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The CaMKII/NMDA receptor complex controls hippocampal synaptic transmission by kinase-dependent and independent mechanisms.

Salvatore IncontroJavier Díaz-AlonsoJillian IafratiMarta VieiraCedric S AsensioVikaas S SohalKatherine W RocheKevin J BenderRoger A Nicoll
Published in: Nature communications (2018)
CaMKII is one of the most studied synaptic proteins, but many critical issues regarding its role in synaptic function remain unresolved. Using a CRISPR-based system to delete CaMKII and replace it with mutated forms in single neurons, we have rigorously addressed its various synaptic roles. In brief, basal AMPAR and NMDAR synaptic transmission both require CaMKIIα, but not CaMKIIβ, indicating that, even in the adult, synaptic transmission is determined by the ongoing action of CaMKIIα. While AMPAR transmission requires kinase activity, NMDAR transmission does not, implying a scaffolding role for the CaMKII protein instead. LTP is abolished in the absence of CaMKIIα and/or CaMKIIβ and with an autophosphorylation impaired CaMKIIα (T286A). With the exception of NMDAR synaptic currents, all aspects of CaMKIIα signaling examined require binding to the NMDAR, emphasizing the essential role of this receptor as a master synaptic signaling hub.
Keyphrases
  • prefrontal cortex
  • spinal cord
  • crispr cas
  • gene expression
  • spinal cord injury
  • young adults
  • genome editing
  • genome wide
  • protein kinase
  • cerebral ischemia
  • network analysis
  • wild type
  • childhood cancer