Acute Ethanol Inhibition of γ Oscillations Is Mediated by Akt and GSK3β

Hippocampal network oscillations at gamma band frequency (γ, 30–80 Hz) are closely associated with higher brain functions such as learning and memory. Acute ethanol exposure at intoxicating concentrations (≥50 mM) impairs cognitive function. This study aimed to determine the effects and the mechanisms of acute ethanol exposure on γ oscillations in an in vitro model. Ethanol (25–100 mM) suppressed kainate-induced γ oscillations in CA3 area of the rat hippocampal slices, in a concentration-dependent, reversible manner. The ethanol-induced suppression was reduced by the D1R antagonist SCH23390 or the PKA inhibitor H89, was prevented by the Akt inhibitor triciribine or the GSk3β inhibitor SB415286, was enhanced by the NMDA receptor antagonist D-AP5, but was not affected by the MAPK inhibitor U0126 or PI3K inhibitor wortmanin. Our results indicate that the intracellular kinases Akt and GSk3β play a critical role in the ethanol-induced suppression of γ oscillations and reveal new cellular pathways involved in the ethanol-induced cognitive impairment

Ethanol inhibits L1 cell adhesion molecule tyrosine phosphorylation and dephosphorylation and activation of pp60 src

Fetal alcohol syndrome(Abel, 2000) is a leading cause of mental retardation. The neuropathology found in fetal alcohol syndrome is similar to the phenotypes expressed in diseases caused by mutations in the gene for L1 cell adhesion molecule. L1 has a crucial role in the developing nervous system, acting in cell-cell adhesion, neuronal guidance, and growth. We have previously shown that L1 mediated neurite outgrowth and L1 activation of ERK1/2 is exquisitely sensitive to ethanol (Tang, He, O'Riordan, Farkas, Buck, Lemmon, and Bearer, 2006). One possible mechanism for this effect is through disruption of a tyrosine based sorting signal, Y(1176)RSLE, on the cytoplasmic domain of L1. Our goal was to determine if ethanol inhibited the sorting signal or its phosphorylation state. Ethanol had no effect on L1 distribution to the growth cone or its ability to be expressed on the cell surface. Clustering of L1 resulted in increased dephosphorylation of Y(1176), increased L1 tyrosine phosphorylation, and an increase in the activation of pp60(src), all of which were inhibited by 25 mM ethanol. Inhibition of pp60(src) inhibited increases in L1 tyrosine and ERK1/2 phosphorylation, and Y(1176) dephosphorylation. We conclude that ethanol disrupts L1 trafficking/signaling following its expression on the surface of the growth cone, and prior to its activation of pp60(src)