Extracellular Signal-Regulated Protein Kinase Activation Is Required for Metabotropic Glutamate Receptor-Dependent Long-Term Depression in Hippocampal Area CA1 (original) (raw)

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Journal of Neuroscience 19 May 2004, 24 (20) 4859-4864; https://doi.org/10.1523/JNEUROSCI.5407-03.2004

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Abstract

Activation of group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) induces long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmission that relies on dendritic protein synthesis. We investigated the signal transduction pathways required for mGluR-LTD to identify candidate mechanisms for mGluR regulation of synaptic protein synthesis. Our results demonstrate a role for extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK), a subclass of the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs), in mGluR-LTD in area CA1 of the rat hippocampus. Inhibitors of the upstream kinase of ERK, MAP/ERK kinase significantly reduce mGluR-LTD induced by the group 1 agonist dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) and synaptic stimulation but do not affect NMDA receptor-dependent LTD. In contrast, inhibitors of p38 MAPK were ineffective against DHPG-induced LTD. Consistent with the role of ERK in mGluR-LTD, we observed that DHPG treatment of hippocampal slices (isolated CA1), at concentrations that induce LTD, results in a robust phosphorylation of ERK but not of p38 MAPK. These results point to ERK as an important regulator of mGluR-LTD and a potential mechanism for mGluR regulation of synaptic protein synthesis.

Introduction

Activation of group 1 metabotropic glutamate receptors (mGluRs) induces long-lasting changes in neuronal and synaptic function that rely on new protein synthesis but are independent of transcription (Merlin et al., 1998; Huber et al., 2000; Raymond et al., 2000; Snyder et al., 2001). These findings suggest that mGluRs can directly regulate mRNA translation in neurons, but how this occurs is unknown.

One consequence of mGluR activation, either with the selective agonist dihydroxyphenylglycine (DHPG) or with synaptic stimulation [paired-pulse low-frequency stimulation (PP-LFS)], is long-term depression (LTD) of synaptic transmission of excitatory synapses on hippocampal CA1 pyramidal neurons (mGluR-LTD) (Palmer et al., 1997; Fitzjohn et al., 1998; Kemp and Bashir, 1999). Stable expression of mGluR-LTD requires rapid, dendritic mRNA translation without new transcription (Huber et al., 2000; Zho et al., 2002). There is evidence that mGluR-LTD reflects a lasting reduction of postsynaptic glutamate receptor expression (Snyder et al., 2001; Xiao et al., 2001) and presynaptic glutamate release (Fitzjohn et al., 2001; Watabe et al., 2002; Zakharenko et al., 2002; Rammes et al., 2003). Both postsynaptic and presynaptic changes are blocked by protein synthesis inhibitors (Snyder et al., 2001; Zakharenko et al., 2002). Therefore, mGluR-LTD provides a powerful model to understand how group 1 mGluRs regulate protein synthesis-dependent synaptic plasticity.

Because group 1 mGluRs activate the phospholipase C cascade, it is surprising that protein kinase C inhibitors, depletion of intracellular Ca2+ stores, or postsynaptic Ca2+ chelators do not affect DHPG-induced LTD (DHPG-LTD) (Schnabel et al., 1999; Fitzjohn et al., 2001). Instead, there is a report that tyrosine phosphatase inhibitors block DHPG-LTD (Moult et al., 2002). Group 1 mGluRs activate other signal transduction cascades, such as the mitogen-activated protein kinases (MAPKs) (Peavy and Conn, 1998; Ferraguti et al., 1999; Roberson et al., 1999; Bolshakov et al., 2000; Karim et al., 2001; Peavy et al., 2001). Of the MAPKs, mGluRs have been shown to activate two subclasses, the extracellular signal-regulated protein kinase (ERK) and p38 MAPK. ERK has been implicated in mGluR-LTD in the cerebellum (Ahn et al., 1999; Kawasaki et al., 1999) and DHPG-induced increases in excitability in CA3 neurons (Zhao et al., 2004). Interestingly, both of these responses to mGluR activation are also dependent on protein synthesis (Merlin et al., 1998; Karachot et al., 2001). However, inhibitors of p38 MAPK block LTD induced by synaptic stimulation of mGluRs in neonatal [postnatal day 4 (P4)–P10] area CA1 (Bolshakov et al., 2000), as well as LTD induced by DHPG in the dentate gyrus of juvenile (3- to 4-week-old) rats (Rush et al., 2002). In hippocampal slice culture, p38 MAPK inhibitors also block NMDA receptor (NMDAR)-dependent LTD (NMDAR-LTD) (Zhu et al., 2002). Therefore, current evidence suggests that p38 MAPK may be a common signaling mechanism that leads to LTD.

