EVALUATION OF SYNAPTIC PLASTICITY-INVOLVED PROTEIN EXPRESSION IN KLOTHO-HYPOMORPHIC MICE

Aging process is characterized by a functional decline of several physiological systems. Klotho protein seems to be involved in aging process, regulating some signaling pathways, such as Wnt and p53. Klotho also could be involved in the regulation of synaptic plasticity in the hippocampus. Klotho-hypomorphic mice show reduced life expectancy and cognitive impairment. Glutamatergic signaling is important for synaptic plasticity, since N-methyl-D-aspartate (NMDA) and α-amino-3-hydroxy-5-methyl-4-isoxazolepropionic acid (AMPA) glutamatergic receptors participate in long-term potentiation (LTP) and long-term depression (LTD). Furthermore, synaptophysin and postsynaptic density protein 95 (PSD-95) act on synaptic plasticity and neurotransmitter release.