The role of eEF2 pathway in learning and synaptic plasticity

One of the hallmarks of learning processes in any species studied so far is that they require intact protein synthesis machinery in order to consolidate memories. Interestingly, synaptic plasticity and consolidation processes share similar molecular mechanisms. In recent years, different laboratories have been studying regulation of translation machinery as a molecular entity underlying the consolidation process. Protein synthesis consists of three phases: initiation, elongation, and termination. The initiation step is considered the rate limiting step of protein synthesis. However, there is growing evidence that critical regulation of protein synthesis occurs at the elongation phase as well. Here, we focus on the eukaryotic elongation factor 2 (eEF2) pathway as a major regulator of protein synthesis, synaptic plasticity and memory consolidation. •Protein synthesis consists of three phases: initiation, elongation, and termination, each requiring specific factors.•The actual polypeptide synthesis occurs during the elongation phase with critical regulation via the eEF2 pathway.•eEF2K-eEF2 pathway is controlled by several molecular events and cellular processes.•eEF2 has been implicated in several learning paradigms subserved by different brain regions in several animal models.•Future directions of eEF2-related research.