Cell reportsJun 23, 2015

Synaptic Orb2A links learning with long-term memory formation in fruit flies

Circadian Biology Weekly Brief ↗PubMed ↗DOI ↗

Updated Mar 30, 2026

Abstract

Drosophila exhibits delayed long-term memory consolidation during courtship suppression learning.

Delayed long-term memory consolidation is observed in Drosophila after courtship suppression learning.
Dopaminergic neurons active during memory acquisition are necessary and sufficient for this delayed consolidation.
The translational regulator Orb2A tags specific synapses in mushroom body neurons during learning.
Later consolidation involves the recruitment of Orb2B and the synthesis of CaMKII, which is dependent on activity.

Simplified

To adapt to an ever-changing environment, animals consolidate some, but not all, learning experiences to long-term memory. In mammals, long-term memory consolidation often involves neural pathway reactivation hours after memory acquisition. It is not known whether this delayed-reactivation schema is common across the animal kingdom or how information is stored during the delay period. Here, we show that, during courtship suppression learning, Drosophila exhibits delayed long-term memory consolidation. We also show that the same class of dopaminergic neurons engaged earlier in memory acquisition is also both necessary and sufficient for delayed long-term memory consolidation. Furthermore, we present evidence that, during learning, the translational regulator Orb2A tags specific synapses of mushroom body neurons for later consolidation. Consolidation involves the subsequent recruitment of Orb2B and the activity-dependent synthesis of CaMKII. Thus, our results provide evidence for the role of a neuromodulated, synapse-restricted molecule bridging memory acquisition and long-term memory consolidation in a learning animal.

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Synaptic Orb2A links learning with long-term memory formation in fruit flies

Abstract

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