Here we investigated the signal transduction pathways specifically required for protein synthesis-dependent LTD induced by DHPG and PP-LFS in area CA1 of juvenile rats. Surprisingly, our experiments reveal a role for ERK rather than p38 MAPK in this form of LTD. These results demonstrate a role for ERK in group 1 mGluR-mediated synaptic depression and implicate the ERK pathway as a candidate mechanism for the regulation of synaptic protein synthesis by mGluRs.

Materials and Methods

Hippocampal slice preparation and electrophysiology. Hippocampal slices were prepared as described previously (Huber et al., 2000) from Long–Evans rats (P21–P30; Charles River, Cambridge, MA). Slices were collected in ice-cold dissection buffer containing (in mm) 212 sucrose, 2.6 KCl, 1.25 NaH2PO4, 26 NaHCO3, 5 MgCl2, 0.5 CaCl2, and 10 dextrose. CA3 was cut away from each slice immediately after sectioning. Slices were allowed to recover for 2–5 hr at room temperature or 30°C in artificial CSF (ACSF) containing (in mm): 124 NaCl, 5 KCl, 1.25 NaH2PO4, 26 NaHCO3, 1 MgCl2, 2 CaCl2, and 10 dextrose. ACSF and dissection buffer were saturated in 95% O2 and 5% CO2. For recording, slices were placed in a submersion recording chamber, maintained at 30°C, and perfused with ACSF at a rate of 2–2.5 ml/min. Field potentials (FPs) were acquired in area CA1 and the dentate gyrus as described previously (Huber et al., 2000; Rush et al., 2002). The group data were analyzed as described previously (Huber et al., 2000). Data plotted in all figures represent average ± SEM. Significant differences between groups were determined using an independent or paired (see Fig. 2) t test.

Figure 2.

Figure 2.

p38 MAPK is not required for DHPG-induced LTD in area CA1. A, B, Application of DHPG (100 μm, 5 min, in 0.1% DMSO) to hippocampal slices induced LTD in FPs recorded in the dentate gyrus (A) and area CA1 (C). B, D, Preapplication of the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 (5 μm, 1 hr) prevents LTD in the dentate gyrus (B) but does not affect LTD in area CA1 (D). Dashed lines indicate 100% of baseline.

_Drug preparation. R,S_-DHPG, AP-5, 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-hydroxyphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)1H-imidazole (SB202190), 4-(4-fluorophenyl)-2-(4-methylsulfinylphenyl)-5-(4-pyridyl)imidazole (SB203580), 1,4-diamino-2, 3-dicyano-1,4-bis[2-amino-phenylthio]butadiene (U0126), (S)-(+)-α-amino-a-methylbenzeneacetic acid (LY367385), and 2-methyl-6-(phenylethynyl)-pyridine (MPEP) were purchased from Tocris Cookson (Ballwin, MO). 1,4-Diamino-2,3-dicyano-1,4-bis(methylthio)butadiene (U0124) and 2-(2-diamino-3-methoxyphenyl-4H-1-benzopyran-4-one (PD98059) were purchased from Calbiochem (La Jolla, CA). All inhibitors were prepared as stocks in DMSO or H2O (LY367385 and MPEP), stored at –20°C, and freshly diluted to a final concentration in ACSF.

