Small G protein signaling in neuronal plasticity and memory formation: the specific role of ras family proteins.
Small G proteins are an extensive family of proteins that bind and hydrolyze GTP. They are ubiquitous inside cells, regulating a wide range of cellular processes. Recently, many studies have examined the role of small G proteins, particularly the Ras family of G proteins, in memory formation. Once thought to be primarily involved in the transduction of a variety of extracellular signals during development, it is now clear that Ras family proteins also play critical roles in molecular processing underlying neuronal and behavioral plasticity. We here review a number of recent studies that explore how the signaling of Ras family proteins contributes to memory formation. Understanding these signaling processes is of fundamental importance both from a basic scientific perspective, with the goal of providing mechanistic insights into a critical aspect of cognitive behavior, and from a clinical perspective, with the goal of providing effective therapies for a range of disorders involving cognitive impairments.
Department of Neurobiology and Behavior, Center for the Neurobiology of Learning and Memory, University of California, Irvine, CA 92697, USA.
Xiaojing
X
Ye
Thomas J
TJ
Carew
D002462:Cell Membrane / Q000502:physiology; D011905:Genes, ras; D006801:Humans; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*; D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents / Q000378:metabolism; D011487:Protein Conformation; D017661:Receptors, Presynaptic / Q000502:physiology; D015398:Signal Transduction / Q000502:physiology*; D018631:ras Proteins / Q000737:chemistry / Q000502:physiology*
D018377:Neurotransmitter Agents; D017661:Receptors, Presynaptic; D020559:Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins; D018631:ras Proteins