[Analysis of the expression of the c-fos proto-oncogene in the rat cerebral cortex during learning].

Expression of the c-fos proto-oncogene has been associated with mitosis or differentiation in a number of cultured cells or tissues in vivo. Expression of the c-fos proto-oncogene in adult rat brain cells was studied in the process of learning with the use of Northern hybridization techniques. Our results demonstrate that high levels of c-fos mRNA are detectable in brains of all animals treated. Therefore, c-fos is likely to play an important role in the process of learning.