Small G Protein Signaling in Neuronal Plasticity and Memory Formation: The Specific Role of Ras Family Proteins

• Published in: Neuron (Cambridge, Mass.) Vol. 68; no. 3; pp. 340 - 361
• Main Authors: Ye, Xiaojing, Carew, Thomas J.
• Format: Journal Article
• Language: English
• Published: United States Elsevier Inc 04-11-2010; Elsevier Limited
• Subjects: Autism; Cell Membrane - physiology; Cognitive ability; Garlic; Gene expression; Genes, ras; Humans; Memory; Memory - physiology; Monomeric GTP-Binding Proteins - physiology; Neuronal Plasticity - physiology; Neurotransmitter Agents - metabolism; Protein Conformation; Proteins; ras Proteins - chemistry; ras Proteins - physiology; Receptors, Presynaptic - physiology; Rodents; Signal Transduction - physiology; Studies; Sulfur; Transgenic animals
• ISSN: 0896-6273; 1097-4199
• DOI: 10.1016/j.neuron.2010.09.013

Small G proteins are an extensive family of proteins that bind and hydrolyze GTP. They are ubiquitous inside cells, regulating a wide range of cellular processes. Recently, many studies have examined the role of small G proteins, particularly the Ras family of G proteins, in memory formation. Once thought to be primarily involved in the transduction of a variety of extracellular signals during development, it is now clear that Ras family proteins also play critical roles in molecular processing underlying neuronal and behavioral plasticity. We here review a number of recent studies that explore how the signaling of Ras family proteins contributes to memory formation. Understanding these signaling processes is of fundamental importance both from a basic scientific perspective, with the goal of providing mechanistic insights into a critical aspect of cognitive behavior, and from a clinical perspective, with the goal of providing effective therapies for a range of disorders involving cognitive impairments.