Cited by 13Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchMemory and Neural MechanismsGenetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders

Simulations suggest pharmacological methods for rescuing long-term potentiation

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Smolen, Paul, Baxter, Douglas A., Byrne, John H.·2014·Journal of Theoretical Biology

Abstract

Congenital cognitive dysfunctions are frequently due to deficits in molecular pathways that underlie the induction or maintenance of synaptic plasticity. For example, Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTS) is due to a mutation in cbp, encoding the histone acetyltransferase CREB-binding protein (CBP). CBP is a transcriptional co-activator for CREB, and induction of CREB-dependent transcription plays a key role in long-term memory (LTM). In animal models of RTS, mutations of cbp impair LTM and late-phase long-term potentiation (LTP). As a step toward exploring plausible intervention strategies to rescue the deficits in LTP, we extended our previous model of LTP induction to describe histone acetylation and simulated LTP impairment due to cbp mutation. Plausible drug effects were simulated by model parameter changes, and many increased LTP. However no parameter variation consistent with a effect of a known drug class fully restored LTP. Thus we examined paired parameter variations consistent with effects of known drugs. A pair that simulated the effects of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor (slowing cAMP degradation) concurrent with a deacetylase inhibitor (prolonging histone acetylation) restored normal LTP. Importantly these paired parameter changes did not alter basal synaptic weight. A pair that simulated the effects of a phosphodiesterase inhibitor and an acetyltransferase activator was similarly effective. For both pairs strong additive synergism was present. The effect of the combination was greater than the summed effect of the separate parameter changes. These results suggest that promoting histone acetylation while simultaneously slowing the degradation of cAMP may constitute a promising strategy for restoring deficits in LTP that may be associated with learning deficits in RTS. More generally these results illustrate how the strategy of combining modeling and empirical studies may provide insights into the design of effective therapies for improving long-term synaptic plasticity and learning associated with cognitive disorders.

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Crossref · 10.1016/j.jtbi.2014.07.006

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  • LTP impairment seen in a mouse model of RTS was first simulated.

    “LTP impairment seen in a mouse model of RTS95 was first simulated.”
  • A recent study took a first step by modelling LTP induction and transcriptional regulation by CREB, and simulating the effects of drugs on LTP by altering the parameters of the model.

    “A recent study104 took a first step by modelling LTP induction and transcriptional regulation by CREB, and simulating the effects of drugs on LTP by altering the parameters of the model.”
  • No single-drug effect completely rescued LTP.

    “However, no single-drug effect completely rescued LTP.”
  • The second pair corresponded to a PDE inhibitor paired with a deacetylase inhibitor.

    “The second pair corresponded to a PDE inhibitor paired with a deacetylase inhibitor.”
  • In the first case, an increased rate constant for histone acetylation, corresponding to application of an acetyltransferase activator, was paired with an increased duration of stimulus-induced increase in cAMP levels, corresponding to application of a cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor.

    “In the first case, an increased rate constant for histone acetylation, corresponding to application of an acetyltransferase activator, was paired with an increased duration of stimulus-induced increase in cAMP levels, corresponding to application of a cAMP phosphodiesterase (PDE) inhibitor.”

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Authors
Smolen, P., Baxter, D. A., & Byrne, J. H.
Corresponding author
Smolen, Paul
Venue
Journal of Theoretical Biology
Publisher
Elsevier BV
Published
2014-11
Volume
360
Pages
243-250
ISSN
0022-5193 (ISSN-L)
OpenAlex
W2039226234
Cited by
13
References
57
Citations by year
2025: 1 · 2022: 2 · 2020: 3 · 2019: 1 · 2017: 3 · 2016: 2 · 2015: 1
FWCI
0.91
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
Locations
  • Journal of Theoretical Biology (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
  • Europe PMC (PubMed Central) (acceptedVersion)
  • PubMed Central (acceptedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University) (submittedVersion)
  • arXiv (Cornell University)
Funders
NIH (R01 NS073974)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Biochemistry, Genetics and Molecular Biology › Genetics › Genetics and Neurodevelopmental Disorders
Keywords
long-term potentiation, Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome, CREB-binding protein, histone acetylation, cAMP degradation, phosphodiesterase inhibitors, histone deacetylase inhibitors, drug synergy, synaptic plasticity, long-term memory, cognitive impairment
MeSH terms
Computer Simulation, Drug Synergism, Humans, Models, Biological, Mutation, Neuronal Plasticity, Peptide Fragments, Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors, Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome, Sialoglycoproteins, Long-Term Potentiation, Metabolic Networks and Pathways, Histone Deacetylase Inhibitors

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