title: Sulfhydryl proteins and the engram.
abstract: A scheme, which is selectional not instructional, is described for the molecular basis of the engram. It uses as reactants intermediates formed during the catabolism of neuronal membrane sulfhydryl proteins. It is proposed that these compounds undergoing intermolecular association generate a large number of diverse structures, some of which are selected for further complex formation. The basis of selection is the binding of a particular compound to membrane lipid, which enhances its reaction with another bound compound. Because the composition and configuration of membrane lipids are influenced by environmental factors, the scheme implies that incoming sensory signals are matched with endogenously generated chemical structures.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biochemistry, West Virginia University School of Medicine, Morgantown 26506.
authors.forename: G W
authors.initials: GW
authors.lastname: Rafter
mesh_terms: D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D006801:Humans; D008563:Membrane Lipids / Q000502:physiology; D008565:Membrane Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008959:Models, Neurological; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds / Q000378:metabolism
chemical_list: D008563:Membrane Lipids; D008565:Membrane Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D013438:Sulfhydryl Compounds