title: Roles of the Drosophila SK channel (dSK) in courtship memory.
abstract: A role for SK channels in synaptic plasticity has been very well-characterized. However, in the absence of simple genetic animal models, their role in behavioral memory remains elusive. Here, we take advantage of Drosophila melanogaster with its single SK gene (dSK) and well-established courtship memory assay to investigate the contribution of this channel to memory. Using two independent dSK alleles, a null mutation and a dominant negative subunit, we show that while dSK negatively regulates the acquisition of short-term memory 30 min after a short training session, it is required for normal long-term memory 24 h after extended training. These findings highlight important functions for dSK in courtship memory and suggest that SK channels can mediate multiple forms of behavioral plasticity.
authors.affiliation: Department of Biology, Dartmouth College, Hanover, New Hampshire, United States of America.
authors.forename: Ahmad N
authors.initials: AN
authors.lastname: Abou Tayoun
authors.forename: Claudio
authors.initials: C
authors.lastname: Pikielny
authors.forename: Patrick J
authors.initials: PJ
authors.lastname: Dolph
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology*; D003380:Courtship; D029721:Drosophila Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000235:genetics* / Q000502:physiology*; D005786:Gene Expression Regulation; D020868:Gene Silencing; D057567:Memory, Long-Term / Q000502:physiology; D008570:Memory, Short-Term / Q000502:physiology; D009154:Mutation; D012726:Sexual Behavior, Animal / Q000502:physiology; D020691:rab GTP-Binding Proteins / Q000235:genetics* / Q000378:metabolism / Q000502:physiology
chemical_list: D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C558398:sky protein, Drosophila; D020691:rab GTP-Binding Proteins