The Role Of ERK-CREB Signaling Pathway In Long-term Potentiation And Working Memory In Rat Medial Prefrontal Cortex

In the present study,we used in vivo field-potential electrophysiological recording,western blotting,immunohistochemistry and behavioral testing to investigate the role of ERK-CREB signaling pathway in LTP and working memory function in rat medial prefrontal cortex(mPFC). The western-blot analysis showed that the phosphoration level of ERK and CREB was up-regulated in response to high-frequncy tetanus.The significant increase in the phosphorylation of ERK was observed at 10 min and 1h post-tetanus,whereas that of CREB was detected at 1h and and 3h post-tetanus.Microinjection of PD98059,an antagonist of mitogen-activated protein kinase kinase(MEK),into the mPFC significantly reduced the magnitude of long-term potentiation and impaired the working-memory performance of rats in T-maze.The present results suggest that ERK-CREB signaling pathway in the mPFC may play an important role in long-term potentiation and T-maze working memory.