Pathways controlling trigeminal and auditory nerve-evoked abducens eyeblink reflexes in pond turtles

Synaptic Mechanisms of Delay Eyeblink Classical Conditioning: AMPAR Trafficking and Gene Regulation in an In Vitro Model

An in vitro model of delay eyeblink classical conditioning was developed to investigate synaptic plasticity mechanisms underlying acquisition of associative learning. This was achieved by replacing real stimuli, such as an airpuff and tone, with patterned stimulation of the cranial nerves using an isolated brainstem preparation from turtle. Here, our primary findings regarding cellular and molecular mechanisms for learning acquisition using this unique approach are reviewed. The neural correlate of the in vitro eyeblink response is a replica of the actual behavior, and features of conditioned responses (CRs) resemble those observed in behavioral studies. Importantly, it was shown that acquisition of CRs did not require the intact cerebellum, but the appropriate timing did. Studies of synaptic mechanisms indicate that conditioning involves two stages of AMPA receptor (AMPAR) trafficking. Initially, GluA1-containing AMPARs are targeted to synapses followed later by replacement by GluA4 subunits that support CR expression. This two-stage process is regulated by specific signal transduction cascades involving PKA and PKC and is guided by distinct protein chaperones. The expression of the brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) protein is central to AMPAR trafficking and conditioning. BDNF gene expression is regulated by coordinated epigenetic mechanisms involving DNA methylation/demethylation and chromatin modifications that control access of promoters to transcription factors. Finally, a hypothesis is proposed that learning genes like BDNF are poised by dual chromatin features that allow rapid activation or repression in response to environmental stimuli. These in vitro studies have advanced our understanding of the cellular and molecular mechanisms that underlie associative learning.

Ocular Kinematics Measured by In Vitro Stimulation of the Cranial Nerves in the Turtle

After animals are euthanized, their tissues begin to die. Turtles offer an advantage because of a longer survival time of their tissues, especially when compared to warm-blooded vertebrates. Because of this, in vitro experiments in turtles can be performed for extended periods of time to investigate the neural signals and control of their target actions. Using an isolated head preparation, we measured the kinematics of eye movements in turtles, and their modulation by electrical signals carried by cranial nerves. After the brain was removed from the skull, leaving the cranial nerves intact, the dissected head was placed in a gimbal to calibrate eye movements. Glass electrodes were attached to cranial nerves (oculomotor, trochlear, and abducens) and stimulated with currents to evoke eye movements. We monitored eye movements with an infrared video tracking system and quantified rotations of the eyes. Current pulses with a range of amplitudes, frequencies, and train durations were used to observe effects on responses. Because the preparation is separated from the brain, the efferent pathway going to muscle targets can be examined in isolation to investigate neural signaling in the absence of centrally processed sensory information.

Regulation of BDNF chromatin status and promoter accessibility in a neural correlate of associative learning

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) gene expression critically controls learning and its aberrant regulation is implicated in Alzheimer's disease and a host of neurodevelopmental disorders. The BDNF gene is target of known DNA regulatory mechanisms but details of its activity-dependent regulation are not fully characterized. We performed a comprehensive analysis of the epigenetic regulation of the turtle BDNF gene (tBDNF) during a neural correlate of associative learning using an in vitro model of eye blink classical conditioning. Shortly after conditioning onset, the results from ChIP-qPCR show conditioning-dependent increases in methyl-CpG-binding protein 2 (MeCP2) and repressor basic helix-loop-helix binding protein 2 (BHLHB2) binding to tBDNF promoter II that corresponds with transcriptional repression. In contrast, enhanced binding of ten-eleven translocation protein 1 (Tet1), extracellular signal-regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2), and cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) to promoter III corresponds with transcriptional activation. These actions are accompanied by rapid modifications in histone methylation and phosphorylation status of RNA polymerase II (RNAP II). Significantly, these remarkably coordinated changes in epigenetic factors for two alternatively regulated tBDNF promoters during conditioning are controlled by Tet1 and ERK1/2. Our findings indicate that Tet1 and ERK1/2 are critical partners that, through complementary functions, control learning-dependent tBDNF promoter accessibility required for rapid transcription and acquisition of classical conditioning.

Role of the trochlear nerve in eye abduction and frontal vision of the red-eared slider turtle (Trachemys scripta elegans)

Horizontal head rotation evokes significant responses from trochlear motoneurons of turtle that suggests they have a functional role in abduction of the eyes like that in frontal-eyed mammals. The finding is unexpected given that the turtle is generally considered lateral-eyed and assumed to have eye movements instead like that of lateral-eyed mammals, in which innervation of the superior oblique muscle by the trochlear nerve (nIV) produces intorsion, elevation, and adduction (not abduction). Using an isolated turtle head preparation with the brain removed, glass suction electrodes were used to stimulate nIV with trains of current pulses. Eyes were monitored via an infrared camera with the head placed in a gimble to quantify eye rotations and their directions. Stimulations of nIV evoked intorsion, elevation, and abduction. Dissection of the superior oblique muscle identified lines of action and a location of insertion on the eye, which supported kinematics evoked by nIV stimulation. Eye positions in alert behaving turtles with their head extended were compared with that when their heads were retracted in the carapace. When the head was retracted, there was a reduction in interpupillary distance and an increase in binocular overlap. Occlusion of peripheral fields by the carapace forces the turtle to a more frontal-eyed state, perhaps the reason for the action of abduction by the superior oblique muscle. These findings support why trochlear motoneurons in turtle respond in the same way as abducens motoneurons to horizontal rotations, an unusual characteristic of vestibulo-ocular physiology in comparison with other mammalian lateral-eyed species.

