RT Journal Article SR Electronic T1 Phosphorylation of Ser1166 on GluN2B by PKA Is Critical to Synaptic NMDA Receptor Function and Ca2+ Signaling in Spines JF The Journal of Neuroscience JO J. Neurosci. FD Society for Neuroscience SP 869 OP 879 DO 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.4538-13.2014 VO 34 IS 3 A1 Jessica A. Murphy A1 Ivar S. Stein A1 C. Geoffrey Lau A1 Rui T. Peixoto A1 Teresa K. Aman A1 Naoki Kaneko A1 Kelly Aromolaran A1 Jessica L. Saulnier A1 Gabriela K. Popescu A1 Bernardo L. Sabatini A1 Johannes W. Hell A1 R. Suzanne Zukin YR 2014 UL http://www.jneurosci.org/content/34/3/869.abstract AB The NMDA-type glutamate receptor (NMDAR) is essential for synaptogenesis, synaptic plasticity, and higher cognitive function. Emerging evidence indicates that NMDAR Ca2+ permeability is under the control of cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) signaling. Whereas the functional impact of PKA on NMDAR-dependent Ca2+ signaling is well established, the molecular target remains unknown. Here we identify serine residue 1166 (Ser1166) in the carboxy-terminal tail of the NMDAR subunit GluN2B to be a direct molecular and functional target of PKA phosphorylation critical to NMDAR-dependent Ca2+ permeation and Ca2+ signaling in spines. Activation of β-adrenergic and D1/D5-dopamine receptors induces Ser1166 phosphorylation. Loss of this single phosphorylation site abolishes PKA-dependent potentiation of NMDAR Ca2+ permeation, synaptic currents, and Ca2+ rises in dendritic spines. We further show that adverse experience in the form of forced swim, but not exposure to fox urine, elicits striking phosphorylation of Ser1166 in vivo, indicating differential impact of different forms of stress. Our data identify a novel molecular and functional target of PKA essential to NMDAR-mediated Ca2+ signaling at synapses and regulated by the emotional response to stress.