Immunoblotting for MAPKs. Slices (containing area CA1 and dentate gyrus; CA3 was cut off) were maintained in a static incubation chamber in ACSF at 30°C and aerated with 95% O2–5% CO2. Immediately after DHPG treatment, slices were frozen and stored at –80°C. For ERK, slices were homogenized in lysis buffer containing 50 mm HEPES, pH 7.3, 150 mm NaCl, 1.5 mm MgCl2, 1 mm EGTA, 10% glycerol, 0.2 mm NaVO4, 100 mm NaF, 50 mm β-glycerophosphate, 1 mm dithiothreitol, 1 mm benzamidine, 0.01 mg/ml leupeptin, 0.1 mg/ml aprotonin, 0.5 μg/ml pepstatin A, and 1% Triton X-100. For p90 ribosomal protein S6 kinase (RSK) and p38 MAPK, 1.8% Triton X-100 was added. Samples containing 20–35 μg of protein were resolved on 10% SDS-PAGE and transferred to nitrocellulose. Membranes were blocked and incubated with the following antibodies according to the manufacturer's protocol: phosphospecific (P)-ERK (Thr202/Tyr204; 1:5000 dilution; Promega, Madison, WI), P-p38 MAPK (Thr180/Tyr182; 1:500), P-RSK1 (Thr359/Ser363; 1:1000), total ERK (1:1000), and total p38 MAPK (1:1000). All antibodies were from Cell Signaling Technologies (Beverly, MA), except for phospho-ERK. Blots were washed and incubated in HRP-conjugated secondary antibody (1:1500; MP Biomedical, Aurora, OH). Bands were detected using enhanced chemiluminescence. Densitometric quantification of immunopositive bands was done using Scion Image (Scion Corporation, Frederick, MD). Only film exposures that were in the linear range of the ECL reaction were used for analysis.

Results

ERK is required for mGluR-LTD in juvenile CA1

A previous study demonstrated that group 1 mGluRs activate ERK in the hippocampus (Roberson et al., 1999). Therefore, we examined the requirement for ERK activation in DHPG-LTD. Extracellular FPs elicited by Schaffer collateral stimulation were recorded from area CA1 dendrites. After a stable baseline period, LTD was induced with a brief (5 min) application of DHPG (50 or 100 μm). ERK1 and ERK2 are activated when phosphorylated by the dual-specificity kinase MAP/ERK kinase (MEK) (Pearson et al., 2001). Preincubation of hippocampal slices with U0126 (20 μm), a selective and membrane-permeable MEK inhibitor, significantly inhibited the later phase of DHPG-LTD induced with either 50 or 100 μm DHPG compared with interleaved vehicle (DMSO) controls (at 60–65 min after treatment: 50 μm DHPG plus vehicle, 77 ± 4% of pretreatment baseline, n = 6; 50 μm DHPG plus U0126, 91 ± 4%, n = 6, p = 0.01; 100 μm DHPG plus vehicle, 83 ± 2%, n = 9; 100 μm DHPG plus U0126, 95 ± 5%, n = 5, p = 0.03) (Fig. 1_A_). DHPG-LTD was also reduced by second MEK inhibitor, PD98059 (100 μm DHPG plus vehicle, 73 ± 4%, n = 6; 100 μm DHPG plus 50 μm PD98059, 91 ± 3%, n = 4; p = 0.01) (Fig. 1_B_). In contrast, preincubation with the inactive analog of U0126, U0124 (20 μm) did not affect DHPG-induced LTD (U0124, 79 ± 4%, n = 7; vehicle, 79 ± 2%, n = 4; p = 0.95).

Figure 1.

Figure 1.

MEK inhibitors selectively inhibit mGluR-LTD. Preapplication of the MEK inhibitors U0126 (A, 20 μm) or PD98059 (B, 50 μm) reduced DHPG-LTD. In this and Figure 2, representative EPSP waveforms (2 min average) taken from an experiment at the times indicated by the numbers on the graph are shown. Calibration: 0.5 mV, 5 msec. C, U0126 also inhibited LTD induced with PP-LFS [900 paired pulses (50 msec interpulse interval) delivered at 1 Hz] in the presence of 100 μm dl-AP-5. D, U0126 (20 μm) did not affect NMDA receptor-dependent LTD induced by LFS (900 pulses at 1 Hz). Dashed lines indicate 100% of baseline.

