Down-regulation of beta1-adrenoceptors gene expression by short interfering RNA impairs the memory retrieval in the basolateral amygdala of rats.
The influence of basolateral amygdala (BLA) on memory is known to depend critically on adrenergic neurotransmission. However, the roles of noradrenergic receptors on memory retrieval have been elusive and controversial. Here, we investigated the effect of beta(1)-adrenoceptor (beta(1)-AR) on auditory fear memory in the rat BLA. We attenuated the expression of beta(1)-AR by RNA interference, a popular means to specific suppress gene expression. Bilaterally microinjection of beta(1)-AR short interfering RNA (siRNA) could reach a satisfying transfection in the BLA: beta(1)-AR protein expression was reduced transiently by siRNA in vivo at day 3. The behavioral tests indicated that memory retrieval was impaired as beta(1)-AR protein expression was prevented, and the memory was restored when the beta(1)-AR protein got back to normal level. The results suggested that beta(1)-AR might be critical for the retrieval of auditory fear memory.
Fu
Ai Ling
AL
School of Pharmaceutical Sciences, Southwest University, Chongqing 400715, China. w.joe@163.com
Yan
Xue Bin
XB
Sui
Li
L
D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000679:Amygdala / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D000818:Animals; D001362:Avoidance Learning / Q000502:physiology; D015536:Down-Regulation / Q000235:genetics; D005239:Fear / Q000502:physiology; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation / Q000235:genetics*; D020022:Genetic Predisposition to Disease / Q000235:genetics; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D008569:Memory Disorders / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism* / Q000503:physiopathology; D008845:Microinjections; D009638:Norepinephrine / Q000378:metabolism; D034741:RNA, Small Interfering / Q000235:genetics / Q000494:pharmacology; D051381:Rats; D017207:Rats, Sprague-Dawley; D018342:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1 / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism; D009435:Synaptic Transmission / Q000235:genetics; D014162:Transfection
D034741:RNA, Small Interfering; D018342:Receptors, Adrenergic, beta-1; D009638:Norepinephrine