Dichotomous regulation of striatal plasticity by dynorphin

Modulation of corticostriatal plasticity alters the information flow throughout basal ganglia circuits and represents a fundamental mechanism for motor learning, action selection, and reward. Synaptic plasticity in the striatal direct- and indirect-pathway spiny projection neurons (dSPNs and iSPNs) is regulated by two distinct networks of GPCR signaling cascades. While it is well-known that dopamine D2 and adenosine A2a receptors bi-directionally regulate iSPN plasticity, it remains unclear how D1 signaling modulation of synaptic plasticity is counteracted by dSPN-specific Gi signaling. Here, we show that striatal dynorphin selectively suppresses long-term potentiation (LTP) through Kappa Opioid Receptor (KOR) signaling in dSPNs. Both KOR antagonism and conditional deletion of dynorphin in dSPNs enhance LTP counterbalancing with different levels of D1 receptor activation. Behaviorally, mice lacking dynorphin in D1 neurons show comparable motor behavior and reward-based learning, but enhanced flexibility during reversal learning. These findings support a model in which D1R and KOR signaling bi-directionally modulate synaptic plasticity and behavior in the direct pathway.

Automated summary

Modulation of corticostriatal plasticity is crucial for motor learning, action selection, and reward. Two distinct networks of GPCR signaling cascades regulate synaptic plasticity in the striatal direct- and indirect-pathway spiny projection neurons (dSPNs and iSPNs). This study reveals that dynorphin, through Kappa Opioid Receptor (KOR) signaling, selectively suppresses long-term potentiation (LTP) in dSPNs, counterbalancing with D1 receptor activation. Mice lacking dynorphin in D1 neurons show enhanced flexibility during reversal learning, suggesting bi-directional modulation of synaptic plasticity and behavior in the direct pathway.