Trisha Lala

Neuroscience BA/MS
Review Paper Outline

TOPIC: AMPA RECEPTOR TRAFFICKING REGULATORS
Abstract
The process of learning is an incredibly valuable ability that has yet to be completely understood
on a molecular biology level. It reflects our brains ability to undergo dramatic changes due to the
communication between neurons. The neural mechanism of this process is known to be synaptic
plasticity, which is essentially a neurons ability to alter its receptor density. Consolidation of
memories or learning is due to the process called long-term potentiation (LTP). Understanding
this process is critical to elucidating the process of learning and memory as is characterizing the
key regulators of synaptic plasticity. The AMPA receptor is an excitatory glutamate receptor, and
its structure is well known. It contains an intracellular C-terminal domain that is acted upon by
several kinases and proteins that control its density. One recently discovered protein involved in
AMPAR regulation is Kidney and Brain Protein, or KIBRA. The gene for this protein was found
to serve some role in human memory performance, and it was found that KO of the protein in rats
impaired their ability to undergo LTP. Characterization of this KIBRA has certainly elucidated
this process, and its interactors in turn are also being studied.



AMPA Receptor Structure and Function
Shepherd, J. (2007). The cell biology of synaptic plasticity: AMPA receptor trafficking. Annual
Review of Cell Developmental Biology


Explanation of current research on learning and memory
Song, I. (2002). Regulation of AMPA receptors during synaptic plasticity. Trends in
Neurosciences, 25(11), 578-588.


Makuch, L. (2011). Regulation of AMPA receptor function by the human memory-associated
gene
KIBRA. National Institute of Health


Signalling Mechanisms behind synaptic plasticity
Coultrap, SJ. "Autonomous CaMKII Mediates Both LTP and LTD Using a Mechanism for
Differential Substrate Site Selection.." Cell Reports. 6.3 (2014): 431-437. Web. 21 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24485660>.


Shonesy, BC. "CaMKII: a molecular substrate for synaptic plasticity and memory." Progress in
Molecular Biology and Translational Science. 122. (2014): 61-87. Web. 21 Mar. 2014.
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24484698>.

F, M. "Dynamin 1 is required for memory formation."PLoS One. 9.3 (2014): n. page. Print.
<http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/24643165>.