Forgetting Is Regulated through Rac Activity in Drosophila

Shuai, Y. C., Lu, B., Hu, Y., Wang, L., Sun, K., Zhong, Y. (February 2010) Forgetting Is Regulated through Rac Activity in Drosophila. Cell, 140 (4). pp. 579-589.

URL: http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/20178749
DOI: 10.1016/j.cell.2009.12.044

Abstract

Initially acquired memory dissipates rapidly if not consolidated. Such memory decay is thought to result either from the inherently labile nature of newly acquired memories or from interference by subsequently attained information. Here we report that a small G protein Rac-dependent forgetting mechanism contributes to both passive memory decay and interference-induced forgetting in Drosophila. Inhibition of Rac activity leads to slower decay of early memory, extending it from a few hours to more than one day, and to blockade of interference-induced forgetting. Conversely, elevated Rac activity in mushroom body neurons accelerates memory decay. This forgetting mechanism does not affect memory acquisition and is independent of Rutabaga adenylyl cyclase-mediated memory formation mechanisms. Endogenous Rac activation is evoked on different time scales during gradual memory loss in passive decay and during acute memory removal in reversal learning. We suggest that Rac's role in actin cytoskeleton remodeling may contribute to memory erasure. PaperClip: {An electronic component is presented}. © 2010 Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.

Item Type: Paper
Uncontrolled Keywords: MOLNEURO
Subjects: organism description > animal > insect > Drosophila
organism description > animal behavior > forgetting
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > neurons
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > neurons
organs, tissues, organelles, cell types and functions > cell types and functions > cell types > neurons
CSHL Authors:
Communities: CSHL Post Doctoral Fellows
CSHL labs > Zhong lab
Depositing User: CSHL Librarian
Date: 19 February 2010
Date Deposited: 19 Oct 2011 15:35
Last Modified: 03 May 2013 14:50
Related URLs:
URI: https://repository.cshl.edu/id/eprint/15528

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