Previous results have suggested that the Ras signaling pathway is involved in learning and memory. Ras is activated by nucleotide exchange factors, such as the calmodulin-activated guanine-nucleotide releasing factor 1 (Ras-GRF1). To test whether Ras-GRF1 is required for learning and memory, we inactivated the Ras-GRF1 gene in mice. These mutants performed normally in a rota-rod motor coordination task, and in two amygdala-dependent tasks (inhibitory avoidance and contextual conditioning). In contrast the mutants were impaired in three hippocampus-dependent learning tasks: contextual discrimination, the social transmission of food preferences, and the hidden-platform version of the Morris water maze. These studies indicate that Ras-GRF1 plays a role in hippocampal-dependent learning and memory.
Pubmed ID: 11640934 RIS Download
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Non profit, private research and education institution that performs molecular and genetic research used to generate methods for better diagnostics and treatments for cancer and neurological diseases. Research of cancer causing genes and their respective signaling pathways, mutations and structural variations of the human genome that could cause neurodevelopmental and neurodegenerative illnesses such as autism, schizophrenia, and Alzheimer's and Parkinson's diseases and also research in plant genetics and quantitative biology.
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