Regulation of AMPA receptor endocytosis by a signaling mechanism shared with LTD

EC Beattie, RC Carroll, X Yu, W Morishita… - Nature …, 2000 - nature.com
Nature neuroscience, 2000nature.com
The endocytosis of AMPA receptors is thought to be important in the expression of long-term
depression (LTD) triggered by NMDA receptor activation. Although signaling pathways
necessary for LTD induction have been identified, those responsible for the regulated
internalization of AMPA receptors are unknown. Here we show that activation of NMDA
receptors alone can trigger AMPA receptor endocytosis through calcium influx and activation
of the calcium-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin. A distinct signaling mechanism …
Abstract
The endocytosis of AMPA receptors is thought to be important in the expression of long-term depression (LTD) triggered by NMDA receptor activation. Although signaling pathways necessary for LTD induction have been identified, those responsible for the regulated internalization of AMPA receptors are unknown. Here we show that activation of NMDA receptors alone can trigger AMPA receptor endocytosis through calcium influx and activation of the calcium-dependent protein phosphatase calcineurin. A distinct signaling mechanism mediates the AMPA receptor endocytosis stimulated by insulin. These results demonstrate that although multiple signaling pathways can induce AMPA receptor internalization, NMDA receptor activation enhances AMPA receptor endocytosis via a signaling mechanism required for the induction of LTD.
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