Related Experiment Video
Updated: Jul 8, 2026

Detection of Signaling Effector-Complexes Downstream of BMP4 Using in situ PLA, a Proximity Ligation Assay
Published on: March 3, 2011
Activin induces long-lasting N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor activation via scaffolding PDZ protein activin receptor
A Kurisaki1, I Inoue, K Kurisaki
1Institute for Enzyme Research, The University of Tokushima, Kuramoto, Tokushima 770-8503, Japan. akikuri@hotmail.com
Abstract:
Calcium entry into the postsynaptic neuron through N-methyl-D-aspartate-type glutamate receptors (NMDARs) triggers the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP), which is considered to contribute to synaptic plasticity and plays a critical role in behavioral learning. We report here that activin, a member of the transforming growth factor-beta (TGF-beta) superfamily, promotes phosphorylation of NMDARs and increases the Ca2+ influx through these receptors in primary cultured rat hippocampal neurons. This signal transduction occurs in a functional complex of activin receptors, NMDARs, and Src family tyrosine kinases, including Fyn, formed on a multimer of postsynaptic scaffolding postsynaptic density protein 95/Dlg/ZO-1 (PDZ), activin receptor interacting protein 1 (ARIP1). Activin-induced NMDAR activation persists for more than 24 h, which is complimentary to the activation time of NMDARs by brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF). Our results suggest that activin is a unique and powerful potentiator for NMDAR-dependent signaling, which could be involved in the regulatory mechanisms of synaptic plasticity.
More Related Videos
07:26Isolation of Whole Cell Protein Lysates from Mouse Facial Processes and Cultured Palatal Mesenchyme Cells for Phosphoprotein Analysis
Published on: April 1, 2022
09:39Drug-induced Sensitization of Adenylyl Cyclase: Assay Streamlining and Miniaturization for Small Molecule and siRNA Screening Applications
Published on: January 27, 2014
Related Concept Videos
Intracellular Signaling Affects Focal Adhesions
Some...
MAPK Signaling Cascades
Assembly of Signaling Complexes
Interaction domains in cell signaling
Interaction domains recognize exposed features of their binding partners containing post-translationally modified sequences,...
GPCRs Regulate Adenylyl Cylase Activity
Two...
The JAK-STAT Signaling Pathway
TGF - β Signaling Pathway