GF 109203X, a selective inhibitor of protein kinase C, impairs retention performance in an operant task.

Abstract

The effects of post-training administration of GF 109203X (5 and 50 ng i.c.v.), a selective inhibitor of protein kinase C, on retention performance were investigated in a positively reinforced lever press task, in male Swiss mice. Both doses of GF 109203X suppressed the spontaneous improvement of performance observed in control animals between the last 5 min of the acquisition session and the first 5 min of the retention session 24 h later. GF 109203X had no effect on food intake and locomotor activity. These data suggest that GF 109203X selectively interferes with mechanisms underlying post-training organization of information and that protein kinase C is involved in this memory process.