Identified Mechanism That Helps Fruit Flies Lock-in Memories

Research groups at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory (CSHL) have identified a protein in fruit flies whose action helps to alter the strength of synaptic connections needed to lock-in memories. This change in the strength of synaptic connections is called plasticity, which plays a vital role in memory formation. A fruit fly gene called Pumilio, which is similar to a gene found in humans, has been discovered to promote memory formation. It has been confirmed that this gene interacts with several of the protein-precursors, one being dlg1, which is also very similar to a gene that acts in synapse formation in humans. They finally genetically engineered flies to make large amounts of the Pum protein and confirmed that the protein product of the dlg1 gene was dramatically reduced. This led to the notion that Pumilio helps build memories by selectively altering individual synapses.

http://www.sciencedaily.com/releases/2008/03/080329083435.htm