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Updated: May 18, 2026
09:25
Quantifying Subcellular Ubiquitin-proteasome Activity in the Rodent Brain
Published on: May 21, 2019
GluN2D subunit-containing NMDA receptors control tissue plasminogen activator-mediated spatial memory.
Pauline Obiang1, Richard Macrez, Amandine Jullienne
1Inserm, Mixed Research Unit in Health U919, University Caen Basse Normandie, Serine Proteases and Pathophysiology of the Neurovascular Unit, Public Interest Group CYCERON, F-14074 Caen, France.
Summary
Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) influences spatial memory by interacting with specific NMDA receptors (NMDARs). This study shows that the GluN2D subunit of NMDARs is crucial for tPA
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
Background:
- Tissue plasminogen activator (tPA) has diverse roles in the central nervous system (CNS), including synaptic plasticity and neuronal death.
- tPA's effects can involve interaction with NMDA receptors (NMDARs), modulating their signaling.
- Previous research indicated tPA's neurotoxic effects are mediated by GluN2D subunit-containing NMDARs.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate if GluN2D subunit-containing NMDARs are involved in tPA-mediated cognitive functions.
- To determine the role of tPA-NMDAR interaction in spatial memory.
Main Methods:
- Utilized an immunization strategy to block tPA interaction with NMDARs in vivo.
- Employed GluN2D-deficient mice in various behavioral tasks.
- Assessed cognitive functions, specifically spatial memory.
Main Results:
- Demonstrated that tPA influences spatial memory.
- Provided evidence for a preferential interaction between tPA and GluN2D subunit-containing NMDARs in the context of cognitive function.
- The immunization strategy and GluN2D-deficient mice models were effective in probing tPA's mechanism.
Conclusions:
- This study presents the first evidence linking tPA's influence on spatial memory to its interaction with GluN2D subunit-containing NMDARs.
- Highlights the specific role of GluN2D-containing NMDARs in mediating tPA's effects on cognition.
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