Selective pharmacogenetic inhibition of mammalian target of Rapamycin complex I (mTORC1) blocks long-term synaptic plasticity and memory storage

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2011 Mar 1;108(9):3791-6. doi: 10.1073/pnas.1014715108. Epub 2011 Feb 9.

Abstract

Both the formation of long-term memory (LTM) and late-long-term potentiation (L-LTP), which is thought to represent the cellular model of learning and memory, require de novo protein synthesis. The mammalian target of Rapamycin (mTOR) complex I (mTORC1) integrates information from various synaptic inputs and its best characterized function is the regulation of translation. Although initial studies have shown that rapamycin reduces L-LTP and partially blocks LTM, recent genetic and pharmacological evidence indicating that mTORC1 promotes L-LTP and LTM is controversial. Thus, the role of mTORC1 in L-LTP and LTM is unclear. To selectively inhibit mTORC1 activity in the adult brain, we used a "pharmacogenetic" approach that relies on the synergistic action of a drug (rapamycin) and a genetic manipulation (mTOR heterozygotes, mTOR(+/-) mice) on the same target (mTORC1). Although L-LTP and LTM are normal in mTOR(+/-) mice, application of a low concentration of rapamycin-one that is subthreshold for WT mice-prevented L-LTP and LTM only in mTOR(+/-) mice. Furthermore, we found that mTORC1-mediated translational control is required for memory reconsolidation. We provide here direct genetic evidence supporting the role of mTORC1 in L-LTP and behavioral memory.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Acoustic Stimulation
  • Animals
  • Fear / drug effects
  • Long-Term Potentiation / drug effects*
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
  • Memory, Long-Term / drug effects*
  • Mice
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Pharmacogenetics
  • Proteins / antagonists & inhibitors*
  • Proteins / genetics*
  • Sirolimus / pharmacology*
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Trans-Activators / metabolism
  • Transcription Factors

Substances

  • Crtc2 protein, mouse
  • Multiprotein Complexes
  • Proteins
  • Trans-Activators
  • Transcription Factors
  • Mechanistic Target of Rapamycin Complex 1
  • TOR Serine-Threonine Kinases
  • Sirolimus