scholarly journals Role of protein synthesis and DNA methylation in the consolidation and maintenance of long-term memory in Aplysia

eLife ◽  
2017 ◽  
Vol 6 ◽  
Author(s):  
Kaycey Pearce ◽  
Diancai Cai ◽  
Adam C Roberts ◽  
David L Glanzman
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Protein Synthesis ◽  
Dna Methyltransferase ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Protein Synthesis Inhibition ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Normal Expression ◽  
Later Phase

Previously, we reported that long-term memory (LTM) in Aplysia can be reinstated by truncated (partial) training following its disruption by reconsolidation blockade and inhibition of PKM (Chen et al., 2014). Here, we report that LTM can be induced by partial training after disruption of original consolidation by protein synthesis inhibition (PSI) begun shortly after training. But when PSI occurs during training, partial training cannot subsequently establish LTM. Furthermore, we find that inhibition of DNA methyltransferase (DNMT), whether during training or shortly afterwards, blocks consolidation of LTM and prevents its subsequent induction by truncated training; moreover, later inhibition of DNMT eliminates consolidated LTM. Thus, the consolidation of LTM depends on two functionally distinct phases of protein synthesis: an early phase that appears to prime LTM; and a later phase whose successful completion is necessary for the normal expression of LTM. Both the consolidation and maintenance of LTM depend on DNA methylation.

scholarly journals Dnmts and Tet target memory-associated genes after appetitive olfactory training in honey bees

2015 ◽  
Vol 5 (1) ◽  
Author(s):  
Stephanie D. Biergans ◽  
C. Giovanni Galizia ◽  
Judith Reinhard ◽  
Charles Claudianos
Keyword(s):  
Dna Methylation ◽  
Honey Bees ◽  
Dna Methyltransferase ◽  
Time Course ◽  
Methylation Pattern ◽  
Memory Formation ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Memory Retention ◽  
Term Memory

Abstract DNA methylation and demethylation are epigenetic mechanisms involved in memory formation. In honey bees DNA methyltransferase (Dnmt) function is necessary for long-term memory to be stimulus specific (i.e. to reduce generalization). So far, however, it remains elusive which genes are targeted and what the time-course of DNA methylation is during memory formation. Here, we analyse how DNA methylation affects memory retention, gene expression and differential methylation in stimulus-specific olfactory long-term memory formation. Out of 30 memory-associated genes investigated here, 9 were upregulated following Dnmt inhibition in trained bees. These included Dnmt3 suggesting a negative feedback loop for DNA methylation. Within these genes also the DNA methylation pattern changed during the first 24 hours after training. Interestingly, this was accompanied by sequential activation of the DNA methylation machinery (i.e. Dnmts and Tet). In sum, memory formation involves a temporally complex epigenetic regulation of memory-associated genes that facilitates stimulus specific long-term memory in the honey bee.

The role of PKMζ in the maintenance of long-term memory: a review

2021 ◽  
Vol 0 (0) ◽  
Author(s):  
Hamish Patel ◽  
Reza Zamani
Keyword(s):  
Protein Kinase C ◽  
Protein Kinase ◽  
Long Term Potentiation ◽  
Global Memory ◽  
Long Term Memory ◽  
Compensatory Mechanism ◽  
Term Memory ◽  
Kinase C

Abstract Long-term memories are thought to be stored in neurones and synapses that undergo physical changes, such as long-term potentiation (LTP), and these changes can be maintained for long periods of time. A candidate enzyme for the maintenance of LTP is protein kinase M zeta (PKMζ), a constitutively active protein kinase C isoform that is elevated during LTP and long-term memory maintenance. This paper reviews the evidence and controversies surrounding the role of PKMζ in the maintenance of long-term memory. PKMζ maintains synaptic potentiation by preventing AMPA receptor endocytosis and promoting stabilisation of dendritic spine growth. Inhibition of PKMζ, with zeta-inhibitory peptide (ZIP), can reverse LTP and impair established long-term memories. However, a deficit of memory retrieval cannot be ruled out. Furthermore, ZIP, and in high enough doses the control peptide scrambled ZIP, was recently shown to be neurotoxic, which may explain some of the effects of ZIP on memory impairment. PKMζ knockout mice show normal learning and memory. However, this is likely due to compensation by protein-kinase C iota/lambda (PKCι/λ), which is normally responsible for induction of LTP. It is not clear how, or if, this compensatory mechanism is activated under normal conditions. Future research should utilise inducible PKMζ knockdown in adult rodents to investigate whether PKMζ maintains memory in specific parts of the brain, or if it represents a global memory maintenance molecule. These insights may inform future therapeutic targets for disorders of memory loss.

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