Calcineurin regulation of neuronal plasticity

Sinapic Acid Mitigates Pentylenetetrazol-induced Acute Seizures By Modulating the NLRP3 Inflammasome and Regulating Calcium/calcineurin Signaling: In Vivo and In Silico Approaches

Sinapic acid (SA) is a naturally occurring carboxylic acid found in citrus fruits and cereals. Recent studies have shown that SA has potential anti-seizure properties due to its anti-inflammatory, antioxidant, and anti-apoptotic effects. The present study investigated the neuroprotective role of SA at two different dosages in a pentylenetetrazol (PTZ)-induced acute seizure model. Mice were divided into six groups: normal control, PTZ, SA (20 mg/kg), SA (20 mg/kg) + PTZ, SA (40 mg/kg), and SA (40 mg/kg) + PTZ. SA was orally administered for 21 days, followed by a convulsive dose of intraperitoneal PTZ (50 mg/kg). Seizures were estimated via the Racine scale, and animals were behaviorally tested using the Y-maze. Brain tissues were used to assess the levels of GABA, glutamate, oxidative stress markers, calcium, calcineurin, (Nod)-like receptor protein-3 (NLRP3), interleukin (IL)-1β, apoptosis-associated speck-like protein (ASC), Bcl-2-associated death protein (Bad) and Bcl-2. Molecular docking of SA using a multistep in silico protocol was also performed. The results showed that SA alleviated oxidative stress, restored the GABA/glutamate balance and calcium/calcineurin signaling, downregulated NLRP3 and apoptosis, and improved recognition and ambulatory activity in PTZ-treated mice. In silico results also revealed that SA strongly interacts with the target proteins NLRP3 and ASC. Overall, the results suggest that SA is a promising antiseizure agent and that both doses of SA are comparable, with 40 mg/kg SA being superior in normalizing glutathione, calcium and IL-1β, in addition to calcineurin, NLRP3, ASC and Bad.

A new metal ion chelator attenuates human tau accumulation-induced neurodegeneration and memory deficits in mice

Neuronal neurofibrillary tangles containing Tau hyperphosphorylation proteins are a typical pathological marker of Alzheimer's disease (AD). The level of tangles in neurons correlates positively with severe dementia. However, how Tau induces cognitive dysfunction is still unknown, which leads to a lack of effective treatments for AD. Metal ions deposition occurs with tangles in AD brain autopsy. Reduced metal ion can improve the pathology of AD. To explore whether abnormally phosphorylated Tau causes metal ion deposition, we overexpressed human full-length Tau (hTau) in the hippocampal CA3 area of mice and primary cultured hippocampal neurons (CPHN) and found that Tau accumulation induced iron deposition and activated calcineurin (CaN), which dephosphorylates glycogen synthase kinase 3 beta (GSK3β), mediating Tau hyperphosphorylation. Simultaneous activation of CaN dephosphorylates cyclic-AMP response binding protein (CREB), leading to synaptic deficits and memory impairment, as shown in our previous study; this seems to be a vicious cycle exacerbating tauopathy. In the current study, we developed a new metal ion chelator that displayed a significant inhibitory effect on Tau phosphorylation and memory impairment by chelating iron ions in vivo and in vitro. These findings provide new insight into the mechanism of memory impairment induced by Tau accumulation and develop a novel potential treatment for tauopathy in AD.

Differential response of C9orf72 transcripts following neuronal depolarization

The (G₄C₂)_n nucleotide repeat expansion (NRE) mutation in C9orf72 is the most common genetic cause of ALS and FTD. The biological functions of C9orf72 are becoming understood, but it is unclear if this gene is regulated in a neural-specific manner. Neuronal activity is a crucial modifier of biological processes in health and neurodegenerative disease contexts. Here, we show that prolonged membrane depolarization in healthy human iPSC-cortical neurons leads to a significant downregulation of a transcript variant 3 (V3) of C9orf72, with a concomitant increase in variant 2 (V2), which leads to total C9orf72 RNA transcript levels remaining unchanged. However, the same response is not observed in cortical neurons derived from patients with the C9-NRE mutation. These findings reveal the impact of depolarization on C9orf72 transcripts, and how this response diverges in C9-NRE-carriers, which may have important implications in the underlying unique clinical associations of C9-NRE transcripts and disease pathogenesis.

[Ca2+-regulated enzymes calpain and calcineurin in neurodegenerative processes and prospects for neuroprotective pharmacotherapy]

Calcium (Ca²⁺) and Ca²⁺-regulated enzymes calpain and calcineurin are the key molecules of signaling mechanisms in neurons and ensure the normal course of intracellular neurochemical and neurophysiological processes. The imbalance and increase in the intracellular level of Ca²⁺ correlates with the activation of calpain and calcineurin. Inactivation of endogenous inhibitors and/or absence of exogenous pharmacological inhibitors of these enzymes may induce a cascade of intracellular mechanisms that are detrimental to the structural integrity and functional activity of neurons. The interrelated processes of Ca²⁺ imbalance, dysregulation of calpain and calcineurin are directly related to the development of intracellular pathophysiological reactions leading to the degeneration and death of selective neuronal populations in neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease. The review briefly presents the characteristics of calpain and calcineurin, their interrelated role in the neurodegeneration processes. Data on the efficiency of the exogenous inhibitors (in vivo, in vitro) point out the potential role of pharmacological regulation of calpain and calcineurin for neuroprotection.

Calcineurin in development and disease

Calcineurin (CaN) is a unique calcium (Ca²⁺) and calmodulin (CaM)-dependent serine/threonine phosphatase that becomes activated in the presence of increased intracellular Ca²⁺ level. CaN then functions to dephosphorylate target substrates including various transcription factors, receptors, and channels. Once activated, the CaN signaling pathway participates in the development of multiple organs as well as the onset and progression of various diseases via regulation of different cellular processes. Here, we review current literature regarding the structural and functional properties of CaN, highlighting its crucial role in the development and pathogenesis of immune system disorders, neurodegenerative diseases, kidney disease, cardiomyopathy and cancer.

Coexpression of calcineurin A and B subunits in various subcellular and synaptic compartments of cerebellar neurons and glia with particular abundance at parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses

Calcineurin (CN) is a Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent serine/threonine protein phosphatase consisting of catalytic CNA and regulatory CNB subunits, and links activity-dependent Ca²⁺ signals to various neural functions. Here we studied CN expression in the mouse brain by producing subunit-specific probes and antibodies. Of five CN subunits. CNAα, CNAβ, and CNB1 mRNAs were predominantly expressed over the brain from early embryonic to adult stage, and all were high in the telencephalon and cerebellum. Protein localization was examined in the cerebellum by immunofluorescence with cellular and terminal markers and by preembedding silver-enhanced immunogold microscopy. CNB1 and CNAβ were co-distributed in subcellular and synaptic elements of various cerebellar neurons and glia, whereas CNAα was exclusive in granule cell elements, including parallel fiber terminals. The present study thus discloses that CNB1 subunit well coexists with one or two CNA subunits in various cerebellar compartments. Moreover, high CN contents are provided to parallel fiber-Purkinje cell synapses, i.e., CNAα, CNAβ, and CNB1 in their presynaptic side and CNAβ and CNB1 in their postsynaptic side. These findings will be the anatomical basis, at least partly, for the known regulatory roles of postsynaptic CNs in long-term depression and presynaptic CNs in transmitter release function.

