Work

Experience-Dependent Coincident Expression of the Effector Immediate-Early Genes Arc and Homer 1a in Hippocampal and Neocortical Neuronal Networks

Year: 2002

Type: article

Abstract: The transcription of the immediate-early genes Arc and Homer 1a (H1a) is dynamically regulated in response to synaptic activity; their protein products function at the postsynaptic sites of excitatory synapses. Previous studies demonstrate a role for Arc in the maintenance of long-term potentiation and in memory consolidation processes and indicate a role for H1a in modifying glutamatergic signaling pathways. Using double-label fluorescence in situ hybridization, we demonstrate that Arc and H1a RNA expression is induced strongly in the same neurons of rat hippocampus and neocortex after exploration of a novel environment. These findings support the view that novel experience activates a cell-specific genomic program and that Arc and H1a may function in concert in the structural and functional modifications of dendrites that lead to long-term changes in synaptic efficacy.

Source: Journal of Neuroscience

DOI: 10.1523/jneurosci.22-23-10067.2002

Authors: Almira Vazdarjanova, Bruce L. McNaughton, Carol A. Barnes, Paul F. Worley, John F. Guzowski

Institutions: University of Arizona, Johns Hopkins University

Language: English

Topic: Neuroscience and Neuropharmacology Research

Subfield: Cellular and Molecular Neuroscience

Field: Neuroscience

Domain: Life Sciences

Open Access status: bronze

Funders: National Institutes of Health, National Institute on Aging, National Institute of Mental Health