Hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), a long-lasting increase in synaptic efficacy, is the molecular basis for learning and memory. Tetanic stimulation of afferents in the CA1 region of the hippocampus induces glutamate release and activation of glutamate receptors in dendritic spines. A large increase in [Ca2+]i resulting from influx through NMDA receptors leads to constitutive activation of CaM kinase II (CaM KII) . Constitutively active CaM kinase II phosphorylates AMPA receptors, resulting in potentiation of the ionic conductance of AMPA receptors. Early-phase LTP (E-LTP) expression is due, in part, to this phosphorylation of the AMPA receptor. It is hypothesized that postsynaptic Ca2+ increases generated through NMDA receptors activate several signal transduction pathways including the Erk/MAP kinase and cAMP regulatory pathways. The convergence of these pathways at the level of the CREB/CRE transcriptional pathway may increase expression of a family of genes required for late-phase LTP (L-LTP).

Organismal Systems; Nervous system

PMID:15652868

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Biol Psychiatry 57:113-9 (2005)
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Postsynaptic protein phosphorylation and LTP.

Trends Neurosci 23:75-80 (2000)
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Role of Ca2+-stimulated adenylyl cyclases in LTP and memory formation.

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Neuroscience

Sunderland, Mass.:Sinauer Associates (2004)

PMID:14715912

Lynch MA.

Long-term potentiation and memory.

Physiol Rev 84:87-136 (2004)
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PMID:15857686

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Postsynaptic IP3 receptor-mediated Ca2+ release modulates synaptic transmission in hippocampal neurons.

Brain Res Mol Brain Res 135:232-48 (2005)
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PMID:9697848

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Neuronal calcium signaling.

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