CREB AND THE FORMATION OF LONG-TERM-MEMORY

Cyclic AMP response element binding protein (CREB)-responsive transcri ption plays a central role in the formation of long-term memory in Dro sophila, Aplysia and mice. Agents that disrupt the activity of CREB sp ecifically block the formation of long-term memory, whereas agents tha t increase the amount or activity of the transcription factor accelera te the process. These results have led to the recent hypothesis that C REB is pivotal in the switch from short-term (protein synthesis indepe ndent) to long-term (protein synthesis dependent) memory.