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PolyADP‐ribose polymerase‐1 (PARP‐1) and the evolution of learning and memory
Author(s) -
Sung YingJu,
Ambron Richard T.
Publication year - 2004
Publication title -
bioessays
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 2.175
H-Index - 184
eISSN - 1521-1878
pISSN - 0265-9247
DOI - 10.1002/bies.20164
Subject(s) - aplysia , poly adp ribose polymerase , biology , neuroscience , polymerase , nervous system , sensitization , stimulus (psychology) , enzyme , microbiology and biotechnology , gene , genetics , psychology , biochemistry , cognitive psychology
PARP‐1 is a multifunctional enzyme that can modulate gene expression. Cohen‐Armon et al.1 found that a homologue of PARP‐1 is activated in the Aplysia nervous system as the animal responds to an aversive stimulus, which leads to sensitization, and during a more complex form of learning that involves feeding behavior. Significantly, inhibiting PARP‐1 activation blocked the learning. Several key pathways in Aplysia neurons are activated both during learning and after injury, suggesting that mechanisms of learning evolved from primitive responses to injury. Since PARP‐1 is evolutionarily conserved as a responder to various forms of stress, the finding that PARP‐1 is activated during learning supports this idea. BioEssays 26:1268–1271, 2004. © 2004 Wiley Periodicals, Inc.