ABSTRACT
N-methyl-(D)-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are heteromultimeric ion channels that contain an essential GluN1 subunit and two or more GluN2 (GluN2A-GluN2D) subunits. The biophysical properties and physiological roles of synaptic NMDA receptors are dependent on their subunit composition. In the basolateral amygdala (BLA), it has been suggested that the plasticity that underlies fear learning requires activation of heterodimeric receptors composed of GluN1/GluN2B subunits. In this study, we investigated the subunit composition of NMDA receptors present at synapses on principal neurons in the BLA. Purification of the synaptic fraction showed that both GluN2A and GluN2B subunits are present at synapses, and co-immunoprecipitation revealed the presence of receptors containing both GluN2A and GluN2B subunits. The kinetics of NMDA receptor-mediated synaptic currents and pharmacological blockade indicate that heterodimeric GluN1/GluN2B receptors are unlikely to be present at glutamatergic synapses on BLA principal neurons. Selective RNA interference-mediated knockdown of GluN2A subunits converted synaptic receptors to a GluN1/GluN2B phenotype, whereas knockdown of GluN2B subunits had no effect on the kinetics of the synaptically evoked NMDA current. Blockade of GluN1/GluN2B heterodimers with ifenprodil had no effect, but knockdown of GluN2B disrupted the induction of CaMKII-dependent long-term potentiation at these synapses. These results suggest that, on BLA principal neurons, GluN2B subunits are only present as GluN1/GluN2A/GluN2B heterotrimeric NMDA receptors. The GluN2B subunit has little impact on the kinetics of the receptor, but is essential for the recruitment of signaling molecules essential for synaptic plasticity.
Subject(s)
Amygdala/physiology , Neurons/physiology , Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/physiology , Amygdala/cytology , Animals , Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2/metabolism , Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists/pharmacology , Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials , HEK293 Cells , Humans , Long-Term Potentiation , Male , Neurons/metabolism , Piperidines/pharmacology , Protein Multimerization , Protein Subunits/antagonists & inhibitors , Protein Subunits/genetics , Protein Subunits/metabolism , RNA, Small Interfering , Rats , Rats, Wistar , Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/antagonists & inhibitors , Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/genetics , Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate/metabolism , Synapses/physiologyABSTRACT
Emotionally arousing events are particularly well remembered. This effect is known to result from the release of stress hormones and activation of beta adrenoceptors in the amygdala. However, the underlying cellular mechanisms are not understood. Small conductance calcium-activated potassium (SK) channels are present at glutamatergic synapses where they limit synaptic transmission and plasticity. Here, we show that beta adrenoceptor activation regulates synaptic SK channels in lateral amygdala pyramidal neurons, through activation of protein kinase A. We show that SK channels are constitutively recycled from the postsynaptic membrane and that activation of beta adrenoceptors removes SK channels from excitatory synapses. This results in enhanced synaptic transmission and plasticity. Our findings demonstrate a novel mechanism by which beta adrenoceptors control synaptic transmission and plasticity, through regulation of SK channel trafficking, and suggest that modulation of synaptic SK channels may contribute to beta adrenoceptor-mediated potentiation of emotional memories.
Subject(s)
Amygdala/cytology , Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials/physiology , Long-Term Potentiation/physiology , Pyramidal Cells/physiology , Receptors, Adrenergic, beta/physiology , Small-Conductance Calcium-Activated Potassium Channels/metabolism , Adrenergic Agents/pharmacology , Animals , Animals, Newborn , Apamin/pharmacology , Egtazic Acid/analogs & derivatives , Egtazic Acid/pharmacology , Electric Stimulation/methods , Endocytosis/drug effects , Enzyme Activators/pharmacology , Enzyme Inhibitors/pharmacology , Excitatory Amino Acid Antagonists/pharmacology , Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials/drug effects , Green Fluorescent Proteins/genetics , Green Fluorescent Proteins/metabolism , Long-Term Potentiation/drug effects , Long-Term Potentiation/radiation effects , Membrane Potentials/drug effects , Membrane Potentials/physiology , Membrane Potentials/radiation effects , Organ Culture Techniques/methods , Patch-Clamp Techniques/methods , Protein Transport/drug effects , Protein Transport/physiology , Pyramidal Cells/drug effects , Rats , Rats, Wistar , TransfectionABSTRACT
We describe two complementary strategies for preparing DNA-directed RNA interference (ddRNAi) constructs designed to express hpRNA. The first, oligonucleotide assembly (OA), uses a very simple annealing protocol to combine up to 20 short nucleotides. These are then cloned into appropriately designed restriction sites in expression vectors. OA can be used to prepare simple hairpin (hp)-expressing constructs, but we prefer to use the approach to generate longer constructs. The second strategy, long-range cloning (LRC), uses a novel adaptation of long-range PCR protocols. For LRC, entire vectors are amplified with primers that serve to introduce short sequences into plasmids at defined anchor sites during PCR. The LCR strategy has proven highly reliable in our hands for generating simple ddRNAi constructs. Moreover, LCR is likely to prove useful in many situations in which conventional cloning strategies might prove problematic. In combination, OA and LRC can greatly simplify the design and generation of many expression constructs, including constructs for ddRNAi.
Subject(s)
DNA/chemistry , RNA Interference , Base Sequence , Cloning, Molecular , Electrophoresis, Agar GelABSTRACT
We have previously reported successful trans-complementation of defective Kunjin virus genomic RNAs with a range of large lethal deletions in the nonstructural genes NS1, NS3, and NS5 (A. A. Khromykh et al., J. Virol. 74:3253-3263, 2000). In this study we have mapped further the minimal region in the NS5 gene essential for efficient trans-complementation of genome-length RNAs in repBHK cells to the first 316 of the 905 codons. To allow amplification and easy detection of complemented defective RNAs with deletions apparently affecting virus assembly, we have developed a dual replicon complementation system. In this system defective replicon RNAs with a deletion(s) in the nonstructural genes also encoded the puromycin resistance gene (PAC gene) and the reporter gene for beta-galactosidase (beta-Gal). Complementation of these defective replicon RNAs in repBHK cells resulted in expression of PAC and beta-Gal which allowed establishment of cell lines stably producing replicating defective RNAs by selection with puromycin and comparison of replication efficiencies of complemented defective RNAs by beta-Gal assay. Using this system we demonstrated that deletions in the C-terminal 434 codons of NS3 (codons 178 to 611) were complemented for RNA replication, while any deletions in the first 178 codons were not. None of the genome-length RNAs containing deletions in NS3 shown to be complementable for RNA replication produced secreted defective viruses during complementation in repBHK cells. In contrast, structural proteins produced from these complemented defective RNAs were able to package helper replicon RNA. The results define minimal regions in the NS3 and NS5 genes essential for the formation of complementable replication complex and show a requirement of NS3 in cis for virus assembly.