NMDARs (N-methyl-D-aspartate receptors) are critical for synaptic function throughout the CNS (central nervous system). NMDAR-mediated Ca2+ influx is implicated in neuronal differentiation, neuronal migration, synaptogenesis, structural remodelling, long-lasting forms of synaptic plasticity and higher cognitive functions. NMDAR-mediated Ca2+ signalling in dendritic spines is not static, but can be remodelled in a cell- and synapse-specific manner by NMDAR subunit composition, protein kinases and neuronal activity during development and in response to sensory experience. Recent evidence indicates that Ca2+ permeability of neuronal NMDARs, NMDAR-mediated Ca2+ signalling in spines and induction of NMDAR-dependent LTP (long-term potentiation) at hippocampal Schaffer collateral–CA1 synapses are under control of the cAMP/PKA (protein kinase A) signalling cascade. Thus, by enhancing Ca2+ influx through NMDARs in spines, PKA can regulate the induction of LTP. An emerging concept is that activity-dependent regulation of NMDAR-mediated Ca2+ signalling by PKA and by extracellular signals that modulate cAMP or protein phosphatases at synaptic sites provides a dynamic and potentially powerful mechanism for bi-directional regulation of synaptic efficacy and remodelling.
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December 2009
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Conference Article|
November 19 2009
Regulation of NMDA receptor Ca2+ signalling and synaptic plasticity Available to Purchase
C. Geoffrey Lau;
C. Geoffrey Lau
1
1Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, U.S.A.
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Koichi Takeuchi;
Koichi Takeuchi
1Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, U.S.A.
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Alma Rodenas-Ruano;
Alma Rodenas-Ruano
1Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, U.S.A.
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Yukihiro Takayasu;
Yukihiro Takayasu
1Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, U.S.A.
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Jessica Murphy;
Jessica Murphy
1Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, U.S.A.
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Michael V.L. Bennett;
Michael V.L. Bennett
1Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, U.S.A.
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R. Suzanne Zukin
R. Suzanne Zukin
2
1Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, 1300 Morris Park Avenue, Bronx, NY 10461, U.S.A.
2To whom correspondence should be addressed (email [email protected]).
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Publisher: Portland Press Ltd
Received:
September 14 2009
Online ISSN: 1470-8752
Print ISSN: 0300-5127
© The Authors Journal compilation © 2009 Biochemical Society
2009
Biochem Soc Trans (2009) 37 (6): 1369–1374.
Article history
Received:
September 14 2009
Citation
C. Geoffrey Lau, Koichi Takeuchi, Alma Rodenas-Ruano, Yukihiro Takayasu, Jessica Murphy, Michael V.L. Bennett, R. Suzanne Zukin; Regulation of NMDA receptor Ca2+ signalling and synaptic plasticity. Biochem Soc Trans 1 December 2009; 37 (6): 1369–1374. doi: https://doi.org/10.1042/BST0371369
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