| | |  | | | | Record from Web of Science® | | | | | | |
| The polysialic acid modification of the neural cell adhesion molecule is involved in spatial learning and hippocampal long-term potentiation |
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| Author(s): Becker CG, Artola A, GerardySchahn R, Decker T, Welzl H, Schachner M |
| Source: JOURNAL OF NEUROSCIENCE RESEARCH Volume: 45 Issue: 2 Pages: 143-152 Published: JUL 15 1996 |
| Times Cited: 180 References: 49 |
| Abstract: The alpha-2,8-linked polysialic acid (PSA) modification of the neural cell adhesion molecule (NCAM) modulates morphogenetic cell interactions. PSA is strongly expressed during neural development and generally down-regulated in the adult, However, it remains prominent in some areas of the brain, e.g., the hippocampus. We assayed the functional role(s) of PSA in synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus in two experimental paradigms by removing PSA with endo-neuraminidase NE (endo-N) an enzyme which specifically cleaves alpha-2,8-linked polysialic acid. (1) The acquisition and retention of spatial memory of rats in the Morris water maze, critically dependent on the hippocampus, was significantly impaired after a localized injection of endo-N into the hippocampus, whereas visual and motor capacities were unaffected, (2) Tetanic stimulation of the Schaffer collaterals in endo-N-treated hippocampal slices in vitro failed to elicit LTP and yielded only a short post-tetanic potentiation, but the response returned to control levels within 2 minutes, whereas basal synaptic activity and short-term potentiation were not affected. Our findings suggest that the carbohydrate epitope PSA plays an important role in synaptic plasticity. (C) 1996 Wiley-Liss, Inc. |
| Document Type: Article |
| Language: English |
| Reprint Address: Becker, CG (reprint author), ETH HONGGERBERG, DEPT NEUROBIOL, CH-8093 ZURICH, SWITZERLAND |
Addresses:
1. ETH ZURICH, SCHWERZENBACH, SWITZERLAND
2. HANNOVER MED SCH, HANNOVER, GERMANY |
| Publisher: WILEY-LISS, DIV JOHN WILEY & SONS INC 605 THIRD AVE, NEW YORK, NY 10158-0012 |
| Subject Category: Neurosciences |
| IDS Number: VB172 |
| ISSN: 0360-4012 |
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| | | | | | | | | Record from Web of Science® | | | | | | | | | |