Cyclic AMP-dependent protein kinase mediates ocular dominance shifts in cat visual cortex

Nat Neurosci. 2001 Feb;4(2):159-63. doi: 10.1038/83985.

Abstract

Visual experience during a critical period early in postnatal development can change connections within mammalian visual cortex. In a kitten at the peak of the critical period (approximately P28-42), brief monocular deprivation can lead to complete dominance by the open eye, an ocular dominance shift. This process is driven by activity from the eyes, and depends on N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor activation. The components of the intracellular signaling cascade underlying these changes have not all been identified. Here we show that inhibition of protein kinase A (PKA) by Rp-8-Cl-cAMPS blocks ocular dominance shifts that occur following monocular deprivation early in the critical period. Inhibition of protein kinase G by Rp-8-Br-PET-cGMPS had no effect, indicating a specificity for the PKA pathway. Enhancement of PKA activity late in the critical period with Sp-8-Cl-cAMPS did not increase plasticity. PKA is a necessary component of the pathway leading to cortical plasticity during the critical period.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cats
  • Cyclic AMP / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cyclic AMP / pharmacology
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / physiology*
  • Cyclic GMP / analogs & derivatives*
  • Cyclic GMP / pharmacology
  • Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / antagonists & inhibitors
  • Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / physiology
  • Enzyme Inhibitors / pharmacology
  • Functional Laterality / drug effects
  • Functional Laterality / physiology*
  • Neuronal Plasticity / physiology
  • Ocular Physiological Phenomena*
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / physiology
  • Thionucleotides / pharmacology
  • Vision, Monocular / physiology
  • Visual Cortex / physiology*

Substances

  • Enzyme Inhibitors
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Thionucleotides
  • 8-chloroadenosine-3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate
  • 8-bromo-beta-phenyl-1,N(2)-ethenoguanosine 3',5'-cyclic monophosphorothioate
  • Cyclic AMP
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • Cyclic GMP-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • Cyclic GMP