Myosin light chain kinase regulates synaptic plasticity and fear learning in the lateral amygdala

Neuroscience
Raphael LamprechtJoseph E Ledoux

Abstract

Learning and memory depend on signaling molecules that affect synaptic efficacy. The cytoskeleton has been implicated in regulating synaptic transmission but its role in learning and memory is poorly understood. Fear learning depends on plasticity in the lateral nucleus of the amygdala. We therefore examined whether the cytoskeletal-regulatory protein, myosin light chain kinase, might contribute to fear learning in the rat lateral amygdala. Microinjection of ML-7, a specific inhibitor of myosin light chain kinase, into the lateral nucleus of the amygdala before fear conditioning, but not immediately afterward, enhanced both short-term memory and long-term memory, suggesting that myosin light chain kinase is involved specifically in memory acquisition rather than in posttraining consolidation of memory. Myosin light chain kinase inhibitor had no effect on memory retrieval. Furthermore, ML-7 had no effect on behavior when the training stimuli were presented in a non-associative manner. Anatomical studies showed that myosin light chain kinase is present in cells throughout lateral nucleus of the amygdala and is localized to dendritic shafts and spines that are postsynaptic to the projections from the auditory thalamus to lateral n...Continue Reading

References

Oct 1, 1986·Physiology & Behavior·J P Kroon, A L Riley
Jan 1, 1980·Annals of the New York Academy of Sciences·R S AdelsteinM D Pato
Dec 24, 1997·Nature·M G McKernan, P Shinnick-Gallagher
Jan 15, 2000·Science·J L McGaugh
Jun 9, 2000·Annual Review of Neuroscience·J E LeDoux
Nov 30, 2000·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·K E Kamm, J T Stull
Mar 13, 2001·Molecular Psychiatry·M Davis, P J Whalen
Aug 25, 2001·Annual Review of Neuroscience·S Maren
Dec 19, 2001·The Journal of Biological Chemistry·Jacquelyn E Van LieropJ David Johnson
May 30, 2002·The Journal of Cell Biology·Feng-Quan ZhouChristopher S Cohan
Jul 27, 2002·Annual Review of Cell and Developmental Biology·Liqun Luo
Oct 3, 2002·The Journal of Cell Biology·Gianluca GalloPaul C Letourneau
May 13, 2003·Nature Neuroscience·Stephanie BissièreAndreas Lüthi
Jan 7, 2004·Nature Reviews. Neuroscience·Raphael Lamprecht, Joseph LeDoux
Mar 23, 2004·The Journal of Histochemistry and Cytochemistry : Official Journal of the Histochemistry Society·María L Vitale, M Eloísa Carbajal
Apr 2, 2004·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Sarina M RodriguesGlenn E Schafe
Oct 29, 2004·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Cheolwha JungThomas B Shea
Jul 21, 2005·The European Journal of Neuroscience·Glenn E SchafeJoseph E LeDoux
Dec 1, 2006·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Ann E WilenskyJoseph E LeDoux
Mar 23, 2007·The Journal of Neuroscience : the Official Journal of the Society for Neuroscience·Yan-You Huang, Eric R Kandel

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Citations

Feb 18, 2014·Progress in Neurobiology·Raphael Lamprecht
Jan 21, 2011·PloS One·Carsten ZschenderleinDoris Albrecht
Apr 12, 2011·Reviews in the Neurosciences·Ingie HongSukwoo Choi
Apr 27, 2010·Neurobiology of Learning and Memory·Kati RehbergOliver Stork
Aug 24, 2006·Neuropharmacology·Charles D KopecRoberto Malinow
Nov 1, 2011·Cell·Joshua P JohansenJoseph E LeDoux
Feb 8, 2008·Journal of Neurophysiology·Geetha SrinivasanHenrique von Gersdorff

❮ Previous
Next ❯

Related Concepts

Related Feeds

Amygdala and Midbrain Dopamine

The midbrain dopamine system is widely studied for its involvement in emotional and motivational behavior. Some of these neurons receive information from the amygdala and project throughout the cortex. When the circuit and transmission of dopamine is disrupted symptoms may present. Here is the latest research on the amygdala and midbrain dopamine.

Amygdala: Sensory Processes

Amygdalae, nuclei clusters located in the temporal lobe of the brain, play a role in memory, emotional responses, and decision-making. Here is the latest research on sensory processes in the amygdala.