Sustained postsynaptic kainate receptor activation downregulates AMPA receptor surface expression and induces hippocampal LTD

It is well established that long-term depression (LTD) can be initiated by either NMDA or mGluR activation. Here we report that sustained activation of GluK2 subunit-containing kainate receptors (KARs) leads to α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid receptor (AMPAR) endocytosis and induces LTD of AMPARs (KAR-LTD_AMPAR) in hippocampal neurons. The KAR-evoked loss of surface AMPARs is blocked by the ionotropic KAR inhibitor UBP 310 indicating that KAR-LTD_AMPAR requires KAR channel activity. Interestingly, however, blockade of PKC or PKA also reduces GluA2 surface expression and occludes the effect of KAR activation. In acute hippocampal slices, kainate application caused a significant loss of GluA2-containing AMPARs from synapses and long-lasting depression of AMPAR excitatory postsynaptic currents in CA1. These data, together with our previously reported KAR-LTP_AMPAR, demonstrate that KARs can bidirectionally regulate synaptic AMPARs and synaptic plasticity via different signaling pathways.

Calcineurin Participation in Hebbian and Homeostatic Plasticity Associated With Extinction

In nature, animals need to adapt to constant changes in their environment. Learning and memory are cognitive capabilities that allow this to happen. Extinction, the reduction of a certain behavior or learning previously established, refers to a very particular and interesting type of learning that has been the basis of a series of therapies to diminish non-adaptive behaviors. In recent years, the exploration of the cellular and molecular mechanisms underlying this type of learning has received increasing attention. Hebbian plasticity (the activity-dependent modification of the strength or efficacy of synaptic transmission), and homeostatic plasticity (the homeostatic regulation of plasticity) constitute processes intimately associated with memory formation and maintenance. Particularly, long-term depression (LTD) has been proposed as the underlying mechanism of extinction, while the protein phosphatase calcineurin (CaN) has been widely related to both the extinction process and LTD. In this review, we focus on the available evidence that sustains CaN modulation of LTD and its association with extinction. Beyond the classic view, we also examine the interconnection among extinction, Hebbian and homeostatic plasticity, as well as emergent evidence of the participation of kinases and long-term potentiation (LTP) on extinction learning, highlighting the importance of the balance between kinases and phosphatases in the expression of extinction. Finally, we also integrate data that shows the association between extinction and less-studied phenomena, such as synaptic silencing and engram formation that open new perspectives in the field.

Early onset senescence and cognitive impairment in a murine model of repeated mTBI

Mild traumatic brain injury (mTBI) results in broad neurological symptoms and an increased risk of being diagnosed with a neurodegenerative disease later in life. While the immediate oxidative stress response and post-mortem pathology of the injured brain has been well studied, it remains unclear how early pathogenic changes may drive persistent symptoms and confer susceptibility to neurodegeneration. In this study we have used a mouse model of repeated mTBI (rmTBI) to identify early gene expression changes at 24 h or 7 days post-injury (7 dpi). At 24 h post-injury, gene expression of rmTBI mice shows activation of the DNA damage response (DDR) towards double strand DNA breaks, altered calcium and cell–cell signalling, and inhibition of cell death pathways. By 7 dpi, rmTBI mice had a gene expression signature consistent with induction of cellular senescence, activation of neurodegenerative processes, and inhibition of the DDR. At both timepoints gliosis, microgliosis, and axonal damage were evident in the absence of any gross lesion, and by 7 dpi rmTBI also mice had elevated levels of IL1β, p21, 53BP1, DNA2, and p53, supportive of DNA damage-induced cellular senescence. These gene expression changes reflect establishment of processes usually linked to brain aging and suggests that cellular senescence occurs early and most likely prior to the accumulation of toxic proteins. These molecular changes were accompanied by spatial learning and memory deficits in the Morris water maze. To conclude, we have identified DNA damage-induced cellular senescence as a repercussion of repeated mild traumatic brain injury which correlates with cognitive impairment. Pathways involved in senescence may represent viable treatment targets of post-concussive syndrome. Senescence has been proposed to promote neurodegeneration and appears as an effective target to prevent long-term complications of mTBI, such as chronic traumatic encephalopathy and other related neurodegenerative pathologies.

The Relevance of Amyloid β-Calmodulin Complexation in Neurons and Brain Degeneration in Alzheimer's Disease

Intraneuronal amyloid β (Aβ) oligomer accumulation precedes the appearance of amyloid plaques or neurofibrillary tangles and is neurotoxic. In Alzheimer’s disease (AD)-affected brains, intraneuronal Aβ oligomers can derive from Aβ peptide production within the neuron and, also, from vicinal neurons or reactive glial cells. Calcium homeostasis dysregulation and neuronal excitability alterations are widely accepted to play a key role in Aβ neurotoxicity in AD. However, the identification of primary Aβ-target proteins, in which functional impairment initiating cytosolic calcium homeostasis dysregulation and the critical point of no return are still pending issues. The micromolar concentration of calmodulin (CaM) in neurons and its high affinity for neurotoxic Aβ peptides (dissociation constant ≈ 1 nM) highlight a novel function of CaM, i.e., the buffering of free Aβ concentrations in the low nanomolar range. In turn, the concentration of Aβ-CaM complexes within neurons will increase as a function of time after the induction of Aβ production, and free Aβ will rise sharply when accumulated Aβ exceeds all available CaM. Thus, Aβ-CaM complexation could also play a major role in neuronal calcium signaling mediated by calmodulin-binding proteins by Aβ; a point that has been overlooked until now. In this review, we address the implications of Aβ-CaM complexation in the formation of neurotoxic Aβ oligomers, in the alteration of intracellular calcium homeostasis induced by Aβ, and of dysregulation of the calcium-dependent neuronal activity and excitability induced by Aβ.

Serine/Threonine Phosphatases in LTP: Two B or Not to Be the Protein Synthesis Blocker-Induced Impairment of Early Phase

Dephosphorylation of target proteins at serine/threonine residues is one of the most crucial mechanisms regulating their activity and, consequently, the cellular functions. The role of phosphatases in synaptic plasticity, especially in long-term depression or depotentiation, has been reported. We studied serine/threonine phosphatase activity during the protein synthesis blocker (PSB)-induced impairment of long-term potentiation (LTP). Established protein phosphatase 2B (PP2B, calcineurin) inhibitor cyclosporin A prevented the LTP early phase (E-LTP) decline produced by pretreatment of hippocampal slices with cycloheximide or anisomycin. For the first time, we directly measured serine/threonine phosphatase activity during E-LTP, and its significant increase in PSB-treated slices was demonstrated. Nitric oxide (NO) donor SNAP also heightened phosphatase activity in the same manner as PSB, and simultaneous application of anisomycin + SNAP had no synergistic effect. Direct measurement of the NO production in hippocampal slices by the NO-specific fluorescent probe DAF-FM revealed that PSBs strongly stimulate the NO concentration in all studied brain areas: CA1, CA3, and dentate gyrus (DG). Cyclosporin A fully abolished the PSB-induced NO production in the hippocampus, suggesting a close relationship between nNOS and PP2B activity. Surprisingly, cyclosporin A alone impaired short-term plasticity in CA1 by decreasing paired-pulse facilitation, which suggests bi-directionality of the influences of PP2B in the hippocampus. In conclusion, we proposed a minimal model of signaling events that occur during LTP induction in normal conditions and the PSB-treated slices.

