C. elegans remembers the environment in which it was bred by the action of a protein called PKC-1.This time, Shingo Hiroki, a graduate student at the University of Tokyo, and Professor Yuichi Iino have revealed that the similar protein TPA-1, which is the "brother" of PKC-1, supports the function of PKC-1 under specific conditions. ..
It is known that nematodes remember the concentration of salt around them when they are bred and become fond of that concentration.In this behavior, it is known that the strength of the action of a protein (enzyme) called PKC-1 controls the "preference" of concentration.On the other hand, what proteins other than PKC-1 regulate learning have not been fully elucidated.
It is now clear that TPA-1, a protein very similar to PKC-1, supports PKC-1 for proper learning. Since PKC-1 and TPA-1 are slightly different in shape and characteristics, TPA-1 does not work well under normal conditions, and even without TPA-1, learning is not affected.It was found that TPA-1 works as a supplement to enable correct behavior when learning becomes difficult, such as when nerve function declines due to aging or when learning behavior is disturbed by extra sensory input.
Since many animals have a number of sibling-like proteins that are "similar but slightly different" as described above, learning about their significance by "providing a rescue boat in case of trouble" etc. It can be inferred that the mechanism necessary for survival is strengthened.In addition, many animals such as humans have proteins corresponding to PKC-1 and TPA-1, and it is known that they also control learning.It is said that such a mechanism may be a common mechanism for living organisms to learn correctly in any situation.
