An atomic switch for memory.
Molecular genetic techniques are beginning to bring about a detailed understanding of the biochemical processes underlying complex cognitive phenomena such as memory, with investigations approaching atomic-level resolution. An excellent example of this is provided in this issue of Cell by Costa-Mattioli et al. (2007), whose results implicate a single protein dephosphorylation event in the control of long-term memory formation in mice.
Sweatt
J David
JD
Department of Neurobiology and McKnight Brain Institute, University of Alabama-Birmingham, Birmingham, AL 35294, USA. dsweatt@nrc.uab.edu <dsweatt@nrc.uab.edu>
D051701:Activating Transcription Factor 4 / Q000378:metabolism; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D015852:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2 / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism*; D005818:Genetic Engineering; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D051379:Mice; D010766:Phosphorylation; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis
C081452:Atf4 protein, mouse; D015852:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2; D051701:Activating Transcription Factor 4