Selective decline in protein F1 phosphorylation in hippocampus of senescent rats

Certain forms of neuronal plasticity have been found to be expressed through alterations in brain protein phosphorylation, and its regulation by protein kinase activity. Of interest in this regard is the possibility that the decline in neuronal plasticity and cognitive function that occurs in advanced age may result in part from altered phosphorylation of specific proteins. As a first attempt to identify age-related changes in phosphoproteins, we assayed in vitro phosphorylation of proteins in hippocampus, cerebellum, entorhinal cortex, and frontal cortex from Fischer-344 rats of 5 months, 11 months, and 25 months of age. Compared to the middle-aged animals, the aged rats showed a selective 46% decline in phosphorylation of the 47 kDa protein (F1) in hippocampus, with no change in the phosphorylation of other proteins measured in this structure. Aged animals also showed decreased phosphorylation relative to young animals. No age-related change was observed in any protein band for the other brain areas examined. Since protein F1 is phosphorylated by protein kinase C (PKC), the cytosolic and membrane distribution of this enzyme was compared across age groups. The activity of PKC in hippocampus did not change across age. The explanation of this age-related decline in protein F1 phosphorylation is likely to be a decline in the substrate protein itself. The results are discussed in terms of protein F1's possible role in age-related decline of hippocampal synaptic plasticity.

Enhancement of long-term potentiation by cis-unsaturated fatty acid: relation to protein kinase C and phospholipase A2

Previous correlative and interventive work from this laboratory has suggested that activation of protein kinase C (PKC) is important for the maintenance of the hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) response. One such study demonstrated that application of the cis-unsaturated fatty acid, oleate, a newly discovered PKC activator, could prolong the time course of LTP. The present study explored the mechanism of cis-unsaturated fatty acid action on LTP produced by perforant path stimulation. First, neither oleate application nor high-frequency stimulation alone produced a persistent change in synaptic transmission, while the 2 in conjunction did so. This suggests that oleate acts synergistically with the consequences of this stimulation to produce an enhancement of the LTP response. Second, oleate enhancement of LTP was more potent when applied in the perforant path synaptic terminal zone than in the dentate hilus, implying that the site of oleate action is at the synapse (where PKC is reported to be enriched). Third, translocation of PKC activity to the membrane was significantly increased after oleate-enhanced LTP relative to vehicle controls. PKC translocation was found to be unaltered by oleate application alone. Fourth, mepacrine blockade of the Ca2+-dependent enzyme phospholipase A2, which releases endogenous oleate from membrane phospholipids, inhibited the time-course of a persistent LTP response. This inhibition was shown to be reversible with oleate application. We propose that high-frequency stimulation produces an elevation of intracellular Ca2+, which then triggers phospholipase A2-mediated oleate release. This free oleate then could act in synergy with processes that render PKC oleate-sensitive to produce a persistent activation of PKC, which is critical for and leads to the persistence of the LTP response.

A newly discovered protein kinase C activator (oleic acid) enhances long-term potentiation in the intact hippocampus

Protein kinase C can be activated by oleate, an unsaturated fatty acid. Since protein kinase C is activated by long-term potentiation, we wished to determine whether iontophoretic ejection of oleate into the intact hippocampal dentate gyrus of urethane-anesthetized rats would cause an enhancement of the response potentiated by high frequency stimulation of the perforant path. Oleate ejection did significantly enhance the persistence of the potentiated response. Moreover, a growth of the response beyond the initial potentiation was seen. Arachidonate, which stimulates protein kinase C to a lesser degree, had a significant preservation effect, but no effect on growth of the response. After vehicle and elaidate (trans-stereoisomer of oleate) ejections, the potentiated response decayed to baseline values. In addition, the persistence of the potentiated response observed two hours after its induction was positively correlated with the ability of an unsaturated fatty acid to activate protein kinase C in vitro. The present results support the proposal that protein kinase C activation enhances synaptic strength. It is suggested that one mechanism for this activation may be PLA2-mediated release of oleate.

Translocation of protein kinase C activity may mediate hippocampal long-term potentiation

Protein kinase C activity in rat hippocampal membranes and cytosol was determined 1 minute and 1 hour after induction of the synaptic plasticity of long-term potentiation. At 1 hour after long-term potentiation, but not at 1 minute, protein kinase C activity was increased twofold in membranes and decreased proportionately in cytosol, suggesting translocation of the activity. This time-dependent redistribution of enzyme activity was directly related to the persistence of synaptic plasticity, suggesting a novel mechanism regulating the strength of synaptic transmission.