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Regulation of NMDA receptors by the tyrosine kinase Fyn

Catherine H Trepanier1, Michael F Jackson, John F MacDonald

  • 1Department of Pharmacology and Toxicology, University of Toronto, Toronto, ON, Canada.

The FEBS Journal
|October 12, 2011
PubMed

Insights

The Fyn kinase regulates N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors, impacting brain signaling. This review explores Fyn

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biochemistry

Background:

  • N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptors are crucial for synaptic plasticity and learning.
  • The Src family tyrosine kinase Fyn plays a key role in regulating NMDA receptor phosphorylation and trafficking.
  • Fyn integrates signals from various pathways, influencing GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To review Fyn signaling pathways that upregulate GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors.
  • To examine Fyn's role in mediating ethanol's effects on NMDA receptors.
  • To discuss Fyn's influence on alcohol withdrawal, tolerance, and synaptic plasticity.

Main Methods:

  • Review of existing literature on Fyn kinase signaling.
  • Analysis of Fyn's interactions within the NMDA receptor complex.
  • Examination of Fyn's downstream effects on receptor function and behavior.

Main Results:

  • Fyn signaling converges to upregulate GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors.
  • Fyn mediates ethanol's effects on NMDA receptor phosphorylation.
  • Fyn regulates alcohol withdrawal, acute tolerance, and synaptic plasticity via GluN2B.

Conclusions:

  • Fyn kinase is a central regulator of NMDA receptor function and ethanol's effects in the brain.
  • Fyn's modulation of NMDA receptors impacts alcohol-related behaviors and learning.
  • Targeting Fyn signaling may offer therapeutic strategies for alcohol use disorders.

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