An important role of neural activity-dependent CaMKIV signaling in the consolidation of long-term memory

Cell. 2001 Sep 21;106(6):771-83. doi: 10.1016/s0092-8674(01)00497-4.

Abstract

Calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase IV (CaMKIV) has been implicated in the regulation of CRE-dependent transcription. To investigate the role of this kinase in neuronal plasticity and memory, we generated transgenic mice in which the expression of a dominant-negative form of CaMKIV (dnCaMKIV) is restricted to the postnatal forebrain. In these transgenic mice, activity-induced CREB phosphorylation and c-Fos expression were significantly attenuated. Hippocampal late LTP (L-LTP) was also impaired, whereas basic synaptic function and early LTP (E-LTP) were unaffected. These deficits correlated with impairments in long-term memory, specifically in its consolidation/retention phase but not in the acquisition phase. These results indicate that neural activity-dependent CaMKIV signaling in the neuronal nucleus plays an important role in the consolidation/retention of hippocampus-dependent long-term memory.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't
  • Research Support, U.S. Gov't, P.H.S.

MeSH terms

  • Amino Acid Substitution
  • Animals
  • Brain / physiology*
  • COS Cells
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 4
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / chemistry
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / genetics*
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Chlorocebus aethiops
  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein / metabolism
  • Electric Stimulation
  • Excitatory Postsynaptic Potentials / physiology
  • Hippocampus / physiology
  • In Situ Hybridization
  • In Vitro Techniques
  • Luciferases / genetics
  • Maze Learning / physiology*
  • Memory / physiology*
  • Mice
  • Mice, Transgenic
  • Mutagenesis, Site-Directed
  • Neuronal Plasticity
  • Neurons / physiology*
  • Prosencephalon / physiology
  • Recombinant Proteins / chemistry
  • Recombinant Proteins / metabolism
  • Signal Transduction / physiology*
  • Transfection

Substances

  • Cyclic AMP Response Element-Binding Protein
  • Recombinant Proteins
  • Luciferases
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 4
  • Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases
  • Camk4 protein, mouse