The biochemistry of learning and memory.
An overview of some of the biochemical and molecular events involved in the process of learning and memory are presented in a short review. Two invertebrate models of learning are considered: the gill-withdrawal reflex of Aplysia and avoidance learning in Drosophila melanogaster. Particular attention is paid to the biochemical mechanisms underlying both the development of long-term potentiation (LTP) and passive avoidance learning (PAL) in the young chick. The role of several biological molecules in learning and memory are considered, for example, protein kinase C (PKC), Ca(++)-Calmodulin kinase II (CaMKII), GAP-43, and glutamate receptors.
Fagnou
D D
DD
Department of Pharmacology, University of Saskatchewan, Saskatoon, Canada.
Tuchek
J M
JM
D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases / Q000502:physiology; D000818:Animals; D001048:Aplysia / Q000502:physiology*; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000502:physiology; D002645:Chickens; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / Q000502:physiology; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000502:physiology*; D005880:Gills / Q000294:innervation; D006023:Glycoproteins / Q000502:physiology; D006624:Hippocampus / Q000502:physiology; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D017774:Long-Term Potentiation; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000502:physiology; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic / Q000502:physiology; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate / Q000502:physiology; D012018:Reflex / Q000502:physiology; D015290:Second Messenger Systems; D015398:Signal Transduction
D006023:Glycoproteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; D011976:Receptors, Muscarinic; D016194:Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate; D017868:Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases