REPETITIVE TREATMENT WITH SEROTONIN MODIFIES PROTEIN-SYNTHESIS AND PROTEIN-PHOSPHORYLATION IN THE CENTRAL-NERVOUS-SYSTEM OF HIRUDO-MEDICINALIS

Serotonin (5HT) is the neurotransmitter involved in some forms of shor t-term memory in the leech. Behavioral experiments have demonstrated t hat longterm memory requires new protein synthesis. With the aim of st udying the molecular mechanism underlying memory processes in the leec h, we have analyzed the effect of 5HT on protein synthesis and protein phosphorylation. Segmental ganglia of the leech central nervous syste m haves been labeled, proteins have been separated by two-dimensional- electrophoresis and labeled proteins detected by autoradiography. Our findings indicate that repetitive treatment with 5HT produces either t he persistence of phosphorylation or changes in protein synthesis in s everal proteins.