Basic roles of key molecules connected with NMDAR signaling pathway on regulating learning and memory and synaptic plasticity.

Hui Wang,Rui-Yun Peng

doi:10.1186/s40779-016-0095-0

Abstract

With key roles in essential brain functions ranging from the long-term potentiation (LTP) to synaptic plasticity, the N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) can be considered as one of the fundamental glutamate receptors in the central nervous system. The role of NMDA R was first identified in synaptic plasticity and has been extensively studied. Some molecules, such as Ca2+, postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95), calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMK II), protein kinase A (PKA), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) and cyclic adenosine monophosphate (cAMP) responsive element binding protein (CREB), are of special importance in learning and memory. This review mainly focused on the new research of key molecules connected with learning and memory, which played important roles in the NMDAR signaling pathway.

Highlights

Glutamate, one of the most common neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, has been found to regulate various memory-connected activities
N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) is an important glutamate receptor, which has been proven to be closely related to long-term potentiation (LTP), learning and memory, the development of
Key molecules connected with the NMDAR signaling pathway, such as calcium ions, postsynaptic density 95 (PSD-95), CaMK Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (II), protein kinase A (PKA), mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK), cAMP responsive element binding protein (CREB) and immediate early gene (IEG), participate in the formation of learning and memory and synaptic plasticity

Summary

Introduction

One of the most common neurotransmitters in the central nervous system, has been found to regulate various memory-connected activities. As the most important excitatory amino acid receptors in the mammalian central nervous system, have been confirmed to be associated with the formation of synapses, the release and transport of neurotransmitters, synaptic plasticity and learning and memory [1]. N-methyl-D-aspartic acid receptor (NMDAR) is an important glutamate receptor, which has been proven to be closely related to long-term potentiation (LTP), learning and memory, the development of. The aim of this review is to discuss the important processes connected with NMDAR dependent learning and memory. Activation of NMDARs and the influx of calcium NMDARs, voltage- and ligand-gated channels, are found throughout the central nervous system and contribute to synaptic plasticity and intracellular Ca2+ transients

Objectives

Conclusion