Changes in PKC gamma immunoreactivity in mouse hippocampus induced by spatial discrimination learning.
In the present study, we examined changes in immunoreactivity (ir) for the gamma-isoform of protein kinase C (PKC gamma) in mouse hippocampus in relation to spatial memory processes employing the monoclonal antibody 36G9 raised against purified PKC gamma. Learning and memory were assessed by performance in a free-choice spatial pattern paradigm in a hole board in which the animals learned the pattern of 4 baited holes out of 16 holes. Adult male house mice were used, divided in four groups. Three control groups were formed: group N, naive (blank controls); group H, habituated (animals were for 5 consecutive days introduced to the hole board with all holes baited); and group PT, pseudotrained (animals were for 13 consecutive days introduced to the hole board with all holes baited). The T (trained) group was for 5 consecutive days introduced to the hole board with all holes baited (similar to the H and PT groups) followed by 8 successive days with only four holes baited in a fixed pattern. Behaviorally, following the first 5 d, the PT group crossed the hole board randomly, whereas the T group gradually learned to orientate in the hole board. The mice were killed 24 hr after the last performance. A shift in 36G9-ir appeared from the cell somata to the dendrites of hippocampal principal neurons when comparing the H and PT group, respectively. In contrast, the T group showed strong PKC gamma-ir in both cell somata and dendrites, which clearly exceeded that of the H and PT mice. In this way, 36G9-ir reveals the physiologically activated neurons involved in hole board learning.(ABSTRACT TRUNCATED AT 250 WORDS)
Van der Zee
E A
EA
Department of Animal Physiology, University of Groningen, Haren, The Netherlands.
Compaan
J C
JC
de Boer
M
M
Luiten
P G
PG
D000818:Animals; D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D001665:Binding Sites; D004192:Discrimination, Psychological; D006185:Habituation, Psychophysiologic; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000201:enzymology / Q000502:physiology*; D007150:Immunohistochemistry; D007527:Isoenzymes / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D015240:Phorbol 12,13-Dibutyrate / Q000378:metabolism; D011493:Protein Kinase C / Q000032:analysis / Q000378:metabolism*; D012016:Reference Values; D013028:Space Perception
D000911:Antibodies, Monoclonal; D007527:Isoenzymes; D015240:Phorbol 12,13-Dibutyrate; D011493:Protein Kinase C