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Platelet-activating factor as a potential retrograde messenger in CA1 hippocampal long-term potentiation

Nature volume 367, pages 175–179 (1994)Cite this article

Abstract

LONG-term potentiation (LTP) refers to a persisting enhancement of neurotransmission that follows high-frequency activation of certain synapses1. Although both pre- and postsynaptic mechanisms contribute to LTP2,3, it is believed that the enhanced release of neurotransmitter that accompanies this process results from the production of a diffusible messenger in postsynaptic neurons which traverses the synaptic cleft and alters the function of presynaptic terminals4,5. One candidate for such a messenger is arachidonic acid, a metabolite produced by phospholipase A2 which augments synaptic transmission when coupled with presynaptic stimulation5. However, the effects of arachidonic acid require activation of the postsynaptic receptor for N-methyl-D-aspartate6. Previously we found that platelet-activating factor (1 O-alkyl-2-acetyl-sn-glycero-3-phosphocholine), another phospholipase A2-derived messenger7, selectively enhances excitatory postsynaptic currents in hippocampal neurons by a presynaptic mechanism8. We now present evidence that platelet-activating factor, acting at a receptor localized to synaptic regions, participates in LTP in the CA1 region of rat hippocampal slices and may serve as part of a retrograde signalling cascade..

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Psychiatry, Washington University School of Medicine, 4940 Children's Place, St Louis, Missouri, o3110, USA

    Kunio Kato & Charles F. Zorumski

  2. Department of Neurobiology, Washington University School of Medicine, 4940 Children's Place, St Louis, Missouri, o3110, USA

    Charles F. Zorumski

  3. Neuroscience Center, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA

    Gary D. Clark & Nicolas G. Bazan

  4. Department of Neurology, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA

    Gary D. Clark

  5. Department of Ophthalmology, Louisiana State University School of Medicine, New Orleans, Louisiana, 70112, USA

    Nicolas G. Bazan

Authors
  1. Kunio Kato
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  2. Gary D. Clark
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  3. Nicolas G. Bazan
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  4. Charles F. Zorumski
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Kato, K., Clark, G., Bazan, N. et al. Platelet-activating factor as a potential retrograde messenger in CA1 hippocampal long-term potentiation. Nature 367, 175–179 (1994). https://doi.org/10.1038/367175a0

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