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Calcineurin acts via the C-terminus of NR2A to modulate desensitization of NMDA receptors

  • Johannes J. Krupp
  • , Bryce Vissel
  • , Christopher G. Thomas
  • , Stephen F. Heinemann
  • , Gary L. Westbrook

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

Abstract

Phosphatase IIb (calcineurin, CaN) can reduce N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) synaptic responses by enhancing glycine-independent desensitization. We examined the action of CaN on desensitization in recombinant NMDA receptors comprised of NMDA receptor 1 (NR1) and NR2A subunits. The C-terminus of NR2A, but not NR1, was critical for modulation of desensitization by CaN. Alanine-scanning mutagenesis indicated that serines 900 and 929 in NR2A altered desensitization, as did inhibition of tyrosine phosphatases. Our data suggest that dephosphorylation-dependent regulation of the C-terminus of NR2A increases desensitization of NMDA receptors, providing an additional mechanism for modulation of synaptic signals.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)593-602
Number of pages10
JournalNeuropharmacology
Volume42
Issue number5
DOIs
StatePublished - 2002

Funding

This work was supported by NIH grants MH46613 (GLW), NS28709 (SFH), the McKnight Foundation (SFH), the Hereditary Disease Foundation Lieberman Award (BV), the John Adler Foundation (SFH), fellowships from the Human Frontiers program (JJK and BV), a Bundy Foundation award (BV), and a CJ Martin NHMRC of Australia award (BV).

FundersFunder number
Bruce Ford and Anne Smith Bundy Foundation
SFH
Author National Institutes of Health National Institutes of Health National Institutes of Health National Institutes of Health The Bev Hartig Huntington's Disease Foundation National Institutes of HealthMH46613
National Institute of Neurological Disorders and StrokeR01NS028709
Hereditary Disease Foundation
McKnight Endowment for Science, Dana Foundation
Adler Foundation
Australian National Health and Medical Research Council

    Keywords

    • Calcineurin
    • Desensitization
    • Mutagenesis
    • NMDA receptors
    • Patch-clamp
    • Tyrosine phosphatases

    ASJC Scopus subject areas

    • Pharmacology
    • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

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