Oxytocinergic system mediates the proconvulsant effects of sildenafil: The role of calcineurin

Sildenafil is a phosphodiesterase type 5 inhibitor used to treat male erectile dysfunction and pulmonary hypertension. A potential side effect of sildenafil is a noticeable decrease in seizure threshold. Oxytocin (OXT) secretion and the subsequent cAMP-responsive element-binding (CREB) phosphorylation are involved in proconvulsant effects of sildenafil in experimental models. The aim of the present study was to investigate the potential role of OXT receptors and their downstream calcineurin (CN)/inducible nitric oxide synthase (iNOS) pathways in proconvulsant effects of sildenafil. The pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure was used as a standard convulsion model in this study. Cortical CN activity, hippocampal nitrite levels, and proinflammatory cytokine content were measured. Our results indicated that following PTZ administration, sildenafil significantly increased CN activity at 40 mg/kg, respectively, in the control group. The combination of sildenafil and OXT receptor antagonist, atosiban (10 μg/kg, i.c.v) 30 min before sildenafil administration significantly reduced the CN activity. Also, the subeffective dose of CN inhibitor cyclosporine (5 mg/kg) 30 min before the administration of effective dose of sildenafil (40 mg/kg) reversed proconvulsant actions of sildenafil. This effect was iNOS-dependent because pretreatment of a low dose of aminoguanidine (20 mg/kg) 15 min before the administration of a low dose of cyclosporine (1 mg/kg) reversed the proconvulsant action of sildenafil (40 mg/kg). Finally, sildenafil induced the elevation of tumor necrosis factor alpha (TNF-α) and the nitrite level was blocked by the administration of cyclosporine in PTZ-treated mice. Collectively, our data provide insights into the role of OXT receptor/CN/iNOS pathway in the proconvulsant aspect of sildenafil.

Cellular mechanisms underlying the rapid depolarization caused by oxygen and glucose deprivation in layer III pyramidal cells of the somatosensory cortex

Cortical pyramidal neurons show rapid and irreversible membrane depolarization in response to oxygen-glucose depolarization (OGD). In this study, we investigated cellular mechanisms responsible for rapid depolarization caused by OGD in layer III pyramidal neurons of the mouse somatosensory cortex. When OGD solution was perfused in the presence of Ca²⁺ chelator and inhibitors of ryanodine receptors (RyRs) and inositol 1,4,5-trisphosphate receptors (IP₃Rs) in the pipette solution or in the presence of inhibitors of NMDA receptors (NMDARs), voltage-gated Ca²⁺ channels (VGCCs), and canonical transient receptor potential (TRPC) channels in the perfusion solution, the latency of the rapid depolarization was significantly prolonged compared to the control. In addition, when OGD solution was perfused in the presence of scavengers of nitric oxide and reactive oxygen species in the perfusion solution or in the presence of calcineurin inhibitors in the pipette solution, the latency of the rapid depolarization was significantly prolonged compared to the control. These data indicate that OGD-induced intracellular Ca²⁺ increases mediated by Ca²⁺ influx through NMDARs, VGCCs and TRPC channels as well as by Ca²⁺ release from RyRs and IP₃Rs lead to mitochondrial impairment, which may facilitate the generation of the rapid depolarization via dysfunction of Na⁺-K⁺-ATPase due to decreased ATP production.

Merits and Limitations of Studying Neuronal Depolarization-Dependent Processes Using Elevated External Potassium

Elevated extracellular potassium chloride is widely used to achieve membrane depolarization of cultured neurons. This technique has illuminated mechanisms of calcium influx through L-type voltage sensitive calcium channels, activity-regulated signaling, downstream transcriptional events, and many other intracellular responses to depolarization. However, there is enormous variability in these treatments, including durations from seconds to days and concentrations from 3mM to 150 mM KCl. Differential effects of these variable protocols on neuronal activity and transcriptional programs are underexplored. Furthermore, potassium chloride treatments in vitro are criticized for being poor representatives of in vivo phenomena and are questioned for their effects on cell viability. In this review, we discuss the intracellular consequences of elevated extracellular potassium chloride treatment in vitro, the variability of such treatments in the literature, the strengths and limitations of this tool, and relevance of these studies to brain functions and dysfunctions.

Decreased abundance of TRESK two-pore domain potassium channels in sensory neurons underlies the pain associated with bone metastasis

Bone metastasis–associated VEGF suppresses neuronal K + channels and increases pain in rats.

Calcineurin and Its Role in Synaptic Transmission

Calcineurin (CaN) is a serine/threonine phosphatase widely expressed in different cell types and structures including neurons and synapses. The most studied role of CaN is its involvement in the functioning of postsynaptic structures of central synapses. The role of CaN in the presynaptic structures of central and peripheral synapses is less understood, although it has generated a considerable interest and is a subject of a growing number of studies. The regulatory role of CaN in synaptic vesicle endocytosis in the synapse terminals is actively studied. In recent years, new targets of CaN have been identified and its role in the regulation of enzymes and neurotransmitter secretion in peripheral neuromuscular junctions has been revealed. CaN is the only phosphatase that requires calcium and calmodulin for activation. In this review, we present details of CaN molecular structure and give a detailed description of possible mechanisms of CaN activation involving calcium, enzymes, and endogenous and exogenous inhibitors. Known and newly discovered CaN targets at pre- and postsynaptic levels are described. CaN activity in synaptic structures is discussed in terms of functional involvement of this phosphatase in synaptic transmission and neurotransmitter release.

Cypin: A novel target for traumatic brain injury

Cytosolic PSD-95 interactor (cypin), the primary guanine deaminase in the brain, plays key roles in shaping neuronal circuits and regulating neuronal survival. Despite this pervasive role in neuronal function, the ability for cypin activity to affect recovery from acute brain injury is unknown. A key barrier in identifying the role of cypin in neurological recovery is the absence of pharmacological tools to manipulate cypin activity in vivo. Here, we use a small molecule screen to identify two activators and one inhibitor of cypin's guanine deaminase activity. The primary screen identified compounds that change the initial rate of guanine deamination using a colorimetric assay, and secondary screens included the ability of the compounds to protect neurons from NMDA-induced injury and NMDA-induced decreases in frequency and amplitude of miniature excitatory postsynaptic currents. Hippocampal neurons pretreated with activators preserved electrophysiological function and survival after NMDA-induced injury in vitro, while pretreatment with the inhibitor did not. The effects of the activators were abolished when cypin was knocked down. Administering either cypin activator directly into the brain one hour after traumatic brain injury significantly reduced fear conditioning deficits 5 days after injury, while delivering the cypin inhibitor did not improve outcome after TBI. Together, these data demonstrate that cypin activation is a novel approach for improving outcome after TBI and may provide a new pathway for reducing the deficits associated with TBI in patients.

