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. 2018 Oct 5:11:361.
doi: 10.3389/fnmol.2018.00361. eCollection 2018.

ERK1/2: A Key Cellular Component for the Formation, Retrieval, Reconsolidation and Persistence of Memory

Jorge H Medina  1 , Haydee Viola  1   2
Affiliations
Free PMC article

ERK1/2: A Key Cellular Component for the Formation, Retrieval, Reconsolidation and Persistence of Memory

Jorge H Medina et al. Front Mol Neurosci. .
Free PMC article

Abstract

Extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) has been strongly implicated in several cellular processes. In the brain ERK1/2 activity has been primarily involved in long-term memory (LTM) formation and expression. Here, we review earlier evidence and describe recent developments of ERK1/2 signaling in memory processing focusing the attention on the role of ERK1/2 in memory retrieval and reconsolidation, and in the maintenance of the memory trace including mechanisms involving the protection of labile memories. In addition, relearning requires ERK1/2 activity in selected brain regions. Its involvement in distinct memory stages points at ERK1/2 as a core element in memory processing and as one likely target to treat memory impairments associated with neurological disorders.

Keywords: ERK1/2; durability; extinction; long-term memory; reconsolidation; retrieval.

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Figures

Figure 1
Figure 1
Schematic representation of some of the major components of the extracellular regulated kinase 1/2 (ERK1/2) signaling cascade and its main effects. β-Adr-R, beta adrenergic receptor; Ach-R, muscarinic cholinergic receptors; NMDA-R, NMDA glutamate receptor; D1-R, dopamine 1 receptor; Raf (kinase that phosphorylates MEK1/2 that in turn phosphorylates ERK1/2).
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