Kanazawa University research: Experiments provide insights into the molecular mechanism for memory and learning
Retrieved on:
Monday, July 3, 2023
Learning, Neuron, Rat, PO3, Phosphorylation, Serine, Science Advances, PO4, Rotation, Mammal, OH, Hydra, ATP, Polymerization, Enzyme, Protein kinase, CAMK, Krasnow Institute for Advanced Study, Dicarboxylic acid, International Union of Physiological Sciences, Protein, National Institute for Physiological Sciences, Japan, The Graduate University for Advanced Studies, Postgraduate education, Memory, Calmodulin, AFM, Synapse, Kanazawa University, Sulfur, Microscope, Science, Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II
The strength of these connections varies – for instance strengthening or weakening depending on the signals received and how.
Key Points:
- The strength of these connections varies – for instance strengthening or weakening depending on the signals received and how.
- This synaptic 'plasticity' underlies learning and memory, and the Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII) is known to play a key role.
- CaMKII is common to a vast range of species from mammals like rats to older, non-mammalian species like the roundworms (C. elegans) and hydra.
- The type two Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinases are multifunctional and are involved in neurotransmitter secretion, transcription factor regulation, and glycogen metabolism.