We also tested the effects of U0126 on LTD induced with PP-LFS (pairs of stimuli at a 50 msec interstimulus interval delivered at 1 Hz for 15 min; 1800 pulses total) in the presence of the NMDA receptor antagonist dl-AP-5 (100 μm). Like DHPG-induced LTD, the later phase of PP-LFS-induced LTD (55–60 min after PP-LFS) was significantly inhibited by U0126 (93 ± 4%; n = 9) compared with vehicle controls (79 ± 3%; n = 9; p = 0.008).

Another form of LTD coexists at CA1 synapses and is dependent on NMDAR (NMDAR-LTD). Consistent with the idea that mGluR- and NMDAR-LTD are mediated by distinct cellular mechanisms (Oliet et al., 1997; Huber et al., 2000), U0126 did not affect NMDAR-LTD induced with LFS (Fig. 1_D_) (U0126, 73 ± 4%, n = 6; vehicle, 70 ± 7%, n = 6; p = 0.69). These results indicate that ERK is specifically required for mGluR-and protein synthesis-dependent LTD.

p38 MAPK is not required for DHPG-induced LTD in area CA1

In the dentate gyrus, the p38 MAPK inhibitor SB203580 (1 μm) blocks DHPG-LTD (Rush et al., 2002). However, we found that neither 1 μm SB203580 nor another p38 MAPK inhibitor (SB202190, 1 μm) had any significant effect on DHPG-LTD in CA1 (LTD with 1 μm SB203580, 84 ± 3%, n = 8; interleaved control LTD, 85 ± 2%, n = 8; LTD with 1 μm SB202190, 88 ± 2%, n = 8; interleaved control LTD, 88 ± 3%, n = 9). To confirm these findings, we repeated the experiment using a longer preincubation (≥1 hr) with a greater concentration (5 μm) of SB203580. In addition, we simultaneously recorded the effects of 100 μm DHPG (5 min) in the absence or presence of drug on FPs in the dentate gyrus and CA1 (Fig. 2). As reported previously, we observed that DHPG induced significant LTD in the dentate gyrus (85 ± 4%; n = 9; paired t test; p = 0.004) (Fig. 2_A_) that was blocked by SB203580 (99 ± 1%; n = 7; p = 0.13) (Fig. 2_B_). Again, however, we observed robust DHPG-LTD in area CA1 in 5 μm SB203580 (80 ± 1%; n = 10; paired t test; p = 0.0001) (Fig. 2_C_) that was similar to control slices (0.1% DMSO, 78 ± 4%; n = 7) (Fig. 2_D_).

DHPG induces phosphorylation of ERK but not p38 MAPK in juvenile CA1

To further confirm a role for ERK in LTD, we determined whether concentrations of DHPG that induce LTD also resulted in activation of ERK in hippocampal slices (isolated CA1), using antibodies that recognize the dually phosphorylated (Thr202/Tyr204) and active ERK. We observed an increased phosphorylation of ERK (both ERK1 and ERK2 combined) with 100 μm DHPG (273 ± 26% of basal or ACSF treated slices; n = 7; p < 0.0001) (Fig. 3_A_) that persisted in the presence of tetrodotoxin (TTX) and AP-5 (50 μm DHPG, 205 ± 24%, n = 8; 100 μm DHPG, 226 ± 25%, n = 8, p = 0.21, vs 100 μm DHPG in ACSF). This indicates that DHPG-induced ERK activation was not an indirect consequence of increasing slice excitability or activating NMDARs. In contrast, the combined application of the mGluR1 and mGluR5 antagonists [LY367385 (100 μm) and MPEP (10 μm) respectively] significantly reduced DHPG-induced ERK phosphorylation (125 ± 7% of basal levels; n = 6; p < 0.0009) compared with DHPG alone (470 ± 64%; n = 6) (Fig. 3_B_). As expected, preincubation of slices in the MEK inhibitor U0126 (20 μm) reduced phosphorylated ERK levels to 51 ± 18% of basal levels (n = 5) and completely blocked DHPG-induced increases in ERK phosphorylation (59 ± 12% of basal levels; n = 6; p = 0.76 compared with basal plus U0126) (Fig. 3_A_).

