Distinct functional brain regional integration of Casp3, Ascl1 and S100a6 gene expression in spatial memory

Abstract

Evaluating the brain structural expression of defined genes involved in basic biological processes of neurogenesis, apoptosis or neural plasticity may facilitate the understanding of genetic mechanisms underlying spatial memory. The aim of the present study was to compare Ascl1, Casp3 and S100a6 gene expression in the hippocampus, prefrontal cortex and cerebellum of adult rats in water maze spatial memory performance. After four days training, the mean platform time (<10s) was evidence of stable long-term spatial memory formation. Real time PCR analysis revealed a positive inter-structural correlation for S100a6/Casp gene expression between the prefrontal cortex and the cerebellum but a negative correlation for S100a6/Ascl1 transcribed genes between the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus during swimming in the active controls. However, during spatial memory performance there was only one inter-structural correlation between the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum with respect to Casp3 expression, though there were intra-structural correlations between Casp3/Ascl1 transcriptions within the prefrontal cortex and hippocampus as well as between Ascl1/S100a6 in the cerebellum. In active learners versus naive controls, the transcrption of all genes was augmented in the prefrontal cortex but Casp3 and Ascl1 were also elevated in hippocampus whilst only S100a6 increased in the cerebellum. The findings endorsed the role of the hippocampus in memory acquisition in addition to an integrative relationship with the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum. This structural and molecular configuration is important for creation of novel neural circuitry for consolidation and reconsolidation of memory trace with an involvement of coupled processes of neurogenesis, apoptosis or neural plasticity.

Transcriptional Evidence for the Role of Chronic Venlafaxine Treatment in Neurotrophic Signaling and Neuroplasticity Including also Glutatmatergic- and Insulin-Mediated Neuronal Processes

“…There are many genes involved in synaptogenesis, synaptic plasticity and transmission, which change their expression levels after learning. One of them is Ascl1 (Achaete-scute complex like 1) [89] , [90] , which shows an increased expression in prefrontal cortex and hippocampus (HC) as it has been studied in water maze spatial memory performance test. This gene is also increased in our experiments after chronic VLX treatment.…”

The Neurogenesis Actuator and NR2B/NMDA Receptor Antagonist Ro25-6981 Consistently Improves Spatial Memory Retraining Via Brain Region-Specific Gene Expression

“…The expression of three genes known to regulate cell proliferation ( S100a6 ), differentiation ( Ascl1 ), and apoptosis ( Casp-3 ) have been concomitantly evaluated in the rat hippocampus, prefrontal cortex, and cerebellum with respect to water maze spatial memory performance. The gene expression outcome patterns supported the concept of a hippocampal involvement in the acquisition of memory in addition to a complementary connection between the prefrontal cortex and cerebellum (Gruden et al 2013 )…”

“…The water maze was comprised of a gray pool (circular in shape and height 60 cm × 80 cm radius) marked into four quadrants containing water (22.0 ± 1.0 °C) to a 40-cm depth and rendered opaque by the addition of a small quantity of powdered milk, and there were external cues from the room (Gruden et al 2013 ; Sewell et al 2005 ). A clear Perspex escape platform (radius = 12 cm) was located in the center of one quadrant at a 2.0-cm depth.…”

“…Regarding this point, hippocampal, prefrontal cortical and cerebellar brain areas were specifically selected for study. This was because it has been previously shown that there are integrative relationships between Casp3 , Ascl1 , and S100a6 genes in all three of these neuroanatomical structures with respect to spatial memory (Gruden et al 2013 )…”

Differences in brain gene transcription profiles advocate for an important role of cognitive function in upstream migration and water obstacles crossing in European eel

“…One of the S-100 members, S100A6 (Calcyclin), was shown to be highly expressed in rat brain neurons [ 47 ], and its suggested functions include cell proliferation, differentiation [ 48 ] as well as cytoskeletal rearrangements [ 49 , 50 ] and cellular signal transduction [ 51 ]. At a higher biological level, S100A6 was shown to be associated with memory formation in rats [ 52 ]. Another S-100 member is S100A11 (Calgizzarin), involved in regulating growth of cells [ 53 ] such as keratinocytes [ 54 ].…”