Meta-Biol

• Pathways

GluR1-containing AMPA receptors are delivered to the synapses in an activity dependent manner. GluR1 trafficking is controlled by protein- protein interactions with 4.1N/G protein, SAP97 and by intricate regulation of phosphorylation of GluR1 at several phosphorylation sites in the C tail. GluR1 has four phosphorylation sites; serine 818 (S818) is phosphorylated by PKC, necessary for LTP, serine 831 (S831) is phosphorylated by CaMKII and increases the delivery of receptors to the synapse and also increases their single channel conductance, Threonine (T840) is implicated in LTP and serine 845 (S845) phosphorylated by PKA regulates open channel probability and also by cGKII, a cyclic GMP activated kinase, that increases the surface expression of GluR1. GluR1 insertion into synapse by CaMKII may induce LTP. CaMKII is a Ca/calmodulin dependent kinase that is activated upon increases in the Ca ion concentration during postsynaptic activity through NMDA receptors. The increase in GluR1-containing AMPA receptor population at the synapse results in enhancement of excitatory post synaptic potential (EPSC) which forms the basis of Long term potentiation (LTP). LTP is one form of synaptic plasticity that is involved in memory and learning. The increase in the GluR1 containing AMPA receptors and their activity leads to rise in intracellular Ca which induces signaling pathways that in turn promote switch in the type of AMPA receptors (Ca impermeable) thereby limiting the Ca increase and preventing cell death.