RGD Reference Report - Neutralization of Nogo-A enhances synaptic plasticity in the rodent motor cortex and improves motor learning in vivo. - Rat Genome Database

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Neutralization of Nogo-A enhances synaptic plasticity in the rodent motor cortex and improves motor learning in vivo.

Authors: Zemmar, Ajmal  Weinmann, Oliver  Kellner, Yves  Yu, Xinzhu  Vicente, Raul  Gullo, Miriam  Kasper, Hansjörg  Lussi, Karin  Ristic, Zorica  Luft, Andreas R  Rioult-Pedotti, Mengia  Zuo, Yi  Zagrebelsky, Marta  Schwab, Martin E 
Citation: Zemmar A, etal., J Neurosci. 2014 Jun 25;34(26):8685-98. doi: 10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3817-13.2014.
RGD ID: 13702375
Pubmed: PMID:24966370   (View Abstract at PubMed)
PMCID: PMC4147625   (View Article at PubMed Central)
DOI: DOI:10.1523/JNEUROSCI.3817-13.2014   (Journal Full-text)

The membrane protein Nogo-A is known as an inhibitor of axonal outgrowth and regeneration in the CNS. However, its physiological functions in the normal adult CNS remain incompletely understood. Here, we investigated the role of Nogo-A in cortical synaptic plasticity and motor learning in the uninjured adult rodent motor cortex. Nogo-A and its receptor NgR1 are present at cortical synapses. Acute treatment of slices with function-blocking antibodies (Abs) against Nogo-A or against NgR1 increased long-term potentiation (LTP) induced by stimulation of layer 2/3 horizontal fibers. Furthermore, anti-Nogo-A Ab treatment increased LTP saturation levels, whereas long-term depression remained unchanged, thus leading to an enlarged synaptic modification range. In vivo, intrathecal application of Nogo-A-blocking Abs resulted in a higher dendritic spine density at cortical pyramidal neurons due to an increase in spine formation as revealed by in vivo two-photon microscopy. To investigate whether these changes in synaptic plasticity correlate with motor learning, we trained rats to learn a skilled forelimb-reaching task while receiving anti-Nogo-A Abs. Learning of this cortically controlled precision movement was improved upon anti-Nogo-A Ab treatment. Our results identify Nogo-A as an influential molecular modulator of synaptic plasticity and as a regulator for learning of skilled movements in the motor cortex.

Gene Ontology Annotations    Click to see Annotation Detail View

Cellular Component
TermQualifierEvidenceWithReferenceNotesSourceOriginal Reference(s)
glutamatergic synapse is_active_inIDA 13702375; 13702375PMID:24966370SynGO 
postsynaptic density membrane is_active_inIDA 13702375PMID:24966370SynGO 
presynapse is_active_inIDA 13702375PMID:24966370SynGO 

Objects Annotated

Genes (Rattus norvegicus)
Rtn4  (reticulon 4)
Rtn4r  (reticulon 4 receptor)


Additional Information