The MAPK/ERK cascade targets both Elk-1 and cAMP response element-binding protein to control long-term potentiation-dependent gene expression in the dentate gyrus in vivo

The mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular signal-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) signaling cascade contributes to synaptic plasticity and to long -term memory formation, yet whether MAPK/ERK controls activity-dependent ge ne expression critical for long-lasting changes at the synapse and what the events underlying transduction of the signal are remain uncertain. Here we show that induction of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the dentate gyrus i n vivo leads to rapid phosphorylation and nuclear translocation of MAPK/ERK . Following a similar time course, the two downstream transcriptional targe ts of MAPK/ERK, cAMP response element-binding protein (CREB) and the ternar y complex factor Elk-1, a key transcriptional-regulator of serum response e lement (SRE)-driven gene expression, were hyperphosphorylated and the immed iate early gene zif268 was upregulated. The mRNA encoding MAP kinase phosph atase MKP-1 was upregulated at the time point when MAPK/ERK phosphorylation had returned to basal levels, suggesting a negative feedback loop to regul ate deactivation of MAPK/ERK. We also show that inhibition of the MAPK/ERK cascade by the MAPK kinase MEK inhibitor SL327 prevented CREB and Elk-1 pho sphorylation, and LTP-dependent gene induction, resulting in rapidly decayi ng LTP. In conclusion, we suggest that Elk-1 forms an important link in the MAP kinase pathway to transduce signals from the cell surface to the nucle us to activate the genetic machinery necessary for the maintenance of synap tic plasticity in the dentate gyrus. Thus, MAPK/ERK activation is required for LTP-dependent transcriptional regulation and we suggest this is regulat ed by two parallel signaling pathways, the MAPK/ERK-Elk-1 pathway targeting SRE and the MAPK/ERK-CREB pathway targeting CRE.