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Colbran Lab

CaMKII regulates diacylglycerol lipase-α and striatal endocannabinoid signaling.

AUTHORS

Shonesy BCBrian C , Wang X Xiaohan , Rose KL Kristie L , Ramikie TS Teniel S , Cavener VS Victoria S , Rentz T Tyler , Baucum AJ Anthony J , Jalan-Sakrikar N Nidhi , Mackie K Ken , Winder DG Danny G , Patel S Sachin , Colbran RJ Roger J . Nature neuroscience. 2013 4 ; 16(4). 456-63

ABSTRACT

The endocannabinoid 2-arachidonoylglycerol (2-AG) mediates activity-dependent depression of excitatory neurotransmission at central synapses, but the molecular regulation of 2-AG synthesis is not well understood. Here we identify a functional interaction between the 2-AG synthetic enzyme diacylglycerol lipase-α (DGLα) and calcium/calmodulin dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII). Activated CaMKII interacted with the C-terminal domain of DGLα, phosphorylated two serine residues and inhibited DGLα activity. Consistent with an inhibitory role for CaMKII in 2-AG synthesis, in vivo genetic inhibition of CaMKII increased striatal DGL activity and basal levels of 2-AG, and CaMKII inhibition augmented short-term retrograde endocannabinoid signaling at striatal glutamatergic synapses. Lastly, blockade of 2-AG breakdown using concentrations of JZL-184 that have no effect in wild-type mice produced a hypolocomotor response in mice with reduced CaMKII activity. These findings provide mechanistic insights into the molecular regulation of striatal endocannabinoid signaling with implications for physiological control of motor function.