Neuronal Activity Rapidly Decreases the Level of p53 Protein in Rat Hippocampus In Vivo

It was previously shown that the induction of long-term post-tetanic potentiation of synaptic transmission in rat hippocampal slices is accompanied by a rapid decrease in the levels of the transcription factor p53 (tumor suppressor p53). However, it remained unclear whether a similar phenomenon could be observed in vivo. To answer this question, we employed a pentylenetetrazole (PTZ)-induced seizure model in rats. At 20 and 40 min after an intraperitoneal injection of PTZ, hippocampal p53 levels were significantly reduced compared to the intact controls. These findings validate the data previously obtained in vitro.