The Role of PKMzeta in Memory Destabilization and Reconsolidation

PKMzeta 在记忆不稳定和再巩固中的作用

• 批准号: RGPIN-2017-05140
• 负责人: Nader, Karim
• 金额: $ 2.84万
• 依托单位: McGill University
• 依托单位国家: 加拿大
• 项目类别: Discovery Grants Program - Individual
• 财政年份: 2017
• 资助国家: 加拿大
• 起止时间: 2017-01-01 至 2018-12-31
• 项目状态: 已结题
• 来源: https://www.nserc-crsng.gc.ca/ase-oro/Details-Detailles_eng.asp?id=631456
• 关键词: Role; PKMzeta; Memory; Destabilization; Reconsolidation

The study of memory has come a long way in identifying important molecules in the brain necessary for learning and maintaining long-term memories. One such molecule is the protein PKMzeta which is crucial for maintaining memories over time. What is unclear, however, is how PKMzeta and its memory maintenance process copes with rapid changes to memory. For instance, when certain stored (stable) memories are recalled, they become temporarily unstable only to be re-stabilized shortly thereafter. How memories destabilize on the cellular level is largely unclear but it seems likely that changes to PKMzeta may be responsible. This research will investigate the role of PKMzeta in memory destabilization and re-stabilization (or “reconsolidation”). To do so, we will use biochemistry techniques to study and manipulate auditory fear memories in rats at the protein level. Specifically, these are memories in which a rat learns that a tone predicts a footstock and subsequently shows fear behavior (“freezing”) when the tone is played.

记忆的研究在识别大脑中学习和维持长期记忆所必需的重要分子方面取得了很大进展。其中一种分子是蛋白质PKMzeta，它对随着时间的推移维持记忆至关重要。然而，目前尚不清楚的是，PKMzeta及其记忆维持过程如何应对记忆的快速变化。例如，当某些储存的（稳定的）记忆被唤起时，它们会暂时变得不稳定，然后很快就会重新稳定下来。记忆是如何在细胞水平上不稳定的还很不清楚，但似乎PKMzeta的变化可能是负责的。本研究将探讨PKMzeta在记忆不稳定和重新稳定（或“重新巩固”）中的作用。为此，我们将使用生物化学技术在蛋白质水平上研究和操纵大鼠的听觉恐惧记忆。具体地说，这些记忆中，老鼠学习到一个音调预测一个踏板，随后显示出恐惧行为（“冻结”）时，音调播放。