A mouse model of Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome: defective long-term memory is ameliorated by inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4.

Abstract

Mice carrying a truncated form of cAMP-responsive element binding protein (CREB)-binding protein (CBP) show several developmental abnormalities similar to patients with Rubinstein-Taybi syndrome (RTS). RTS patients suffer from mental retardation, whereas long-term memory formation is defective in mutant CBP mice. A critical role for cAMP signaling during CREB-dependent long-term memory formation appears to be evolutionarily conserved. From this observation, we reasoned that drugs that modulate CREB function by enhancing cAMP signaling might yield an effective treatment for the memory defect(s) of CBP+/- mice. To this end, we designed a cell-based drug screen and discovered inhibitors of phosphodiesterase 4 (PDE4) to be particularly effective enhancers of CREB function. We extend previous behavioral observations by showing that CBP+/- mutants have impaired long-term memory but normal learning and short-term memory in an object recognition task. We demonstrate that the prototypical PDE4 inhibitor, rolipram, and a novel one (HT0712) abolish the long-term memory defect of CBP+/- mice. Importantly, the genetic lesion in CBP acts specifically to shift the dose sensitivity for HT0712 to enhance memory formation, which conveys molecular specificity on the drug's mechanism of action. Our results suggest that PDE4 inhibitors may be used to treat the cognitive dysfunction of RTS patients.

• Authors: Rusiko Bourtchouladze, Regina Lidge, Ray Catapano, Jennifer Stanley, Scott Gossweiler, Darlene Romashko, Rod Scott, Tim Tully
• Journal: Proceedings of the National Academy of Sciences of the United States of America (Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A) Vol. 100 Issue 18 Pg. 10518-22 (Sep 02 2003) ISSN: 0027-8424 [Print] United States
• PMID: 12930888 (Publication Type: Journal Article, Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't)

Chemical References

• Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
• Nuclear Proteins
• Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors
• Trans-Activators
• CREB-Binding Protein
• CREBBP protein, human
• Crebbp protein, mouse
• 3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases
• Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 4

Topics

• 3',5'-Cyclic-AMP Phosphodiesterases (antagonists & inhibitors)
• Animals
• CREB-Binding Protein
• Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein (physiology)
• Cyclic Nucleotide Phosphodiesterases, Type 4
• Disease Models, Animal
• Dose-Response Relationship, Drug
• Female
• Humans
• Male
• Memory (drug effects)
• Memory Disorders (drug therapy)
• Mice
• Mice, Inbred C57BL
• Nuclear Proteins (genetics)
• Phosphodiesterase Inhibitors (pharmacology, therapeutic use)
• Rubinstein-Taybi Syndrome (drug therapy)
• Trans-Activators (genetics)