KAPPA-B LIKE DNA-BINDING ACTIVITY IS ENHANCED AFTER SPACED TRAINING THAT INDUCES LONG-TERM-MEMORY IN THE CRAB CHASMAGNATHUS

Regulation of gene expression has been involved in long-term memory co nsolidation. Present results support the role of Rel/NF kappa-B like a ctivation in this process. In the crab Chasmagnathus, the spaced prese ntation of 15 or more danger stimuli induces long-term habituation (LT H), while no LTH is observed after a massed training of 600 trials. Wh en a group trained with 30 spaced trials was compared with a passive c ontrol group and massed trained groups, a higher level of specific Rel /kappa-B like DNA-binding activity was found in brain nuclear extracts . These results strongly suggest that the enhancement of Rel/kappa-B l ike DNA-binding activity in the brain is specifically related to LTH f ormation. (C) 1998 Elsevier Science Ireland Ltd.