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Synaptic mRNAs are modulated by learning
Author(s) -
Ferrara Eugenia,
Cefaliello Carolina,
Eyman Maria,
De Stefano Rosanna,
Giuditta Antonio,
Crispino Marianna
Publication year - 2009
Publication title -
journal of neuroscience research
Language(s) - English
Resource type - Journals
SCImago Journal Rank - 1.72
H-Index - 160
eISSN - 1097-4547
pISSN - 0360-4012
DOI - 10.1002/jnr.22037
Subject(s) - cerebellum , messenger rna , synaptic plasticity , neuroscience , glial fibrillary acidic protein , biology , protein biosynthesis , cerebral cortex , microbiology and biotechnology , chemistry , biochemistry , receptor , gene , immunohistochemistry , immunology
We have recently demonstrated that brain plastic events significantly modify synaptic protein synthesis measured by the incorporation of [ 35 S]methionine in brain synaptosomal proteins. Notably, in rats learning a two‐way active avoidance task, the local synthesis of two synaptic proteins was selectively enhanced. Because this effect may be attributed to transcriptional modulation, we used reverse transcriptase–polymerase chain reaction methods to determine the content of discrete synaptosomal mRNAs in rats exposed to the same training protocol. Correlative analyses between behavioral responses and synaptosomal mRNA content showed that GAT‐1 mRNA (a prevalent presynaptic component) correlates with avoidances and escapes in rat cerebellum, while glial fibrillary acid protein mRNA (an astrocytic component) correlates with freezings in cerebellum and cerebral cortex. These observations support the hypothesis that synaptic protein synthesis may be transcriptionally regulated. The cellular origin of synaptic transcripts is briefly discussed, with special regard to those present at large distances from neuron somas. © 2009 Wiley‐Liss, Inc.