Calmodulin-binding transcription activator 1 (CAMTA1) alleles predispose human episodic memory performance.
Little is known about the genes and proteins involved in the process of human memory. To identify genetic factors related to human episodic memory performance, we conducted an ultra-high-density genome-wide screen at > 500 000 single nucleotide polymorphisms (SNPs) in a sample of normal young adults stratified for performance on an episodic recall memory test. Analysis of this data identified SNPs within the calmodulin-binding transcription activator 1 (CAMTA1) gene that were significantly associated with memory performance. A follow up study, focused on the CAMTA1 locus in an independent cohort consisting of cognitively normal young adults, singled out SNP rs4908449 with a P-value of 0.0002 as the most significant associated SNP in the region. These validated genetic findings were further supported by the identification of CAMTA1 transcript enrichment in memory-related human brain regions and through a functional magnetic resonance imaging experiment on individuals matched for memory performance that identified CAMTA1 allele-specific upregulation of medial temporal lobe brain activity in those individuals harboring the 'at-risk' allele for poorer memory performance. The CAMTA1 locus encodes a purported transcription factor that interfaces with the calcium-calmodulin system of the cell to alter gene expression patterns. Our validated genomic and functional biological findings described herein suggest a role for CAMTA1 in human episodic memory.
Huentelman
Matthew J
MJ
Neurogenomics Division, The Translational Genomics Research Institute, 445 N Fifth Street, Phoenix, AZ 85004, USA.
Papassotiropoulos
Andreas
A
Craig
David W
DW
Hoerndli
Frederic J
FJ
Pearson
John V
JV
Huynh
Kim-Dung
KD
Corneveaux
Jason
J
Hänggi
Jürgen
J
Mondadori
Christian R A
CR
Buchmann
Andreas
A
Reiman
Eric M
EM
Henke
Katharina
K
de Quervain
Dominique J-F
DJ
Stephan
Dietrich A
DA
D000293:Adolescent; D000328:Adult; D000483:Alleles; D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000033:anatomy & histology / Q000378:metabolism; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D015331:Cohort Studies; D005260:Female; D016678:Genome; D005838:Genotype; D006801:Humans; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D011939:Mental Recall / Q000502:physiology; D051379:Mice; D008875:Middle Aged; D020641:Polymorphism, Single Nucleotide; D015534:Trans-Activators / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism
C487554:CAMTA1 protein, human; D002135:Calcium-Binding Proteins; D015534:Trans-Activators