁺-free media. Furthermore, ASIC3 blockade by the selective inhibitor APETx2 shortened seizure onset latency and increased seizure severity compared with the control in the pilocarpine induced seizure model. Incubation with APETx2 enhanced the excitability of primary cultured hippocampal neurons in Mg²⁺-free media. Notably, the aggravated seizure was associated with upregulation of the N-methyl-d-aspartate subtype of glutamate receptors (NMDARs), increased NMDAR mediated excitatory neurotransmission and subsequent activation of the Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) and cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) signaling pathway. Moreover, co-immunoprecipitation confirmed the interaction between ASIC3 and NMDAR subunits, and NMDARs blockade prevented the aggravated seizure caused by ASIC3 inhibition. Taken together, our findings suggest that ASIC3 inhibition aggravates seizure and potentiates seizure induced hyperexcitability at least partly by the NMDAR/CaMKII/CREB signaling pathway, which implies that ASIC3 agonists may be a promising approach for seizure treatment.     

Decreases in CaMKII activity trigger persistent potentiation of intrinsic excitability in spontaneously firing vestibular nucleus neurons

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) has been described as a biochemical switch that is turned on by increases in intracellular calcium to mediate synaptic plasticity. Here, we show that reductions in CaMKII activity trigger persistent increases in intrinsic excitability. In spontaneously firing vestibular nucleus neurons, CaMKII activity is near maximal, and blockade of CaMKII activity increases excitability by reducing BK-type calcium-activated potassium currents. Firing rate potentiation, a form of plasticity in which synaptic inhibition induces long-lasting increases in excitability, is occluded by prior blockade of CaMKII and blocked by addition of constitutively active CaMKII. Reductions in CaMKII activity are necessary and sufficient to induce firing rate potentiation and may contribute to motor learning in the vestibulo-ocular reflex.     

Nuclear CaMKII inhibits neuronal differentiation of PC12 cells without affecting MAPK or CREB activation

Ca²⁺/calmodulin-regulatedprotein kinase II (CaMKII) mediates many cellular events. The fourCaMKII isoforms have numerous splice variants, three of which containnuclear localization signals. Little is known about the role of nuclearlocalized CaMKII in neuronal development. To study this process, PC12cells were transfected to produce CaMKII targeted to either thecytoplasm or the nucleus and then treated with nerve growth factor(NGF). NGF triggers a signaling cascade (MAPK) that results in thedifferentiation of PC12 cells into a neuronal phenotype, marked byneurite outgrowth. The present study found that cells expressingnuclear targeted CaMKII failed to grow neurites, whereas cellsexpressing cytoplasmic CaMKII readily produced neurites. Inhibition ofneuronal differentiation by nuclear CaMKII was independent of MAPKsignaling, as sustained Erk phosphorylation was not affected.Phosphorylation of CREB was also unaffected. Thus nuclear CaMKIImodifies neuronal differentiation by a mechanism independent of MAPKand CREB activation.

     

Activation of protein kinase A is a pivotal step involved in both BMP-2- and cyclic AMP-induced chondrogenesis

We studied the roles of protein kinase A (PKA) activation and cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation in chondrogenesis using serum-free chicken limb bud micromass cultures as a model system. We showed the following points: (1) in micromass cultures, activation of PKA enhances chondrogenesis and increases the phosphorylation of CREB; (2) BMP-2, a chondrogenic stimulator, increases PKA activity and the level of phosphorylated CREB (P-CREB); (3) H8, a PKA inhibitor, inhibits chondrogenesis; (4) the chondrogenic activities of BMP-2 and cAMP are suppressed by H8; and (5) long-term TPA treatment (a protein kinase C (PKC) modulator) inhibits chondrogenesis and decreases the levels of CREB and P-CREB. These results suggest that activation of PKA is a physiological event during chondrogenesis that is involved in the chondrogenic effects of both BMP-2 and cyclic AMP (cAMP)-dependent pathways. J. Cell. Physiol. 170:153–165, 1997. © 1997 Wiley-Liss, Inc.     

Sequence determinants on the NR2A and NR2B subunits of NMDA receptor responsible for specificity of phosphorylation by CaMKII

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type II (CaMKII) and NMDA-type glutamate receptor (NMDAR) are neuronal proteins involved in learning and memory. CaMKII binds to the NR2B subunit of NMDAR in more than one mode, a stable association involving a noncatalytic site on CaMKII and an enzyme-substrate mode of interaction by its catalytic site. The latter binding results in phosphorylation of serine-1303 on NR2B. We have investigated this binding by studying the kinetics of phosphorylation of synthetic peptides harboring nested sequences of the phosphorylation site motif. We find that residues 1292-1297 of NR2B enhance the affinity of the catalytic site-mediated binding of CaMKII to the minimal phosphorylation site motif, 1298-1308 of NR2B, as evident from measurements of K(m) values for phosphorylation. However, CaMKII shows decreased affinity towards the closely related NR2A subunit due to an -Ile-Asn- motif present as a natural insertion in the analogous sequence on NR2A.