The secret lies in a protein called CREB (cAMP response element-binding protein). In neurons, CREB plays a crucial role in activating genes needed for long-term memory. Scientists recently discovered that kidney cells also use CREB to respond to and "remember" signals. By introducing a genetic marker into human kidney cells, researchers could track how these cells stored information through CREB-activated gene expression.
This process mirrors how neurons encode memories, suggesting that memory-related genetic pathways aren't exclusive to the brain. Instead, they might be a shared feature across various cell types, including those outside the nervous system.
From a genetics perspective, this finding is particularly exciting. It highlights how gene regulation and protein function—core concepts in genetics—can drive complex behaviors like memory in unexpected places. For geneticists, it opens up new questions: How do these memory processes affect kidney function? Could they play a role in health or disease?
This discovery challenges the long-held belief that memory is a neuron-specific function. Instead, it underscores the adaptability of genetic mechanisms in diverse cellular contexts, reminding us that our genome’s influence extends far beyond what we traditionally expect.
References:
Tamayo, A. (2024, November 27). Like brain cells, kidney cells can form memories. Science News. https://www.sciencenews.org/article/brain-kidney-cells-memory
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