Cyclic AMP-dependent phosphorylation of neuronal nitric oxide synthase mediates penile erection.

Nitric oxide (NO) generated by neuronal NO synthase (nNOS) initiates penile erection, but has not been thought to participate in the sustained erection required for normal sexual performance. We now show that cAMP-dependent phosphorylation of nNOS mediates erectile physiology, including sustained erection. nNOS is phosphorylated by cAMP-dependent protein kinase (PKA) at serine(S)1412.

Activity-dependent regulation of surface glucose transporter-3.

Glucose transporter 3 (GLUT3) is the main facilitative glucose transporter in neurons. Glucose provides neurons with a critical energy source for neuronal activity. However, the mechanism by which neuronal activity controls glucose influx via GLUT3 is unknown.

Regulation of synaptic structure and function by palmitoylated AMPA receptor binding protein.

AMPA receptor binding protein (ABP) is a multi-PDZ domain scaffold that binds and stabilizes AMPA receptor (AMPAR) GluR2/3 subunits at synapses. A palmitoylated N-terminal splice variant (pABP-L) concentrates in spine heads, whereas a non-palmitoylated form (ABP-L) is intracellular. We show that postsynaptic Sindbis viral expression of pABP-L increased AMPAR mediated mEPSC amplitude and frequency and elevated surface levels of GluR1 and GluR2, suggesting an increase in AMPA receptors at individual synapses.

Biphasic coupling of neuronal nitric oxide synthase phosphorylation to the NMDA receptor regulates AMPA receptor trafficking and neuronal cell death.

Postsynaptic nitric oxide (NO) production affects synaptic plasticity and neuronal cell death. Ca2+ fluxes through the NMDA receptor (NMDAR) stimulate the production of NO by neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS). However, the mechanisms by which nNOS activity is regulated are poorly understood.

Bidirectional regulation of neuronal nitric-oxide synthase phosphorylation at serine 847 by the N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor.

At glutamatergic synapses, the scaffolding protein PSD95 links the neuronal isoform of nitric-oxide synthase (nNOS) to the N-methyl-d-aspartate (NMDA) receptor. Phosphorylation of nNOS at serine 847 (Ser(847)) by the calcium-calmodulin protein kinase II (CaMKII) inhibits nNOS activity, possibly by blocking the binding of Ca(2+)-CaM. Here we show that the NMDA mediates a novel bidirectional regulation of Ser(847) phosphorylation.

NMDA receptor regulation of nNOS phosphorylation and induction of neuron death.

Stimulation of NMDA receptors activates neuronal nitric oxide synthase (nNOS) and the production of nitric oxide (NO). Dephosphorylation of nNOS increases nNOS enzymatic activity. We have examined the regulation of nNOS phosphorylation in rat cortical neurons following NMDA receptor activation.