Journal article
The role of NR4A transcription factors in memory formation
Brain research bulletin, Vol.85(1), pp.21-29
2011
DOI: 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2011.02.001
PMCID: PMC3078984
PMID: 21316423
Abstract
In various physiological contexts,
Nr4a genes are transcribed in response to external stimuli as part of an immediate early response that initiates a cascade of gene expression ultimately leading to distinct physiological outcomes in each of these contexts. The signaling pathway that initiates
Nr4a gene expression in most of these contexts consists of elevated intracellular cAMP activating PKA, which in turn leads to phosphorylation of CREB and new gene synthesis. This cAMP–PKA–CREB pathway is a central molecular pathway in the formation of a long-term memory. Indeed, learning induces
Nr4a family gene expression, and long-term memory formation requires at least two waves of transcription after learning, suggesting that NR4A nuclear receptors may contribute to the second of these waves of gene expression. In this article, we review insights gained in other physiological contexts regarding
Nr4a function and regulation, and highlight how these lessons can be applied to the study of memory formation.
Details
- Title: Subtitle
- The role of NR4A transcription factors in memory formation
- Creators
- Josh D Hawk - University of Pennsylvania, Neuroscience Graduate Group, Philadelphia, PA, United StatesTed Abel - University of Pennsylvania, Department of Biology, 433 S University Avenue, Carolyn Lynch Labs, Room 222, Philadelphia, PA 19104-6018, United States
- Resource Type
- Journal article
- Publication Details
- Brain research bulletin, Vol.85(1), pp.21-29
- DOI
- 10.1016/j.brainresbull.2011.02.001
- PMID
- 21316423
- PMCID
- PMC3078984
- NLM abbreviation
- Brain Res Bull
- ISSN
- 0361-9230
- eISSN
- 1873-2747
- Publisher
- Elsevier Inc
- Language
- English
- Date published
- 2011
- Academic Unit
- Molecular Physiology and Biophysics; Psychiatry; Psychological and Brain Sciences; Iowa Neuroscience Institute; Neuroscience and Pharmacology; Biochemistry and Molecular Biology
- Record Identifier
- 9984065824702771
Metrics
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