Analysis of the influence of sleep on protein kinase m zeta expression and on rats memory

• Grant number: 13/14422-4
• Support Opportunities: Scholarships in Brazil - Master
• Start date: October 01, 2013
• End date: September 30, 2015
• Field of knowledge: Biological Sciences - Physiology - General Physiology
• Principal Investigator: Monica Levy Andersen
• Grantee: Luísa Mendes Amando de Barros
• Host Institution: Escola Paulista de Medicina (EPM). Universidade Federal de São Paulo (UNIFESP). Campus São Paulo. São Paulo , SP, Brazil

Abstract

Memory is defined as a process of acquisition, consolidation and retrieval of information available in the Central Nervous System. After the consolidation period, memories are maintained and, then, retrieved and reconsolidated or extinguished. The maintenance of memories seems to be realized by an atypical isoform of protein kinase C, the protein kinase M zeta (PKM¶). Also, there is a strong relationship between memory and sleep: a period of sleep after learning facilitates memory consolidation, and, further, sleep deprivation leads to an impairment in many types of memories. Considering both, PKM¶'s and sleep's role on memory, the aim of this study is to analyze a possible relationship between these two factors and also elucidate if there are mechanisms by which sleep operates in memory maintenance and PKM¶ expression. To do that, male Wistar rats will be submitted to sleep deprivation techniques (6 hours of total sleep deprivation and 96 hours of paradoxical sleep deprivation) and will undergo training of auditory fear conditioning task. The test of the task will happen after sleep deprivation or after the rebound period. After behavioral experiments, animals will be euthanized to analyzing PKM¶ expression by western blotting reactions. Thus, this study expects to evaluate the role of sleep on memory maintenance and on PKM¶ expression. (AU)

Scientific publications

(References retrieved automatically from Web of Science and SciELO through information on FAPESP grants and their corresponding numbers as mentioned in the publications by the authors)

BARROS, L. A.; TUFIK, S.; ANDERSEN, M. L.. The role of progesterone in memory: An overview of three decades. NEUROSCIENCE AND BIOBEHAVIORAL REVIEWS, v. 49, p. 193-204, FEB 2015. (13/14422-4)