Cited by 1,083Memory and Neural MechanismsNeuroscience and Neuropharmacology ResearchNeurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms

The MAPK cascade is required for mammalian associative learning

Atkins, Coleen M., Selcher, Joel C., Petraitis, Joseph J., Trzaskos, James M., Sweatt, J. David·1998·Nature Neuroscience

Abstract

Mitogen-activated protein kinase (MAPK) is an integral component of cellular signaling during mitogenesis and differentiation of mitotic cells. Recently MAPK activation in post-mitotic cells has been implicated in hippocampal long-term potentiation (LTP), a potential cellular mechanism of learning and memory. Here we investigate the involvement of MAPK in learning and memory in behaving animals. MAPK activation increased in the rat hippocampus after an associative learning task, contextual fear conditioning. Two other protein kinases known to be activated during hippocampal LTP, protein kinase C and alpha-calcium/calmodulin protein kinase II, also were activated in the hippocampus after learning. Inhibition of the specific upstream activator of MAPK, MAPK kinase (MEK), blocked fear conditioning. Thus, classical conditioning in mammals activates MAPK, which is necessary for consolidation of the resultant learning.

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Crossref · 10.1038/2836

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Authors
Atkins, C. M., Selcher, J. C., Petraitis, J. J., Trzaskos, J. M., & Sweatt, J. D.
Affiliations
  • Baylor College of Medicine (US)
  • DuPont (United States) (US)
Corresponding author
Sweatt, J. David
Venue
Nature Neuroscience
Published
1998-11
Volume
1
Issue
7
Pages
602-609
ISSN
  • 1097-6256 (ISSN-L)
  • 1546-1726
OpenAlex
W2101626807
Cited by
1,083
References
50
Citations by year
2026: 6 · 2025: 6 · 2024: 8 · 2023: 21 · 2022: 15 · 2021: 23 · 2020: 18 · 2019: 17 · 2018: 30 · 2017: 42 · 2016: 39 · 2015: 27 · 2014: 48 · 2013: 45 · 2012: 47
FWCI
26.97
Type
journal article
Language
en
Open access
closed
Locations
  • Nature Neuroscience (publishedVersion)
  • PubMed (publishedVersion)
Funders
National Institute of Mental Health (MH 57014, R01MH057014)
Topics
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cognitive Neuroscience › Memory and Neural Mechanisms
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience › Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research
  • Life Sciences › Neuroscience › Developmental Neuroscience › Neurogenesis and neuroplasticity mechanisms
Keywords
MAPK signaling, associative learning, contextual fear conditioning, hippocampus, long-term potentiation, learning and memory, MEK inhibition, protein kinase C, calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II, classical conditioning, memory consolidation
MeSH terms
Animals, Association Learning, Enzyme Activation, Hippocampus, Male, Phosphorylation, Protein Kinase C, Receptors, N-Methyl-D-Aspartate, Rats, Sprague-Dawley, Calcium-Calmodulin-Dependent Protein Kinases, Rats

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