title: Place memory retention in Drosophila.
abstract: Some memories last longer than others, with some lasting a lifetime. Using several approaches memory phases have been identified. How are these different phases encoded, and do these different phases have similar temporal properties across learning situations? Place memory in Drosophila using the heat-box provides an excellent opportunity to examine the commonalities of genetically-defined memory phases across learning contexts. Here we determine optimal conditions to test place memories that last up to three hours. An aversive temperature of 41°C was identified as critical for establishing a long-lasting place memory. Interestingly, adding an intermittent-training protocol only slightly increased place memory when intermediate aversive temperatures were used, and slightly extended the stability of a memory. Genetic analysis of this memory identified four genes as critical for place memory within minutes of training. The role of the rutabaga type I adenylyl cyclase was confirmed, and the latheo Orc3 origin of recognition complex component, the novel gene encoded by pastrel, and the small GTPase rac were all identified as essential for normal place memory. Examination of the dopamine and ecdysone receptor (DopEcR) did not reveal a function for this gene in place memory. When compared to the role of these genes in other memory types, these results suggest that there are genes that have both common and specific roles in memory formation across learning contexts. Importantly, contrasting the timing for the function of these four genes, plus a previously described role of the radish gene, in place memory with the temporal requirement of these genes in classical olfactory conditioning reveals variability in the timing of genetically-defined memory phases depending on the type of learning.
authors.affiliation: 114 Lefevre Hall, Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States.
authors.forename: Daniela
authors.initials: D
authors.lastname: Ostrowski
authors.affiliation: 114 Lefevre Hall, Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States.
authors.forename: Lily
authors.initials: L
authors.lastname: Kahsai
authors.affiliation: 114 Lefevre Hall, Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States.
authors.forename: Elizabeth F
authors.initials: EF
authors.lastname: Kramer
authors.affiliation: 114 Lefevre Hall, Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States.
authors.forename: Patrick
authors.initials: P
authors.lastname: Knutson
authors.affiliation: 114 Lefevre Hall, Division of Biological Sciences, University of Missouri, Columbia, MO 65211, United States. Electronic address: zarst@missouri.edu.
authors.forename: Troy
authors.initials: T
authors.lastname: Zars
mesh_terms: D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases; D000818:Animals; D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; D004331:Drosophila melanogaster / Q000502:physiology*; D009154:Mutation; D010641:Phenotype; D012054:Reinforcement, Psychology; D012153:Retention, Psychology / Q000502:physiology; D065852:Spatial Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D013696:Temperature
chemical_list: D004268:DNA-Binding Proteins; D029721:Drosophila Proteins; C120221:Orc3 protein, Drosophila; D000262:Adenylyl Cyclases; C479926:Rut protein, Drosophila
keywords: Drosophila; Genetic mutation; High temperature; Intermittent training; Memory phases; Place memory