CLASSICAL-CONDITIONING INCREASES MEMBRANE-BOUND PROTEIN-KINASE-C IN RABBIT CEREBELLUM

WE examined membrane-bound protein kinase C (PKC) in the cerebellum of rabbits given paired presentations of a tone conditioned stimulus (CS ) that co-terminated with a periocular electrical stimulation uncondit ioned stimulus (US) or unpaired presentations of the CS and US or rest raint in the experimental context. PKC activation was measured by quan titative film autoradiography of [H-3]phorbol 12,13-dibutyrate ([H-3]P Bt2) binding in the molecular and granule cells layers of lobule HVI, anterior vermis and Crus I, and in the dentate/interpositus nuclei. Th ere was a statistically significant increase in [H-3]PBt2 binding with in the molecular layer of lobule HVI in rabbits given paired training relative to controls. The results indicate PKC activation in lobule HV I may be important in acquisition of conditioned eyeblink responses. ( C) 1998 Rapid Science Ltd.