D-serine influences synaptogenesis in a p19 cell model.

ABSTRACT: Recently, D-serine has been identified as an important NMDA-receptor co-agonist, which might play a role in central nervous system development. We investigated this by studying rat P19 cells, an established model for neuronal and glial differentiation. Our results show that (1) the D-serine synthesizing enzyme serine racemase was expressed upon differentiation, (2) extracellular D-serine concentrations increased upon differentiation, which was inhibited by serine racemase antagonism, and (3) inhibition of D-serine synthesis or prevention of D-serine binding to the NMDA-receptor increased synaptophysin expression and intercellular connections, supporting a role for NMDA-receptor activation by D-serine, synthesized by serine racemase, in shaping synaptogenesis and neuronal circuitry during c

SUBMITTER: Fuchs SA 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC3565666 | biostudies-literature | 2012

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature