DIP/WISH deficiency enhances synaptic function and performance in the Barnes maze

• Main Authors: Asrar Suhail, Kaneko Keiko, Takao Keizo, Negandhi Jaina, Matsui Makoto, Shibasaki Koji, Miyakawa Tsuyoshi, Harrison Robert V, Jia Zhengping, Salter Michael W, Tominaga Makoto, Fukumi-Tominaga Tomoko
• Format: Article
• Language: English
• Published: BMC 2011-10-01
• Series: Molecular Brain
• Online Access: http://www.molecularbrain.com/content/4/1/39

<p>Abstract</p> <p>Background</p> <p>DIP (diaphanous interacting protein)/WISH (WASP interacting SH3 protein) is a protein involved in cytoskeletal signaling which regulates actin cytoskeleton dynamics and/or microtubules mainly through the activity of Rho-related proteins. Although it is well established that: 1) spine-head volumes change dynamically and reflect the strength of the synapse accompanying long-term functional plasticity of glutamatergic synaptic transmission and 2) actin organization is critically involved in spine formation, the involvement of DIP/WISH in these processes is unknown.</p> <p>Results</p> <p>We found that DIP/WISH-deficient hippocampal CA1 neurons exhibit enhanced long-term potentiation via modulation of both pre- and post-synaptic events. Consistent with these electrophysiological findings, DIP/WISH-deficient mice, particularly at a relatively young age, found the escape hole more rapidly in the Barnes maze test.</p> <p>Conclusions</p> <p>We conclude that DIP/WISH deletion improves performance in the Barnes maze test in mice probably through increased hippocampal long-term potentiation.</p>