Brain, blood, cerebrospinal fluid, and serum biomarkers in schizophrenia

Over the last decade, finding a reliable biomarker for the early detection of schizophrenia (Scz) has been a topic of interest. The main goal of the current review is to provide a comprehensive view of the brain, blood, cerebrospinal fluid (CSF), and serum biomarkers of Scz disease. Imaging studies have demonstrated that the volumes of the corpus callosum, thalamus, hippocampal formation, subiculum, parahippocampal gyrus, superior temporal gyrus, prefrontal and orbitofrontal cortices, and amygdala-hippocampal complex were reduced in patients diagnosed with Scz. It has been revealed that the levels of interleukin 1β (IL-1β), IL-6, IL-8, and TNF-α were increased in patients with Scz. Decreased mRNA levels of brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF), tropomyosin receptor kinase B (TrkB), neurotrophin-3 (NT-3), nerve growth factor (NGF), and vascular endothelial growth factor (VEGF) genes have also been reported in Scz patients. Genes with known strong relationships with this disease include BDNF, catechol-O-methyltransferase (COMT), regulator of G-protein signaling 4 (RGS4), dystrobrevin-binding protein 1 (DTNBP1), neuregulin 1 (NRG1), Reelin (RELN), Selenium-binding protein 1 (SELENBP1), glutamic acid decarboxylase 67 (GAD 67), and disrupted in schizophrenia 1 (DISC1). The levels of dopamine, tyrosine hydroxylase (TH), serotonin or 5-hydroxytryptamine (5-HT) receptor 1A and B (5-HTR1A and 5-HTR1B), and 5-HT1B were significantly increased in Scz patients, while the levels of gamma-aminobutyric acid (GABA), 5-HT transporter (5-HTT), and 5-HT receptor 2A (5-HTR2A) were decreased. The increased levels of SELENBP1 and Glycogen synthase kinase 3 subunit α (GSK3α) genes in contrast with reduced levels of B-cell translocation gene 1 (BTG1), human leukocyte antigen DRB1 (HLA-DRB1), heterogeneous nuclear ribonucleoprotein A3 (HNRPA3), and serine/arginine-rich splicing factor 1 (SFRS1) genes have also been reported. This review covers various dysregulation of neurotransmitters and also highlights the strengths and weaknesses of studies attempting to identify candidate biomarkers.

Presynaptic Dopamine D2 Receptors Modulate [3H]GABA Release at StriatoPallidal Terminals via Activation of PLC → IP3 → Calcineurin and Inhibition of AC → cAMP → PKA Signaling Cascades

Striatal dopamine D2 receptors activate the PLC → IP3 → Calcineurin-signaling pathway to modulate the neural excitability of En+ Medium-sized Spiny GABAergic neurons (MSN) through the regulation of L-type Ca²⁺ channels. Presynaptic dopaminergic D2 receptors modulate GABA release at striatopallidal terminals through L-type Ca²⁺ channels as well, but their signaling pathway is still undetermined. Since D2 receptors are Gi/o-coupled and negatively modulate adenylyl cyclase (AC), we investigated whether presynaptic D2 receptors modulate GABA release through the same signaling cascade that controls excitability in the striatum or by the inhibition of AC and decreased PKA activity. Activation of D2 receptors stimulated formation of [³H]IP₁ and decreased Forskolin-stimulated [³H]cAMP accumulation in synaptosomes from rat Globus Pallidus. D2 receptor activation with Quinpirole in the presence of L 745,870 decreased, in a dose-dependent manner, K⁺-induced [³H]GABA release in pallidal slices. The effect was prevented by the pharmacological blockade of Gi/o βγ subunit effects with Gallein, PLC with U 73122, IP3 receptor activation with 4-APB, Calcineurin with FK506. In addition, when release was stimulated with Forskolin to activate AC, D2 receptors also decreased K⁺-induced [³H]GABA release, an effect occluded with the effect of the blockade of PKA with H89 or stimulation of release with the cAMP analog 8-Br-cAMP. These data indicate that D2 receptors modulate [³H]GABA release at striatopallidal terminals by activating the PLC → IP3 → Calcineurin-signaling cascade, the same one that modulates excitability in soma. Additionally, D2 receptors inhibit release when AC is active. Both mechanisms appear to converge to regulate the activity of presynaptic L-type Ca²⁺ channels.

Synaptic Vesicle-Recycling Machinery Components as Potential Therapeutic Targets

Presynaptic nerve terminals are highly specialized vesicle-trafficking machines. Neurotransmitter release from these terminals is sustained by constant local recycling of synaptic vesicles independent from the neuronal cell body. This independence places significant constraints on maintenance of synaptic protein complexes and scaffolds. Key events during the synaptic vesicle cycle-such as exocytosis and endocytosis-require formation and disassembly of protein complexes. This extremely dynamic environment poses unique challenges for proteostasis at synaptic terminals. Therefore, it is not surprising that subtle alterations in synaptic vesicle cycle-associated proteins directly or indirectly contribute to pathophysiology seen in several neurologic and psychiatric diseases. In contrast to the increasing number of examples in which presynaptic dysfunction causes neurologic symptoms or cognitive deficits associated with multiple brain disorders, synaptic vesicle-recycling machinery remains an underexplored drug target. In addition, irrespective of the involvement of presynaptic function in the disease process, presynaptic machinery may also prove to be a viable therapeutic target because subtle alterations in the neurotransmitter release may counter disease mechanisms, correct, or compensate for synaptic communication deficits without the need to interfere with postsynaptic receptor signaling. In this article, we will overview critical properties of presynaptic release machinery to help elucidate novel presynaptic avenues for the development of therapeutic strategies against neurologic and neuropsychiatric disorders.

A central role for calcineurin in protein misfolding neurodegenerative diseases

Accumulation of misfolded/unfolded aggregated proteins in the brain is a hallmark of many neurodegenerative diseases affecting humans and animals. Dysregulation of calcium (Ca2+) and disruption of fast axonal transport (FAT) are early pathological events that lead to loss of synaptic integrity and axonal degeneration in early stages of neurodegenerative diseases. Dysregulated Ca2+ in the brain is triggered by accumulation of misfolded/unfolded aggregated proteins in the endoplasmic reticulum (ER), a major Ca2+ storing organelle, ultimately leading to neuronal dysfunction and apoptosis. Calcineurin (CaN), a Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent serine/threonine phosphatase, has been implicated in T cells activation through the induction of nuclear factor of activated T cells (NFAT). In addition to the involvement of several other signaling cascades, CaN has been shown to play a role in early synaptic dysfunction and neuronal death. Therefore, inhibiting hyperactivated CaN in early stages of disease might be a promising therapeutic strategy for treating patients with protein misfolding diseases. In this review, we briefly summarize the structure of CaN, inhibition mechanisms by which immunosuppressants inhibit CaN, role of CaN in maintaining neuronal and synaptic integrity and homeostasis and the role played by CaN in protein unfolding/misfolding neurodegenerative diseases.

