Interleukin (IL)-1beta is a proinflammatory cytokine implicated in various pathophysiological conditions of the CNS involving NMDA receptor activation. Circumstantial evidence suggests that IL-1beta and NMDA receptors can functionally interact. Using primary cultures of rat hippocampal neurons, we investigated whether IL-1beta affects NMDA receptor function(s) by studying (1) NMDA receptor-induced [Ca2+]i increase and (2) NMDA-mediated neurotoxicity. IL1beta (0.01-0.1 ng/ml) dose-dependently enhances NMDA-induced [Ca2+]i increases with a maximal effect of approximately 45%. This effect occurred only when neurons were pretreated with IL-1beta, whereas it was absent if IL-1beta and NMDA were applied simultaneously, and it was abolished by IL-1 receptor antagonist (50 ng/ml). Facilitation of NMDA-induced [Ca2+]i increase by IL-1beta was prevented by both lavendustin (LAV) A (500 nm) and 4-amino-5-(4-chlorophenyl)-7-(t-butyl)pyrazolo[3,4-d]pyrimidine (PP2) (1 microm), suggesting an involvement of tyrosine kinases. Increased tyrosine phosphorylation of NMDA receptor subunits 2A and 2B and coimmunoprecipitation of activated Src tyrosine kinase with these subunits was observed after exposure of hippocampal neurons to 0.05 ng/ml IL-1beta. Finally, 0.05 ng/ml IL-1beta increased by approximately 30% neuronal cell death induced by NMDA, and this effect was blocked by both lavendustin A and PP2. These data suggest that IL-1beta increases NMDA receptor function through activation of tyrosine kinases and subsequent NR2A/B subunit phosphorylation. These effects may contribute to glutamate-mediated neurodegeneration.

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Abnormal function of NMDA receptor has been suggested to be correlated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) as well as with the development of L-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine (L-DOPA)-induced dyskinesia. Here we show that NMDA receptor NR2 subunits display specific alterations of their subcellular distribution in striata from unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine-lesioned, L-DOPA-treated dyskinetic, and L-DOPA-treated nondyskinetic rats. Dyskinetic animals have significantly higher levels of NR2A subunit in the postsynaptic compartment than all other experimental groups, whereas NR2B subunit shows a significant reduction in both dopaminedenervated and dyskinetic rats. These events are paralleled by profound modifications of NMDA receptor NR2B subunit association with interacting elements, i.e., members of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) protein family postsynaptic density-95, synapse-associated protein-97 and synapse-associated protein-102. Treatment of nondyskinetic animals with a synthetic peptide (TAT2B) able to affect NR2B binding to MAGUK proteins as well as synaptic localization of this subunit in nondyskinetic rats was sufficient to induce a shift of treated rats toward a dyskinetic motor behavior. These data indicate abnormal NR2B redistribution between synaptic and extrasynaptic membranes as an important molecular disturbance of the glutamatergic synapse involved in L-DOPA-induced dyskinesia.

