Jpn. J. Pharmacol. 75 (1), 87-89 (1997)


Activin Selectively Abolishes Hippocampal Long-Term Potentiation Induced by Weak Tetanic Stimulation In Vivo

Yuji Ikegaya (1), Hiroshi Saito (1), Kunio Torii (2,3) and Nobuyoshi Nishiyama (1,*)



(1) Department of Chemical Pharmacology, Faculty of Pharmaceutical Sciences, The University of Tokyo, Tokyo 113, Japan
(2) Central Research Laboratories, Ajinomoto Co., Inc., Kawasaki 210, Japan
(3) Torii Nutrient-Stasis Project, ERATO, R&D Corp. of Japan, Yokohama 221, Japan
(*) To whom correspondence should be addressed.

Abstract: Although modulation of hippocampal synaptic plasticity by neurotrophins or growth factors has recently become an extensively investigated subject, there are no reports arguing for the contribution of the transforming growth factor (TGF)-beta superfamily. In the present study, we examined the effect of activin, a member of the TGF-beta superfamily, on long-term potentiation (LTP) of the dentate gyrus in anesthetized rats. Activin significantly impaired the formation of LTP induced by tetanic stimulation (60 Hz for 0.27 sec), but not that by strong tetanic stimulation (60 Hz for 0.5 sec). These results suggest that activin selectively blocks the induction of LTP evoked by threshold tetanic stimulation.

Keywords: Hippocampus, Long-term potentiation, Activin


Copyright© The Japanese Pharmacological Society 1997

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