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Regulation of NMDA receptors by tyrosine kinases and phosphatases

Nature volume 369, pages 233–235 (1994)Cite this article

Abstract

PROTEIN-TYROSINE kinases (PTKs) and protein-tyrosine phosphatases (PTPs) are key enzymes in signal-transduction pathways for a wide range of cellular processes1,2. PTKs and PTPs are highly expressed in the central nervous system3, which is consistent with the importance of tyrosine phosphorylation in neuronal function4–6. Protein phosphorylation is known to be involved in the regulation of neurotransmitter receptors7,8, but the effects of tyrosine phosphorylation on neurotransmitter receptor function in the central nervous system are unknown. Here we present evidence that in mammalian central neurons tyrosine phosphorylation regulates the function of the NMDA (N-methyl-D-aspartate) receptor, a subtype of excitatory amino-acid receptor9,10. NMDA-receptor-mediated whole-cell currents and intracellular Ca2+ responses are depressed by inhibition of PTKs. Conversely, NMDA currents are potentiated by intracellular application of the well characterized PTK pp60c-src. NMDA currents are also potentiated by intracellular administration of an inhibitor of PTPs. Protein-tyrosine phosphorylation is a new mechanism for regulating NMDA receptors and may be important in neuronal development, plasticity and toxicity.

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  1. Michael W. Salter: To whom correspondence should be addressed

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Division of Neuroscience, The Hospital for Sick Children, 555 University Avenue, Toronto, Ontario, M5G 1X8

    Yu Tian Wang & Michael W. Salter

  2. Department of Physiology, University of Toronto, Toronto, Ontario, M5S 1A8, Canada

    Yu Tian Wang & Michael W. Salter

Authors
  1. Yu Tian Wang
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  2. Michael W. Salter
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Wang, Y., Salter, M. Regulation of NMDA receptors by tyrosine kinases and phosphatases. Nature 369, 233–235 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1038/369233a0

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