Interaction of NMDA receptor with protein serine threonine phosphatases

1 . A method for identifying a modulator of N-methyl-D-aspartate receptor (NMDA-R) signaling activity, comprising detecting the ability of an agent to modulate the phosphatase activity of a serine/threonine protein phosphatase (PSTP) on a NMDA-R substrate or to modulate the binding of the PSTP to NMDA-R, thereby identifying the modulator, wherein the PSTP is capable of dephosphorylating NMDA-R.

2 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the PSTP is PP2A.

3 . The method of claim 2 , wherein the modulator is identified by detecting its ability to modulate the phosphatase activity of the PP2A.

4 . The method of claim 1 , wherein the modulator is identified by detecting its ability to modulate the binding of the PSTP to the NMDA-R.

5 . A method for identifying an agent as a modulator of NMDA-R signaling, comprising:

(a) contacting

(i) the agent

(ii) PP2A; and

(iii) serine/threonine phosphorylated NMDA-R or a subunit thereof;

wherein either or both of (ii) and (iii) is substantially pure or recombinantly expressed;

(b) measuring the dephosphorylation activity of the PP2A on the NMDA-R or subunit;

(c) comparing the dephosphorylation activity in the presence of the agent with the dephosphorylation activity in the absence of the agent,

wherein a difference in the dephosphorylation activity identifies the agent as a modulator of NMDA-R signaling.

6 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the NMDA-R and the PP2A exist in a PP2A/NMDA-R-containing protein complex.

7 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the agent enhances the ability of the PP2A to dephosphorylate the NMDA-R.

8 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the agent inhibits the ability of the PP2A to dephosphorylate the NMDA-R.

9 . The method of claim 5 , wherein the agent modulates binding of the PP2A or the functional derivative thereof to the NMDA-R or the functional derivative thereof.

10 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the agent promotes or enhances the binding.

11 . The method of claim 9 , wherein the agent disrupts or inhibits the binding.

12 . A method for identifying a nucleic acid molecule that modulates NMDA-R signaling, comprising:

(a) obtaining a cell culture coexpressing the NMDA-R and PP2A.

(b) introducing a nucleic acid molecule encoding a gene product into a portion of the cells; thereby producing cells comprising the nucleic acid molecule;

(c) culturing the cells in (b) under conditions in which the gene product is expressed;

(d) measuring PP2A dephosphorylation activity on the NMDA-R in the cells in (c) and comparing the dephosphorylation activity with that of control cells into which the nucleic acid molecule has not been introduced

wherein a difference in dephosphorylation activity identifies the nucleic acid molecule as a modulator of NMDA-R signaling.

13 . A method for treating a disease mediated by abnormal NMDA-R-signaling, comprising administering a modulator of a PP2A activity, thereby modulating the level of seine/threonine phosphorylation of the NMDA-R.

14 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the modulator modulates the ability of PP2A to dephosphorylate NMDA-R.

15 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the modulator modulates the ability of PP2A to bind to NMDA-R.

16 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the modulator is a PP2A agonist, wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of (i) ischemic stroke; (ii) head trauma or brain injury; (iii) Huntington's disease; (iv) spinocerebellar degeneration; (v) motor neuron diseases; (vi) epilepsy; (vii) neuropathic pain; (viii) chronic pain; and (ix) tolerance.

17 . The method of claim 13 , wherein the modulator is a PP2A antagonist, wherein the disease is selected from the group consisting of (i) schizophrenia; (ii) Alzheimer disease; (iii) dementia; (iv) psychosis; (v) depression; (vi) drug addiction; (vii) ethanol sensitivity; and (viii) attention disorder.