The roles of MAPK cascades in synaptic plasticity and memory in Aplysia: facilitatory effects and inhibitory constraints.
Synaptic plasticity is thought to contribute to memory formation. Serotonin-induced facilitation of sensory-motor (SN-MN) synapses in Aplysia is an extensively studied cellular analog of memory for sensitization. Serotonin, a modulatory neurotransmitter, is released in the CNS during sensitization training, and induces three temporally and mechanistically distinct phases of SN-MN synaptic facilitation. The role of protein kinase A and protein kinase C in SN-MN synaptic facilitation is well documented. Recently, it has become clear that mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) cascades also play a critical role in SN-MN plasticity. Here, we summarize the roles of MAPK cascades in synaptic plasticity and memory for sensitization in Aplysia.
Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, California 92697, USA.
Shiv K
SK
Sharma
Thomas J
TJ
Carew
D000818:Animals; D001048:Aplysia / Q000201:enzymology*; D001245:Association Learning / Q000502:physiology; D003213:Conditioning, Psychological / Q000502:physiology; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000378:metabolism; D009046:Motor Neurons / Q000201:enzymology; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D009475:Neurons, Afferent / Q000201:enzymology; D012701:Serotonin / Q000378:metabolism; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology; D013569:Synapses / Q000201:enzymology*
D012701:Serotonin; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases