Autophosphorylation at Thr$^{286}$ of the α Calcium-Calmodulin Kinase II in LTP and Learning

The calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) is required for hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and spatial learning. In addition to its calcium-calmodulin (CaM)-dependent activity, CaMKII can undergo autophosphorylation, resulting in CaM-independent activity. A point mutation was intro...

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Bibliographic Details
Published in:Science (American Association for the Advancement of Science) 1998-02, Vol.279 (5352), p.870-873
Main Authors: Giese, Karl Peter, Fedorov, Nikolai B., Filipkowski, Robert K., Silva, Alcino J.
Format: Article
Language:English
Subjects:
Calibration
Experimentation
Field recordings
Long term potentiation
Mazes
Neurons
Point mutation
Polymerase chain reaction
Synaptic transmission
Tetanus
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Summary:The calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) is required for hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP) and spatial learning. In addition to its calcium-calmodulin (CaM)-dependent activity, CaMKII can undergo autophosphorylation, resulting in CaM-independent activity. A point mutation was introduced into the αCaMKII gene that blocked the autophosphorylation of threonine at position 286 (Thr$^{286}$) of this kinase without affecting its CaM-dependent activity. The mutant mice had no N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-dependent LTP in the hippocampal CA1 area and showed no spatial learning in the Morris water maze. Thus, the autophosphorylation of αCaMKII at Thr$^{286}$ appears to be required for LTP and learning.
ISSN:0036-8075
1095-9203
DOI:10.1126/science.279.5352.870