Figure 3.

Figure 3.

DHPG at concentrations that induce LTD and activate the ERK cascade, but not p38 MAPK, in CA1. Representative Western blots are shown of untreated [ACSF or basal (B)] or treated [100 μm DHPG (D), 5 min] hippocampal slices. Quantitative group data of each condition are described below. The number of slices (n) is indicated on each bar. Conditions are indicated below each bar (D 50 and D 100 indicate 50 and 100 μm DHPG, respectively, for 5 min). *p < 0.01, statistically different from condition control. A, DHPG-induced ERK phosphorylation does not rely on NMDAR activation or action potentials and is blocked by U0126. B, DHPG-induced ERK phosphorylation is blocked by the group 1 mGluR antagonists LY367385 (LY) and MPEP. C, DHPG increases the phosphorylation of the ERK substrate RSK1 and is blocked by U0126. Representative Western blots show control (C) extract (phorbol ester-treated HeLa cells) and hippocampal slices (basal) or DHPG treated as indicated. D, In contrast, DHPG treatment does not result in an increase in phosphorylated p38 MAPK/total p38 MAPK. Dashed lines indicate 100% of basal.

The ERK substrate RSK1 has been shown to translocate to polyribosomes with DHPG activation (Angenstein et al., 1998). Using phosphospecific antibodies to RSK1 (Thr359/Ser363), we have detected an increase in RSK phosphorylation in hippocampal slices in response to DHPG (100 μm, 5 min, 150 ± 9%, n = 15 compared with control slices; p < 0.01) (Fig. 3_B_) that is blocked by the MEK inhibitor U0126 (102 ± 11%; n = 10; p < 0.01; compared with DHPG alone).

To determine whether DHPG induces phosphorylation of p38 MAPK, we performed Western blots on hippocampal slices with phosphospecific (Thr180/Tyr182) antibodies to p38 MAPK. Unlike ERK, we were not able to detect significant increases in p38 MAPK phosphorylation after DHPG treatment (100 μm, 5 min, 112 ± 7%; n = 7; p = 0.12). Together, our results suggest that there are differences in the signal transduction mechanisms required for mGluR-LTD in the dentate gyrus and area CA1.

Discussion

Our data demonstrate a requirement for ERK in mGluR-LTD and suggest that ERK may also be an important signaling molecule for regulation of protein synthesis at synapses. Surprisingly, we did not find a role for p38 MAPK in DHPG-induced LTD. Consistent with the involvement of ERK in LTD, we observed a robust phosphorylation of ERK and RSK in response to DHPG at concentrations that induce LTD in hippocampal brain slices. These findings demonstrate a functional role for ERK in mGluR-dependent synaptic depression in the hippocampus and provide candidate signaling pathways for mGluR regulation of synaptic protein synthesis.

Role of ERK in mGluR-dependent synaptic plasticity

It has been demonstrated previously that the group 1 mGluR agonist DHPG activates ERK in hippocampal slices (Roberson et al., 1999). However, a role for ERK in mGluR-mediated physiological changes has only been described recently (Coogan et al., 1999). Here, we have shown a selective effect of MEK inhibitors on LTD induced with DHPG and synaptic stimulation. In contrast, NMDAR-dependent LTD induced with LFS is unaffected (Fig. 1). Consistent with our finding, a recent study in slice culture found that the MEK inhibitor PD98059 did not interfere with NMDAR-dependent LTD (Zhu et al., 2002). Because DHPG-induced and PP-LFS-induced LTD are both dependent on dendritic protein synthesis, as opposed to NMDAR-dependent LTD, these results suggest that ERK may be important in regulating synaptic protein synthesis. However, the effects of the MEK inhibitors were not as rapid or robust as the effects of protein synthesis inhibitors, especially in the case of PP-LFS (Huber et al., 2000). The incomplete blockade of mGluR-LTD by U0126 is not attributable to an incomplete blockade of ERK activation (Fig. 3_A_). Therefore, this suggests that other signaling pathways may play an earlier or additional role in mGluR-LTD.

