Neuronal serine racemase regulates extracellular D-serine levels in the adult mouse hippocampus

J Neural Transm (Vienna). 2015 Aug;122(8):1099-103. doi: 10.1007/s00702-015-1388-2. Epub 2015 Mar 18.

Abstract

In the hippocampus of mice lacking the gene for serine racemase (SR), a D-serine synthesizing enzyme, in the CaMKIIα-expressing neurons, we observed a significant decrease in the extracellular concentration of D-serine, a coagonist for the N-methyl-D-aspartate type glutamate receptor (NMDAR), and NMDAR hypofunction as revealed by diminished extracellular taurine concentrations after an intra-hippocampal NMDA infusion when compared to the wild type controls. Therefore, the neuronal SR could regulate the extracellular D-serine signaling responsible for NMDAR activation in the hippocampus.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 / metabolism
  • Extracellular Space / metabolism*
  • Glutamic Acid / metabolism
  • Glycine / metabolism
  • Hippocampus / metabolism*
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Microdialysis
  • N-Methylaspartate / administration & dosage
  • N-Methylaspartate / metabolism
  • Neurons / enzymology*
  • Racemases and Epimerases / genetics
  • Racemases and Epimerases / metabolism*
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism*
  • Serine / metabolism*
  • Taurine / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • Taurine
  • Glutamic Acid
  • Serine
  • N-Methylaspartate
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2
  • Camk2a protein, mouse
  • Racemases and Epimerases
  • serine racemase
  • Glycine