A critical interaction between NR2B and MAGUK in L-DOPA induced dyskinesia

Abnormal function of NMDA receptor has been suggested to be correlated with the pathogenesis of Parkinson's disease (PD) as well as with the development of (L)-3,4-dihydroxyphenylalanine ((L)-DOPA)-induced dyskinesia. Here we show that NMDA receptor NR2 subunits display specific alterations of their subcellular distribution in striata from unilateral 6-hydroxydopamine- lesioned, (L)-DOPA-treated dyskinetic, and (L)-DOPA-treated nondyskinetic rats. Dyskinetic animals have significantly higher levels of NR2A subunit in the postsynaptic compartment than all other experimental groups, whereas NR2B subunit shows a significant reduction in both dopaminedenervated and dyskinetic rats. These events are paralleled by profound modifications of NMDA receptor NR2B subunit association with interacting elements, i.e., members of the membrane-associated guanylate kinase (MAGUK) protein family postsynaptic density-95, synapse-associated protein-97 and synapse- associated protein-102. Treatment of nondyskinetic animals with a synthetic peptide (TAT2B) able to affect NR2B binding to MAGUK proteins as well as synaptic localization of this subunit in nondyskinetic rats was sufficient to induce a shift of treated rats toward a dyskinetic motor behavior. These data indicate abnormal NR2B redistribution between synaptic and extrasynaptic membranes as an important molecular disturbance of the glutamatergic synapse involved in (L)-DOPA-induced dyskinesia.