Overexpression of hippocampal Ca2+/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II improves spatial memory

Hippocampal alpha-calcium/calmodulin-dependent protein kinase II (alpha CaMKII) has been implicated in neuronal plasticity and spatial learning. In the present experiment, an adeno-associated virus (AAV) vector was designed to express aCaMKII driven by the U6 promotor. Microinfusion of this vector into the rat hippocampus increased alpha CaMKII immunoreactivity by similar to 73% (Western analysis) and improved performance in a water maze task. Locomotor activity and exploratory behavior in an open field task were not altered by the overexpression of (alpha CaMKII. These data support a role for alpha CaMKII in spatial or explicit memory storage. The advantages of viral vectors for manipulating target proteins expression compared with genetically modified mouse models are discussed. (c) 2006 Wiley-Liss, Inc.