Zif and the Survival of Memory

Abstract
For new memories to survive, they must first undergo a time-dependent process called consolidation. When memories are retrieved, they become labile and sometimes undergo reconsolidation to retain their permanent status. In their Perspective, Izquierdo and Cammarota discuss two new studies ( Lee et al., Frankland et al.) that identify the protein Zif268 as a crucial factor for memory consolidation and reconsolidation in the hippocampus and anterior cingulate cortex of rodents.