A high through-put reverse genetic screen identifies two genes involved in remote memory in mice

Abstract

Previous studies have revealed that the initial stages of memory formation require several genes involved in synaptic, trancriptional and translational mechanisms. In contrast, very little is known about the molecular and cellular mechanisms underlying later stages of memory, including remote memory (i.e. 7-day memory). To identify genes required for remote memory, we screened randomly selected mouse strains harboring known mutations. In our primary reverse genetic screen, we identified 4 putatitve remote memory mutant strains out of a total of 54 lines analyzed. Additionally, we found 11 other mutant strains with other abnormal profiles. Secondary screens confirmed that mutations of integrin β2 (Itgβ2) and steryl-O-acyl tranferase 1 (Soat1) specifically disrupted remote memory. This study identifies some of the first genes required for remote memory, and suggest that screens of targeted mutants may be an efficient strategy to identify molecular requirements for this process. © 2008 Matynia et al.