# Transcriptomic Mechanisms of Formation and Persistence of Synapse Specific Long-Term Memory

> **NIH NIH R01** · SCRIPPS FLORIDA · 2021 · $291,187

## Abstract

PROJECT SUMMARY
 Long-term memory (LTM) storage requires remodeling of pre-existing synapses and formation of new
ones. While the necessity of transcription in the temporal phases of LTM such as formation and persistence
has been described, we lack comprehensive information on how gene expression changes in a neural circuitry
mediate the formation and persistence of LTM. In any of the animal models of learning, we do not know what
components of the transcriptomes are recruited specifically in pre- or post-synaptic neurons for mediating the
formation and persistence of LTM. Particularly we know very little about the gene expression changes
required for the persistence of LTM. Lack of this knowledge is a critical barrier for deciphering the molecular
underpinnings of synapse specificity and LTM. The central hypothesis of this proposal is that coordinated
regulation of the pre- and the post-synaptic neuronal transcriptome mediate the formation and
persistence of synapse specific LTM. We propose to test this hypothesis using the well-characterized
neural circuitry of gill-withdrawal reflex (GWR) of the marine snail, Aplysia californica. Specifically, using a
modified bifurcated sensory neuron-motor neuron culture, we will assess the changes in the subcellular
transcriptome of pre-synaptic sensory neurons and post-synaptic motor neurons during the formation and
persistence of the synapse specific LTM. Furthermore, the role of molecular motor kinesin mediated transport
of RNAs from the cell body to synapses in synapse specific LTM will be determined. We anticipate that these
experiments will facilitate the decoding of the gene expression program for the formation and persistence of
LTM in components of a defined neural circuitry. Furthermore, our studies are expected to produce a ground-
breaking impact on the basic biology of synapse specific LTM as well as to facilitate identification of novel
candidates for the development of therapeutics for memory disorders.

## Key facts

- **NIH application ID:** 10224786
- **Project number:** 5R01MH119541-03
- **Recipient organization:** SCRIPPS FLORIDA
- **Principal Investigator:** Sathya Puthanveettil
- **Activity code:** R01 (R01, R21, SBIR, etc.)
- **Funding institute:** NIH
- **Fiscal year:** 2021
- **Award amount:** $291,187
- **Award type:** 5
- **Project period:** 2019-09-12 → 2022-04-01

## Primary source

NIH RePORTER: https://reporter.nih.gov/project-details/10224786

## Citation

> US National Institutes of Health, RePORTER application 10224786, Transcriptomic Mechanisms of Formation and Persistence of Synapse Specific Long-Term Memory (5R01MH119541-03). Retrieved via AI Analytics 2026-05-22 from https://api.ai-analytics.org/grant/nih/10224786. Licensed CC0.

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