The presynaptic active zone protein RIM1α is critical for normal learning and memory

Craig M Powell, Susanne Schoch, Lisa M Monteggia, Michel Barrot, Maria F. Matos, Nicole Feldmann, Thomas C. Südhof, Eric J. Nestler

Research output: Contribution to journalArticlepeer-review

126 Scopus citations

Abstract

The active zone protein RIM1α is required both for maintaining normal probability of neurotransmitter release and for long-term presynaptic potentiation at brain synapses. We now demonstrate that RIM1α -/- mice exhibit normal coordination and anxiety-related behaviors but display severely impaired learning and memory. Mice with a synaptotagmin 1 mutation, which selectively lowers release probability, and mice with Rab3A deletion, which selectively abolishes presynaptic long-term potentiation, do not exhibit this abnormality. Our data suggest that a decrease in release probability or a loss of presynaptic LTP alone is not sufficient to cause major behavioral alterations, but the combination of presynaptic abnormalities in RIM1α-/- mice severely alters learning and memory.

Original languageEnglish (US)
Pages (from-to)143-153
Number of pages11
JournalNeuron
Volume42
Issue number1
DOIs
StatePublished - Apr 8 2004

ASJC Scopus subject areas

  • General Neuroscience

Fingerprint

Dive into the research topics of 'The presynaptic active zone protein RIM1α is critical for normal learning and memory'. Together they form a unique fingerprint.

Cite this