AUTOPHOSPHORYLATION AT THR(286) OF THE ALPHA-CALCIUM-CALMODULIN KINASE-II IN LTP AND LEARNING

The calcium-calmodulin-dependent kinase II (CaMKII) is required for hi ppocampal longterm potentiation (LTP) and spatial learning. In additio n to its calcium-calmodulin (CaM)dependent activity, CaMKII can underg o autophosphorylation, resulting in CaM-independent activity. A point mutation was introduced into the alpha CaMKII gene that blocked the au tophosphorylation of threonine at position 286 (Thr(286)) Of this kina se without affecting its CaM-dependent activity, The mutant mice had n o N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor-dependent LTP in the hippocampal CAI a rea and showed no spatial learning in the Morris water maze. Thus, the autophosphorylation of alpha CaMII at Thr(286) appears to be required for LTP and learning.