Brain-Derived Neurotrophic Factor-Tyrosine Kinase B Pathway Mediates NMDA Receptor NR2B Subunit Phosphorylation in the Supraoptic Nuclei Following Progressive Dehydration

F. R. Carreño, J. D. Walch, M. Dutta, T. P. Nedungadi, J. T. Cunningham

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

34 Scopus citations

Abstract

We studied the effects of water deprivation (WD) on the phosphorylation of tyrosine kinase B (TrkB) and NMDA receptor subunits in the supraoptic nucleus (SON) of the rat. Laser capture microdissection and quantitative reverse transcriptase polymerase chain reaction was used to demonstrate brain-derived neurotrophic factor (BDNF) and TrkB gene expression in vasopressin SON neurones. Immunohistochemistry confirmed BDNF staining in vasopressin neurones, whereas staining for phosphorylated TrkB was increased following WD. Western blot analysis of brain punches containing the SON revealed that tyrosine phosphorylation of TrkB (pTrkBY 515), serine phosphorylation of NR1 (pNR1S 866 or pNR1) and tyrosine phosphorylation of NR2B subunits (pNR2BY 1472 or pNR2B) were significantly increased in WD animals compared to controls. Access to water for 2h reduced pTrkBY 515 content to control levels without affecting pNR1 or pNR2B. Four hours of rehydration was needed to reduce pNR1 and pNR2B to control levels. To test whether increased phosphorylation of TrkB in the present study is mediated by BDNF, a group of animals were instrumented with right SON cannula coupled to mini-osmotic pumps filled with vehicle or TrkB-Fc fusion protein, which prevents BDNF binding to TrkB. In the left SON contralateral to the cannula, TrkB phosphorylation was significantly enhanced following WD. Separate analysis of the right SON, which received TrkB-Fc, showed that the TrkB receptor phosphorylation following WD was significantly attenuated. Although increased pNR1S 866 following WD was not affected by local infusion of TrkB-Fc, pNR2BY 1472 was significantly reduced. Co-immunoprecipitation revealed an increased physical interaction between Fyn kinase and NR2B and TrkB in the SON following WD. Thus, activation of TrkB in the SON following WD may affect cellular excitability through the phosphorylation of NR2B subunits.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)894-905
Number of pages12
JournalJournal of Neuroendocrinology
Volume23
Issue number10
DOIs
StatePublished - Oct 2011
Externally publishedYes

Keywords

  • Brain-derived neurotrophic factor
  • NMDA receptor
  • Osmotic pressure
  • Vasopressin

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • Endocrine and Autonomic Systems
  • Endocrinology
  • Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience
  • Endocrinology, Diabetes and Metabolism

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