New studies indicate that an Aplysia californica variant of the translational regulator CPEB exhibits prion-like properties, enabling the protein to establish a stable, self-perpetuating and synapse-specific enhancement of neurotransmission. These studies suggest that a radically new kind of signalling — an autocatalytic change in protein conformation — is involved in maintaining long-term memories.
This is a preview of subscription content, access via your institution
Access options
Subscribe to this journal
Receive 12 print issues and online access
$209.00 per year
only $17.42 per issue
Buy this article
- Purchase on Springer Link
- Instant access to full article PDF
Prices may be subject to local taxes which are calculated during checkout
References
Roberson, E.D. & Sweatt, J.D. Learn Mem. 6, 381–388 (1999).
Si, K., Lindquist, S. & Kandel, E.R. Cell 115, 879–891 (2003).
Si, K. et al. Cell 115, 893–904 (2003).
Liu, J. & Schwartz, J.H. Brain Res. 959, 68–76 (2003).
Author information
Authors and Affiliations
Rights and permissions
About this article
Cite this article
Levenson, J., Sweatt, J. Translating prions at the synapse. Nat Cell Biol 6, 184–187 (2004). https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb0304-184b
Issue Date:
DOI: https://doi.org/10.1038/ncb0304-184b
