INVOLVEMENT OF GENETIC APPARATUS IN THE L ONG-TERM-MEMORY - ROLE OF CALCIUM-REGULATORY SYSTEM OF RAT NEURONS

The dynamics of changes in some components of the calcium-regulated sy stem of cortical and hippocampal neurons under the influence of long-t erm memory enhancers (ethylnorantifein and its analogues M1 and M2) wa s studied in rat brain. No change was found in the activity of transpo rt Mg, Ca-ATPase and actomyosin-like Ca-ATPase in synaptic membranes 5 , 15, 60, and 180 min after the injection of memory enhancers, The act ivation of the RNA transcription (60 min after the injection) was acco mpanied by an appreciable increase in activity of the chromatin Ca-ATP ase, The amplification of synaptosomal protein synthesis (180 min) was accompanied by an increase in the acitivity of protein kinase C of sy naptic membranes, The increase in Ca-ATPase activity of chromatin was also shown during the consolidation of the conditioned active avoidanc e in rats. The increase in the activity of protein kinase C seems to b e connected with secondary rearrangement in synaptic membranes. The ro le in the long-term memory is discussed of direct activation of the ge netic apparatus by neuroactive substances.