A memory transcriptome time course reveals essential long-term memory transcription factors.

ABSTRACT: Long-term memory (LTM) requires transcription and translation of new proteins, yet the transcriptional control of memory remains poorly understood. Here, we performed a transcriptome time-course during LTM formation in Drosophila melanogaster exposed to courtship conditioning. We identified a mushroom body-specific transcriptional memory trace that becomes activated during memory consolidation. Using scRNAseq of CREB-activated cells we were able to detect a persistent transcriptional response in MB neurons after LTM consolidation and retrieval. As a proof of causality, we conducted a loss-of-function screen for genes comprising the transcriptional memory trace, finding 16 positive hits whose disruption impaired LTM. Among them, we identified two neuron activity-regulated genes, Hr38 and sr

SUBMITTER: Jones SG 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC12572301 | biostudies-literature | 2025 Oct

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature