Remembering and forgetting are important aspects of normal behavioral adaptation; however, the molecular basis of forgetting has been less studied. Using rat and mouse models we find that WT1, a transcriptional repressor that is activated in the hippocampus by LTP producing stimuli and behavioral memory, enables forgetting. Acute or tonic knockdown of WT1 did not affect short-term memory but enhanced long-term memory and enables a switch from circuit to cellular computation in the hippocampus. A control theory model predicts that WT1 could be a general repressor of memory or a regulator that preserves the ability to remember multiple sequential experiences. Using sequential training for two tasks, mice with non-functional WT1 have better memory for the first task, but show impaired memory for the second task. Taken together, our observations indicate that WT1 mediates an experience-activated forgetting process that preserves the capability of the animal to remember other new experiences.

Wilms tumor 1 promotes memory flexibility

Scan to connect with one of our mobile apps

Coinbase Wallet app

Coinbase app

Or try the Coinbase Wallet browser extension