title: Axonal trafficking of an antisense RNA transcribed from a pseudogene is regulated by classical conditioning.
abstract: Natural antisense transcripts (NATs) are endogenous RNA molecules that are complementary to known RNA transcripts. The functional significance of NATs is poorly understood, but their prevalence in the CNS suggests a role in brain function. Here we investigated a long NAT (antiNOS-2 RNA) associated with the regulation of nitric oxide (NO) production in the CNS of Lymnaea, an established model for molecular analysis of learning and memory. We show the antiNOS-2 RNA is axonally trafficked and demonstrate that this is regulated by classical conditioning. Critically, a single conditioning trial changes the amount of antiNOS-2 RNA transported along the axon. This occurs within the critical time window when neurotransmitter NO is required for memory formation. Our data suggest a role for the antiNOS-2 RNA in establishing memories through the regulation of NO signaling at the synapse.
authors.affiliation: School of Life Sciences, University of Sussex , Falmer, Brighton BN1 9QG. s.korneev@sussex.ac.uk
authors.forename: Sergei A
authors.initials: SA
authors.lastname: Korneev
authors.forename: Ildiko
authors.initials: I
authors.lastname: Kemenes
authors.forename: Natalia L
authors.initials: NL
authors.lastname: Bettini
authors.forename: George
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Kemenes
authors.forename: Kevin
authors.initials: K
authors.lastname: Staras
authors.forename: Paul R
authors.initials: PR
authors.lastname: Benjamin
authors.forename: Michael
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: O'Shea
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001369:Axons / Q000378:metabolism*; D001483:Base Sequence; D001692:Biological Transport; D002490:Central Nervous System / Q000378:metabolism; D003214:Conditioning, Classical / Q000502:physiology*; D017403:In Situ Hybridization; D008195:Lymnaea / Q000378:metabolism; D008969:Molecular Sequence Data; D009569:Nitric Oxide / Q000378:metabolism; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II / Q000235:genetics / Q000378:metabolism; D011544:Pseudogenes / Q000235:genetics*; D016372:RNA, Antisense / Q000378:metabolism*
chemical_list: D016372:RNA, Antisense; D009569:Nitric Oxide; D052247:Nitric Oxide Synthase Type II