The molecule motor casts memory

The molecule motor casts memory
Author: Beautiful and fragrant flowers



The scientist has found and gone through the molecular mechanism linked up with cognition.
(The picture is offered: CORBIS)

How does the brain form memory? Usually, our experience and interaction will leave and brand in the brain in a certain way, what a connection which changes them to form memory but nerve cell is on earth, but a mystery not solved all the time. Nowadays, the scientist says, they have found and gone through the molecular mechanism linked up with cognition, and all these seem to all attribute to a small molecule engine.

The scientist believes, the memory of memory and a long time course by name are strengthened (LTP) Course relevant,last nerve cell this course to during get in touch. The nerve cell passes and releases the neurotransmitters - -Used for stimulating it around " Neighbour " Receptor - -Come to exchange, and LTP can touch off more receptors and assemble in receiving the cell membrane of cells, thus make it more sensitive to information of coming.

The research before this shows, the actin and myoglobulin - -Two kinds of proteins playing an important role in muscles shrink - -Have played the key effect in the gathering the course by the volume of nerve cell. In order to study this kind of possibility, neurobiologists MichaelEhlers and his colleagues of North Carolina State Durham medical center of Duke University of U.S.A., utilize regular formation of image and biochemical method, slice research to the brain of the little mouse. These tests reveal, a signal introduced can touch off a large amount of calcium and enter a nerve cell. The calcium will activate a kind of myoglobulin - -Myoglobulin Vb, thus impel it to be wrapped up by the receptor stored in the cell depths, and wrap up these receptors in the signal location taken to the nerve cell to click, here, the receptor can receive the neurotransmitters, and participate in LTP course.

In order to verify the myoglobulin Vb really lets the cognitive process be turned into a possible engine, Ehlers and his colleague utilizes the chemical method to inhibit the myoglobulin Vb in the nerve cell, these cells then it is unable to produce LTP. Researchers have reported this research results on the latest " cell " magazine. Ehlers points out: "Unexpectedly can explain most membrane transmission course as to a motor molecule, we feel very surprised. In fact, it will be probably ' the engine ' which form memory. "

The Alabama State neurobiologist MarieWooten engaged in signal research of cell of Auburn University thinks in U.S.A.: "The work that researchers do links a lot of o'clock together. " Wooten points out, this thesises one layer for a layer shown, how the nerve cell transfers the receptor to their outside membrane during LTP. Weir's neuroscientist BettinaWinckler of the market University of Virginia Lip river thatch agrees on this in summer. Winckler shows, " this thesis is just like a diamond " ,Or one are designed the perfect engine. She says: "It can adapt to each of things perfectly. "

The molecule motor casts memory