Screening, Identification And Functional Study Of The Learning Of Memory-related Genes

Learning and memory is one of the most important functions of the brain, and many genes are involved in this behavior. To search for genes related to learning and memory, a low abundant expression genes'cDNA sublibrary was constructed from a commercial rat brain cDNA library. Two methods were used to screen the sublibrary for genes involved in learning and memory. The first is from function to gene, that is, using differential screening to find differentially expressed genes in animal models. The second is from gene to function, that is, using a behavioral screening paradigm to detect functions of genes in the sublibrary. Three learning and memory-related genes, SNAP-25, Tob and hippyragranin, were obtained and subjected to further study.As a synaptosomal protein, SNAP-25 plays a role in a number of neuronal functions including axonal growth, dendrite formation, fusion of synaptic vesicles with membrane and the expression of long-term potentiation (LTP) in the hippocampus. Using a learning/memory behavior screening, we identified SNAP-25 as one of the differentially expressed genes in the hippocampus upon behavioral training. The inhibition of SNAP-25 expression with intracerebro- ventricular antisense oligonucleotide caused a deficit in long- but not short-term memory for step-down inhibitory avoidance. Intra-CA1 infusion of the SNAP-25 antisense oligonucleotide impaired long-term contextual fear memory and spatial...