CREB1 Gene
The cAMP response element-binding protein 1 (CREB1) gene is a CREB activator and has been found to facilitate long-term memory formation.
CAMP response element-binding (CREB) proteins are transcription factors which bind to sequences of DNA called cAMP response elements. When signals arrive at receptors (e.g. glutamate receptors) on a cell’s surface, a series of protein-protein interactions lead to the production of cAMP, which in turn activates a protein kinase. This kinase migrates to the cell’s nucleus where it activates CREB. Once activated, CREB proteins coordinate a series of interactions. CREB proteins in neurons are involved in the formation of long-term memories and long-term potentiation. CREB1 is a CREB activator, which means it facilitates long-term memory formation. A 1995 paper by Jerry Yin and Tim Tully at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory examined the CREB1 protein in fruit flies (or rather the fruit fly homolog dCREB2). Overproduction of the protein led the flies to develop an equivalent of photographic memory.
creb1, creb, gene, learning, memory, long term potentiation, fruit fly, drosophila, glutamate receptor, photographic memory, activator, cold spring harbor, tim tully
- ID: 1365
- Source: DNALC.G2C
Related Content
1390. Genes for Learning and Memory
An interactive chromosome map of the genes and loci associated with learning and memory.
1997. Learning and memory
Learning and memory are two intimately linked cognitive processes that stem from interactions with the environment (experience).
551. Fly School
The processes used by humans to perform certain forms of learning are the same as those in many other species. Even the humble fruit fly is an excellent model of how genes affect our ability to learn.
1366. CREB2 Gene
CAMP response element-binding protein 2(CREB2) is also known as Activating Transcription Factor 2 (ATF2). CREB2 is a CREB repressor, which means it inhibits long-term memory formation.
1361. Model Organisms (Lesson)
Students work through a series of experiments that investigate the use of model organisms in the search for a better understanding of the genes that influence memory formation.
1277. Molecules for Memory
Communication in brain cells is guided by interactions between genes and biochemicals at the synapse. These interactions can lead to the formation of new synapses.
1073. Drosophila as a Memory Model
Professor Ron Davis discusses the attributes that make the fruit fly a good model for studying memory in humans.
1275. About the CREB Gene
Professor Ron Davis explains that the gene CREB is important to memory. Blocking CREB expression, blocks short-term memory formation.
1093. Forming New Short-term Memories (1)
Professor Ron Davis discusses how his lab observed that short term memories are formed through the recruitment of new synapses.
1437. The Shibire Experiment
Doctor Josh Dubnau describes how he and his colleagues at Cold Spring Harbor Laboratory devised an experiment that dissociated the encoding and retrieval of memory in fruit flies.