There is previous evidence for ERK in hippocampal LTD in vivo. A previous study in area CA1 in vivo found that systemic administration of the MEK inhibitorα-[amino[(4-aminophenyl) thio]methylene]-2-(trifluoromethyl)benzeneacetonitrile (SL327) inhibits LTD (Thiels et al., 2002). Although the induction of LTD is this study required NMDARs (Thiels et al., 1994; Heynen et al., 1996), there is evidence for a later mGluR-dependent and protein synthesis-dependent phase in vivo (Manahan-Vaughan, 1997; Manahan-Vaughan et al., 2000). Indeed, ERK and protein synthesis are also required for mGluR-LTD at granule cell to Purkinje neuron synapses (Ahn et al., 1999; Kawasaki et al., 1999; Karachot et al., 2001). Together, these data suggest that ERK is important in long-term protein synthesis-dependent synaptic plasticity in vivo, in vitro, and across brain regions.

We observed that DHPG activated ERK and its downstream effector, RSK1. Although RSK1 has been traditionally studied for its role in transcriptional regulation, there is some evidence for its role in protein synthesis regulation in the hippocampus. MGluR activation of hippocampal slices induces the translocation of RSK1 to polyribosomes and a concomitant increase in the phosphorylation of selective polyribosome proteins thought to be mediated by RSK1 (Angenstein et al., 1998). There is also emerging evidence for ERK and RSK in translation regulation in nonneuronal cells (Herbert et al., 2000; Wang and Proud, 2002). Future studies are aimed at determining whether DHPG activates these regulatory pathways in hippocampal neurons.

Differential role of p38 MAPK in mGluR-LTD

There is growing evidence for a role of p38 MAPK in LTD in a number of contexts (Bolshakov et al., 2000; Rush et al., 2002; Zhu et al., 2002). Although we confirmed the role of p38 MAPK in mGluR-LTD in the dentate gyrus, p38 MAPK inhibitors do not inhibit mGluR-LTD in adolescent CA1. Consistent with these data, DHPG does not activate p38 MAPK in area CA1. Our slices contained dentate gyrus, so it is surprising that we were not able to detect p38 MAPK activation the slices. However, this could be caused by a signal-to-noise problem, and a comparison of DHPG-stimulated p38 MAPK in the dentate gyrus versus CA1 subregions may be required. Our data suggest that p38 MAPK may be differentially required for LTD depending on the brain region.

Role for ERK in long-term potentiation and LTD?

Our data demonstrating a role for ERK in mGluR-dependent LTD add to the growing body of literature implicating ERK in long-term synaptic plasticity (for review, see Sweatt, 2001). The most prominent role for ERK has been in the induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) through activation of NMDARs or mGluRs (Coogan et al., 1999; Sweatt, 2001). However, our data and those of Thiels et al. (2002) implicate ERK in LTD. In particular, we propose that ERK is specifically important in mGluR- and protein synthesis-dependent LTD. Very recent data indicate that ERK is an important regulator of the protein synthesis-dependent phase of LTP and regulates neuronal protein synthesis in response to neuronal activity and BDNF (Kelleher et al., 2004). How can ERK signal to induce both protein synthesis-dependent LTP and LTD?

One hypothesis to consider is that ERK is a general regulator of neuronal protein synthesis in response to different extracellular stimuli, and the specificity of the response (LTP or LTD) may be determined by the pattern of synaptic activity. Alternatively, the activation of ERK may be differentially regulated by NMDARs and mGluRs via different small GTPases. Recent work suggests that Rap1 regulates a specific subcellular fraction of ERK activity in hippocampal neurons (Morozov et al., 2003). It will be very interesting to learn how ERK and protein synthesis-dependent mechanisms lead to either LTP or LTD.

Footnotes

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