S-040 | Role of ERK/MAPK dimerization in two-trial memory in the crab Neohelice granulata

Cognition, Behavior, and Memory
Author: Carla Daniela Concilio | Email: carladanielac03@gmail.com

Carla Daniela Concilio^1°, Santiago Ojea Ramos^1°, Santiago D´hers^1°,  María Verónica Baez^2°, Mariana Feld^1°

^1° Instituto de Fisiología, Biología Molecular y Neurociencias (IFIBYNE), UBA-CONICET
^2° Instituto de Biología Celular y Neurociencias Prof. Dr. E. de Robertis (IBCN), CONICET-UBA

The long-term memory (LTM) of the crab Neohelice granulata has been widely studied using behavioral, pharmacological, molecular, and electrophysiological approaches. Recently, a 2-trial LTM (2t-LTM) protocol was developed, revealing an associative, protein synthesis dependent and context-specific memory that is expressed up to 96 hours after training. This memory induces ERK/MAPK phosphorylation in the central brain and is impaired by systemic injection of an ERK/MAPK inhibitor.

While ERK phosphorylation has been extensively studied, little is known about the role of dimerization in memory processes. ERK/MAPK dimerization is hypothesized to regulate both the kinase’s targets and its retention in the cytosol. Given the importance of extra-nuclear ERK/MAPK activation in memory processes in both vertebrates and invertebrates, we evaluated the effect of injecting DEL-22379, a specific ERK dimerization inhibitor, in 2-trial long- and short-term memory retention. Additionally, we present preliminary results using native gel electrophoresis to assess ERK/MAPK dimerization levels in the crab’s central brain following biochemical stimulation.

Our initial findings suggest a potential role for ERK dimerization in memory formation in Neohelice granulata but further investigation is required to confirm this mechanism’s involvement.