title: Translational control of auditory imprinting and structural plasticity by eIF2α.
abstract: The formation of imprinted memories during a critical period is crucial for vital behaviors, including filial attachment. Yet, little is known about the underlying molecular mechanisms. Using a combination of behavior, pharmacology, in vivo surface sensing of translation (SUnSET) and DiOlistic labeling we found that, translational control by the eukaryotic translation initiation factor 2 alpha (eIF2α) bidirectionally regulates auditory but not visual imprinting and related changes in structural plasticity in chickens. Increasing phosphorylation of eIF2α (p-eIF2α) reduces translation rates and spine plasticity, and selectively impairs auditory imprinting. By contrast, inhibition of an eIF2α kinase or blocking the translational program controlled by p-eIF2α enhances auditory imprinting. Importantly, these manipulations are able to reopen the critical period. Thus, we have identified a translational control mechanism that selectively underlies auditory imprinting. Restoring translational control of eIF2α holds the promise to rejuvenate adult brain plasticity and restore learning and memory in a variety of cognitive disorders.
authors.affiliation: Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, United States.
authors.forename: Gervasio
authors.identifier: 0000-0003-0885-1224
authors.initials: G
authors.lastname: Batista
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.
authors.forename: Jennifer Leigh
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Johnson
authors.affiliation: Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, United States.
authors.forename: Elena
authors.initials: E
authors.lastname: Dominguez
authors.affiliation: Department of Neuroscience, Baylor College of Medicine, Houston, United States.
authors.forename: Mauro
authors.identifier: 0000-0002-9809-4732
authors.initials: M
authors.lastname: Costa-Mattioli
authors.affiliation: Dominick P. Purpura Department of Neuroscience, Albert Einstein College of Medicine, New York, United States.
authors.forename: Jose L
authors.initials: JL
authors.lastname: Pena
mesh_terms: D000161:Acoustic Stimulation; D000818:Animals; D000831:Animals, Newborn; D001921:Brain / Q000502:physiology; D002645:Chickens; D015852:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2 / Q000378:metabolism*; D005260:Female; D007173:Imprinting, Psychological; D007858:Learning; D008297:Male; D008568:Memory; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity; D010766:Phosphorylation; D014176:Protein Biosynthesis; D011499:Protein Processing, Post-Translational; D013016:Sound
chemical_list: D015852:Eukaryotic Initiation Factor-2
keywords: behavior; chicken; critical period; dendritic spines; early learning; imprinting; memory formation; neuroethology; neuroscience; structural plasticity; translational control