Memory and synaptic plasticity are impaired by dysregulated hippocampal O-GlcNAcylation

Sci Rep. 2017 Apr 3:7:44921. doi: 10.1038/srep44921.

Abstract

O-GlcNAcylated proteins are abundant in the brain and are associated with neuronal functions and neurodegenerative diseases. Although several studies have reported the effects of aberrant regulation of O-GlcNAcylation on brain function, the roles of O-GlcNAcylation in synaptic function remain unclear. To understand the effect of aberrant O-GlcNAcylation on the brain, we used Oga+/- mice which have an increased level of O-GlcNAcylation, and found that Oga+/- mice exhibited impaired spatial learning and memory. Consistent with this result, Oga+/- mice showed a defect in hippocampal synaptic plasticity. Oga heterozygosity causes impairment of both long-term potentiation and long-term depression due to dysregulation of AMPA receptor phosphorylation. These results demonstrate a role for hyper-O-GlcNAcylation in learning and memory.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Dendritic Spines / metabolism
  • GABAergic Neurons / metabolism
  • Glycosylation
  • Hippocampus / metabolism*
  • Hippocampus / pathology
  • Hippocampus / physiopathology*
  • Memory*
  • Mice
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / genetics
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases / metabolism
  • Neuronal Plasticity*
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / genetics
  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / metabolism
  • Spatial Learning
  • Spatial Memory
  • Synaptic Transmission
  • beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases / genetics
  • beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases / metabolism

Substances

  • Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate
  • N-Acetylglucosaminyltransferases
  • O-GlcNAc transferase
  • hexosaminidase C
  • beta-N-Acetylhexosaminidases