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Flies Need Nuclear Calcium to Remember
Memory formation is a complex process, and the formation of long-term memories requires changes in gene expression to persistently adapt the neuronal circuitry. The ability to create lasting memories of aversive experiences associated with smells likely provides a survival advantage. Weislogel et al. used fruit flies with genetically encoded calcium sensors and proteins that interfered specifically with the nuclear, but not cytosolic, calcium signals to show in vivo that nuclear calcium was specifically required for changes in long-term olfactory avoidance memory formation, but not for other forms of olfactory avoidance memories that do not require gene expression. This study provides a demonstration of the signals required for lasting memory formation in vivo.