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Related Concept Videos

Polymers02:34

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
Polymers02:34

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
Polymers02:34

Polymers

The word polymer is derived from the Greek words “poly” which means “many” and “mer” which means “parts”. Polymers are long chains of molecules composed of repeating units of smaller molecules, known as monomers. They either occur naturally, such as DNA and proteins, or can be constructed synthetically, like plastics. They have varied structural characteristics, such as linear chains, branched chains, or complex networks, that contribute to the properties that they exhibit. Additionally,...
Phosphodiester Linkages01:01

Phosphodiester Linkages

Overview
Phosphodiester bond forms when a phosphoric acid molecule (H3PO4) links with two hydroxyl groups (–OH) of two other molecules, forming two ester bonds. Two water molecules are released in this process. The phosphodiester bond is commonly found in nucleic acids (DNA and RNA) and plays a critical role in their structure and function.
Phosphodiester Bonds Link Nucleotides Together
DNA and RNA are polynucleotides or long chains of nucleotides that are linked together. A nucleotide is...
Molecular Shapes01:18

Molecular Shapes

Molecules have characteristic shapes that are crucial for their function. The arrangement of various electron groups around the central atom dictates their molecular geometry. Electron pairs in the valence shell of a central atom will adopt an arrangement that minimizes repulsions between the electron pairs by maximizing the distance between them. The valence electrons form either bonding pairs, located primarily between bonded atoms, or lone pairs.
Two regions of electron density in a diatomic...
Characteristics and Nomenclature of Homopolymers01:00

Characteristics and Nomenclature of Homopolymers

Polymers that are made up of identical monomer units are called homopolymers. Only one repeating unit is involved in the construction of the homopolymer structure. For example, as depicted in Figure 1, polypropylene is a homopolymer constituted of propylene monomers. Here, the only repeating unit in the polymer chain is propylene.

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Related Experiment Video

Updated: May 10, 2026

Assembly and Characterization of Biomolecular Memristors Consisting of Ion Channel-doped Lipid Membranes
08:07

Assembly and Characterization of Biomolecular Memristors Consisting of Ion Channel-doped Lipid Membranes

Published on: March 9, 2019

Oligomer logic of memory molecules.

Jerry W Rudy1

  • 1Department of Psychology and Neuroscience, University of Colorado, Boulder, CO, USA. Jrudy@colorado.edu.

Molecular Brain
|May 8, 2026
PubMed
Summary

Scientists identified how protein complexes maintain long-term memory by forming stable oligomers. This discovery addresses molecular turnover, ensuring memory persistence through continuous protein replacement within these structures.

Area of Science:

  • Neuroscience
  • Molecular Biology
  • Biophysics

Background:

  • Francis Crick proposed that molecular turnover requires continuous replacement of critical molecules to maintain memory structures.
  • Protein kinase Mzeta (PKMzeta) is vital for synaptic plasticity and memory maintenance.
  • PKMzeta forms heterodimers with KIBRA, crucial for long-term potentiation (LTP) and memory, but these dimers degrade rapidly.

Purpose of the Study:

  • To identify molecular mechanisms that enable the stable maintenance of memory-related protein complexes despite molecular turnover.
  • To investigate if oligomerization of KIBRA-PKMzeta heterodimers can solve the problem of molecular degradation in memory consolidation.

Main Methods:

  • Biophysical modeling to predict the formation of KIBRA-PKMzeta oligomers.
Keywords:
KIBRAPKM-zetaPKMζWWC1

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  • Computational prediction using AlphaFold 3 to identify inhibitor binding sites.
  • Experimental validation using a small molecule inhibitor (zeta-stat) infused into the hippocampus.

    • Main Results:

    • KIBRA-PKMzeta heterodimers form stable oligomers, such as hexamers, which resist molecular turnover.
    • AlphaFold 3 accurately predicted a binding site for zeta-stat, which disrupts oligomer formation.
    • Infusion of zeta-stat into the hippocampus erased long-term memory, confirming the role of PKMzeta oligomers.

    Conclusions:

    • Oligomerization of KIBRA-PKMzeta dimers provides a mechanism for maintaining molecular complexes essential for long-term memory, satisfying Crick's requirement.
    • This oligomeric structure allows individual molecules to be replaced without compromising the overall complex, ensuring memory persistence.
    • Targeting PKMzeta oligomerization offers a potential strategy for understanding and manipulating memory consolidation.