Immunohistochemical assessment of rat nerve isografts and immunosuppressed allografts

OBJECTIVE

Autologous peripheral nerve grafts are commonly used clinically as a treatment for peripheral nerve injuries. However, in research using an autologous graft is not always feasible due to loss of function, which in many cases is assessed to determine the efficacy of the peripheral nerve graft. In addition, using allografts for research require the use of an immunosuppressant, which creates unwanted side effects and another variable within the experiment that can affect regeneration. The objective of this study was to analyze graft rejection in peripheral nerve grafts and the effects of cyclosporine A (CSA) on axonal regeneration.

METHODS

Peripheral nerve grafts in inbred Lewis rats were compared with Sprague-Dawley (SD) rats to assess graft rejection, CSA side effects, immune responses, and regenerative capability. Macrophages and CD8+ cells were labeled to determine graft rejection, and neurofilaments were labeled to determine axonal regeneration.

RESULTS

SD rats without CSA had significantly more macrophages and CD8+ cells compared to Lewis autografts, Lewis isografts, and SD allografts treated with CSA. Lewis autografts, Lewis isografts, and SD autografts had significantly more regenerated axons than SD rat allografts. Moreover, allografts in immunosuppressed SD rats had significantly less axons than Lewis rat autograft and isografts.

DISCUSSION

Autografts have long been the gold standard for treating major nerve injuries and these data suggest that even though CSA is effective at reducing graft rejection, axon regeneration is still superior in autografts versus immunosuppressed allografts.

Variation in PPP3CC Genotype Is Associated with Long-Term Recovery after Severe Brain Injury

After experimental traumatic brain injury (TBI), calcineurin is upregulated; blocking calcineurin is associated with improved outcomes. In humans, variation in the calcineurin A-gamma gene (PPP3CC) has been associated with neuropsychiatric disorders, though any role in TBI recovery remains unknown. This study examines associations between PPP3CC genotype and mortality, as well as gross functional status assessed at admission using the Glasgow Coma Scale (GCS) and at 3, 6, and 12 months after severe TBI using the Glasgow Outcome Score (GOS). The following tagging single nucleotide polymorphisms (tSNPs) in PPP3CC were genotyped: rs2443504, rs2461491, rs2469749, and rs10108011. The rs2443504 AA genotype was univariately associated with GCS (p = 0.022), GOS at 3, 6, and 12 months (p = 0.002, p = 0.034, and p = 0.004, respectively), and mortality (p = 0.007). In multivariate analysis controlling for age, sex, and GCS, the AA genotype of rs2443504 was associated with GOS at 3 (p = 0.02), and 12 months (p = 0.01), with a trend toward significance at 6 months (p = 0.05); the AA genotype also was associated with mortality in the multivariate model (p = 0.04). Further work is warranted to better understand the role of calcineurin, as well as the genes encoding it and their relevance to outcomes after brain injury.

Calcineurin Aγ is a Functional Phosphatase That Modulates Synaptic Vesicle Endocytosis

Variation in PPP3CC, the gene that encodes the γ isoform of the calcineurin catalytic subunit, has been reported to be associated with schizophrenia. Because of its low expression level in most tissues, there has been little research devoted to the specific function of the calcineurin Aγ (CNAγ) versus the calcineurin Aα (CNAα) and calcineurin Aβ (CNAβ) catalytic isoforms. Consequently, we have a limited understanding of the role of altered CNAγ function in psychiatric disease. In this study, we demonstrate that CNAγ is present in the rodent and human brain and dephosphorylates a presynaptic substrate of calcineurin. Through a combination of immunocytochemistry and immuno-EM, we further show that CNAγ is localized to presynaptic terminals in hippocampal neurons. Critically, we demonstrate that RNAi-mediated knockdown of CNAγ leads to a disruption of synaptic vesicle cycling in cultured rat hippocampal neurons. These data indicate that CNAγ regulates a critical aspect of synaptic vesicle cycling and suggest that variation in PPP3CC may contribute to psychiatric disease by altering presynaptic function.

Neurotensin Induces Presynaptic Depression of D2 Dopamine Autoreceptor-Mediated Neurotransmission in Midbrain Dopaminergic Neurons

Increased dopaminergic signaling is a hallmark of severe mesencephalic pathologies such as schizophrenia and psychostimulant abuse. Activity of midbrain dopaminergic neurons is under strict control of inhibitory D2 autoreceptors. Application of the modulatory peptide neurotensin (NT) to midbrain dopaminergic neurons transiently increases activity by decreasing D2 dopamine autoreceptor function, yet little is known about the mechanisms that underlie long-lasting effects. Here, we performed patch-clamp electrophysiology and fast-scan cyclic voltammetry in mouse brain slices to determine the effects of NT on dopamine autoreceptor-mediated neurotransmission. Application of the active peptide fragment NT8-13 produced synaptic depression that exhibited short- and long-term components. Sustained depression of D2 autoreceptor signaling required activation of the type 2 NT receptor and the protein phosphatase calcineurin. NT application increased paired-pulse ratios and decreased extracellular levels of somatodendritic dopamine, consistent with a decrease in presynaptic dopamine release. Surprisingly, we observed that electrically induced long-term depression of dopaminergic neurotransmission that we reported previously was also dependent on type 2 NT receptors and calcineurin. Because electrically induced depression, but not NT-induced depression, was blocked by postsynaptic calcium chelation, our findings suggest that endogenous NT may act through a local circuit to decrease presynaptic dopamine release. The current research provides a mechanism through which augmented NT release can produce a long-lasting increase in membrane excitability of midbrain dopamine neurons.

SIGNIFICANCE STATEMENT

Whereas plasticity of glutamate synapses in the brain has been studied extensively, demonstrations of plasticity at dopaminergic synapses have been more elusive. By quantifying inhibitory neurotransmission between midbrain dopaminergic neurons in brain slices from mice we have discovered that the modulatory peptide neurotensin can induce a persistent synaptic depression by decreasing dopamine release. This depression of inhibitory synaptic input would be expected to increase excitability of dopaminergic neurons. Induction of the plasticity can be pharmacologically blocked by antagonists of either the protein phosphatase calcineurin or neurotensin receptors, and persists surprisingly long after a brief exposure to the peptide. Since neurotensin-dopamine interactions have been implicated in hyperdopaminergic pathologies, these findings describe a synaptic mechanism that could contribute to addiction and/or schizophrenia.

