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Protein kinase activity and synaptic plasticity in a chick brain slice
P M Bradley1, B D Burns, J Titmuss
1Division of Neurobiology, Medical School, University of Newcastle upon Tyne, UK.
Neuroreport
|March 1, 1992
Summary
Protein kinase activation enhances neural responses in chick brain learning regions. However, blocking this kinase activity with H7 leads to long-lasting depression and altered N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activity.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Developmental Biology
Background:
- The intermediate and medial hyperstriatum ventrale (IMHV) is crucial for learning.
- Neural plasticity mechanisms underlying learning are not fully understood.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of protein kinase activity in modulating neural responses within the IMHV.
- To examine the developmental effects on this modulation.
Main Methods:
- In vitro chick brain slice preparation.
- Electrophysiological recordings of neural responses to electrical stimuli.
- Application of phorbol ester (PDAc) to stimulate protein kinase activity.
- Administration of kinase antagonist H7.
Main Results:
- Superfusion with PDAc significantly increased response amplitude in the IMHV.
- PDAc-induced potentiation was most effective in young chicks (less than 6 days old).
- H7 prevented potentiation, induced long-lasting depression, and increased N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activity.
Conclusions:
- Protein kinase activation plays a key role in synaptic plasticity within the developing chick IMHV.
- Inhibition of protein kinase activity can lead to persistent depression of neural responses.
- N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activity is modulated by kinase activity in this learning-related brain region.