Critical role of TRPC6 channels in the formation of excitatory synapses

Nat Neurosci. 2008 Jul;11(7):741-3. doi: 10.1038/nn.2127. Epub 2008 May 30.

Abstract

The transient receptor potential canonical (TRPC) channels are Ca2+-permeable, nonselective cation channels with different biological functions, but their roles in brain are largely unknown. Here we report that TRPC6 was localized to excitatory synapses and promoted their formation via a CaMKIV-CREB-dependent pathway. TRPC6 transgenic mice showed enhancement in spine formation, and spatial learning and memory in Morris water maze. These results reveal a previously unknown role of TRPC6 in synaptic and behavioral plasticity.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 4 / genetics
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 4 / metabolism
  • Cells, Cultured
  • Embryo, Mammalian
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / drug effects
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / genetics
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / physiology*
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / radiation effects
  • Gene Expression Regulation, Developmental / physiology
  • Hippocampus / cytology
  • Maze Learning / physiology
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Microscopy, Confocal / methods
  • Microscopy, Immunoelectron / methods
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Patch-Clamp Techniques / methods
  • Rats
  • Rats, Sprague-Dawley
  • Synapses / physiology*
  • Synapses / ultrastructure
  • Synaptosomes / metabolism
  • Synaptosomes / ultrastructure
  • TRPC Cation Channels / genetics
  • TRPC Cation Channels / physiology*
  • TRPC6 Cation Channel
  • Transfection / methods

Substances

  • Nerve Tissue Proteins
  • TRPC Cation Channels
  • TRPC6 Cation Channel
  • Trpc6 protein, mouse
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 4
  • Camk4 protein, mouse