Memory enhancing protein

Abstract

The present invention provides methods and compositions for enhancing memory in animals, including humans by the administration of an effective amount of an atypical form of protein kinase C such as protein kinase M zeta (PKMζ) or protein kinase C iota/lambda.

1 .- 2 . (canceled) 
     
     
         3 . A method of enhancing synaptic transmission in an animal comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an atypical form of PKC. 
     
     
         4 . (canceled) 
     
     
         5 . A method of treating brain injury in an animal comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an atypical form of PKC. 
     
     
         6 . A method of treating spinal cord injury in an animal comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of an atypical form of PKC. 
     
     
         7 .- 8 . (canceled) 
     
     
         9 . A pharmaceutical composition comprising an atypical form of PKC and a pharmaceutically acceptable carrier. 
     
     
         10 . The composition of  claim 9 , wherein said atypical form of PKC is PKMζ or PKC iota/lambda. 
     
     
         11 . A method of causing amnesia or decreasing synaptic transmission in an animal suffering from a traumatic stress disorder, a phobia, a pain syndrome or epilepsy comprising the administration of a therapeutically effective amount of a PKMζ inhibitor. 
     
     
         12 . The method of  claim 11  wherein said PKMζ inhibitor is chelerythrine. 
     
     
         13 . The method of  claim 3  wherein said PKMζ inhibitor is myristolated zeta inhibitory pseudosubstrate peptide. 
     
     
         14 . The method of  claim 12 , wherein said PKMζ inhibitor is a dominant negative or altered form of PKMζ, or antisense version of PKMζ. 
     
     
         15 . (canceled) 
     
     
         16 . The method of  claim 5  wherein said PKMζ inhibitor is myristolated zeta inhibitory pseudosubstrate peptide. 
     
     
         17 . The method of  claim 6  wherein said PKMζ inhibitor is myristolated zeta inhibitory pseudosubstrate peptide.