title: MAPK establishes a molecular context that defines effective training patterns for long-term memory formation.
abstract: Although the importance of spaced training trials in the formation of long-term memory (LTM) is widely appreciated, surprisingly little is known about the molecular mechanisms that support interactions between individual trials. The intertrial dynamics of ERK/MAPK activation have recently been correlated with effective training patterns for LTM. However, whether and how MAPK is required to mediate intertrial interactions remains unknown. Using a novel two-trial training pattern which induces LTM in Aplysia, we show that the first of two training trials recruits delayed protein synthesis-dependent nuclear MAPK activity that establishes a unique molecular context involving the recruitment of CREB kinase and ApC/EBP and is an essential intertrial signaling mechanism for LTM induction. These findings provide the first demonstration of a requirement for MAPK in the intertrial interactions during memory formation and suggest that the kinetics of MAPK activation following individual experiences determines effective training intervals for LTM formation.
authors.affiliation: Center for Neural Science, New York University, New York, New York 10003, USA.
authors.forename: Gary T
authors.initials: GT
authors.lastname: Philips
authors.forename: Xiaojing
authors.initials: X
authors.lastname: Ye
authors.forename: Ashley M
authors.initials: AM
authors.lastname: Kopec
authors.forename: Thomas J
authors.initials: TJ
authors.lastname: Carew
mesh_terms: D000818:Animals; D001048:Aplysia; D004789:Enzyme Activation / Q000235:genetics; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology*; D020935:MAP Kinase Signaling System / Q000502:physiology*; D057567:Memory, Long-Term / Q000502:physiology*; D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases / Q000235:genetics / Q000502:physiology*; D023421:Models, Animal
chemical_list: D020928:Mitogen-Activated Protein Kinases