Arc as a master regulator of neuronal plasticity and cognition: signaling hub protein or retroviral-like capsid? - Clive Bramham

Event Details:

Tuesday, October 8, 2019
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Time
12:30pm to 1:30pm PDT
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Event Sponsor
Wu Tsai Neurosciences Institute
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Clive R. Bramham

Department of Biomedicine and KG Jebsen Centre for Neuropsychiatry
University of Bergen


Abstract

The immediate early gene, Arc, is a pivotal regulator of synaptic plasticity, memory, and cognitive flexibility. But what is Arc protein?  How does it work? Recent work has provided surprising insights into the structural and biochemical properties of the Arc protein. Inside the neuron, Arc is a protein interaction hub and dynamic regulator of synaptic plasticity. In radical contrast, Arc protein can also self-assemble into retrovirus-like capsids that are released in extracellular vesicles and capable of intercellular transfer of RNA. Resolving this dichotomy is of major importance for understanding how neuronal activity shapes connectivity in neural networks.