GF 109203X, a selective inhibitor of protein kinase C, impairs retention performance in an operant task

THE effects of post-training administration of GF 109203X (5 and 50ng i.c.v .), a selective inhibitor of protein kinase C, on retention performance wer e investigated in a positively reinforced lever press task, in male Swiss m ice. Both doses of GF 109203X suppressed the spontaneous improvement of per formance observed in control animals between the last 5 min of the acquisit ion session and the first 5 min of the retention session 24 h later. GF 109 203X had no effect on food intake and locomotor activity. These data sugges t that GF 109203X selectively interferes with mechanisms underlying post-tr aining organization of information and that protein kinase C is involved in this memory process. (C) 1999 Lippincott Williams & Wilkins.