Sustained CaMKII Delta Gene Expression Is Specifically Requiredfor Long-Lasting Memories in Mice

ZALCMAN G; FEDERMAN N; FISZBEIN A; DE LA FUENTE V; AMENEIRO L; SCHOR I; ROMANO A

MOLECULAR NEUROBIOLOGY

HUMANA PRESS INC

Lugar: Oregon; Año: 2018

0893-7648

Although important information is available on the molecular mechanisms of long-term memory formation, little is known aboutthe processes underlying memory persistence in the brain. Here, we report that persistent gene expression of CaMKIIδ isoformparticipates in object recognition long-lasting memory storage in mice hippocampus. We found that CaMKIIδ mRNA expressionwas sustained up to one week after training and paralleled memory retention. Antisense DNA infusion in the hippocampus duringconsolidation or even after consolidation impairs 7-day- but not 1-day-long memory, supporting a role of CaMKIIδ in memorypersistence. CaMKIIδ gene expression was accompanied by long-lasting nucleosome occupancy changes at its promoter. Thisepigenetic mechanism is described for the first time in a memory process and offers a novel mechanism for persistent geneexpression in neurons. CaMKIIδ protein is mainly present in nucleus and presynaptic terminals, suggesting a role in thesesubcellular compartments for memory persistence. All these results point to a key function of the sustained gene expression of thisoverlooked CaMKII isoform in long-lasting memories.