Loss of SYD-2 leads to decreased short-term memory in Caenorhabditis elegans

Learning and memory require tight regulation of communication between pre- and postsynaptic responses. SYD-2, the <i>C. elegans</i> ortholog of vertebrate liprin-α, is known for its presynaptic role in active zone maintenance but its role in learning and memory has not been previously investigated. Here, we present findings from 30-minute short-term aversive olfactory memory assay with <i>C. elegans</i> lacking SYD-2 ( <i>ok217</i> mutants). Wild-type (N2) worms exhibited robust learning and short-term memory for aversion to diacetyl. Despite its role in presynaptic maintenance, we found that the loss of SYD-2 had no effect on aversive learning but decreased short-term associative memory.