Evolutionary conserved role of neural cell adhesion molecule-1 in memory
Vanja Vukojevic1,2,3,4, Pavlina Mastrandreas5,6,7, Andreas Arnold8,9,10
1University of Basel, Department of Psychology, Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Birmannsgasse 8, CH-4055, Basel, Switzerland. vanja.vukojevic@unibas.ch.
Translational Psychiatry
|July 8, 2020
Summary
Neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (NCAM-1) is crucial for associative learning and memory in both C. elegans and humans. Its expression and epigenetic modifications are linked to memory performance and traumatic memory recall.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Neural cell adhesion molecule 1 (NCAM-1) plays a role in brain development and synaptic plasticity.
- Its involvement in learning and memory processes requires further investigation.
Purpose of the Study:
- To investigate the evolutionary conserved role of NCAM-1 in learning and memory.
- To explore the link between NCAM1 epigenetic signatures and memory in humans.
Main Methods:
- Aversive olfactory conditioning in C. elegans to assess ncam-1 expression and memory deficits.
- Molecular genetic methods, including gene reintroduction, in C. elegans.
- Analysis of DNA methylation at NCAM1 promoters in human cohorts (healthy and trauma-exposed).
Main Results:
- Olfactory conditioning in C. elegans increased ncam-1 expression.
- Loss of ncam-1 function impaired associative long-term memory in C. elegans, which was rescued by NCAM1 reintroduction.
- DNA methylation of the NCAM1 promoter correlated with memory performance in healthy individuals.
- DNA methylation at an alternative NCAM1 promoter was associated with traumatic memories in trauma-exposed populations.
Conclusions:
- NCAM1 plays a conserved role in associative memory across species.
- Epigenetic modifications of NCAM1 are associated with memory and traumatic memory.
- NCAM1 may serve as a diagnostic marker or therapeutic target for memory disorders like PTSD.
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