cAMP-response element binding protein (CREB) Activation
CREB is involved in many different signal pathways. In order to be functional in these pathways, it needs to be phosphorylated. This phosphorylation is mainly made by kinases, but studies have shown that increased amount of calcium (Ca) in the nucleus in nerve cells can also activate CREB.[1]
PROTEIN SYNTHESIS AND MEMORY
Long-term studies have shown that protein synthesis is a key step in the processing of long- term memory.[2] In one of the experiments, the use of an antibiotic (puromycin), which inhibits protein synthesis on the mouse, adversely affected long-term memory formation, and protein synthesis has been one of the points studied with memory for years. However, the complexity of the system and the side effects of the chemicals used in the experiments on the nerves and memory are among the factors that make it difficult to work and to reach a conclusion.[3]
Another point observed in the experiments is that the given long term memory inhibitory chemicals do not have any inhibitory effect on the function of short term memory.[4]
LONG AND SHORT TERM MEMORY AND CREB, MEMORY AND NEUROPLASTICITY
Memory is basically stored in the hippocampus of the brain. The CA1 region of the hippocampus stores the newly learned datas in memory, while CA3 provides long-term memory. They use many different transcription factors during these processes. The most studied transcription factor is CREB. However, studies are still on going and the functions of the hippocampus sections have not been completely clarified yet.[5]
CREB is a necessary and essential transcription factor in long-term memory formation. It is a molecular converter that converts short-term memory into long-term memory. Loss of function of the CREB molecule also damages the memory.[6,7] In this case, an inhibitor of CREB also prevents the formation of long-term memory .The stimuli that activate CREB facilitate memory formation.[8]
Studies on CREB started with Aplysia Californica, a sea mollusk, and continued with a fruit fly, Drosophila. Recent studies have focused on mice and no experiments have been performed on human cells yet.[8]
Aplysia Californica
In the experiments performed on Aplysia Californica, animals were divided into different groups and the gills of each group were given different values of electric current for different durations. They developed with drawal reflexes in order to protect themselves from the electrical current that changed the behavior of animals as a result of the given currents. At the end of the experiment, it was observed the number of synapses between sensory and motor neurons and the stimulation of nerve cells increased in response to the given signals. The short- term memory caused by the short-term stimulation, the increase in the duration of stimulation, increased expression of C/EBP, and consequently the number of synapses increased, short term memory converts into long-term memory.[9,10]
NEURODEGENERATIVE DISEASES, CREB AND MEMORY
The brain is a kind of machine that manages memory, our behavior, our social functions, our motor functions, and our entire body, whether we realize it or not. Therefore, when this complex machine is damaged, its functions are disrupted and diseases occur.[11]
Neurodegenerative diseases are progressive diseases due to the damage and loss of nerve cells and progressively progress with loss of cognitive, sensory and motor functions. Diseases such as Alzheimer's Disease and Parkinson's Disease, which we often come across in daily life, are examples of neurodegenerative diseases. Alzheimer's Disease is characterized by the formation of intracellular neurofibrillary nodes, which are caused by excessive phosphorylation of the tau protein, which is the cause and formation of amyloid beta plaques.[11] Parkinson's disease is associated with the loss of dopaminergic receptors in the substancia nigra.[12] According to statistical estimates, cases of neurodegenerative disease are expected to be 11-14% by 2020. According to the Alzheimer's Association data, an Alzheimer's diagnosis is made every 65 seconds in the United States, and 6.5 million people live with the diagnosis of Alzheimer's. Scientists are researching to find treatment for these diseases.[13]
According to studies, decreased CREB levels or insufficient CREB function or CREB activation cause memory loss and Alzheimer's Disease. The obviation of this CREB deficiency with memory medications has been a new hope for the treatment of memory disorders, particularly Alzheimer's.[5]
Studies on amnesic mice show that a chemical called Bacoside activates CREB kinases, are CREB-activating molecules and CREB-dependent molecules in hippocampus and brain cortex neurons and facilitates neuroplasticity.[14-16] Show that bacoside inhibits acetylcholine esterase, which is thought to cause Alzheimer's Disease, which digests acetyl choline and is the cause of low levels of acetyl choline.[17,18]
STRENGTHENING MEMORY WITH REINFORCEMENTS
In the light of the informations about memory formation, memory enhancers that regulate neurotransmitters, hormones and regulating metabolizers are designed for the treatment of diseases related to memory loss.[19]
Memory Enhancing Supplements Using cAMP-CREB-C / EBP Pathway Molecular
Research has shown that gene expression due to cAMP, cAMP product CREB and C-EBP in the spinal cord is a key step in long-term memory formation and neuroplasticity.[20,21] Studies show that loss of memory is a result to damage CREB and C/EBP molecules.[19] In contrast, over-expression of cAMP and its products has been shown to increase long-term memory and neuroplasticity.[22] In this case, stimulation of the expression of CREB and C / EBP will strengthen the memory.[23]
So how does CREB do it? Studies show that CREB acts on chromatin and controls whether transcription proteins can reach DNA. Thus, it regulates the synthesis of protein are required for memory formation and manages the memory formation process (Figure 1).[23]
Insulin-like Growth Factor 2 (IGF2)
IGF2 is an important polypeptide in normal growth, development and tissue repair. It was found in brain tissue, especially in the hippocampus and cortex where memory is preserved compared to other members of the family of which it is a member. Although the function of IGF2 has not been completely clarified yet, it is known that it has many different signalling roles within the cell.[24]
Experiments on mice, which research the relationship between IGF2 and memory, show that: injecting recombinant IGF2 into the hippocampus within the first 24 hours after the mouse has been trained, had helped to process long-term memory.[25]