Okayama University research: Making memories--the workings of a neuron revealed

LTP, LTD, and AMPAR: Long-term potentiation (LTP) is the strengthening, and long-term depression (LTD) is the weakening of inter-neuron connections in response to chemicals known as neurotransmitters. The chemically induced inflow of calcium ions into adjacent (post-synaptic) neurons warns to prepare for either LTP or LTD. Subsequently, the initiating (pre-synaptic) neuron fires neurotransmitters such as glutamate to communicate with the post-synaptic neurons.α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) is a molecule that closely resembles glutamate. Thus, the post-synaptic neuron presents the AMPA receptor (AMPAR) on its surface to read glutamate signals. LTP leads to more AMPAR incorporation into postsynaptic membranes and better glutamate binding, whereas LTD leads to the opposite. The increase and decrease of AMPAR on post-synaptic membranes is a key factor in facilitating neuronal connections. Understanding the dynamics of AMPAR shuttling is vital for research on…

LTP, LTD, and AMPAR: Long-term potentiation (LTP) is the strengthening, and long-term depression (LTD) is the weakening of inter-neuron connections in response to chemicals known as neurotransmitters. The chemically induced inflow of calcium ions into adjacent (post-synaptic) neurons warns to prepare for either LTP or LTD. Subsequently, the initiating (pre-synaptic) neuron fires neurotransmitters such as glutamate to communicate with the post-synaptic neurons.

α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) is a molecule that closely resembles glutamate. Thus, the post-synaptic neuron presents the AMPA receptor (AMPAR) on its surface to read glutamate signals. LTP leads to more AMPAR incorporation into postsynaptic membranes and better glutamate binding, whereas LTD leads to the opposite. The increase and decrease of AMPAR on post-synaptic membranes is a key factor in facilitating neuronal connections. Understanding the dynamics of AMPAR shuttling is vital for research on the normal development of learning and memory and disorders that implicate them.

Reference

Tomonari Sumi, Kouji Harada. Mechanism underlying hippocampal long-term potentiation and depression based on competition between endocytosis and exocytosis of AMPA receptors. Scientific Reports, volume.10, Article number: 14711 (2020)
DOI : 10.1038/s41598-020-71528-3
https://www.nature.com/articles/s41598-020-71528-3#citeas

Link to related figure

https://www.okayama-u.ac.jp/up_load_files/research_highlights/116_image_1.jpg

Caption

AMPAR transport system in postsynapse reproducing LPT/LTD of hippocampal excitatory neurons.

Correspondence to

Associate Professor SUMI Tomonari, Ph.D.
Research Institute for Interdisciplinary Science, Okayama University,
3-1-1 Tsushimanaka, Kita-ku, Okayama 700-8530, Japan
e-mail : sumi(a) cc.okayama-u.ac.jp
For inquiries, please contact us by replacing (a) with the @ mark.
http://www.cc.okayama-u.ac.jp/~sumi/indee.html

Further information

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