Activation of dopamine D 1 receptors is critical for the generation of glutamate-induced long-term potentiation at corticostriatal synapses. In this study, we report that, in striatal neurons, D 1 receptors are co-localized with N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors in the postsynaptic density and that they co-immunoprecipitate with NMDA receptor subunits from postsynaptic density preparations. Using modified bioluminescence resonance energy transfer, we demonstrate that D 1 and NMDA receptor clustering reflects the existence of direct interactions. The tagged D 1 receptor and NR1 subunit cotransfected in COS-7 cells generated a significant bioluminescence resonance energy transfer signal that was insensitive to agonist stimulation and that did not change in the presence of the NR2B subunit, suggesting that the D 1 receptor constitutively and selectively interacts with the NR1 subunit of the NMDA channel. Oligomerization with the NR1 subunit substantially modified D 1 receptor trafficking. In individually transfected HEK293 cells, NR1 was localized in the endoplasmic reticulum, whereas the D 1 receptor was targeted to the plasma membrane. In cotransfected cells, both the D 1 receptor and NR1 subunit were retained in cytoplasmic compartments. In the presence of the NR2B subunit, the NR1-D 1 receptor complex was translocated to the plasma membrane. These data suggest that D 1 and NMDA receptors are assembled within intracellular compartments as constitutive heteromeric complexes that are delivered to functional sites. Coexpression with NR1 and NR2B subunits also abolished agonist-induced D 1 receptor cytoplasmic sequestration, indicating that oligomerization with the NMDA receptor could represent a novel regulatory mechanism modulating D 1 receptor desensitization and cellular trafficking. Dopaminergic fibers originating in the substantia nigra and cortical glutamatergic neurons extensively interact in the striatum to drive the physiological functions of this structure from motor planning to reward seeking and procedural learning (1, 2). The critical importance of dopamine in this system is such that the degeneration of nigral dopaminergic neurons leads to the motor and cognitive deficits of Parkinson's disease (3).At the cellular level, nigral and cortical fibers converge on the medium spiny projection neurons (4), where dopamine D 1 -and D 2 -like receptors are coexpressed to high degree with glutamate NMDA 1 and non-NMDA receptor channels (5-8). From a functional point of view, it is well established that dopamine modulates the firing pattern of these neurons. In particular, there is evidence that dopamine, while attenuating the responses mediated by non-NMDA receptors, potentiates those associated with activation of NMDA receptors (2). The D 1 receptor appears to be involved in these interactions. In fact, activation of D 1 receptors in medium spiny neurons enhances NMDA-induced whole cell currents (2, 9) and is a critical requirement for the formation of NMDA-mediated long-term potentiation at corticostriatal...

Alzheimer's disease (AD) is a chronic neurodegenerative disorder caused by a combination of events impairing normal neuronal function. Here we found a molecular bridge between key elements of primary and secondary pathogenic events in AD, namely the elements of the amyloid cascade and synaptic dysfunction associated with the glutamatergic system. In fact, we report that synapse-associated protein-97 (SAP97), a protein involved in dynamic trafficking of proteins to the excitatory synapse, is responsible for driving ADAM10 (a disintegrin and metalloproteinase 10, the most accredited candidate for ␣-secretase) to the postsynaptic membrane, by a direct interaction through its Src homology 3 domain. NMDA receptor activation mediates this event and positively modulates ␣-secretase activity. Furthermore, perturbing ADAM10/SAP97 association in vivo by cell-permeable peptides impairs ADAM10 localization in postsynaptic membranes and consequently decreases the physiological amyloid precursor protein (APP) metabolism. Our findings indicate that glutamatergic synapse activation through NMDA receptor promotes the non-amyloidogenic APP cleavage, strengthening the correlation between APP metabolism and synaptic plasticity.

A correct interplay between dopamine (DA) and glutamate is essential for corticostriatal synaptic plasticity and motor activity. In an experimental model of Parkinson's disease (PD) obtained in rats, the complete depletion of striatal DA, mimicking advanced stages of the disease, results in the loss of both forms of striatal plasticity: long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). However, early PD stages are characterized by an incomplete reduction in striatal DA levels. The mechanism by which this incomplete reduction in DA level affects striatal synaptic plasticity and glutamatergic synapses is unknown. Here we present a model of early PD in which a partial denervation, causing mild motor deficits, selectively affects NMDA-dependent LTP but not LTD and dramatically alters NMDA receptor composition in the postsynaptic density. Our findings show that DA decrease influences corticostriatal synaptic plasticity depending on the level of depletion. The use of the TAT2A cell-permeable peptide, as an innovative therapeutic strategy in early PD, rescues physiological NMDA receptor composition, synaptic plasticity, and motor behavior.

