Memory formation and the regulation of gene expression |
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Authors: | O Stork H Welzl |
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Institution: | (1) Laboratory of Neurochemistry, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Myodaiji, Okazaki 444-8585 (Japan), JP;(2) University of Zürich, Institute of Anatomy, Winterthurerstrasse 190, CH-8057 Zürich (Switzerland), e-mail: welzl@anatom.unizh.ch, CH |
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Abstract: | On a cellular level, formation of memory is based on a selective change in synaptic efficacy that is both fast and, in case
of important information, long-lasting. Rapidity of cellular changes is achieved by modifying preexisting synaptic molecules
(receptors, ion channels), which instantaneously alters the efficacy of synaptic transmission. Endurance, that is the formation
of long-term memory (LTM), is based on transient and perhaps also long-lasting changes in protein synthesis. A number of different
methods exist to interfere with the synthesis of specific proteins or proteins in general. Other methods, in turn, help to
identify proteins whose synthesis is changed following learning. These mostly molecular methods are briefly described in the
present review. Their successful application in a variety of memory paradigms in invertebrates and vertebrates is illustrated.
The data support the importance of selective changes in gene expression for LTM. Proteins newly synthesized during memory
consolidation are likely to contribute to restructuring processes at the synapse, altering the efficiency of transmission
beyond the scope of STM. Increased or, less often, decreased synthesis of proteins appears during specific time windows following
learning. Recent evidence supports older data suggesting that two or even more waves of protein synthesis exist during the
consolidation period. It is expected that the new molecular methods will help to identify and characterize molecules whose
expression changes during LTM formation even in complex vertebrate learning paradigms. |
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