Memory Synapses Are Defined by Distinct Molecular Complexes: A Proposal
Synapses are diverse in form and function. While there are strong evidential and theoretical reasons for believing that memories are stored at synapses, the concept of a specialized “memory synapse” is rarely discussed. Here, we review the evidence that memories are stored at the synapse and conside...
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| Format: | Article |
| Language: | English |
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Frontiers Media S.A.
2018-04-01
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| Series: | Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience |
| Subjects: | |
| Online Access: | http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnsyn.2018.00005/full |
| _version_ | 1819032376127258624 |
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| author | Wayne S. Sossin |
| author_facet | Wayne S. Sossin |
| author_sort | Wayne S. Sossin |
| collection | DOAJ |
| description | Synapses are diverse in form and function. While there are strong evidential and theoretical reasons for believing that memories are stored at synapses, the concept of a specialized “memory synapse” is rarely discussed. Here, we review the evidence that memories are stored at the synapse and consider the opposing possibilities. We argue that if memories are stored in an active fashion at synapses, then these memory synapses must have distinct molecular complexes that distinguish them from other synapses. In particular, examples from Aplysia sensory-motor neuron synapses and synapses on defined engram neurons in rodent models are discussed. Specific hypotheses for molecular complexes that define memory synapses are presented, including persistently active kinases, transmitter receptor complexes and trans-synaptic adhesion proteins. |
| first_indexed | 2024-12-21T07:00:57Z |
| format | Article |
| id | doaj.art-8246914e34634d9eaaa92caab2bd9fbc |
| institution | Directory Open Access Journal |
| issn | 1663-3563 |
| language | English |
| last_indexed | 2024-12-21T07:00:57Z |
| publishDate | 2018-04-01 |
| publisher | Frontiers Media S.A. |
| record_format | Article |
| series | Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience |
| spelling | doaj.art-8246914e34634d9eaaa92caab2bd9fbc2022-12-21T19:12:13ZengFrontiers Media S.A.Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience1663-35632018-04-011010.3389/fnsyn.2018.00005357840Memory Synapses Are Defined by Distinct Molecular Complexes: A ProposalWayne S. SossinSynapses are diverse in form and function. While there are strong evidential and theoretical reasons for believing that memories are stored at synapses, the concept of a specialized “memory synapse” is rarely discussed. Here, we review the evidence that memories are stored at the synapse and consider the opposing possibilities. We argue that if memories are stored in an active fashion at synapses, then these memory synapses must have distinct molecular complexes that distinguish them from other synapses. In particular, examples from Aplysia sensory-motor neuron synapses and synapses on defined engram neurons in rodent models are discussed. Specific hypotheses for molecular complexes that define memory synapses are presented, including persistently active kinases, transmitter receptor complexes and trans-synaptic adhesion proteins.http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnsyn.2018.00005/fullAMPA receptorsAplysiaengram neuronprotein kinase M (PKM)synapse formationsynapse diversity |
| spellingShingle | Wayne S. Sossin Memory Synapses Are Defined by Distinct Molecular Complexes: A Proposal Frontiers in Synaptic Neuroscience AMPA receptors Aplysia engram neuron protein kinase M (PKM) synapse formation synapse diversity |
| title | Memory Synapses Are Defined by Distinct Molecular Complexes: A Proposal |
| title_full | Memory Synapses Are Defined by Distinct Molecular Complexes: A Proposal |
| title_fullStr | Memory Synapses Are Defined by Distinct Molecular Complexes: A Proposal |
| title_full_unstemmed | Memory Synapses Are Defined by Distinct Molecular Complexes: A Proposal |
| title_short | Memory Synapses Are Defined by Distinct Molecular Complexes: A Proposal |
| title_sort | memory synapses are defined by distinct molecular complexes a proposal |
| topic | AMPA receptors Aplysia engram neuron protein kinase M (PKM) synapse formation synapse diversity |
| url | http://journal.frontiersin.org/article/10.3389/fnsyn.2018.00005/full |
| work_keys_str_mv | AT waynessossin memorysynapsesaredefinedbydistinctmolecularcomplexesaproposal |