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Genes associated with cognitive performance in the Morris water maze: an RNA-seq study
Vasiliy V Reshetnikov1, Polina E Kisaretova1, Nikita I Ershov1
1Institute of Cytology and Genetics, Siberian Branch of Russian Academy of Sciences (SB RAS), Novosibirsk, Russia.
Scientific Reports
|December 17, 2020
Summary
Researchers identified specific genes in the hippocampus linked to learning and memory. High cognitive performance in mice correlated with increased glutamatergic transmission and AMPA receptor signaling, crucial for memory formation.
Area of Science:
- Neuroscience
- Molecular Biology
- Genetics
Background:
- Learning and memory are complex cognitive functions influenced by gene expression.
- Understanding the molecular basis of memory formation is crucial for cognitive research.
Purpose of the Study:
- To identify genes and molecular pathways associated with learning and memory formation.
- To compare hippocampal transcriptomes of mice with high and low performance in the Morris water maze task.
Main Methods:
- RNA-sequencing (high-throughput mRNA sequencing) to analyze hippocampal transcriptomes.
- Differential gene expression and alternative splicing analysis.
- Weighted Gene Co-expression Network Analysis (WGCNA).
Main Results:
- Identified 88 differentially expressed genes and 24 differentially alternatively spliced transcripts.
- Both gene sets were enriched in pathways related to trans-synaptic signaling, cognition, and glutamatergic transmission.
- High-performance mice showed increased expression of genes involved in glutamatergic transmission and long-term potentiation, including AMPA receptor signaling.
Conclusions:
- Specific hippocampal genes are associated with learning and long-term memory.
- Differences in cognitive performance may be linked to enhanced long-term potentiation via glutamatergic and AMPA receptor signaling.
