Signaling pathways modulated by monocular enucleation in the superior colliculus of juvenile rats

Monocular eye enucleation (ME) is a classical paradigm to induce neural plasticity in retinal ganglion cells (RGCs) axons from the intact eye, especially when performed within the critical period of visual system development. However, the precise mechanisms underlying the axonal sprouting and synaptogenesis seen in this model remain poorly understood. In the present work, we investigated the temporal alterations in phosphorylation of three kinases related to axonal growth and synaptogenesis—GSK3β (an important repressor of axonal outgrowth), AKT, and ERK—in superior colliculus of rats submitted to ME during early postnatal development. Western blotting analysis showed an increase in pGSK3β, the inactive form of this enzyme, 24 and 48 hr after ME. Accordingly, an increase in pERK levels was detected 24 hr after ME, indicating that phosphorylation of these enzymes might be related to axonal reorganization induced by ME. Interestingly, AKT phosphorylation was increased just 1 week after ME, suggesting it may be involved in the stabilization of newly formed synapses, rising from the axonal reorganization of remaining eye. A better understanding of how signaling pathways are modulated in a model of intense axonal sprouting can highlight possible therapeutic targets in RGCs injuries in adult individuals, where axonal regrowth is nearly absent. Monocular enucleation (ME) modulates the signaling pathways in superior colliculus. ERK phosphorylation is increased in superior colliculus 24 hr post‐lesion. ME also increases the inhibitory phosphorylation of GSK3β after 24 and 48 hr. AKT phosphorylation is increased in a late phase of plastic response induced by ME.