CHANGES IN HIPPOCAMPAL GENE-EXPRESSION ASSOCIATED WITH THE INDUCTION OF LONG-TERM POTENTIATION

The expression of four genes: zif/268, c-fos, tubulin and alpha Ca2+/c almodulin-dependent protein kinase II (alpha CAMKII) was studied follo wing the induction of LTP in Schaffer collateral CA1 neurone synapses in rat hippocampal slices maintained in vitro. Levels of c-fos mRNA an d tubulin (T-26) mRNA in area CA1 were unchanged after induction of LT P, however, zif/268 and alpha CAMKII mRNA levels showed a significant increase compared to non-potentiated controls. It is possible, therefo re, to measure changes in gene expression using in situ hybridisation following induction of LTP in vitro and these results strengthen the t heory that zif/268 and alpha CAMKII are involved in some aspect of the induction or maintenance of hippocampal LTP.