Targeted disruption of PSD-93 gene reduces platelet-activating factor-induced neurotoxicity in cultured cortical neurons

Y Xu, B Zhang, Z Hua, RA Johns, DS Bredt… - Experimental neurology, 2004 - Elsevier
Y Xu, B Zhang, Z Hua, RA Johns, DS Bredt, YX Tao
Experimental neurology, 2004Elsevier
PSD-93, a molecular adaptive protein, binds to and clusters the N-methyl-d-aspartate
(NMDA) receptor and assembles a specific set of signaling proteins (for example neuronal
nitric oxide synthase, nNOS) around the NMDA receptor at synapses in the central nervous
system. This suggests that PSD-93 might mediate many NMDA receptor-dependent
physiological and pathophysiological functions. We report here that PSD-93 colocalizes and
interacts with the NMDA receptor and neuronal nitric oxide synthase in cultured cortical …
PSD-93, a molecular adaptive protein, binds to and clusters the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor and assembles a specific set of signaling proteins (for example neuronal nitric oxide synthase, nNOS) around the NMDA receptor at synapses in the central nervous system. This suggests that PSD-93 might mediate many NMDA receptor-dependent physiological and pathophysiological functions. We report here that PSD-93 colocalizes and interacts with the NMDA receptor and neuronal nitric oxide synthase in cultured cortical neurons. Targeted disruption of PSD-93 gene significantly prevented NMDA receptor–nitric oxide signaling-dependent neurotoxicity triggered via platelet-activating factor (PAF) receptor activation. In addition, the deficiency of PSD-93 markedly attenuated platelet-activating factor-induced increase in cyclic guanosine 3′,5′-monophosphate (cGMP) and prevented platelet-activating factor-promoted formation of NMDA receptor–neuronal nitric oxide synthase complex. These findings indicate that PSD-93 is involved in the NMDA receptor–nitric oxide-mediated pathological processing of neuronal damage triggered via platelet-activating factor receptor activation. Since platelet-activating factor is a potent neuronal injury mediator during the development of brain trauma, seizures, and ischemia, the present work suggests that PSD-93 might contribute to molecular mechanisms of neuronal damage in these brain disorders.
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