Research article summary (published 19 Sep 2006):

alphaCaMKII Is essential for cerebellar LTD and motor learning.

Full Abstract

Activation of postsynaptic alpha-calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (alphaCaMKII) by calcium influx is a prerequisite for the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) at most excitatory synapses in the hippocampus and cortex. Here we show that postsynaptic LTP is unaffected at parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses in the cerebellum of alphaCaMKII(-/-) mice. In contrast, a long-term depression (LTD) protocol resulted in only transient depression in juvenile alphaCaMKII(-/-) mutants and in robust potentiation in adult mutants. This suggests that the function of alphaCaMKII in parallel fiber-Purkinje cell plasticity is opposite to its function at excitatory hippocampal and cortical synapses. Furthermore, alphaCaMKII(-/-) mice showed impaired gain-increase adaptation of both the vestibular ocular reflex and optokinetic reflex. Since Purkinje cells are the only cells in the cerebellum that express alphaCaMKII, our data suggest that an impairment of parallel fiber LTD, while leaving LTP intact, is sufficient to disrupt this form of cerebellar learning.

Author information

Author/s: Hansel, Christian (C); de Jeu, Marcel (M); Belmeguenai, Amor (A); Houtman, Simone H (SH); Buitendijk, Gabriëlle H S (GH); Andreev, Dmitri (D); De Zeeuw, Chris I (CI); Elgersma, Ype (Y);

Affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Erasmus MC, P.O. Box 2040, 3000 CA, Rotterdam, The Netherlands.

Journal and publication information

Publication Type: In Vitro; Journal Article; Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

Journal: Neuron (Neuron), published in United States. (Language: eng)

Reference: 2006-Sep; vol 51 (issue 6) : pp 835-43

Dates: Created 2006/09/19; Completed 2006/11/07; Revised 2007/11/15;

PMID: 16982427, status: MEDLINE (last retrieval date: 2/18/2009, IMS Date: )

Sourced from the National Library of Medicine. Abstract text and other information may be subject to copyright.

Comments and Corrections

CommentIn: Neuron. 2006 Sep 21;51(6):680-2. (PMID: 16982413)

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MeSH headings (categories)

This article was linked to the MESH Headings shown below.

Animals Benzylamines - pharmacology Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases - antagonists & inhibitors; genetics; metabolism Cerebellum - cytology; physiology; ultrastructure Female Genotype Immunohistochemistry Learning - physiology Long-Term Potentiation - drug effects; physiology Long-Term Synaptic Depression - drug effects; physiology Male

Mice Mice, Inbred C57BL Mice, Knockout Microscopy, Electron Neuronal Plasticity - physiology Patch-Clamp Techniques Protein Kinase Inhibitors - pharmacology Purkinje Cells - cytology; enzymology; physiology Reflex, Vestibulo-Ocular - physiology Sulfonamides - pharmacology Synaptic Transmission - physiology Time Factors

Associated Chemicals: Benzylamines (0) ; Protein Kinase Inhibitors (0) ; Sulfonamides (0) ; KN 93 (139298-40-1) ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 (EC 2.7.11.17) ; Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases (EC 2.7.11.17)

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