Impaired synaptic plasticity and cAMP response element-binding protein activation in Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type IV/Gr-Deficient mice

The Ca²⁺/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase type IV/Gr (CaMKIV/Gr) is a key effector of neuronal Ca²⁺ signaling; its function was analyzed by targeted gene disruption in mice. CaMKIV/Gr-deficient mice exhibited impaired neuronal cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB) phosphorylation and Ca²⁺/CREB-dependent gene expression. They were also deficient in two forms of synaptic plasticity: Long-term potentiation (LTP) in hippocampal CA1 neurons and a late phase of long-term depression in cerebellar Purkinje neurons. However, despite impaired LTP and CREB activation, CaMKIV/Gr-deficient mice exhibited no obvious deficits in spatial learning and memory. These results support an important role for CaMKIV/Gr in Ca²⁺-regulated neuronal gene transcription and synaptic plasticity and suggest that the contribution of other signaling pathways may spare spatial memory of CaMKIV/Gr-deficient mice.