Cleavage of proBDNF to BDNF by a tolloid-like metalloproteinase is required for acquisition of in vitro eyeblink classical conditioning

The tolloid/bone morphogenetic protein-1 family of metalloproteinases have an important role in the regulation of embryonic pattern formation and tissue morphogenesis. Studies suggest that they participate in mechanisms of synaptic plasticity in adults, but very little is known about their function. Recently, we isolated a reptilian ortholog of the tolloid gene family designated turtle tolloid-like gene (tTll). Here, we examined the role of tTLL in an in vitro model of eyeblink classical conditioning using an isolated brainstem preparation to assess its role in synaptic plasticity during conditioning. Analysis by real-time reverse transcription-PCR shows that an extracellularly secreted form of tTLL, tTLLs, is transiently expressed in the early stages of conditioning during conditioned response acquisition, whereas a cytosolic form, tTLLc, is not. Short interfering RNA (siRNA)-directed gene knockdown and rescue of tTLL expression demonstrate that it is required for conditioning. Significantly, we show that tTLLs cleaves the precursor proBDNF into mature BDNF in cleavage assay studies, and application of recombinant tTLLs protein alone to preparations results in induction of mature BDNF expression. The mature form of BDNF is minimally expressed in preparations treated with anti-tTLL siRNA, and the synaptic incorporation of both GluR1- and GluR4-containing AMPA receptors is significantly reduced, resulting in suppression of conditioning. This is the first study to demonstrate that expression of an extracellularly secreted tolloid-like metalloproteinase is regulated in the early stages of classical conditioning and functions in the conversion of proBDNF to mature BDNF. The mature form of BDNF is required for synaptic delivery of AMPA receptors and acquisition of conditioned responses.

Protein kinase C-dependent and independent signaling pathways regulate synaptic GluR1 and GluR4 AMPAR subunits during in vitro classical conditioning

Protein kinase C (PKC) signal transduction pathways have been implicated in mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and learning, however, the roles of the different PKC family isoforms remain to be clarified. Previous studies showed that NMDAR-mediated trafficking of GluR4-containing AMPARs supports conditioning and that the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) have a central role in the synaptic delivery of GluR4 subunits. Here, an in vitro model of classical conditioning in pond turtles, Pseudemys scripta elegans, was used to assess the role of PKC isoforms in mechanisms underlying this form of learning. We show that the PKC antagonists chelerythrine and bisindolylmaleimide I attenuated conditioned response (CR) acquisition and expression, as did the PKCzeta pseudosubstrate peptide inhibitor ZIP. Analysis of protein expression revealed that PKCzeta is activated in early stages of conditioning followed shortly afterward by increased levels of PKCalpha/beta and activation of ERK MAPK. Data also suggest that PKCzeta is upstream from and activates ERK. Finally, protein localization studies using confocal imaging indicate that inhibitors of ERK, but not PKC, suppress colocalization of GluR1 with synaptophysin while inhibitors of PKC and ERK attenuate colocalization of GluR4 with synaptophysin. Together, these data suggest that acquisition of conditioning proceeds by two stages of AMPAR trafficking. The first is PKC-independent and ERK-dependent synaptic delivery of GluR1 subunits to activate silent synapses. This is followed by PKC-dependent and ERK-dependent synthesis and delivery of GluR4 subunits that supports the acquisition of CRs. Therefore, there is a selective role for PKC and MAPK signaling pathways in multistep AMPAR trafficking that mediates acquisition of classical conditioning.

Coordinate action of pre- and postsynaptic brain-derived neurotrophic factor is required for AMPAR trafficking and acquisition of in vitro classical conditioning

Brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) has been implicated in mechanisms of synaptic plasticity such as long-term potentiation (LTP), but its role in associative learning remains largely unknown. In the present study, we investigated the function of BDNF and its receptor tropomyosin-related kinase B (TrkB) in an in vitro model of classical conditioning using pond turtles, Pseudemys scripta elegans. Conditioning resulted in a significant increase in BDNF and phospho (p)-Trk expression. Bath application of antibodies directed against TrkB, but not TrkA or TrkC, abolished acquisition of conditioning, as did a receptor tyrosine kinase inhibitor K252a and an inhibitor of nitric oxide synthase 7-nitroindazole. Significantly, injections of BDNF Ab into the nerve roots of presynaptic axonal projections or postsynaptic motor neurons prevented acquisition of conditioning, suggesting that BDNF is required on both sides of the synapse for modification to occur. The presynaptic proteins synaptophysin and synapsin I were increased upon conditioning or BDNF application. Furthermore, BDNF application alone mimicked conditioning-induced synaptic insertion of GluR1 and GluR4 AMPAR subunits into synapses, which was inhibited by co-application of BDNF and K252a. Data also show that extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) was activated in BDNF-treated preparations. We conclude that coordinate pre- and postsynaptic actions of BDNF are required for acquisition of in vitro classical conditioning.

