Removal of S6K1 and S6K2 leads to divergent alterations in learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity. Journal Article uri icon

Overview

abstract

  • Protein synthesis is required for the expression of enduring memories and long-lasting synaptic plasticity. During cellular proliferation and growth, S6 kinases (S6Ks) are activated and coordinate the synthesis of de novo proteins. We hypothesized that protein synthesis mediated by S6Ks is critical for the manifestation of learning, memory, and synaptic plasticity. We have tested this hypothesis with genetically engineered mice deficient for either S6K1 or S6K2. We have found that S6K1-deficient mice express an early-onset contextual fear memory deficit within one hour of training, a deficit in conditioned taste aversion (CTA), impaired Morris water maze acquisition, and hypoactive exploratory behavior. In contrast, S6K2-deficient mice exhibit decreased contextual fear memory seven days after training, a reduction in latent inhibition of CTA, and normal spatial learning in the Morris water maze. Surprisingly, neither S6K1- nor S6K2-deficient mice exhibited alterations in protein synthesis-dependent late-phase long-term potentiation (L-LTP). However, removal of S6K1, but not S6K2, compromised early-phase LTP expression. Furthermore, we observed that S6K1-deficient mice have elevated basal levels of Akt phosphorylation, which is further elevated following induction of L-LTP. Taken together, our findings demonstrate that removal of S6K1 leads to a distinct array of behavioral and synaptic plasticity phenotypes that are not mirrored by the removal of S6K2. Our observations suggest that neither gene by itself is required for L-LTP but instead may be required for other types of synaptic plasticity required for cognitive processing.

publication date

  • January 1, 2008

has subject area

has restriction

  • gold

Date in CU Experts

  • September 9, 2013 10:43 AM

Full Author List

  • Antion MD; Merhav M; Hoeffer CA; Reis G; Kozma SC; Thomas G; Schuman EM; Rosenblum K; Klann E

author count

  • 9

Other Profiles

Electronic International Standard Serial Number (EISSN)

  • 1549-5485

Additional Document Info

start page

  • 29

end page

  • 38

volume

  • 15

issue

  • 1