Role of synaptic plasticity-related gene Arc on regulating cognitive function in the brain

2018 Fiscal Year Final Research Report

• Project/Area Number: 15H04258
• Research Category: Grant-in-Aid for Scientific Research (B)
• Allocation Type: Single-year Grants
• Section: 一般
• Research Field: Neurophysiology / General neuroscience
• Research Institution: Kagoshima University (2018); Kyoto University (2015-2017)
• Principal Investigator: Hiroyuki OKUNO 鹿児島大学, 医歯学域医学系, 教授 (80272417)
• Research Collaborator: Imayoshi Itaru ; Bito Haruhiko ; Hirano Yukinori ; Amaya Victor Ramirez
• Project Period (FY): 2015-04-01 – 2019-03-31
• Keywords: シナプス可塑性 / 記憶 / 遺伝子発現

Outline of Final Research Achievements

The synapse, a site of communication between two neurons, operates as a minimal functional unit that underlies a variety of cognitive functions including learning and memory. This study aims to investigate the molecular basis of synaptic regulation through a gene called, Arc, whose expression is regulated in turn by synaptic activities. Our analysis revealed that Arc is involved in for formation and maintenance of long-term memory as well as experience-dependent neural plasticity. Furthermore, we found that Arc-expressing neurons in the hippocampus play a critical role for retrieval of a month-old memory in mice. Our results suggest a fundamental role of Arc in cognitive function in the brain.

Free Research Field

神経分子生物学

Academic Significance and Societal Importance of the Research Achievements

記憶の形成、維持および想起メカニズムは古くより学術的な興味対象として多くの研究者によって調べられてきましたが、その分子機構に関してはいまだに多くが未解明のままで残されています。本研究ではArcという遺伝子による新しい分子制御モデルを提唱し、それが実際の大脳で起こっていることを明らかにしました。記憶や認知機能の分子的基盤解明は発達障害や認知症などに対する新たな治療法および予防策に役に立つと考えられます。