MAPK signaling pathways mediate AMPA receptor trafficking in an in vitro model of classical conditioning

The mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) signal transduction pathways have been implicated in underlying mechanisms of synaptic plasticity and learning. However, the differential roles of the MAPK family members extracellular signal-regulated kinase (ERK) and p38 in learning remain to be clarified. Here, an in vitro model of classical conditioning was examined to assess the roles of ERK and p38 MAPK in this form of learning. Previous studies showed that NMDA-mediated trafficking of synaptic glutamate receptor 4 (GluR4)-containing AMPA receptors (AMPARs) underlies conditioning in this preparation and that this is accomplished through GluR4 interactions with the immediate-early gene protein Arc and the actin cytoskeleton. Here, it is shown that attenuation of conditioned responses (CRs) by ERK and p38 MAPK antagonists is associated with significantly reduced synaptic localization of GluR4 subunits. Western blotting reveals that p38 MAPK significantly increases its activation levels during late stages of conditioning during CR expression. In contrast, ERK MAPK activation is enhanced in early conditioning during CR acquisition. The results suggest that MAPKs have a central role in the synaptic delivery of GluR4-containing AMPARs during in vitro classical conditioning.

Immediate-early gene-encoded protein Arc is associated with synaptic delivery of GluR4-containing AMPA receptors during in vitro classical conditioning

The immediate-early gene Arc is rapidly expressed in response to neuronal activity and is thought to be involved in mechanisms of synaptic plasticity. The function of Arc in these processes remains unknown. The present study demonstrates that during an in vitro neural correlate of eyeblink classical conditioning, there is a rapid and transient increase in levels of Arc protein that require activation of N-methyl-d-aspartate receptors. In the early phase of conditioning during conditioned response (CR) acquisition, there is significantly greater colocalization of Arc protein and GluR4-containing AMPA receptors at synaptic sites, however, colocalization of Arc and GluR4 was not observed after later stages of conditioning during CR expression. There was also significantly enhanced coimmunoprecipitation of Arc with GluR4 subunits and actin early in conditioning but not of Arc with NR1 subunits, and these associations declined to control levels in later stages of conditioning. These data suggest a role for Arc protein in the synaptic delivery of GluR4-containing AMPA receptors by interactions with cytoskeletal protein complexes during the acquisition phase of in vitro classical conditioning.

Expression of the immediate-early gene-encoded protein Egr-1 (zif268) during in vitro classical conditioning

Expression of the immediate-early genes (IEGs) has been shown to be induced by activity-dependent synaptic plasticity or behavioral training and is thought to play an important role in long-term memory. In the present study, we examined the induction and expression of the IEG-encoded protein Egr-1 during an in vitro neural correlate of eyeblink classical conditioning. The results showed that Egr-1 protein expression as determined by immunocytochemistry and Western blot analysis rapidly increased during the early stages of conditioning and remained elevated during the later stages. Further, expression of Egr-1 protein required NMDA receptor activation as it was blocked by bath application of AP-5. These findings suggest that the IEG-encoded proteins such as Egr-1 are activated during relatively simple forms of learning in vertebrates. In this case, Egr-1 may have a functional role in the acquisition phase of conditioning as well as in maintaining expression of conditioned responses.

Distribution of facial motor neurons in the pond turtle Pseudemys scripta elegans

A tract tracing study was performed to examine the localization of the facial nucleus in the brain stem of the pond turtle, Pseudemys scripta elegans. Neurobiotin and the fluorescent tracers alexa fluor 488 and 594 were used to retrogradely label neurons of the abducens or facial nerves. The results showed that the facial nucleus has two subnuclei, a medial group and a lateral group. Measurements of cell size revealed no significant differences between these populations. Double labeling studies showed that the medial cell group of the facial nucleus lies between the principal and accessory abducens nuclei in the pons, whereas the lateral group lies adjacent to the accessory abducens nucleus. The facial nucleus of pond turtles largely overlaps the rostrocaudal extent of the accessory abducens nucleus, but extends well beyond it into the medulla. These data elucidate the position and distribution of the facial nucleus in the brain stem of pond turtles and contribute to the body of comparative neuroanatomical literature on the distribution of the cranial nerve nuclei of reptiles.