Arc/Arg3.1: linking gene expression to synaptic plasticity and memory.
Arc/Arg3.1 is an effector immediate-early gene implicated in the consolidation of memories. Although cloned a decade ago, the physiological role of Arc/Arg3.1 in the brain has remained elusive. Four papers in this issue of Neuron address this function. These studies show that Arc/Arg3.1 regulates endophilin 3 and dynamin 2, two components of the endocytosis machinery. Genetic ablation of Arc/Arg3.1 in mice or overexpression in culture suggest that Arc/Arg3.1 regulates AMPA receptor trafficking and synaptic plasticity. Finally, Arc/Arg3.1 knockout mice show memory retention deficits. These recent developments provide new insights into the function of this popular activity-dependent neuronal marker.
Tzingounis
Anastassios V
AV
Departments of Cellular and Molecular Pharmacology and Physiology, University of California, San Francisco, San Francisco, California 94143, USA. tzingoun@cmpmail.ucsf.edu
Nicoll
Roger A
RA
D000818:Animals; D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D015870:Gene Expression / Q000502:physiology*; D008568:Memory / Q000502:physiology*; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins / Q000502:physiology*; D009473:Neuronal Plasticity / Q000502:physiology*
D003598:Cytoskeletal Proteins; D009419:Nerve Tissue Proteins; C092069:activity regulated cytoskeletal-associated protein