Translational control of hippocampal synaptic plasticity and memory by the eIF2alpha kinase GCN2.

ABSTRACT: Studies on various forms of synaptic plasticity have shown a link between messenger RNA translation, learning and memory. Like memory, synaptic plasticity includes an early phase that depends on modification of pre-existing proteins, and a late phase that requires transcription and synthesis of new proteins. Activation of postsynaptic targets seems to trigger the transcription of plasticity-related genes. The new mRNAs are either translated in the soma or transported to synapses before translation. GCN2, a key protein kinase, regulates the initiation of translation. Here we report a unique feature of hippocampal slices from GCN2(-/-) mice: in CA1, a single 100-Hz train induces a strong and sustained long-term potentiation (late LTP or L-LTP), which is dependent on transcription and transla

SUBMITTER: Costa-Mattioli M 

PROVIDER: S-EPMC1464117 | biostudies-literature | 2005 Aug

REPOSITORIES: biostudies-literature