The NMDA Receptor Promotes Sleep in the Fruit Fly, Drosophila melanogaster

Considerable evidence indicates that sleep is essential for learning and memory. Drosophila melanogaster has emerged as a novel model for studying sleep. We previously found a short sleeper mutant, fumin (fmn), and identified its mutation in the dopamine transporter gene. We reported similarities in the molecular basis of sleep and arousal regulation between mammals and Drosophila. In aversive olfactory learning tasks, fmn mutants demonstrate defective memory retention, which suggests an association between sleep and memory. In an attempt to discover additional sleep related genes in Drosophila, we carried out a microarray analysis comparing mRNA expression in heads of fmn and control flies and found that 563 genes are differentially expressed. Next, using the pan-neuronal Gal4 driver elav-Gal4 and UAS-RNA interference (RNAi) to knockdown individual genes, we performed a functional screen. We found that knockdown of the NMDA type glutamate receptor channel gene (Nmdar1) (also known as dNR1) reduced sleep. The NMDA receptor (NMDAR) plays an important role in learning and memory both in Drosophila and mammals. The application of the NMDAR antagonist, MK-801, reduced sleep in control flies, but not in fmn. These results suggest that NMDAR promotes sleep regulation in Drosophila.

Synaptic plasticity, neural circuits, and the emerging role of altered short-term information processing in schizophrenia

Synaptic plasticity alters the strength of information flow between presynaptic and postsynaptic neurons and thus modifies the likelihood that action potentials in a presynaptic neuron will lead to an action potential in a postsynaptic neuron. As such, synaptic plasticity and pathological changes in synaptic plasticity impact the synaptic computation which controls the information flow through the neural microcircuits responsible for the complex information processing necessary to drive adaptive behaviors. As current theories of neuropsychiatric disease suggest that distinct dysfunctions in neural circuit performance may critically underlie the unique symptoms of these diseases, pathological alterations in synaptic plasticity mechanisms may be fundamental to the disease process. Here we consider mechanisms of both short-term and long-term plasticity of synaptic transmission and their possible roles in information processing by neural microcircuits in both health and disease. As paradigms of neuropsychiatric diseases with strongly implicated risk genes, we discuss the findings in schizophrenia and autism and consider the alterations in synaptic plasticity and network function observed in both human studies and genetic mouse models of these diseases. Together these studies have begun to point toward a likely dominant role of short-term synaptic plasticity alterations in schizophrenia while dysfunction in autism spectrum disorders (ASDs) may be due to a combination of both short-term and long-term synaptic plasticity alterations.

Neuroprotective copper bis(thiosemicarbazonato) complexes promote neurite elongation

Abnormal biometal homeostasis is a central feature of many neurodegenerative disorders including Alzheimer's disease (AD), Parkinson's disease (PD), and motor neuron disease. Recent studies have shown that metal complexing compounds behaving as ionophores such as clioquinol and PBT2 have robust therapeutic activity in animal models of neurodegenerative disease; however, the mechanism of neuroprotective action remains unclear. These neuroprotective or neurogenerative processes may be related to the delivery or redistribution of biometals, such as copper and zinc, by metal ionophores. To investigate this further, we examined the effect of the bis(thiosemicarbazonato)-copper complex, Cu(II)(gtsm) on neuritogenesis and neurite elongation (neurogenerative outcomes) in PC12 neuronal-related cultures. We found that Cu(II)(gtsm) induced robust neurite elongation in PC12 cells when delivered at concentrations of 25 or 50 nM overnight. Analogous effects were observed with an alternative copper bis(thiosemicarbazonato) complex, Cu(II)(atsm), but at a higher concentration. Induction of neurite elongation by Cu(II)(gtsm) was restricted to neurites within the length range of 75-99 µm with a 2.3-fold increase in numbers of neurites in this length range with 50 nM Cu(II)(gtsm) treatment. The mechanism of neurogenerative action was investigated and revealed that Cu(II)(gtsm) inhibited cellular phosphatase activity. Treatment of cultures with 5 nM FK506 (calcineurin phosphatase inhibitor) resulted in analogous elongation of neurites compared to 50 nM Cu(II)(gtsm), suggesting a potential link between Cu(II)(gtsm)-mediated phosphatase inhibition and neurogenerative outcomes.

Direct association of the unique C-terminal tail of transmembrane AMPA receptor regulatory protein γ-8 with calcineurin

Transmembrane α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazole propionate (AMPA) receptor regulatory proteins (TARPs) are auxiliary subunits that regulate AMPA receptor trafficking to the plasma membrane and localization to postsynaptic sites. The classical TARP family consists of four members: stargazin/γ-2, γ-3, γ-4 and γ-8. The TARP γ-8 isoform, which is highly expressed in the hippocampus, has a unique, long C-terminal domain with five distinct regions: two glycine-rich regions, a serine/arginine-rich region, a proline/alanine (P/A) rich region, and a PSD-95/Dlg/ZO-1 (PDZ) binding motif. We performed mass spectrometry and immunoprecipitation assays to identify specific binding partners for the γ-8 C-terminal tail and found that γ-8, but not stargazin/γ-2, co-immunoprecipitated with calcineurin/PP2B, a Ca(2+) /calmodulin-dependent Ser/Thr phosphatase. Co-immunoprecipitation and immunoblot analyses of lysates from COS-7 cells co-transfected with calcineurin and either wild type or chimeric γ-8 revealed that a section of the C-terminal tail (residues 356-421) can bind calcineurin. Futhermore, γ-8 lacking the P/A-rich region (residues 383-399) did not bind to calcineurin. In addition, the GST-γ-8 C-terminal tail (residues 353-414) fusion protein containing the P/A-rich region bound to purified calcineurin in a Ca(2+) /calmodulin-dependent manner, whereas GST-γ-8 with a deletion of the P/A-rich region did not. Peptide competition assays demonstrated that γ-8 may interact with the hydrophobic pocket defined by β-sheet 14 and/or adjacent regions of the catalytic A subunit of calcineurin. These results indicate that the γ-8 P/A-rich region is essential for binding calcineurin, suggesting that the γ-8/calcineurin complex may regulate AMPA receptor phosphorylation and trafficking.

MHCI requires MEF2 transcription factors to negatively regulate synapse density during development and in disease

Major histocompatibility complex class I (MHCI) molecules negatively regulate cortical connections and are implicated in neurodevelopmental disorders, including autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia. However, the mechanisms that mediate these effects are unknown. Here, we report a novel MHCI signaling pathway that requires the myocyte enhancer factor 2 (MEF2) transcription factors. In young rat cortical neurons, MHCI regulates MEF2 in an activity-dependent manner and requires calcineurin-mediated activation of MEF2 to limit synapse density. Manipulating MEF2 alone alters synaptic strength and GluA1 content, but not synapse density, implicating activity-dependent MEF2 activation as critical for MHCI signaling. The MHCI-MEF2 pathway identified here also mediates the effects of a mouse model of maternal immune activation (MIA) on connectivity in offspring. MHCI and MEF2 levels are higher, and synapse density is lower, on neurons from MIA offspring. Most important, dysregulation of MHCI and MEF2 is required for the MIA-induced reduction in neural connectivity. These results identify a previously unknown MHCI-calcineurin-MEF2 signaling pathway that regulates the establishment of cortical connections and mediates synaptic defects caused by MIA, a risk factor for autism spectrum disorders and schizophrenia.

