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Evolutionarily conserved developmental pathways

The Learning Pathway - Cyclic AMP (cAMP) Second Messenger System

The cyclic AMP second messenger system  is a signal transduction cascade tying neurotransmitter signals to transcription factors, bringing about the cellular changes that take place during learning. For more information, see the cAMP or Learning Pathway site. This pathway is highly conserved in evolution. For example, cellular slime molds use it to transduce cAMP signals to the nucleus resulting in the induction of cell aggregation. Fos and Jun (targets of cAMP signals) and important in growth factor responses, are also activated through the Ras pathway.

Drosophila                   Homologs in other species 
----------                   ----------------------------

Rutabaga                     Mammalian: Type I adenyl cyclase

Ca2+-calmodulin              Vertebrates: Ca2+-calmodulin

cAMP-dependent               Mammalian: cAMP-dependent protein kinase A
protein kinase 1

Dunce                        Vertebrates: cAMP-specific phosphodiesterase

Rutabaga                     Mammalian: Type I adenyl cyclase

DCREB2                       Mammalian: CREB, CREM and ATF-1

DFos                         Mammalian: cFos

DJun                         Mammalian: cJun

Developmental Pathways conserved in Evolution

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