If phosphatases go up, memory goes down.

Previous work has provided conclusive support for a role of various protein kinases in processes underlying learning and memory formation. While these processes are not yet established in full detail, it is interesting to entertain the idea of protein phosphatases being involved in such mechanisms as well. Recent advances in this respect have provided preliminary support of this view. From the pharmacological as well as the transgenic analysis, it appears that especially the calcineurin/inhibitor-1 cascade plays an important role in the transition of intermediate-term into long-term memory formation.