{"title":"Signal flow in the NMDA receptor–dependent phosphoproteome regulates postsynaptic plasticity for aversive learning","authors":"Yasuhiro Funahashi, Rijwan Uddin Ahammad, Xinjian Zhang, Emran Hossen, Masahiro Kawatani, Shinichi Nakamuta, Akira Yoshimi, Minhua Wu, Huanhuan Wang, Mengya Wu, Xu Li, Md Omar Faruk, Md Hasanuzzaman Shohag, You-Hsin Lin, Daisuke Tsuboi, Tomoki Nishioka, Keisuke Kuroda, Mutsuki Amano, Yukihiko Noda, Kiyofumi Yamada, Kenji Sakimura, Taku Nagai, Takayuki Yamashita, Shigeo Uchino, Kozo Kaibuchi","doi":"10.1126/scisignal.ado9852","DOIUrl":null,"url":null,"abstract":"<div >Structural plasticity of dendritic spines in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is crucial for learning from aversive experiences. Activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) stimulates Ca<sup>2+</sup>-dependent signaling that leads to changes in the actin cytoskeleton, mediated by the Rho family of GTPases, resulting in postsynaptic remodeling essential for learning. We investigated how phosphorylation events downstream of NMDAR activation drive the changes in synaptic morphology that underlie aversive learning. Large-scale phosphoproteomic analyses of protein kinase targets in mouse striatal/accumbal slices revealed that NMDAR activation resulted in the phosphorylation of 194 proteins, including RhoA regulators such as ARHGEF2 and ARHGAP21. Phosphorylation of ARHGEF2 by the Ca<sup>2+</sup>-dependent protein kinase CaMKII enhanced its RhoGEF activity, thereby activating RhoA and its downstream effector Rho-associated kinase (ROCK/Rho-kinase). Further phosphoproteomic analysis identified 221 ROCK targets, including the postsynaptic scaffolding protein SHANK3, which is crucial for its interaction with NMDARs and other postsynaptic scaffolding proteins. ROCK-mediated phosphorylation of SHANK3 in the NAc was essential for spine growth and aversive learning. These findings demonstrate that NMDAR activation initiates a phosphorylation cascade crucial for learning and memory.</div>","PeriodicalId":21658,"journal":{"name":"Science Signaling","volume":"17 853","pages":""},"PeriodicalIF":6.7000,"publicationDate":"2024-09-10","publicationTypes":"Journal Article","fieldsOfStudy":null,"isOpenAccess":false,"openAccessPdf":"https://www.science.org/doi/reader/10.1126/scisignal.ado9852","citationCount":"0","resultStr":null,"platform":"Semanticscholar","paperid":null,"PeriodicalName":"Science Signaling","FirstCategoryId":"99","ListUrlMain":"https://www.science.org/doi/10.1126/scisignal.ado9852","RegionNum":1,"RegionCategory":"生物学","ArticlePicture":[],"TitleCN":null,"AbstractTextCN":null,"PMCID":null,"EPubDate":"","PubModel":"","JCR":"Q1","JCRName":"BIOCHEMISTRY & MOLECULAR BIOLOGY","Score":null,"Total":0}
引用次数: 0
Abstract
Structural plasticity of dendritic spines in the nucleus accumbens (NAc) is crucial for learning from aversive experiences. Activation of NMDA receptors (NMDARs) stimulates Ca2+-dependent signaling that leads to changes in the actin cytoskeleton, mediated by the Rho family of GTPases, resulting in postsynaptic remodeling essential for learning. We investigated how phosphorylation events downstream of NMDAR activation drive the changes in synaptic morphology that underlie aversive learning. Large-scale phosphoproteomic analyses of protein kinase targets in mouse striatal/accumbal slices revealed that NMDAR activation resulted in the phosphorylation of 194 proteins, including RhoA regulators such as ARHGEF2 and ARHGAP21. Phosphorylation of ARHGEF2 by the Ca2+-dependent protein kinase CaMKII enhanced its RhoGEF activity, thereby activating RhoA and its downstream effector Rho-associated kinase (ROCK/Rho-kinase). Further phosphoproteomic analysis identified 221 ROCK targets, including the postsynaptic scaffolding protein SHANK3, which is crucial for its interaction with NMDARs and other postsynaptic scaffolding proteins. ROCK-mediated phosphorylation of SHANK3 in the NAc was essential for spine growth and aversive learning. These findings demonstrate that NMDAR activation initiates a phosphorylation cascade crucial for learning and memory.
期刊介绍:
"Science Signaling" is a reputable, peer-reviewed journal dedicated to the exploration of cell communication mechanisms, offering a comprehensive view of the intricate processes that govern cellular regulation. This journal, published weekly online by the American Association for the Advancement of Science (AAAS), is a go-to resource for the latest research in cell signaling and its various facets.
The journal's scope encompasses a broad range of topics, including the study of signaling networks, synthetic biology, systems biology, and the application of these findings in drug discovery. It also delves into the computational and modeling aspects of regulatory pathways, providing insights into how cells communicate and respond to their environment.
In addition to publishing full-length articles that report on groundbreaking research, "Science Signaling" also features reviews that synthesize current knowledge in the field, focus articles that highlight specific areas of interest, and editor-written highlights that draw attention to particularly significant studies. This mix of content ensures that the journal serves as a valuable resource for both researchers and professionals looking to stay abreast of the latest advancements in cell communication science.