Dual Role of an mps-2/KCNE-Dependent Pathway in Long-Term Memory and Age-Dependent Memory Decline.
Fenyves BGTransfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Department of Molecular Biology, Semmelweis University, Tűzoltó u. 37-47, 1094 Budapest, Hungary.
Arnold ATransfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland.
Gharat VGTransfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland.
Haab CDivision of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland.
Tishinov KBiozentrum, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland.
Peter FTransfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland.
de Quervain DTransfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Division of Cognitive Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; University Psychiatric Clinics, University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4055 Basel, Switzerland.
Papassotiropoulos ATransfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Biozentrum, Life Sciences Training Facility, University of Basel, Klingelbergstrasse 50/70, 4056 Basel, Switzerland; University Psychiatric Clinics, University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4055 Basel, Switzerland.
Stetak ATransfaculty Research Platform Molecular and Cognitive Neurosciences, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; Division of Molecular Neuroscience, Department of Psychology, University of Basel, Birmannsgasse 8, 4055 Basel, Switzerland; University Psychiatric Clinics, University of Basel, Wilhelm Klein-Strasse 27, 4055 Basel, Switzerland. Electronic address: a.stetak@unibas.ch.
English
Activity-dependent persistent changes in neuronal intrinsic excitability and synaptic strength are underlying learning and memory. Voltage-gated potassium (Kv) channels are potential regulators of memory and may be linked to age-dependent neuronal disfunction. MinK-related peptides (MiRPs) are conserved transmembrane proteins modulating Kv channels; however, their possible role in the regulation of memory and age-dependent memory decline are unknown. Here, we show that, in C. elegans, mps-2 is the sole member of the MiRP family that controls exclusively long-term associative memory (LTAM) in AVA neuron. In addition, we demonstrate that mps-2 also plays a critical role in age-dependent memory decline. In young adult worms, mps-2 is transcriptionally upregulated by CRH-1/cyclic AMP (cAMP)-response-binding protein (CREB) during LTAM, although the mps-2 baseline expression is CREB independent and instead, during aging, relies on nhr-66, which acts as an age-dependent repressor. Deletion of nhr-66 or its binding element in the mps-2 promoter prevents age-dependent transcriptional repression of mps-2 and memory decline. Finally, MPS-2 acts through the modulation of the Kv2.1/KVS-3 and Kv2.2/KVS-4 heteromeric potassium channels. Altogether, we describe a conserved MPS-2/KVS-3/KVS-4 pathway essential for LTAM and also for a programmed control of physiological age-dependent memory decline.