Role of Immediate-Early Genes in Synaptic Plasticity and Neuronal Ensembles Underlying the Memory Trace

Abstract

In the brain, neuronal gene expression is dynamically changed in response to neuronal activity. In particular, the expression of immediate-early genes (IEGs) such as egr-1, c-fos, and Arc is rapidly and selectively upregulated in subsets of neurons in specific brain regions associated with learning and memory formation. IEG expression has therefore been widely used as a molecular marker for neuronal populations that undergo plastic changes underlying formation of long-term memory. In recent years, optogenetic and pharmacogenetic studies of neurons expressing c-fos or Arc have revealed that, during learning, IEG-positive neurons encode and store information that is required for memory recall, suggesting that they may be involved in formation of the memory trace. However, despite accumulating evidence for the role of IEGs in synaptic plasticity, the molecular and cellular mechanisms associated with this process remain unclear. In this review, we first summarize recent literature concerning the role of IEG-expressing neuronal ensembles in organizing the memory trace. We then focus on the physiological significance of IEGs, especially Arc, in synaptic plasticity, and describe our hypotheses about the importance of Arc expression in various types of input-specific circuit reorganization. Finally, we offer perspectives on Arc function that would unveil the role of IEG-expressing neurons in the formation of memory traces in the hippocampus and other brain areas.

Hippocampal T cell infiltration promotes neuroinflammation and cognitive decline in a mouse model of tauopathy

“…We then investigated to what extent anti-CD3 treatment impacted on markers known to modulate synaptic plasticity. Specifically, we studied expression of Arc and 14-3-3 proteins, both known to regulate hippocampal-dependent memory (Qiao et al , 2014; Minatohara et al , 2016). As shown in Fig.…”

Neuronal networks and mediators of cortical neurovascular coupling responses in normal and altered brain states

“…The immediate early gene c-fos, encoding the transcription factor c-Fos, increases in neurons upon a wide-range of brain functions, as shown after sensory and optogenetic stimulations [106][107][108] and long-term potentiation (LTP) [109]. The transient kinetics of c-Fos expression is a Ca 2þ -dependent mechanism triggered by various stimuli, including membrane depolarization, and which requires action potential firing [110][111][112].…”

Molecular and cellular aspects of age-related cognitive decline and Alzheimer’s disease

“…1). These IEGs, such as BDNF, Arc, Zif268, cfos, and CREB are essential for LTP, LTD, and for long-term memory formation and consolidation [155,156]. Given their significance for synaptic plasticity and memory, IEGs are potential gene targets that may be differentially activated and expressed in aging animals.…”