Down-regulation of beta(1)-adrenoceptors gene expression by short interfering RNA impairs the memory retrieval in the basolateral amygdala of rats

作者：Fu Ai Ling^*; Yan Xue Bin; Sui Li

来源：Neuroscience Letters, 2007, 428(2-3): 77-81.

DOI：10.1016/j.neulet.2007.09.040

• beta(1)-adrenoceptors
• short interfering RNA
• the basolateral amygdala
• memory retrieval

The influence of basolateral amygdala (BLA) on memory is known to depend critically on adrenergic neurotransmission. However, the roles of noradrenergic receptors on memory retrieval have been elusive and controversial. Here, we investigated the effect of beta(1)-adrenoceptor (beta(1)-AR) on auditory fear memory in the rat BLA. We attenuated the expression of beta(1)-AR by RNA interference, a popular means to specific suppress gene expression. Bilateral microinjection of beta(1)-AR short interfering RNA (siRNA) could reach a satisfying transfection in the BLA: beta(1)-AR protein expression was reduced transiently by siRNA in vivo at day 3. The behavioral tests indicated that memory retrieval was impaired as beta(1)-AR protein expression was prevented, and the memory was restored when the beta(1)-AR protein got back to normal level. The results suggested that beta(1)-AR might be critical for the retrieval of auditory fear memory.

• 出版日期2007-11-27
• 单位复旦大学; 西南大学