CaMKII knockdown affects both early and late phases of olfactory long-term memory in the honeybee.
Honeybees are able to solve complex learning tasks and memorize learned information for long time periods. The molecular mechanisms mediating long-term memory (LTM) in the honeybee Apis mellifera are, to a large part, still unknown. We approached this question by investigating the potential function of the calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (CaMKII), an enzyme known as a 'molecular memory switch' in vertebrates. CaMKII is able to switch to a calcium-independent constitutively active state, providing a mechanism for a molecular memory and has further been shown to play an essential role in structural synaptic plasticity. Using a combination of knockdown by RNA interference and pharmacological manipulation, we disrupted the function of CaMKII during olfactory learning and memory formation. We found that learning, memory acquisition and mid-term memory were not affected, but all manipulations consistently resulted in an impaired LTM. Both early LTM (24 h after learning) and late LTM (72 h after learning) were significantly disrupted, indicating the necessity of CaMKII in two successive stages of LTM formation in the honeybee.
Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology (Zoology II), Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg 97074, Germany Christina.scholl@uni-wuerzburg.de.
Christina
C
Scholl
Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology (Zoology II), Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg 97074, Germany.
Natalie
N
Kübert
Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology (Zoology II), Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg 97074, Germany.
Thomas S
TS
Muenz
Behavioral Physiology and Sociobiology (Zoology II), Biozentrum, University of Würzburg, Am Hubland, Würzburg 97074, Germany.
Wolfgang
W
Rössler
D000818:Animals; D001516:Bees / Q000502:physiology*; D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2 / Q000037:antagonists & inhibitors / Q000235:genetics; D003214:Conditioning, Classical; D005260:Female; D007858:Learning / Q000502:physiology; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology; D057567:Memory, Long-Term; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D034622:RNA Interference; D012903:Smell
D054732:Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinase Type 2
CaMKII; Insect; Long-term memory; Mushroom bodies; Olfactory learning