Isolation of a G protein that is modified by learning and reduces potassium currents in Hermissenda

Science. 1990 Mar 23;247(4949 Pt 1):1479-83. doi: 10.1126/science.247.4949.1479.

Abstract

In Hermissenda crassicornis conditioned to associate light and rotation, type B photoreceptor neurons exhibit pairing-specific decreases in the potassium currents IA and IK-Ca, which account for many of the behavioral changes elicited by associative conditioning. To determine which proteins are involved in storage of this memory, high-performance liquid chromatography was used to examine proteins from Hermissenda eyes. Conditioning-specific changes in four phosphoproteins were observed 24 hours after conditioning. One of these proteins, cp20, was purified to apparent homogeneity and found to be a G protein. When injected back into Hermissenda type B cells, cp20 reduced IK and IK-Ca in a manner indistinguishable from the reduction caused by conditioning, suggesting that this protein may play a crucial role in memory acquisition or retention.

MeSH terms

  • Animals
  • Chromatography, High Pressure Liquid
  • Chromatography, Ion Exchange
  • Conditioning, Psychological / physiology
  • Eye Proteins / isolation & purification
  • Eye Proteins / physiology
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / isolation & purification*
  • GTP-Binding Proteins / physiology
  • Learning / physiology
  • Mollusca / metabolism*
  • Phosphoproteins / isolation & purification
  • Phosphoproteins / physiology
  • Potassium / metabolism*
  • Potassium Channels / physiology

Substances

  • Eye Proteins
  • Phosphoproteins
  • Potassium Channels
  • GTP-Binding Proteins
  • Potassium