Enhancement of consolidated long-term memory by overexpression of protein kinase Mzeta in the neocortex

Science. 2011 Mar 4;331(6021):1207-10. doi: 10.1126/science.1200215.

Abstract

Memories are more easily disrupted than improved. Many agents can impair memories during encoding and consolidation. In contrast, the armamentarium of potential memory enhancers is so far rather modest. Moreover, the effect of the latter appears to be limited to enhancing new memories during encoding and the initial period of cellular consolidation, which can last from a few minutes to hours after learning. Here, we report that overexpression in the rat neocortex of the protein kinase C isozyme protein kinase Mζ (PKMζ) enhances long-term memory, whereas a dominant negative PKMζ disrupts memory, even long after memory has been formed.

Publication types

  • Research Support, N.I.H., Extramural
  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Conditioning, Psychological
  • Gene Expression
  • Gene Transfer Techniques
  • Genetic Vectors
  • Isoenzymes / genetics
  • Isoenzymes / metabolism
  • Lentivirus / genetics
  • Male
  • Memory, Long-Term*
  • Mutant Proteins / metabolism
  • Mutation
  • Neocortex / metabolism*
  • Neurons / metabolism
  • Protein Kinase C / genetics*
  • Protein Kinase C / metabolism*
  • Rats
  • Rats, Wistar

Substances

  • Isoenzymes
  • Mutant Proteins
  • Protein Kinase C
  • protein kinase M zeta, rat