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The TrkB receptor tyrosine kinase and its ligand, BDNF, have an essential role in certain forms of synaptic plasticity. However, the downstream pathways required to mediate these functions are unknown. We have studied mice with a targeted mutation in either the Shc or the phospholipase Cgamma (PLCgamma) docking sites of TrkB (trkB(SHC/SHC) and trkB(PLC/PLC) mice). We found that hippocampal long-term potentiation was impaired in trkB(PLC/PLC) mice, but not trkB(SHC/SHC) mice. BDNF stimulation of primary neurons derived from trkB(PLC/PLC) mice fully retained their ability to activate MAP kinases, whereas induction of CREB and CaMKIV phosphorylation was strongly impaired. The opposite effect was observed in trkB(SHC/SHC) neurons, suggesting that MAPKs and CREB act in parallel pathways. Our results provide genetic evidence that TrkB mediates hippocampal plasticity via recruitment of PLCgamma, and by subsequent phosphorylation of CaMKIV and CREB.

Type

Journal article

Journal

Neuron

Publication Date

26/09/2002

Volume

36

Pages

121 - 137

Keywords

Active Transport, Cell Nucleus, Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transducing, Adaptor Proteins, Vesicular Transport, Animals, Binding Sites, Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor, Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2, Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 4, Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases, Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein, DNA-Binding Proteins, Early Growth Response Protein 1, Fetus, Hippocampus, Immediate-Early Proteins, Isoenzymes, Long-Term Potentiation, Mice, Mice, Transgenic, Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases, Mutation, Neurons, Phospholipase C gamma, Proteins, Receptor, trkB, Shc Signaling Adaptor Proteins, Signal Transduction, Src Homology 2 Domain-Containing, Transforming Protein 1, Transcription Factors, Type C Phospholipases