Abstract
C-terminus of AMPA receptor GluR1 contains phosphorylation sites, which may be involved in forms of synaptic plasticity such as LTP or depotentiation by regulating synaptic incorpolation of AMPA receptor or its internalization. However, little is uncovered on the roles of GluR1 C-terminus in synaptic plasticity in vivo study. To clarify the roles of GluR1 C-terminus in synaptic plasticity, we performed delivery of specific antibodies to GluR1 C-termunus containing S831 and S845 into hippocampal CA1 cell by injection of HVJ-envelope vector complex containing antibodies. During 5-6 days after delivery of antibodies into CA1 cells, behavioral tests using a watermaze task, prepulse inhibition (PPI) test of acoustic response, and open field (OP) test are conducted in antibody-treated, vehicle-treated and control rats. In watermaze task, antibody-treated rats displayed complete inability of spatial learning by loss of searching behavior or loss of motivation for escape, while vehicle-treated rats showed deficit of spatial memory and normal searching behavior. In OP and PPI test, antibody-treated rats show normal PPI and adaptive behavior. We discuss that the behavioral abnormality probably by loss of motivation seen in antibody-treated rats may be interpreted by antibody-induced disruption of interaction between GluR1 phosphorylation site like S831 and protein phosphatase in hippocampal CA1. [J Physiol Sci. 2008;58 Suppl:S142]
