Gene Regulation in Memory Formation and Circadian Rhythm
Abstract
Although it has been clear for some time that regulation of gene expression is a key process in the development of organisms, the degree to which regulation of gene expression plays a role in the life of adults has been less clear. The general objectives of this research were to investigate the role of gene expression in circadian rhythms and in memory formation. The first stage of this research required obtaining clones of genes for proteins thought to be involved in learning and memory and circadian rhythms. We cloned the Aplysia genes for porin, protein 3, phosphoglycerate kinase, calmodulin, BiP, and HSP70. Using riboprobes made from these gene sequences, we developed sensitive techniques to measure levels of mRNA in eyes and in a cluster of a few hundred sensory neurons. Using these techniques, we discovered that the expression of most of these genes was regulated by light and/or 5-llT, treatments known to perturb the clock and to induce the formation of memory. We have now begun to study regulation of this expression in greater detail. Overall, these studies on gene regulation have further implicated some of these genes/proteins in mechanisms of the circadian system and the system by which memories are induced and maintained. A particular outstanding result was our discovery that a developmental gene, known in Drosophila as Tolloid, appeared to be involved in memory.
Document Details
- Document Type
- Technical Report
- Publication Date
- Mar 18, 1996
- Accession Number
- ADA306218
Entities
People
- Arnold Eskin
Organizations
- University of Houston