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Defect in cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase due to the dunce mutation of learning in Drosophila melanogaster

Abstract

Cyclic AMP is an intracellular mediator (‘second messenger’) in the nervous and endocrine control of cellular function, regulating different processes in different cell types. Although evidence is incomplete, it seems that cyclic AMP enhances the calcium-mediated release of neurotransmitter in some neurones1–3. A simple form of memory in the mollusc Aplysia is probably encoded as a cyclic AMP-induced enhancement of neurotransmission at certain synapses of the central nervous system4. The possibility that cyclic AMP participates in learning mechanisms may be explored using genetic mutants. For this purpose the fruitfly Drosophila is suitable as it is genetically well characterized and can learn through olfaction5, vision6 or taste7. We show here that independent searches for mutations of olfactory learning8 and of cyclic AMP metabolism9, and for mutations causing female infertility10 have each led to the same gene—the dunce gene. Our evidence indicates that the normal dunce gene may specify a cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase.

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Byers, D., Davis, R. & Kiger, J. Defect in cyclic AMP phosphodiesterase due to the dunce mutation of learning in Drosophila melanogaster. Nature 289, 79–81 (1981). https://doi.org/10.1038/289079a0

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