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Published on: June 26, 2013
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Cortical nitric oxide required for presynaptic long-term potentiation in the insular cortex
Kiyofumi Yamamoto1,2, Qi-Yu Chen2,3,4, Zhaoxiang Zhou2,5
1Department of Pharmacology, Nihon University School of Dentistry, 1-8-13 Kanda-Surugadai , Chiyoda-ku, Tokyo 101-8310, Japan.
Summary
Nitric oxide (NO) is essential for kainate receptor-dependent presynaptic long-term potentiation (pre-LTP) in the adult insular cortex. This study reveals NO
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Cellular signaling
- Synaptic plasticity
Background:
- Nitric oxide (NO) acts as a crucial diffusible messenger in the mammalian brain.
- NO's retrograde diffusion into presynaptic terminals is implicated in long-term potentiation (LTP) induction.
- Presynaptic forms of LTP (pre-LTP) are critical for synaptic plasticity.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the role of NO in kainate receptor (KAR)-dependent pre-LTP in the adult insular cortex (IC).
- To elucidate the specific involvement of NO in the induction and maintenance phases of pre-LTP.
Main Methods:
- Utilized double patch-clamp recordings in the adult insular cortex.
- Employed NO synthase inhibition to assess NO's role.
- Investigated KAR activation during pre-LTP induction.
Main Results:
- Inhibition of NO synthase impaired the maintenance of pre-LTP in the IC.
- KAR activation was necessary for the induction of pre-LTP.
- NO was found to be essential for pre-LTP between pyramidal cells in the IC.
Conclusions:
- NO is critically required for homosynaptic pre-LTP in the adult insular cortex.
- These findings highlight the significant role of NO in regulating presynaptic plasticity within the IC.
- The study provides strong evidence for NO's involvement in KAR-dependent pre-LTP.
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