Memory persistence relies on the interaction between KIBRA and PKMζ, maintaining synaptic strength despite molecular turnover. This partnership supports long-term memory by anchoring PKMζ to active synapses, essential for late-phase potentiation. Disrupting this interaction erases established memories, highlighting its role in sustaining memory longevity.
June 2024 – Science Advances
Key takeaways
- Molecular turnover does not hinder memory retention: Despite the rapid turnover of KIBRA and PKMζ, their partnership ensures that memory persists. New proteins continually replace the old, maintaining the integrity of long-term potentiation. This process is analogous to replacing planks on a ship without losing its functionality, a concept that may inform regenerative approaches to combat age-related memory decline
- Targeted molecular anchoring sustains synaptic strength: KIBRA acts as a “synaptic tag,” anchoring PKMζ specifically at activated synapses. This precise targeting ensures that memory-related synaptic changes are preserved, while unactivated synapses remain unaffected. This selective mechanism might inspire strategies to enhance cognitive resilience during ageing
- Disrupting key molecular interactions erases established memories: Interfering with the KIBRA-PKMζ interaction selectively eliminates long-term memory without affecting basic synaptic function. This finding highlights the importance of these proteins in sustaining memory and opens the door to therapeutic strategies for conditions like Alzheimer’s disease, where memory retention is compromised
The interaction between the protein KIBRA and the kinase PKMζ is critical for maintaining long-term memory. These molecules ensure synaptic strength is preserved even as individual proteins degrade and are replaced. This mechanism demonstrates how dynamic processes, rather than static structures, underlie memory retention over time.
Read the article at: Tsokas, Panayiotis, et al. “KIBRA Anchoring the Action of PKMζ Maintains the Persistence of Memory.” Science Advances, vol. 10, no. 26, 2024, doi:10.1126/sciadv.adl0030.