Genetic Deletion of Akt3 Induces an Endophenotype Reminiscent of Psychiatric Manifestations in Mice.

The protein kinase B (PKB/Akt), found in three distinctive isoforms (PKBα/Akt1, PKBß/Akt2, PKBγ/Akt3), is implicated in a variety of cellular processes such as cell development, growth and survival. Although Akt3 is the most expressed isoform in the brain, its role in cerebral functions is still unclear. In the present study, we investigated the behavioral, electrophysiological and biochemical consequences of Akt3 deletion in mice. Motor abilities, spatial navigation, recognition memory and LTP are intact in the Akt3 knockout (KO) mice. However, the prepulse inhibition, three-chamber social, forced swim, tail suspension, open field, elevated plus maze and light-dark transition tests revealed an endophenotype reminiscent of psychiatric manifestations such as schizophrenia, anxiety and depression. Biochemical investigations revealed that Akt3 deletion was associated with reduced levels of phosphorylated GSK3α/ß at serine 21/9 in several brain regions, although Akt1 and Akt2 levels were unaffected. Notably, chronic administration of lithium, a mood stabilizer, restored the decreased phosphorylated GSK3α/ß levels and rescued the depressive and anxiety-like behaviors in the Akt3 KO mice. Collectively, our data suggest that Akt3 might be a critical molecule underlying psychiatric-related behaviors in mice.

GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors are upregulated in plasma membranes by the sphingosine-1-phosphate analog FTY720P.

Sphingosine-1-phosphate (S1P) is a ceramide derivative serving not only as a regulator of immune properties but also as a modulator of brain functions. To better understand the mechanism underlying the effects of S1P on brain functions, we investigated the potential impact of S1P receptor (S1PR) activation on NMDA receptor subunits. We used acute rat hippocampal slices as a model system, and determined the effects of the active phosphorylated S1P analog, fingolimod (FTY720P) on various NMDA receptors. Treatment with FTY720P significantly increased phosphorylation of GluN2B-containing NMDA receptors at Tyr1472. This effect appears rather specific, as treatment with FTY720P did not modify GluN2B-Tyr1336, GluN2B-Ser1480, GluN2A-Tyr1325 or GluN1-Ser897 phosphorylation. Pre-treatment of hippocampal slices with the compounds W146 and PP1 indicated that FTY720P-induced GluN2B phosphorylation at Tyr1472 epitopes was dependent on activation of S1PR subunit 1 (S1PR1) and Src/Fyn kinase, respectively. Cell surface biotinylation experiments indicated that FTY720P-induced GluN2B phosphorylation at Tyr1472 was also associated with increased levels of GluN1 and GluN2B subunits on membrane surface, whereas no change was observed for GluN2A subunits. We finally demonstrate that FTY720P is inclined to favor Tau and Fyn accumulation on plasma membranes. These results suggest that activation of S1PR1 by FTY720P enhances GluN2B receptor phosphorylation in rat hippocampal slices, resulting in increased levels of GluN1 and GluN2B receptor subunits in neuronal membranes through a mechanism probably involving Fyn and Tau.

Blockade of lysosomal acid ceramidase induces GluN2B-dependent Tau phosphorylation in rat hippocampal slices.

The lysosomal acid ceramidase, an enzyme known to limit intracellular ceramide accumulation, has been reported to be defective in neurodegenerative disorders. We show here that rat hippocampal slices, preincubated with the acid ceramidase inhibitor (ACI) d-NMAPPD, exhibit increased N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) receptor-mediated field excitatory postsynaptic potentials (fEPSPs) in CA1 synapses. The ACI by itself did not interfere with either paired pulse facilitation or alpha-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methylisoxazole-4-propionate (AMPA) receptor-mediated fEPSPs, indicating that its influence on synaptic transmission is postsynaptic in origin and specific to the NMDA subtype of glutamate receptors. From a biochemical perspective, we observed that Tau phosphorylation at the Ser262 epitope was highly increased in hippocampal slices preincubated with the ACI, an effect totally prevented by the global NMDA receptor antagonist D/L(-)-2-amino-5-phosphonovaleric acid (AP-5), the calcium chelator 1,2-bis(o-aminophenoxy)ethane-N,N,N',N'-tetraacetic acid (BAPTA), and the GluN2B (but not the GluN2A) receptor antagonist RO25-6981. On the other hand, preincubation of hippocampal slices with the compound KN-62, an inhibitor known to interfere with calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), totally abolished the effect of ACI on Tau phosphorylation at Ser262 epitopes. Collectively, these results provide experimental evidence that ceramides play an important role in regulating Tau phosphorylation in the hippocampus via a mechanism dependent on GluN2B receptor subunits and CaMKII activation.