It is an intriguing hypothesis that the complex organization of neuronal dynamics important for a memory engram is largely underpinned by the regulation of nucleolar functioning. This Editorial highlights a study by Capitano and coworkers in this issue of the Journal of Neurochemistry, in which the authors tackle this hypothesis with a behavioral approach. The study investigates the role of axo-dendritic mRNAs within learning-induced plasticity and invivo modulation of rRNA transcription in response to spatial learning. The authors confirm with their invivo approach what is known from many earlier invitro experiments: efficient learning and memory requires a proper homeostasis of hippocampal neurons in general, which, however, depends crucially on proper integrity of the nucleolus.
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