Protein kinase A inhibits a consolidated form of memory in Drosophila

Proc Natl Acad Sci U S A. 2008 Dec 30;105(52):20976-81. doi: 10.1073/pnas.0810119105. Epub 2008 Dec 15.

Abstract

Increasing activity of the cAMP/protein kinase A (PKA) pathway has often been proposed as an approach to improve memory in various organisms. However, here we demonstrate that single-point mutations, which decrease PKA activity, dramatically improve aversive olfactory memory in Drosophila. These mutations do not affect formation of early memory phases or of protein synthesis-dependent long-term memory but do cause a significant increase in a specific consolidated form of memory, anesthesia-resistant memory. Significantly, heterozygotes of null mutations in PKA are sufficient to cause this memory increase. Expressing a PKA transgene in the mushroom bodies, brain structures critical for memory formation in Drosophila, reduces memory back to wild-type levels. These results indicate that although PKA is critical for formation of several memory phases, it also functions to inhibit at least one memory phase.

Publication types

  • Research Support, Non-U.S. Gov't

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / genetics
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases / metabolism*
  • Drosophila Proteins / genetics
  • Drosophila Proteins / metabolism*
  • Drosophila melanogaster
  • Gene Expression
  • Memory / physiology*
  • Mushroom Bodies / cytology
  • Mushroom Bodies / enzymology*
  • Mutation
  • Transgenes / physiology

Substances

  • Drosophila Proteins
  • Cyclic AMP-Dependent Protein Kinases