Age-dependent requirement of AKAP150-anchored PKA and GluR2-lacking AMPA receptors in LTP

Association of PKA with the AMPA receptor GluR1 subunit via the A kinase anchor protein AKAP150 is crucial for GluR1 phosphorylation. Mutating the AKAP150 gene to specifically prevent PKA binding reduced PKA within postsynaptic densities (>70%). It abolished hippocampal LTP in 7-12 but not 4-week-old mice. Inhibitors of PKA and of GluR2-lacking AMPA receptors blocked single tetanus LTP in hippocampal slices of 8 but not 4-week-old WT mice. Inhibitors of GluR2-lacking AMPA receptors also prevented LTP in 2 but not 3-week-old mice. Other studies demonstrate that GluR1 homomeric AMPA receptors are the main GluR2-lacking AMPA receptors in adult hippocampus and require PKA for their functional postsynaptic expression during potentiation. AKAP150-anchored PKA might thus critically contribute to LTP in adult hippocampus in part by phosphorylating GluR1 to foster postsynaptic accumulation of homomeric GluR1 AMPA receptors during initial LTP in 8-week-old mice.