Related Experiment Video
Updated: Aug 18, 2026

Detection of Phospholipase C Activity in the Brain Homogenate from the Honeybee
Published on: September 14, 2018
A role for prefrontal calcium-sensitive protein phosphatase and kinase activities in working memory
Jason D Runyan1, Anthony N Moore, Pramod K Dash
1The Vivian L. Smith Center for Neurological Research, Department of Neurobiology and Anatomy, The University of Texas Medical School, Houston, Texas 77225, USA.
Abstract:
The prefrontal cortex is involved in the integration and interpretation of information for directing thoughts and planning action. Working memory is defined as the active maintenance of information in mind and is thought to lie at the core of many prefrontal functions. Although dopamine and other neurotransmitters have been implicated, the intracellular events activated by their receptors that influence working memory are poorly understood. We demonstrate that working memory involves transient changes in prefrontal G(q/11)-signaling and in calcium-dependent intracellular protein phosphatase and kinase activity. Interestingly, inhibition of the calcium activated phosphatase calcineurin impaired, while calcium/calmodulin dependent kinase II (CaMKII) and calcium-dependent protein kinase C (PKC) enhanced, working memory. Our findings suggest that the active maintenance of information required for working memory involves transient changes in the balance of these enzymes' activities.
Related Concept Videos
Calmodulin-dependent Signaling
The Ca2+-CaM complex does not have enzymatic activity by itself. Instead, the complex binds downstream target proteins, including membrane proteins or enzymes,...
Role of Cerebellum and Prefrontal Cortex in Memory
Working Memory
Protein Kinases and Phosphatases
Protein kinases
Many proteins in the cell are regulated by phosphorylation, the addition of a phosphate group. A family of enzymes called kinases...
Role of Neurotransmitters in Memory
Glutamate and Synaptic Plasticity
Glutamate, the brain's main excitatory neurotransmitter, is critical for...
The Role of Ion Channels in Neuronal Computation
Sometimes a single EPSP is strong enough to induce an action potential in the postsynaptic neuron. However, multiple presynaptic inputs must often create EPSPs around the same time for the postsynaptic neuron to be sufficiently depolarized to fire an action potential.

