Induction of cerebellar hsp72 in rats learning a two-way active avoidance task.
The involvement of brain heat shock proteins in learning was examined by Western analyses in rats trained for an active avoidance task, and in passive and active controls. Expression of the constitutive hsp73 was intense in brain, liver, and kidney of all rats. Conversely, expression of the inducible hsp72 occurred in the cerebellum of most trained rats, but not in passive or active controls. Significant correlations were present between avoidances and cerebellar scores determined 8 h after training. Induction of hsp72 may therefore be attributed to learning in the cerebellum, while in other brain regions, liver and kidney stress-related stimuli may play a prevalent role.