The Dynamic Role of Beta-Catenin in Synaptic Plasticity

• Type of Material: Article
• Authors: Kimberly A. Maguschak, Massachusetts Institute of Technology; Kerry J. Ressler, Emory University
• Language: English
• Date: 2012-01
• Publisher: Elsevier
• Publication Version: Author Accepted Manuscript (After Peer Review)
• Copyright Statement: © 2011 Elsevier Ltd. All rights reserved.
• License: Creative Commons Attribution-NonCommerical-NoDerivs 3.0 Unported
• Final Published Version (URL): http://dx.doi.org/10.1016/j.neuropharm.2011.08.032
• Title of Journal or Parent Work: Neuropharmacology
• ISSN: 0028-3908
• Volume: 62
• Issue: 1
• Start Page: 78
• End Page: 88
• Grant/Funding Information: Within the last 3 years, Dr. Ressler has received awards and/or funding support related to other studies from Burroughs Wellcome Foundation, NARSAD, NIMH, NIDA.; This work was primarily supported by National Institutes of Mental Health (MH071537) and the Burroughs Wellcome Fund (KJR).
• Keywords: ptsd; anxiety; fear; gene; amygdala; synaptic plasticity
• Research Categories: Health Sciences, Pharmacology; Psychology, General; Biology, Neuroscience

Abstract

In addition to its role in development and cell proliferation, β-catenin has been implicated in neuronal synapse regulation and remodeling. Here we review basic molecular and structural mechanisms of synaptic plasticity, followed by a description of the structure and function of β-catenin. We then describe a role for β-catenin in the cellular processes underlying synaptic plasticity. We also review recent data demonstrating that β-catenin mRNA and protein phosphorylation are dynamically regulated during fear memory consolidation in adult animals. Such alterations are correlated with a change in the association of β-catenin with cadherin, and deletion of the β-catenin gene prevents fear learning. Overall, the extant data suggest that β-catenin may function in mediating the structural changes associated with memory formation. This suggests a general role for β-catenin in synaptic remodeling and stabilization underlying long-term memory in adults, and possible roles for dysfunction in the β-catenin pathway in disorders of memory impairment (e.g. Alzheimer’s Disease) and in disturbances in which emotional memories are too strong or resistant to inhibition (e.g. fear learning in Posttraumatic Stress Disorder). Further understanding of the β-catenin pathway may lead to better appreciation for the structural mechanisms underlying learning and memory as well as provide novel therapeutic approaches in memory related disorders.