Working memory impairment in calcineurin knock-out mice is associated with alterations in synaptic vesicle cycling and disruption of high-frequency synaptic and network activity in prefrontal cortex

Working memory is an essential component of higher cognitive function, and its impairment is a core symptom of multiple CNS disorders, including schizophrenia. Neuronal mechanisms supporting working memory under normal conditions have been described and include persistent, high-frequency activity of prefrontal cortical neurons. However, little is known about the molecular and cellular basis of working memory dysfunction in the context of neuropsychiatric disorders. To elucidate synaptic and neuronal mechanisms of working memory dysfunction, we have performed a comprehensive analysis of a mouse model of schizophrenia, the forebrain-specific calcineurin knock-out mouse. Biochemical analyses of cortical tissue from these mice revealed a pronounced hyperphosphorylation of synaptic vesicle cycling proteins known to be necessary for high-frequency synaptic transmission. Examination of the synaptic vesicle cycle in calcineurin-deficient neurons demonstrated an impairment of vesicle release enhancement during periods of intense stimulation. Moreover, brain slice and in vivo electrophysiological analyses showed that loss of calcineurin leads to a gene dose-dependent disruption of high-frequency synaptic transmission and network activity in the PFC, correlating with selective working memory impairment. Finally, we showed that levels of dynamin I, a key presynaptic protein and calcineurin substrate, are significantly reduced in prefrontal cortical samples from schizophrenia patients, extending the disease relevance of our findings. Our data provide support for a model in which impaired synaptic vesicle cycling represents a critical node for disease pathologies underlying the cognitive deficits in schizophrenia.

Regular treadmill exercise prevents sleep deprivation-induced disruption of synaptic plasticity and associated signaling cascade in the dentate gyrus

STUDY OBJECTIVES

Evidence suggests that regular exercise can protect against learning and memory impairment in the presence of insults such as sleep deprivation. The dentate gyrus (DG) area of the hippocampus is a key staging area for learning and memory processes and is particularly sensitive to sleep deprivation. The purpose of this study was to determine the effect of regular exercise on early-phase long-term potentiation (E-LTP) and its signaling cascade in the presence of sleep deprivation.

EXPERIMENTAL DESIGN

Rats were exposed to 4 weeks of regular treadmill exercise then subsequently sleep-deprived for 24h using the modified multiple platform model before experimentation. We tested the effects of exercise and/or sleep deprivation using electrophysiological recording in the DG to measure synaptic plasticity; and Western blot analysis to quantify the levels of key signaling proteins related to E-LTP.

MEASUREMENTS AND RESULTS

Regular exercise prevented the sleep deprivation-induced impairment of E-LTP in the DG area as well as the sleep deprivation-associated decrease in basal protein levels of phosphorylated and total α calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (P/total-CaMKII) and brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). High frequency stimulation (HFS) to the DG area was used to model learning stimuli and increased the P-CaMKII and BDNF levels in normal animals: yet failed to change these levels in sleep-deprived rats. However, HFS in control and sleep-deprived rats increased the levels of the phosphatase calcineurin. In contrast, exercise increased BDNF and P-CaMKII levels in exercised/sleep-deprived rats.

CONCLUSIONS

Regular exercise appears to exert a protective effect against sleep deprivation-induced spatial memory impairment by inducing hippocampal signaling cascades that positively modulate basal and stimulated levels of key effectors such as P-CaMKII and BDNF, while attenuating increases in the protein phosphatase calcineurin.

Calcineurin signaling mediates activity-dependent relocation of the axon initial segment

The axon initial segment (AIS) is a specialized neuronal subcompartment located at the beginning of the axon that is crucially involved in both the generation of action potentials and the regulation of neuronal polarity. We recently showed that prolonged neuronal depolarization produces a distal shift of the entire AIS structure away from the cell body, a change associated with a decrease in neuronal excitability. Here, we used dissociated rat hippocampal cultures, with a major focus on the dentate granule cell (DGC) population, to explore the signaling pathways underlying activity-dependent relocation of the AIS. First, a pharmacological screen of voltage-gated calcium channels (VGCCs) showed that AIS relocation is triggered by activation of L-type Cav1 VGCCs with negligible contribution from any other VGCC subtypes. Additional pharmacological analysis revealed that downstream signaling events are mediated by the calcium-sensitive phosphatase calcineurin; inhibition of calcineurin with either FK506 or cyclosporin A totally abolished both depolarization- and optogenetically-induced activity-dependent AIS relocation. Furthermore, calcineurin activation is sufficient for AIS plasticity, because expression of a constitutively active form of the phosphatase resulted in relocation of the AIS of DGCs without a depolarizing stimulus. Finally, we assessed the role of calcineurin in other forms of depolarization-induced plasticity. Neither membrane resistance changes nor spine density changes were affected by FK506 treatment, suggesting that calcineurin acts via a separate pathway to modulate AIS plasticity. Together, these results emphasize calcineurin as a vital player in the regulation of intrinsic plasticity as governed by the AIS.

Loss of calcineurin in the spinal dorsal horn contributes to neuropathic pain, and intrathecal administration of the phosphatase provides prolonged analgesia

Calcineurin (protein phosphatase 3) regulates synaptic plasticity in the brain. The development of neuropathic pain appears dependent on some of the same mechanisms that underlie brain synaptic plasticity. In this study, we examined whether calcineurin regulates chronic constriction injury (CCI)-elicited plasticity in the spinal dorsal horn. CCI animals exhibited mechanical and thermal hypersensitivity 7 days after ligation of the sciatic nerve. Neither control uninjured nor sham-operated animals exhibited pain behavior. Calcineurin activity and content of its Aα isoform were significantly decreased in the ipsilateral postsynaptic density (PSD) of dorsal horn neurons in CCI animals. Calcineurin activity and content in the contralateral PSD of CCI animals or either side of the dorsal horn in sham animals were not modified. The pain behavior in CCI animals was attenuated by intrathecal application of exogenous calcineurin. The treatment was long-lasting as a single injection provided analgesia for 4 days by restoring the phosphatase's activity and Aα content in the PSD. No signs of toxicity were detected up to 14 days after the single intrathecal injection. Intrathecal application of the calcineurin inhibitor FK-506 elicited pain behavior in control uninjured animals and significantly reduced calcineurin activity in the PSD. CCI may elicit neuropathic pain at least in part as a result of the loss of calcineurin-mediated dephosphorylation in the dorsal horn. Addition of the phosphatase by intrathecal injection reverses the injury-elicited loss and provides prolonged pain relief. Clinical therapy with calcineurin may prove to be a novel, effective, and safe approach in the management of well-established neuropathic pain.