Appearance of dyskinesia is a common problem of long-term l-DOPA treatment in Parkinson's disease patients and represents a major limitation for the pharmacological management of the motor symptoms in advanced disease stages. We have recently demonstrated that dopamine released from serotonin neurons is responsible for l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia in 6-hydroxydopamine (6-OHDA)-lesioned rats, raising the possibility that blockade of serotonin neuron activity by combination of 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B) agonists could reduce l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia. In the present study, we have investigated the efficacy of 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B) agonists to counteract l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia in 1-methyl-4-phenyl 1,2,3,6-tetrahydropyridine (MPTP)-treated macaques, the gold standard model of Parkinson's disease. In addition, we have studied the ability of this treatment to prevent development of l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia in 6-OHDA-lesioned rats. The results demonstrate the existence of a potent synergistic effect between 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B) agonists in their ability to dampen l-DOPA-induced dyskinesia in the MPTP-treated macaques. Sub-threshold doses of the drugs, which individually produced no effect, were able to reduce the abnormal involuntary movements by up to 80% when administered in combination, without affecting the anti-parkinsonian properties of l-DOPA. Furthermore, chronic administration of low doses of the 5-HT(1) agonists in combination was able to prevent development of dyskinesia, and reduce the up-regulation of FosB after daily treatment with l-DOPA in the rat 6-OHDA model. Our results support the importance of a clinical investigation of the effect of 5-HT(1A) and 5-HT(1B) agonists, particularly in combination, in dyskinetic l-DOPA-treated Parkinson's disease patients.

NMDA receptor, Ca 2ϩ /calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (␣CaMKII), and postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95) are three major components of the PSD fraction. Both ␣CaMKII and PSD-95 have been shown previously to bind NR2 subunits of the NMDA receptor complex. The nature and mechanisms of targeting to the NMDA receptor subunits are, however, not completely understood. Here we report that the C-terminal NR2A(S1389-V1464) sequence was sufficient to guarantee the association of both native and recombinant ␣CaMKII and PSD-95. was able to compete with the binding of both native and recombinant ␣CaMKII to the NR2A C-tail. Accordingly, ␣CaMKII(1-325) competes with both the native PSD-95 and the native kinase itself for the binding to NR2A. In addition, Ser/Ala1289 and Ser/Asp1289 point mutations on the unique CaMKII phosphosite of NR2A did not significantly influence the binding of native ␣CaMKII and PSD-95 to the NR2A C-tail. Finally, the association-dissociation of ␣CaMKII and PSD-95 to and from the NR2A C-tail was significantly modulated by activation of NMDA receptor achieved by either pharmacological tools or long-term potentiation induction, underlining the importance of dynamic and reciprocal interactions of NMDA receptor, ␣CaMKII, and PSD-95 in hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Key words: ␣CaMKII; LTP; NMDA; postsynaptic density; PSD-95; synaptic plasticityA mature synapse is capable of modulating its efficacy by means of activity-dependent plasticity events. Such a process might in turn modulate the structural organization of specific synaptic compartment, i.e., the postsynaptic density (PSD), in which clustering of ligand-gated receptors to scaffolding proteins and to enzymes can be dynamically regulated (Ziff, 1997). PSD consists of a complex network of interacting proteins involved in the regulation of synaptic function and modulation of postsynaptic responses. PSDs are enriched in ionotropic AMPA and NMDA glutamate receptors Kennedy, 1997Kennedy, , 1998. NMDA receptors are of major interest because they are involved in synaptogenesis, neuronal circuitry formation, synaptic plasticity, and learning and memory, as well as in the molecular pathogenesis of neurological disorders (Hollmann and Heinemann, 1994;During et al., 2000). NMDA receptors are oligomeric complexes formed by the coassembly of members of three receptor subunit families: NR1, NR2 subfamily (NR2A-D; Hollmann and Heinemann, 1994), and NR3A (Das et al., 1998). Among NR2 subunits, whose expression is developmentally regulated, NR2A is expressed in the adult rat brain in the large majority of synapses (Monyer et al., 1994). Because of its anatomical localization and expression onset, NR2A is likely to play a major role in synaptic plasticity modulating long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression. In fact, animals with C-terminal truncation of postnatally expressed NR1/NR2A heteromeric receptors, but with an intact NR1/NR2B complex, exhibit impaired hippocampal LTP (Sprengel et al., 1998). In PSD, NR2A and NR2B subunits directly interact w...