Leptin reverses long-term potentiation at hippocampal CA1 synapses

Moult, P. R., Milojkovic, B. and Harvey, J. (2009) Leptin reverses long-term potentiation at hippocampal CA1 synapses. Journal of Neurochemistry, 108(3), pp. 685-696. (doi: 10.1111/j.1471-4159.2008.05810.x) (PMID:19054283) (PMCID:PMC2638023)

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Abstract

The hormone leptin crosses the blood brain barrier and regulates numerous neuronal functions, including hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Here we show that application of leptin resulted in the reversal of long‐term potentiation (LTP) at hippocampal CA1 synapses. The ability of leptin to depotentiate CA1 synapses was concentration‐dependent and it displayed a distinct temporal profile. Leptin‐induced depotentiation was not associated with any change in the paired pulse facilitation ratio or the coefficient of variance, indicating a post‐synaptic locus of expression. Moreover, the synaptic activation of NMDA receptors was required for leptin‐induced depotentiation as the effects of leptin were blocked by the competitive NMDA receptor antagonist, D‐aminophosphovaleric acid (D‐AP5). The signaling mechanisms underlying leptin‐induced depotentiation involved activation of the calcium/calmodulin‐dependent protein phosphatase, calcineurin, but were independent of c‐jun NH2 terminal kinase. Furthermore, leptin‐induced depotentiation was accompanied by a reduction in α‐amino‐3‐hydroxy‐5‐methylisoxazole‐4‐propionate (AMPA) receptor rectification indicating that loss of glutamate receptor 2 (GluR2)‐lacking AMPA receptors underlies this process. These data indicate that leptin reverses hippocampal LTP via a process involving calcineurin‐dependent internalization of GluR2‐lacking AMPA receptors which further highlights the key role for this hormone in regulating hippocampal synaptic plasticity and neuronal development.

Item Type:Articles
Status:Published
Refereed:Yes
Glasgow Author(s) Enlighten ID:Moult, Dr Peter
Authors: Moult, P. R., Milojkovic, B., and Harvey, J.
College/School:College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Life Sciences
College of Medical Veterinary and Life Sciences > School of Psychology & Neuroscience
Journal Name:Journal of Neurochemistry
Publisher:Wiley
ISSN:0022-3042
ISSN (Online):1471-4159
Published Online:02 December 2008

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