Changes in the Glucocorticoid Receptor and Ca2+/Calreticulin-Dependent Signalling Pathway in the Medial Prefrontal Cortex of Rats with Post-traumatic Stress Disorder

The glucocorticoid receptor (GR), calreticulin (CRT) and protein kinase C (PKC) have all been implicated in the Ca2+-dependent signalling pathway, which plays an important role in the plasticity of the central nervous system, learning and memory. The medial prefrontal cortex (mPFC) is known to be involved in mechanisms of learning and memory. In the present study, single prolonged stress (SPS) was used as an animal model of post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD). The Morris water maze test was used to detect rats’ ability for spatial memory and learning. A fluorescence spectrophotometer was used to measure the concentration of intracellular Ca2+ in mPFC. Immunohistochemistry, immunofluorescence, western blot and reverse transcription polymerase chain reaction were used to explore changes in GR, CRT and PKC in mPFC of SPS rats. The concentration of Ca2+ in mPFC was increased in the SPS rats. We found increased intensity of GR and CRT immunoreactivity and increased messenger RNA (mRNA) levels of GR, CRT and PKC in mPFC of the SPS groups, although the degree and time of increase was different among them. The protein levels of cytoplasmic GR, cytoplasmic CRT and cytoplasmic pPKC increased in mPFC of the SPS groups, whereas the protein level of nuclear GR decreased in comparison with the control group. As a conclusion, changed CRT and GR/PKC were involved in the mechanism of SPS-induced dysfunctional mPFC.