Ras-related and MAPK signalling in neuronal plasticity and memory formation.
Ras-related guanosine triphosphatases (GTPases) couple receptor activity to a number of intracellular signalling events culminating in the control of cell morphology and gene transcription. In culture cells, the best-understood Ras-dependent signalling pathway involves the mitogen-activated protein kinase/extracellular-regulated kinase (MAPK/ERK) cascade. A growing body of evidence has recently been accumulating to suggest a crucial role of Ras and MAPK signalling in neuronal functions connected to synaptic plasticity. In the present review article we discuss the experimental basis supporting the notion that the Ras/MAPK pathway interacts with other synaptic mechanisms to regulate invertebrate and vertebrate behavioural responses such as those implicated in learning and memory processes.
Mazzucchelli
C
C
San Raffaele Scientific Institute, Milano, Italy.
Brambilla
R
R
D000818:Animals; D006801:Humans; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000378:metabolism*
D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases; D018631:ras Proteins