Brain Physiology and Pathophysiology in Mental Stress

Exposure to various forms of stress is a common daily occurrence in the lives of most individuals, with both positive and negative effects on brain function. The impact of stress is strongly influenced by the type and duration of the stressor. In its acute form, stress may be a necessary adaptive mechanism for survival and with only transient changes within the brain. However, severe and/or prolonged stress causes overactivation and dysregulation of the hypothalamic pituitary adrenal (HPA) axis thus inflicting detrimental changes in the brain structure and function. Therefore, chronic stress is often considered a negative modulator of the cognitive functions including the learning and memory processes. Exposure to long-lasting stress diminishes health and increases vulnerability to mental disorders. In addition, stress exacerbates functional changes associated with various brain disorders including Alzheimer’s disease and Parkinson’s disease. The primary purpose of this paper is to provide an overview for neuroscientists who are seeking a concise account of the effects of stress on learning and memory and associated signal transduction mechanisms. This review discusses chronic mental stress and its detrimental effects on various aspects of brain functions including learning and memory, synaptic plasticity, and cognition-related signaling enabled via key signal transduction molecules.

Chronic social instability induces anxiety and defective social interactions across generations

BACKGROUND

Chronic social instability during adolescence and early adulthood is known to produce a variety of long-lasting effects that may contribute to future psychiatric disorders. However, its potential to affect future generations has not been tested.

METHODS

Female and male mice were exposed to chronic social stress involving social instability and disruption of social hierarchy from postnatal day 27 to 76. After treatment, a group of animals was used to evaluate long-term behavioral effects of the stress exposure, and other mice were used to generate F1, F2, and F3 offspring, to test for behavioral effects across generations.

RESULTS

Chronic social instability during adolescence and early adulthood induces persistent behavioral alterations, including enhanced anxiety and social deficits that are transmitted predominantly to females across at least three generations. Both mothers and fathers can transmit all of these altered behaviors to their F1 offspring. However, only F1 fathers transmit all of them to their F2 and F3 daughters. In the F1 generation, enhanced anxiety and social deficits are associated with elevated serum corticosterone levels; however, in the F2 and F3 generations, they are not.

CONCLUSIONS

These findings support the idea that individual risk for psychiatric disorders that involve enhanced anxiety and/or social dysfunction may be dependent not only on the specific alleles of genes that are inherited from one's parents and on one's own experiences, but also on the experiences of one's parents when they were young.

Calcineurin-dependent cofilin activation and increased retrograde actin flow drive 5-HT-dependent neurite outgrowth in Aplysia bag cell neurons

Neurite outgrowth in response to soluble growth factors often involves changes in intracellular Ca(2+); however, mechanistic roles for Ca(2+) in controlling the underlying dynamic cytoskeletal processes have remained enigmatic. Bag cell neurons exposed to serotonin (5-hydroxytryptamine [5-HT]) respond with a threefold increase in neurite outgrowth rates. Outgrowth depends on phospholipase C (PLC) → inositol trisphosphate → Ca(2+) → calcineurin signaling and is accompanied by increased rates of retrograde actin network flow in the growth cone P domain. Calcineurin inhibitors had no effect on Ca(2+) release or basal levels of retrograde actin flow; however, they completely suppressed 5-HT-dependent outgrowth and F-actin flow acceleration. 5-HT treatments were accompanied by calcineurin-dependent increases in cofilin activity in the growth cone P domain. 5-HT effects were mimicked by direct activation of PLC, suggesting that increased actin network treadmilling may be a widespread mechanism for promoting neurite outgrowth in response to neurotrophic factors.

Rapid homeostatic plasticity of intrinsic excitability in a central pattern generator network stabilizes functional neural network output

Neurons and networks undergo a process of homeostatic plasticity that stabilizes output by integrating activity levels with network and cellular properties to counter longer-term perturbations. Here we describe a rapid compensatory interaction among a pair of potassium currents, I(A) and I(KCa), that stabilizes both intrinsic excitability and network function in the cardiac ganglion of the crab, Cancer borealis. We determined that mRNA levels in single identified neurons for the channels which encode I(A) and I(KCa) are positively correlated, yet the ionic currents themselves are negatively correlated, across a population of motor neurons. We then determined that these currents are functionally coupled; decreasing levels of either current within a neuron causes a rapid increase in the other. This functional interdependence results in homeostatic stabilization of both the individual neuronal and the network output. Furthermore, these compensatory increases are mechanistically independent, suggesting robustness in the maintenance of neural network output that is critical for survival. Together, we generate a complete model for homeostatic plasticity from mRNA to network output where rapid post-translational compensatory mechanisms acting on a reservoir of channels proteins regulated at the level of gene expression provide homeostatic stabilization of both cellular and network activity.

Calcium input frequency, duration and amplitude differentially modulate the relative activation of calcineurin and CaMKII

NMDA receptor dependent long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD) are two prominent forms of synaptic plasticity, both of which are triggered by post-synaptic calcium elevation. To understand how calcium selectively stimulates two opposing processes, we developed a detailed computational model and performed simulations with different calcium input frequencies, amplitudes, and durations. We show that with a total amount of calcium ions kept constant, high frequencies of calcium pulses stimulate calmodulin more efficiently. Calcium input activates both calcineurin and Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) at all frequencies, but increased frequencies shift the relative activation from calcineurin to CaMKII. Irrespective of amplitude and duration of the inputs, the total amount of calcium ions injected adjusts the sensitivity of the system to calcium input frequencies. At a given frequency, the quantity of CaMKII activated is proportional to the total amount of calcium. Thus, an input of a small amount of calcium at high frequencies can induce the same activation of CaMKII as a larger amount, at lower frequencies. Finally, the extent of activation of CaMKII signals with high calcium frequency is further controlled by other factors, including the availability of calmodulin, and by the potency of phosphatase inhibitors.

A role for calcineurin in Alzheimer's disease

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is an incurable age-related neurodegenerative disorder characterized by profound memory dysfunction. This bellwether symptom suggests involvement of the hippocampus -- a brain region responsible for memory formation -- and coincidentally an area heavily burdened by hyperphosphorylated tau and neuritic plaques of amyloid beta (Aβ). Recent evidence suggests that pre-fibrillar soluble Aβ underlies an early, progressive loss of synapses that is a hallmark of AD. One of the downstream effects of soluble Aβ aggregates is the activation of the phosphatase calcineurin (CaN). This review details the evidence of CaN hyperactivity in 'normal' aging, models of AD, and actual disease pathogenesis; elaborates on how this could manifest as memory impairment, neuroinflammation, hyperphosphorylated tau, and neuronal death.

Neural functions of calcineurin in synaptic plasticity and memory

Major brain functions depend on neuronal processes that favor the plasticity of neuronal circuits while at the same time maintaining their stability. The mechanisms that regulate brain plasticity are complex and engage multiple cascades of molecular components that modulate synaptic efficacy. Protein kinases (PKs) and phosphatases (PPs) are among the most important of these components that act as positive and negative regulators of neuronal signaling and plasticity, respectively. In these cascades, the PP protein phosphatase 2B or calcineurin (CaN) is of particular interest because it is the only Ca(2+)-activated PP in the brain and a major regulator of key proteins essential for synaptic transmission and neuronal excitability. This review describes the primary properties of CaN and illustrates its functions and modes of action by focusing on several representative targets, in particular glutamate receptors, striatal enriched protein phosphatase (STEP), and neuromodulin (GAP43), and their functional significance for synaptic plasticity and memory.