The stress hormone corticosterone conditions AMPAR surface trafficking and synaptic potentiation

Nat Neurosci. 2008 Aug;11(8):868-70. doi: 10.1038/nn.2150. Epub 2008 Jul 11.

Abstract

Corticosterone facilitates hippocampal glutamate transmission, but the cellular pathways by which AMPA receptor (AMPAR) signaling is adjusted remain elusive. Single quantum-dot imaging in live rat hippocampal neurons revealed that corticosterone triggers, via distinct corticosteroid receptors, time-dependent increases in GluR2-AMPAR surface mobility and synaptic surface GluR2 content. Furthermore, corticosterone potentiates the increase of synaptic surface GluR2 contents by a chemical long-term potentiation stimulus, revealing the influence that corticosterone has on AMPAR trafficking.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cell Membrane / metabolism*
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Corticosterone / pharmacology
  • Corticosterone / physiology*
  • Drug Synergism
  • GABA Antagonists / pharmacology
  • Glycine / pharmacology
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Long-Term Potentiation / drug effects
  • Long-Term Potentiation / physiology*
  • Neurons / drug effects
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Protein Transport / drug effects
  • Protein Transport / physiology
  • Quantum Dots
  • Rats
  • Receptors, AMPA / metabolism*
  • Stimulation, Chemical
  • Synaptic Transmission / drug effects
  • Synaptic Transmission / physiology*
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • GABA Antagonists
  • Receptors, AMPA
  • glutamate receptor ionotropic, AMPA 2
  • Glycine
  • Corticosterone