Dual involvement of G-substrate in motor learning revealed by gene deletion

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2009 Mar 3;106(9):3525-30. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0813341106. Epub 2009 Feb 13.

Abstract

In this study, we generated mice lacking the gene for G-substrate, a specific substrate for cGMP-dependent protein kinase uniquely located in cerebellar Purkinje cells, and explored their specific functional deficits. G-substrate-deficient Purkinje cells in slices obtained at postnatal weeks (PWs) 10-15 maintained electrophysiological properties essentially similar to those from WT littermates. Conjunction of parallel fiber stimulation and depolarizing pulses induced long-term depression (LTD) normally. At younger ages, however, LTD attenuated temporarily at PW6 and recovered thereafter. In parallel with LTD, short-term (1 h) adaptation of optokinetic eye movement response (OKR) temporarily diminished at PW6. Young adult G-substrate knockout mice tested at PW12 exhibited no significant differences from their WT littermates in terms of brain structure, general behavior, locomotor behavior on a rotor rod or treadmill, eyeblink conditioning, dynamic characteristics of OKR, or short-term OKR adaptation. One unique change detected was a modest but significant attenuation in the long-term (5 days) adaptation of OKR. The present results support the concept that LTD is causal to short-term adaptation and reveal the dual functional involvement of G-substrate in neuronal mechanisms of the cerebellum for both short-term and long-term adaptation.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Adaptation, Biological
  • Animals
  • Depression / genetics
  • Depression / metabolism
  • Depression / pathology
  • Gene Deletion*
  • Learning / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Inbred C57BL
  • Mice, Knockout
  • Motor Neuron Disease / genetics
  • Motor Neuron Disease / metabolism*
  • Motor Neuron Disease / pathology*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / deficiency*
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / genetics
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins / metabolism*
  • Ocular Motility Disorders / genetics
  • Ocular Motility Disorders / metabolism
  • Ocular Motility Disorders / pathology
  • Time Factors

Substances

  • G-substrate
  • Nerve Tissue Proteins