Stress-induced phosphorylation of SNAP-25

•Cold-water restraint stress induces SNAP-25 phosphorylation in the mouse brain.•SNAP-25 phosphorylation was high in stress-related brain regions.•The extent of phosphorylation increased with increasing amounts of stress.•SNAP-25 phosphorylation is regulated through both central and peripheral mechanisms.

Synaptosomal-associated protein of 25 kDa (SNAP-25), a t-SNARE protein, plays a crucial role in neurotransmitter release by exocytosis. Protein kinase C phosphorylates SNAP-25 at Ser187, however the physiological significance of this phosphorylation event in brain function remains unclear. In the present study, we found that SNAP-25 phosphorylation increased rapidly in the mouse brain following cold-water restraint stress. Both basal and stress-induced phosphorylation of SNAP-25 were high in stress-related brain regions, including the cerebral cortex, hippocampus, and amygdala, and the extent of phosphorylation increased with increasing amounts of stress. Intravenous administration of adrenaline increased SNAP-25 phosphorylation, although stress-induced phosphorylation was still observed in adrenalectomized mice. These results indicate that SNAP-25 phosphorylation is regulated in a stress-dependent manner through both central and peripheral mechanisms.

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