Biochemical Studies of Neurons and Glia During Learning and Different Functional Conditions

摘要

A study was made with rats of the differentiation in RNA response in neurons early and late during learning. In early learning, nuclear RNA was formed with high adenine and uracil values, i.e., 26 and 28, respectively. Later during learning a 100% RNA/cell increase occurred, but the RNA had changed to a ribosomal type, i. e., A 21 G 35 C 24 U 20. It is concluded that early response with A-U rich RNA production reflects a genic stimulation in a learning situation never before encountered. Similarly, in behavioral tests, vestibular neurons produce nuclear RNA with high adenine and low uracil values when a difficult balancing is being learned. A study was also made of protein synthesis in isolated neurons and glia during learning. Two separate methods are described for the separation and determination of proteins: (1) An ultramicro method and (2) the use of tricyanoaminopropene to stimulate RNA synthesis in neurons. With these procedures, it is now possible to correlate protein synthesis in isolated neurons with their RNA synthesis and the type of RNA and base composition. (Author)