Blockade of NR2A-Containing NMDA Receptors Induces Tau Phosphorylation in Rat Hippocampal Slices

Figure 1

Blockade of NR2A-containing NMDA receptors induces Tau phosphorylation at Ser199 site in rat hippocampal slices. Phosphorylation and protein levels were estimated by Western blotting on cell extracts (40 $\mu$g proteins) obtained from acute hippocampal slices treated with 2 NMDA receptor antagonists for periods ranging from 1 to 3 hours. Phosphorylated Tau levels at Ser199, expressed relative to total Tau (Tau-5) levels, were measured in slices treated with 50 nM NVP and 1 $\mu$M RO. The data were expressed as percentage of control values and are means ± SEM of 3 measurements per cell extract obtained from 7 different rats. Statistical analysis using two-way ANOVA followed by the post hoc Bonferroni test revealed that there was a main effect between treatment (F(2,54) = 16.370, $P<.0001$), no effect between time (F(2,54) = 2.509, $P=.091$) and no significant interaction between treatment and time (F(4,54) = 1.337, $P=.268$). ${}^{*}P<.05\text{,}$${}^{***}P<.001$, drug-treated versus control.